Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure is one out of two specials released in 2015 for the 70th Anniversary, and the main feature length special for that year. It was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 8th, 2015 in the US, and on DVD in the UK on September 28th.
Synopsis[]
After causing an accident at Knapford, Thomas is sent to Arlesburgh, where he discovered an old pirate ship. Trouble arose as a newcomer tried to find the treasure, and Thomas must protect it from him.
Plot[]
It is a bright, sunny morning, and Thomas is puffing along his branch line with Annie and Clarabel, when he saw Bertie passing by. Thomas decided to race Bertie despite his coaches telling him not to, and the two can race against each-other. However, Thomas is being careless, narrowly avoiding rail work being carried out and nearly running into Toby at a junction. Though it appeared as if Bertie is winning, he becomes held up as Oliver is slowly trundling down the road. When Thomas reached Ffarquhar, Annie and Clarabel both will scold him for going at such high speeds, when Bertie crossly arrived at the station. He told Thomas that, ever since construction on the new branch line from Arlesburgh Harbour to Harwick has started, he has been held up by construction vehicles making their way to the construction site. Annie and Clarabel both shall fear that their branch line will be closed in favor of the new one, but Thomas dismissed it, believing that his branch line is too important to be shut down.
Marion meets the small engines
Meanwhile, Marion is making her way to the construction site of the new branch line. As she passed through a forest, she took the time to enjoy the scenery, when two small engines can dart past her from behind the bushes. Marion got startled and closed her eyes, when she suddenly ran into Toad and Oliver. Marion apologized to them, but became frightened when a small red engine raced up a platform with some trucks. Toad introduced Marion to Rex, Bert and Mike, the three miniature engines. Marion felt in awe at what she saw and asked if the small engines are real, to which they must reply that they are and that they deliver ballast and wool for the bigger engines, as well as carry passengers too. As Toad and Oliver shall leave the junction, a black tender engine rushed past Marion.
At the Construction Yard, Duck is shunting a row of trucks, when Donald and Douglas both can arrive. Duck is amazed, as he has not seen either twin in a long time, but they will tell him that they only went away to retrieve more rails and sleepers. Meanwhile, Jack and Alfie are both getting ready for work, when Oliver arrived. Oliver hastily apologized for being late, but both construction vehicles do not mind and get to work.
The next morning, Thomas is having trouble steaming, and is too tired to leave the shed. The other engines would have to remind him that he needed to shunt Gordon's coaches, but he is in no hurry to do that. When Thomas arrived at Knapford, Gordon is crossly waiting for him at the station. Thomas called Gordon lazy for not fetching his own coaches, but Gordon retorted that tender engines do not shunt, as that is what "silly little tank engines" do. Determined to prove Gordon wrong, Thomas decided that he will pull the Express and raced through the station with Gordon's coaches. Unfortunately, Thomas raced through the junction too fast, and the coaches can fly off the rails when he tried to slow down.
Meanwhile, at the Construction Yard, Marion tried to play 'Guess What's in My Shovel' with Donald, but he is too busy to play games. She decided to play with Oliver the Excavator instead, but he is not that interested. When Marion asked the excavator what his name is, she is shocked to find out that his name is Oliver. She believed that the engine made a wish and turned himself into a digger, and although Oliver tried to tell her that it is not the case, she does not listen to him. She believed that he made a wish to the Small Engines, and decided that she will make one too.
At Knapford, the Fat Controller has come to inspect the accident. Thomas tried to pin the blame on Gordon and Emily, but the Fat Controller knew for a fact that Thomas did it. As punishment for his overconfident behavior, the Fat Controller told Thomas that he will take away his branch line and send him to the Construction Yard to work there. When Thomas asked who will run his branch line, a new tank engine named Ryan pulled into the station. The Fat Controller welcomed Ryan to his railway, while Thomas looked on in shock.
At the construction site, work went on as usual, when the men shall suddenly notice that the ground underneath the track is beginning to crumble. They must manage to flag down Donald before he can cross the track, and call up some engineers to examine the line. The engineers can deem the ground too unstable to hold up an engine's weight, forcing the men to re-route the track.
"Never Overlook a Little Engine"
Meanwhile, the Small Engines are working at Arlesburgh Junction, when Thomas glumly passed by. When Bert asked what is wrong, Thomas told them about Ryan taking over his branch line and how Gordon insulted him. The Small Engines can tell Thomas that, even if they shall come out on top, bigger engines will always look down on smaller ones, and burst into song to cheer him up, but this unintentionally stirred up his overconfidence. When Thomas arrived at the Construction Yard, he remembered what the Small Engines told him about rails and ballast, and hastily shunted the flatbeds of rails and sleepers away. Thomas ignored the men calling for him to stop and ran over the dangerous track, and the ground beneath him gave way and formed a large sinkhole. Thomas tried to reverse, but his crew can jump out of his cab, and he plunged into the sinkhole. One truck after another, Thomas rolled down the sinkhole until he landed inside a large cavern, badly damaging himself. When the dust settled, Thomas is amazed to discover a very old and abandoned pirate ship resting inside the cavern.
