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Shining Time Station

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Shining Time Station
File:Shiningtimestationlogo.jpg
Shining Time Station title screen
Created byBritt Allcroft
Rick Sigglekow
StarringRingo Starr (1989-1990)
George Carlin (1991-1993)
Didi Conn
Leonard Jackson (1989-1990)
Tom Jackson (1991-1993)
Nicole Leach (1989-1990)
Jason Woliner (1989-1990)
Erica Luttrell (1991-1993)
Ari Magder (1991-1993)
Danielle Marcot (1991-1993)
Brian O'Connor
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes76
Production
Running time22-23 minutes
Original release
NetworkPBS, Fox Family, Nick Jr.
Release1989 –
1993
ReleaseLop
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Shining Time Station was an American spin-off of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends series, although it was co-created by Britt Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow. The series was produced by The Britt Allcroft Company and Quality Family Entertainment in New York. The series aired on PBS from 1989 to 1993, but it was rerun on various networks and returned in specials in 1994 and as Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales in 1997 and their last appearance was in Thomas and the Magic Railroad in 2000.

Overview

Shining Time Station is a train station that resides on the Indian Valley Railroad and is located in the fictional town of Shining Time. The station is managed by Stacy Jones, the station master whose grandmother ran the station when she was Stacy's age, which, based on the episode "How The Station Got Its Name", appears to have been sometime around the 1910s at the latest. The station's workshop is run by railroad engineer and mechanic Harry Cupper. In the second season, Harry is transferred to a new station in Fort Farley and he is replaced by Billy Twofeathers.

A local named Horace Schemer (simply called Schemer by his friends) runs the station's arcade and is always finding new ways to make more money or to protect his arcade, which he considers his "castle". He serves as the series' comic relief. Schemer thinks that any strange goings-on in the station happen because the station is haunted. His catch phrases include "Genius time" (for when he has an idea), "Schemer's system of success" (for when he wants to impress his friends) and "This place is haunted". Starting in the second season, Schemer would sometimes be aided in his schemes by his nephew, Schemee.

There are some kids who visit the station as well. They are Harry's granddaughter, Tanya and Stacy's nephew, Matt. In the second season, three new children visit the station: Harry's granddaughter, Kara; Stacy's nephew, Dan; and a new girl named Becky.

Other visitors to the station include various townspeople, such as socialite and gossip Midge Smoot, farmer Ginny Johnson, general store proprietor Barton Winslow, bus driver Felix Perez, and J.B. King, Esq., the superintendent of the Indian Valley Railroad. Shining Time's mayor, Osgood Bob Flopdinger, would also visit occasionally as well. (In the early seasons, Flopdinger was referred to as the mayor of East Shemp.)

Then there is a jukebox inside the arcade that houses a band that perform for the nickels that are dropped inside. The band consists of Didi the drummer, cowboy twin brothers Tex and Rex who together play between them one guitar larger than them, Grace who plays bass guitar, and Tito the leader who plays the piano and collects the nickels they accumulate.

Finally, there is Mr. Conductor, a tiny man who lives in a switch house inside the mural and tells stories of the Island of Sodor to the kids. These stories are told to teach them a lesson, encourage them to do something, teach them not to be afraid or just to relate to something that's going on at the station. He is magical in that he comes and goes in a cloud of his magic gold dust.

Funding Credits

Shining Time Station was funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and by the financial support of Viewers Like You

Cast

Series Regulars

Season 1 Regulars

Season 2-3 Regulars

Recurring Characters (Full Series)

Recurring Characters (Season 2-3)

The Jukebox Puppet Band

  • Olga Marin - Didi
  • Alan Semok - Tex Boy
  • Craig Marin - Rex Boy
  • Johnathan Freeman - Tito Swing
  • Vanece Thomas - Grace the Bass (1989-1990)
  • Beverly Glenn - Grace the Bass (1991-1994)

