Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends

Four Little Engines

Season 4, Episode 5, Aired 11/23/94

Episode Summary

Skarloey feels lonely when Rheneas goes away to be mended; he wishes he could be young and pull coaches again. He finally gets his chance when some stubborn coaches damage Sir Handel and he offers to take over. But he soon realizes that he is not as young as he used to be...moreless

8.7

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Cast & Crew

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George Carlin

U.S. Narrator
Michael Angelis

U.K. Narrator
Rev. W. Awdry

Fan Episode Reviews (7)

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Skarloey is revaled!

10

"Perfect"

By SirZeored, Jun 11, 2007 Report Abuse

Skarloey, Rhenese, Sir Handel, and Peter Sam work on the NG railway pulling passengers and freight all day long. One day Edward was being sent to the works when he found Skarloey in the sheds. He was put there for a rest so he could see everyone. He misses Rhesense very much. Soon Edward must leave. Meanwhile Sir Handel was pulling a vistors trains and is forced to stop quickly because of sheep. Skarloey then takes the train. He trys his hardest but a spring pops out and he is bent to the side. He desides to finish the job. He goes to the stations and finds out he is going to mended! Great intro for Skarloeymoreless

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The beginning of a new era!

9.6

"Superb"

By OldBlueEngine, Jun 03, 2007 Report Abuse

Edward has been sent to the works, but he passes Skarloey, a Narrow Gauge engine, on the way and stops to chat. Skarloey talks about the two new engines, Peter Sam and Falcon, and how his friend Rheneas is away and how he wants to be repaired. But Edward must go and Skarloey is left alone. Meanwhile, Sir Handel is having trouble with his coaches and then derail him and he is too sore to continue work. Skarloey asks to take over, and the driver lets him. However, up a hill, a spring snaps and Skarloey tilts. Yet he makes it too the station and gets to go to the works.

Now, the Narrow Gauge engines are probably in action. However, there were a few problems, despite it being excellent. Firstly, it is made before Sir Handel and Peter Sam (Falcon and Stuart) properly arrive to the Narrow Gauge railway. Also, the Edward scene was really rushed and not to my liking. Then, there are the great things. I loved to see Skarloey have a leading role, but he is soon to be a bit too weak already though there is charecter development. Again, the direction and the scenery was excellent. Season Four has already proven to have the best sets and direction. The opening scene was well done and Micheal Angelis has a wonderful narration to match. I look forward to more NG episodes in the near future!moreless

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The Skarloey Railway is introduced!!

9.3

"Superb"

By dshsmudger15, Dec 27, 2006 Report Abuse

On the Island of Sodor, there is a railway that has a lake in the woods and a beautiful waterfall, and it's where two engines called Skarloey and Rheneas work. There are two other engines working on the railway who are known as Sir Handel and Peter Sam (previously known as Falcon and Stuart). One day, Edward is sent to the works where he meets Skarloey. They share a brief conversation and when Edward is sent to the works, it ends and both engines are very happy. Meanwhile, Sir Handel is having problems with the coaches. They didn't like him, so when he bumped them, they pushed him off the rails. Sir Handel limps back to the shed, and his driver worries about who will pull the visitors' train. Skarloey volunteers to do so and when he picks up the coaches, he scolds them for being careless. Skarloey couldn't stay cross for long however, his journey went very well. That is, until one of his springs break, making Skarloey all lopsided. His driver suggests that a bus will have the take the passengers, but Skarloey refuses, and he takes the passengers all the way to the station to catch their next train. For being triumphant, Skarloey is promised to get sent to the works for repairs.
This episode was definitely one of several important ones in the series. This episode introduced the Skarloey Railway, which would continue to live on in subsequent seasons and would become well-liked by fans. It also properly introduced Skarloey and Rheneas for the first time, so we now know what purpose they serve on the Island. Falcon and Stuart return in this episode, but they are now known as Sir Handel and Peter Sam, and this is where they're lives begin and will continue throughout the rest of the season. It was nice not just seeing the narrow-gauge engines again, but the appearances of other classic characters such as Edward, Oliver, and Terence. What I'm trying to make here is that even though the narrow-gauge engines are the focus of the first half of the season, the other classic characters can come back and play roles in these episodes too.
The only problem I had with this episode can be defined in two words: continuity issues. Since this episode combined "Skarloey Remembers" and "Old Faithful" together, this doesn't give us any explanations that would be later given in the next two episodes. Such things include why the coaches didn't like Sir Handel, and how come Sir Handel and Peter Sam and introduced to the Skarloey Railway TWICE in this season. Despite the continuity issues, this episode was definitely a series classic. It introduced the Skarloey Railway and its engines, which many fans adore, so this episode is really important.
I give this episode a 9.3/10.moreless

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Skarloey Railway is finally introduced!

9.6

"Superb"

By TopHat10, Dec 22, 2006 Report Abuse

This episode was fantastic, the Skarloey Railway was introduced, aswell as Skarloey & Rheneas. This is also the first episode where Stuart & Falcon beocme Peter Sam & Sir Handel. They prefer the names better than the old ones. This episode was great, the Narrow-Gauge engines featured, aswell as Edward, Thomas, James, Oliver, Donald & many more. I'm as true Narrow-Gauge fan, and this episode was Skarloey's first role ever.

Great episode, 9.6 / 10.moreless

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The Skarloey Railway is introduced finally, and when Sir Handel breaks down, Skarloey must take on, for the sake of the passengers. But he soon relizes he is not the engine he once was...moreless

9.8

"Superb"

By rusty005, Dec 22, 2006 Report Abuse

This is probably one of the best Thomas episodes made! With finally the introduction of the Skarloey Railway and engines. This episode is unique in a way, as a complete new engine (to us) strives to get their passengers to their destination, with an accident in between, this is exactly what Thomas is all about. Thomas is not about teaching and educating children (unless you ask HIT), but about railways and how engines work. This episode is a perfect example of that, with the character development of Skarloey and Sir Handel, "Four Little Engines" is a completely spetacular episode. Hooray for Skarloey!moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- When Sir Handel returns to the shed, Percy can be seen passing by with a freight train, but when Skarloey leaves for the station, he's passing again. Edit
- This is the first narrow gauge episode not to feauture Duke. Edit
- Skarloey has his first accident in this episode. Edit
Notes
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- Appearances by Skarloey, Rheneas, Sir Handel, Peter Sam and Edward. Edit
- This episode is based on the Railway Series stories, "Skarloey Remembers" and "Old Faithful". Edit
- Trucks no longer are the only rolling stock to have pushed engines, the Narrow Gauge coaches now have too. This is also the only time in the series where the coaches are the ones who caused trouble. Edit
Quotes
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- Skarloey: I feel all crooked! Driver: We'll need a bus now for our passengers. Skarloey: No. I'll get them to the station or burst! Edit
- Coaches: He's bumped us! Let's pay him out! Edit
- Skarloey: I'm ashamed of you! You might have hurt your passengers! Coaches: We're sorry, Skarloey. Edit
Allusions
- Help by adding allusions to this episode. Add allusions