At Knapford, Ryan introduced himself to Annie and Clarabel and started his work on Thomas' branch line, leaving both coaches to wonder where Thomas has gone. At the scene of the accident, Rocky lifted Thomas, who is badly damaged, out of the cavern. The Fat Controller scolded Thomas for causing the accident, but Thomas said that it is not his fault and tried to tell him about the Pirate Ship, but the Fat Controller believed that he is making up excuses and ordered Emily to take Thomas to the Steamworks. As this went on, an old man watched Thomas being lifted out of the cavern from the sea. He angrily stomped on his sailboat for bobbing up and down so much, and the sailboat apologized.
Thomas is sent to the Steamworks to be repaired, but is in no rush to get back to work. He told Victor about Ryan and how his branch line was taken away, but Victor reassured Thomas that the Fat Controller would never want to replace him. Kevin agreed, and told Thomas that despite all the accidents that he has caused, he still worked at the Steamworks. Just then, Edward arrived at the Steamworks and told the engines that Rocky has discovered the Pirate Ship in the cavern, much to Thomas' fury.
At the cavern, Rocky lifted the Pirate Ship out of the sinkhole, much to everyone's amazement. Alfie asked how the Pirate Ship could have ended up in the cavern, and Jack believed that it was folded up like a ship in a bottle; nevertheless, Donald and Douglas both shall dismiss this, believing the cavern used to be open to the sea. Marion speculated that, if there is a pirate ship around, then there must be buried treasure nearby too. Excited, she raced back to Arlesburgh Junction, now knowing what her wish will be.
Meanwhile, at Arlesburgh Junction, Rex, Bert and Mike are finishing their work for the day, when Marion returned to the junction. Rex and Bert both flee, but before Mike can get the chance to get off the chute, Marion stopped him with her shovel, trapping him. Mike begged for Marion to let go, but she refused to do so until she made her wish. Once when Marion made her wish, Mike managed to break free and disappeared in a cloud of steam, only fueling Marion's belief that the Small Engines are magic. Meanwhile, Donald and Douglas can deliver the Pirate Ship to Arlesburgh Harbour, where a crowd of people shall gather round to see the ship's arrival, including the same man from before with his sailboat.
That night, Henry is pulling the "Flying Kipper", when he spotted a small sailboat gliding along the line beside him. Frightened, he ran into a siding, shocked by what he saw. The next morning, he told the other engines about this. James, Bill and Ben can tease him and believe that he was seeing things, but Edward is more sympathetic. Just then, Salty pulled up, believing that Henry has seen the "Lost Pirate". Salty explained that, back when the Lost Pirate was alive, he would have to sink merchant ships and steal their goods. Eventually, the Merchants and the Navy teamed up and tried to track the Lost Pirate down, so to hide from them, he hid his ship in a cavern and buried his treasure. In order of finding the treasure again, the Lost Pirate made a map, but one windy evening, he lost the map when it is blown overboard, and to this day, the ghost of the Lost Pirate still continued his search for the treasure. All the engines are intrigued, but Cranky scoffed at Salty and believed that it is just a silly story. Henry tried to tell the others that what he saw was real, but they shall all leave.
Thomas returned to Arlesburgh after being repaired, but is still left with the dirt and scratches that he received from his accident. As he passed through the Harbour, Thomas noticed the Pirate Ship and muttered that he was the one who found the ship, not noticing an unfamiliar man boarding the ship. When Thomas arrived at the Construction Yard, he found Ryan already working there. Thomas asked the Fat Controller if he can return to his branch line, but the Fat Controller said that Percy is already taking care of the branch line and told him that he still has work to do at the Construction Yard, such as fetching more ballast. As the Fat Controller left, Thomas lamented that he is no longer the Fat Controller's No. 1 engine. Meanwhile, Marion and the diggers are clearing away rocks, the former telling the others all about how she made a wish on Mike, but Oliver and Alfie are not that interested.
When Thomas arrived at Arlesburgh Junction, he is emitting dark smoke and sparks from his funnel. He believed that Ryan is making him feel ill, but the Small Engines can conclude that he must have taken on some bad coal. That night, Thomas took on fresh coal and headed over to the sheds, only to find Ryan already there. Ryan offered a space in the shed for him, but Thomas, still jealous of Ryan, chose to sleep on a siding instead, upsetting him.