The Jukebox Band Songs

Song Episode(s)
I've Been Working on the Railroad A Place Unlike Any Other
Abilene Agree to Disagree
Pop Goes the Weasel Whistle While You Work
A Railroaders Bride I'll Be Two Old Hands
The Wreck of Old '97 Happy Accidents
Union Train Just Wild About Harry's Workshop
Oh! Susanna Promises, Promises
Jesse James Word's Out
Casey Jones Too Many Cooks
Red River Valley Mapping It Out
Clementine Things That Go Ga-Hooga! in the Night
Little Black Train Is This the End?
Midnight Special Scare Dares
Mama Don't Allow Oh, What a Tangled Web
Nine Hundred Miles The Magic is Believing
Arkansas Traveler Win, Lose or Draw
Erie Canal Sweet and Sour
Cosher Bailey's Engine Achoo
Home on the Range A Dog's Life
Take Me Out to the Ballgame Field Day & Second Chances
Sweet Betsy from Pike Wrong Track
Cumberland Gap Washout
John Henry Crackpot
My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean Nickle in a Pickle
I Dream of Jeanie He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
This Train Double Trouble
Chattanooga Choo Choo Is Anybody There?
The Railroad Cars Are Coming All's Fair
Celito Lindo Becky Makes a Wish
Polly Wolly Doodle Schemer Alone
Jamaican Farewell Bully for Mr. Conductor
Five Hundred Miles Stacy Cleans Up
Strollin' Through the Park Schemer's Robot
Get on Board Billy Saves the Day
We Gather Together Billy's Party
Turkey in the Straw Fortune Teller Schemer
Crawdad Schemer Goes Camping
Danny Boy Mr. Conductor's Evil Twin
She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain Bad Luck Day at Shining Time Station
Patriotic Medley Mr. Conductor's 4th of July
Lullaby Medley Stacy Forgets Her Name
Old Joe Clark Schemer's Special Club
No Business Like Show Business Mr. Conductor's Movie
Waltzing Matilda Mysterious Stranger
Michael Row Your Boat Ashore Dan's Big Race
Beautiful Dreamer Mr. Conductor's Big Sleepwalk
Cowboy Medley How The Station Got Its Name
Freight Train Blues  
Cannonball Blues  
Railroad Corral  
Train is A' Comin'  
Riddle Song  
This Old Man  
Old Dan Tucker  
Lonestar Trail Medley Once Upon A Time
Buffalo Gals Medley Once Upon A Time
What's New Pussycat? Once Upon A Time
Christmas Time At The Railway Station Tis A Gift
Jingle Bells Tis A Gift
Over The River And Through The Woods Tis A Gift
If My Friends Could See Me Now One Of The Family
Long, Long Ago One Of The Family
This Land Is My Land One Of The Family
Down in the Valley Second Chances
Skip To My Lou Medley Second Chances
The Lovely Ohio Queen For A Day
Greensleeves/Scarbarough Fair Queen For A Day
Mrs. Murphy's Chowder Queen For A Day

Series' segments

  • Flexitoons Puppets & Marionettes - Jukebox Band Concert
  • Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends - narrated by Ringo Starr & George Carlin
  • Occasionally an episode might have a cartoon/video (usually accompanied by a song) from the picture machine (an old-fashioned arcade film machine), the Anything Tunnel (a tunnel in the station mural), a magic bubble, or if any adult told a story besides Mr. Conductor

Season 2 was delayed because producers needed to find new kids to continue the show's run. The series was famous in North America.

The show ran from (1989-1993) with four 1-hour specials in 1994.

Note: Ari Magder is often credited as "Ari D. Magder", but this is incorrect. The Ari Magder on Shining Time Station is actually Ari Joseph Magder. Ari D. Magder is a camera operator who is not related to the actor Ari Magder.

Episodes

Season One (1989-1990)

  • NOTES: The Thomas stories that have appeared in Season One are named by their Ringo Starr US titles.
# Title Thomas story 1 Thomas story 2
1 A Place Unlike Any Other Thomas Gets Tricked Edward Helps Out
2 Does it Bite? Come Out, Henry Henry to the Rescue
3 And the Band Played Off A Big Day for Thomas Trouble for Thomas
4 Pitching In and Helping Out Thomas Saves the Day James Learns a Lesson
5 Show and Yell Foolish Freight Cars A Proud Day for James
6 Faith, Hope and Anxiety Thomas and the Conductor Thomas Goes Fishing
7 Agree to Disagree Terence the Tractor Thomas & Bertie's Great Race
8 Whistle While You Work Tenders & Turntables Trouble in the Shed
9 Two Old Hands Percy Runs Away Thomas Comes to Breakfast
10 Happy Accidents Henry's Special Coal The Flying Kipper
11 Ring in the Old Toby the Tram Engine Thomas Breaks the Rules
12 Impractical Jokes A Cow on the Line Old Iron
13 Finders Keepers Double Trouble James in a Mess
14 Just Wild About Harry's Workshop Duck Takes Charge Percy Proves a Point
15 Promises, Promises Better Late Than Never Pop Goes the Diesel
16 Words Out Diesel's Devious Deed A Close Shave for Duck
17 Too Many Cooks Gordon Takes a Dip Down the Mine
18 Mapping it Out The Runaway Percy Takes a Plunge
19 Things That Go Gahooga in the Night Percy's Ghostly Trick Woolly Bear
20 Is This the End? Saved From Scrap A New Friend for Thomas
21 'Tis A Gift Thomas' Christmas Party Thomas & the Missing Christmas Tree

Season Two (1991-1993)

  • NOTE: The Thomas stories that have appeared in Season Two and Three are named by their US titles.
# Title Thomas story 1 Thomas story 2
22 Scare Dares Percy's Ghostly Trick Thomas, Percy and the Dragon
23 Oh, What a Tangled Web Diesel's Devious Deed No Joke for James
24 The Magic is Believing Old Iron Edward's Exploit
25 Win, Lose or Draw Double Trouble Gordon and the Famous Visitor
26 Sweet and Sour Donald and Douglas The Deputation
27 Achoo Trust Thomas Whistles and Sneezes
28 A Dog's Life James in a Mess The Trouble with Mud
29 Field Day Percy Proves a Point Thomas & Bertie's Great Race
30 Wrong Track Thomas Saves the Day Down the Mine
31 Washout Bertie's Chase Percy's Promise
32 Crackpot Woolly Bear Henry's Forest
33 Yabba, Yabba, Yabba Pop Goes the Diesel Diesel Does It Again
34 Nickel in a Pickle Thomas Comes to Breakfast Thomas Gets Bumped
35 Stop the Press Percy and the Signal A Big Day for Thomas
36 He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not Thomas, Percy and the Mail Train  
37 Double Trouble The Diseasel Donald's Duck
38 Is Anybody There? Thomas Goes Fishing A Scarf for Percy
39 Do I Hear? Mavis Toby's Tightrope
40 Jingle, Jingle, Jingle Time For Trouble Trouble for Thomas
41 All's Fair Edward, Trevor & the Really Useful Party  

Season Three (1993-1994)

# Title Thomas story 1 Thomas story 2
42 Becky Makes a Wish All at Sea  
43 Schemer Alone Percy, James & the Fruitful Day  
44 Bully for Mr. Conductor Bulgy  
45 Stacy Cleans Up James Goes Buzz Buzz  
46 Schemer's Robot Tenders & Turntables Trouble In the Shed
47 Billy Saves the Day A New Friend for Thomas  
48 Billy's Party Thomas and Percy's Mountain Adventure  
49 Fortune Teller Schemer Thomas and the Conductor A Cow on the Line
50 Billy's Runaway Train A Close Shave for Duck The Runaway
51 Schemer Goes Camping Percy Takes the Plunge  
52 Mr. Conductor's Evil Twin Heroes  
53 Bad Luck Day at Shining Time Station Gordon Takes a Dip  
54 Mr. Conductor's Fourth of July Escape  
55 Stacy Forgets Her Name Thomas Gets Tricked  
56 Schemer's Special Club Oliver Owns Up  
57 Mr. Conductor's Movie Tender Engines  
58 The Joke's on Schemer Daisy  Wrong Road
59 Dance Crazy Percy Runs Away Percy's Predicament
60 Mysterious Stranger Come Out, Henry Henry to the Rescue
61 Dan's Big Race Henry's Special Coal The Flying Kipper
62 Mr. Conductor Gets Left Out A Proud Day for James
63 Mr. Conductor's Big Sleepwalk Saved From Scrap Better Late Than Never
64 The Mayor Runs for Re-Election James Learns a Lesson Foolish Freight Cars
65 Stacy Says No Edward Helps Out Duck Takes Charge
66 How the Station Got Its Name Toby the Tram Engine Thomas Breaks the Rules

TV specials (1995-1996)

# Title Thomas story 1 Thomas story 2
1 Once Upon a Time Rusty to the Rescue Thomas and Stepney
2 Second Chances Granpuff Sleeping Beauty
3 One of the Family Toad Stands By Thomas & The Special Letter
4 Queen For a Day Thomas Meets The Queen Special Attraction

Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales (1997-1998)

# Title Story 1 Story 2 Story 3 Story 4 Story 5 Song
1 Paint the Town Red Come Out, Henry Fish Whistles and Sneezes Henry & the Elephant Bulldog Let's Have A Race
2 Splish, Splash, Splosh Passengers & Polish Gallant Old Engine Bertie's Chase Peter Sam & the Refreshment Lady You Can't Win Gone Fishing
3 Missing Whistles Bulls Eyes Train Stops Play Percy's Ghostly Trick Thomas, Percy & the Dragon Special Funnel Really Useful Engine
4 Wildlife Four Little Engines Daisy Saved From Scrap Rusty Helps Peter Sam Percy's Predicament Toby
5 For the Birds A Bad Day For Sir Handel Percy Proves a Point Bowled Out The Diseasel Steamroller Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover
6 Wish You Were Here Thomas, Percy & The Mail Train Mind That Bike Rock 'N' Roll Home at Last Thomas & the Special Letter Island Song

Merchandising

VHS

  • Tis a Gift (Christmas Special)
  • Sweet and Sour
  • Stacy Cleans Up
  • Schemer Alone
  • Bully for Mr. Conductor
  • Becky Makes a Wish
  • Billy's Party
  • Mr. Conductor's Evil Twin
  • Schemer's Special Club
  • A Day In The Life Of The Jukebox Band. (video only)
  • Jukebox Lullaby (video only)
  • Jukebox Rainy Day Singsongs (tape only)
  • Jukebox Rise and Shine Singsongs (tape only)
  • Jukebox Sleeptime Singsongs (tape only)
  • Jukebox Birthday Party Singsongs (tape only)

Thomas & Friends Ertl Trains

1989-1990

  • Thomas
  • Edward
  • Henry
  • Gordon
  • James
  • Percy
  • Toby
  • Annie and Clarabel
  • Henrietta
  • Duck
  • Diesel
  • The Express Coaches
  • The Old Coaches
  • Troublesome Trucks
  • Milk and Tar Tankers
  • The Breakdown Train

1991-1992

  • Bill
  • Ben
  • Donald
  • Douglas
  • Daisy
  • Boco

1993

  • Mavis
  • Oliver
  • City of Truro
  • Sodor Fuel Wagons
  • Sodor Mail Coaches
  • Toad

Thomas & Friends Lionel Trains

G Scale

In 1989 when Shining Time Station was to begin, Thomas was a success in USA and The Lionel Train Company who made big scale 1 trains made several sets. These trains are 43mm gauge which is the closest commercially available to the ones used for filming (When the TV shows started Gauge 1 (37mm) models based on Marklin mechanisms were used) The original Gauge 1 (G scale) sets are becoming collectable particullarly original 1993 sets with the play mat and yellow track. In 1994 James the Red Engine with Troublesome Trucks followed in G scale. A re-release of Thomas in G followed in 2000, using sets made outwith the US. These later sets are distinguishable by the brown railway sleepers and interchangeable couplings (bachmann style included).

  • Thomas with Annie and Clarabel
  • James with the Troublesome Trucks
  • Separate Sale Troublesome Truck
  • Accessory Pack-Set included the Sound System, a 4 1/2' by 7 1/2' Playmat, Sir Topham Hatt and Railway Staff figures, and three Thomas facial expressions
  • Yellow track was also made for the Thomas G scale line, and packs of track was sold separately with 4 Straight or Curved Track.
  • A Track Kit was made, which included four straight track, four curved track, and a Left and Right Switch Track.
  • Also, a model of Wellsworth, the windmill, and a watertower was made, and sold all together in a pack.

O Scale

  • Thomas the Tank Engine with Annie and Clarabel
  • Percy the Small Engine
  • James the Red Engine
  • Thomas Expansion Pack
  • Sodor Freight Expansion Pack
  • Devious Diesel
  • Sir Topham Hatt Gateman

In 1989 when Shining Time Station was to begin, Thomas was a success in USA and The Lionel Train Company who made big scale 1 trains made several sets. These trains are 43mm gauge which is the closest commercially available to the ones used for filming (When the TV shows started Gauge 1 (37mm) models based on Marklin mechanisms were used) The original Gauge 1 (G scale) sets are becoming collectable particullarly original 1993 sets with the play mat and yellow track. In 1994 James the Red Engine with Troublesome Trucks followed in G scale. A re-release of Thomas in G followed in 2000, using sets made outwith the US. These later sets are distinguishable by the brown railway sleepers and interchangeable couplings (bachmann style included).

Books

  • A book was written by Britt Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow, featuring the Juke Box Band, entitled, "This Old Band," published by Quality Family Entertainment in 1994.

Syndication

United States

Canada

  • YTV (1990-1998/99)
  • TVO (1997-2000)

Ireland

  • TV3 (1999-2003)

Trivia

  • In the episode "Washout", when the Thomas story "Bertie's Chase" is shown, the first scene (Edward waiting for Thomas) is omitted. This scene is also omitted from the James In A Mess Random House Read to Me book. But in the Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales episode "Splish, Splash, Splosh" the episode is in full length.
  • All of the Shining Time Station episodes only ever have three sets: the main room of the station, the workshop, and the interior of the station's jukebox, where the Jukebox Band resided. This changed in the specials, in which scenes took place outside, in the signal house, and in a large basement-type room that may or may not be part of the station building.
  • In Mayor Flopdinger's first appearance ("Too Many Cooks") and in the Christmas special, he is the mayor of East Shemp. However, in all subsequent appearances, the writers treated him as the mayor of Shining Time so he could be in more episodes. East Shemp and Shining Time must be two different towns because they needed a train make a delivery to East Shemp
  • Mr. Conductor has a name tag on his uniform in the TV Specials.
  • In the episode "Does it Bite?", Mr. Conductor describes himself to be 18 inches tall, but on screen, he appears to be significantly shorter. In the TV special, he describes himself to be "about a pencil and a half, in my stocking feet."
  • The train seen in both the opening and closing credits is a real engine known as the Union Pacific 844.
  • In the opening, Shining Time is listed as having a population of "5,006 give or take". Coincidentally, those same words appear on the Shining Time welcome sign in Thomas and the Magic Railroad.
  • Many places on the Indian Valley Railroad besides Shining Time are never seen, but are often mentioned. Snarlyville is Shining Time's biggest rival.
  • Other places on the Railroad include Chubby Corners, Dillylick Station, Pelican Falls, Eggyweg, Lucy's Leap, Leaky Park, Doodle Haven, Cloggyville, Fort Farley, Lucky Lake, Twiddly Junction, East Shemp, Turley, Waddley, Mount Careful, Spotsville, Farmer's Dell, Logan Wash, Butter Town, and Indian Valley.
  • Beginning in Season 3, Didi Conn wore a wig as Stacy Jones.
  • The "Rainbow Sun" mentioned in the theme song is the name of Billy Twofeathers' train.
  • Every single episode of Thomas and Friends from Seasons 1-4 appear at least once during all seasons of Shining Time Station and Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales.
  • Every Thomas story shown in season 1 gets re-narrated at least once by George Carlin over the course of Seasons 2-3, the family specials, and Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales with the exception of Terence the Tractor, Thomas' Christmas Party, and Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree
  • When Shining Time Station aired on Nickelodeon, it was aired to promote "Thomas and the Magic Railroad".
  • When Shining Time Station aired on Fox Family, the episodes featured the opening credits used in the family specials, and the episodes were edited so they could fit the time slot.
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