As Thomas slept on the siding, he noticed the silhouette of a small boat gliding along the line towards the cavern. Choosing to investigate, Thomas quietly followed after the sailboat, but became noticed when he ran into a barrier. The old man from earlier turned his attention to Thomas and asked him who he is, to which Thomas introduced himself and told the man that he discovered the cavern and ship, though Rocky took the credit from him. Upon hearing this, the man befriended Thomas and introduced himself as Sailor John, while his sailboat, Skiff, also befriended Thomas and revealed to him that they are searching for the treasure. Thomas agreed to help them out, and Sailor John tied a rope around his waist and Thomas' buffer to investigate the cavern. While Sailor John searched around, Skiff told Thomas that they have been searching for Captain Calles' treasure and how Sailor John gave him railway wheels so they could have to search for the treasure on land. Just then, Sailor John said that he has discovered the map leading to the treasure, and Thomas pulled him out of the cavern. By now, the sun is beginning to rise, so Sailor John decided to head back home. As the wind has died down and Skiff cannot move by himself, Thomas pushed Sailor John and Skiff back to Arlesburgh Harbour, where the two shall sail away.
When Thomas returned to the Construction Yard, it is already morning. Just then, Ryan puffed out of the shed and asked Thomas if he saw him pushing a sailboat earlier, but Thomas denied this. As Ryan began taking on more coal, Thomas noticed that he is taking on the bad coal from the old hopper, but he does not tell him this. Meanwhile, Marion is trying to work on the next cutting, but the ground is too hard for her to dig at. Oliver explained that they have run out of dynamite, and they would have to wait for a train from Brendam Docks. Marion suggested that Oliver make another wish and turn himself back into an engine to fetch the train, but Oliver said that it will not work.
By the time Ryan returned with the train of dynamite, dark smoke and sparks are blowing out of his funnel. He assumed that he must have taken on some bad coal and became uncoupled from his train, when he began to smell smoke. Upon noticing that the smoke is coming from his trucks, Ryan panicked and bumped the trucks, but Marion stopped the train and picked up the crate of lit dynamite. She tried to put the fuse out, but only worsened it. Marion then threw the dynamite to Alfie, who tossed it to Jack, who threw it back into the trucks. Marion pushed the trucks back to Ryan, and Thomas buffered up to them. Thomas raced to dispose of the dynamite, but Ryan cut in front of him, screaming in horror until he is pushed onto a siding. Thomas ordered a nearby workman to switch the points, and he shoved the trucks of dynamite into the cavern, which exploded. Though Thomas is cheered on by the others, the Fat Controller, who has seen everything, believed that Thomas was trying to harm Ryan and scolded him severely, ordering him to go back to his shed.
The diggers will try to carry on, but without the dynamite, there is only so much that they can do. As the sun began to set, Oliver decided to call it for the day, and he and the other construction vehicles shall leave to go to sleep. As Marion is digging into the cliffside, she noticed a queer-looking box in her shovel and tried to tell the other diggers, only to notice that they have left. She decided to keep the box in her shovel until the next morning.
That night, all of the engines are sleeping, except for Thomas. When he saw Skiff and Sailor John passing by, he left his siding and went over to see them. Sailor John managed to pinpoint the exact location of the treasure and asked if Thomas would like to help him, which Thomas is happy to do. Together, the three shall begin searching for the pirate treasure, but come morning, there is still no sign of it. Sailor John became irritated that the treasure is nowhere to be seen, then grew suspicious of Thomas; he believed that someone may have found the treasure first, and as Skiff is always with him and Thomas is the only one apart from them who has seen the map, he believed that Thomas may have found it and will not give it to them. When Skiff told Sailor John that the sun is rising, Sailor John left, but not before telling Thomas that this is not the end. Disappointed, Thomas steamed sadly away, when he bumped into Marion at a junction. Marion dropped the box on top of Thomas, which busted open and revealed the pirate treasure that he had just been looking for. The Fat Controller praised Marion for her discovery and announced that the treasure will be given to the Museum, while he sent Thomas to take some construction waste to the rubbish dump.
As Thomas traveled along the line running by the Coastal Cliffs, it began to storm. Just as he rounds a bend, Thomas saw Henry running away from the "Lost Pirate", only to discover that it is Sailor John and Skiff. Sailor John demanded to know where the treasure is, and became infuriated to find out that the Fat Controller will be giving it to the Museum. Sailor John roared that he will get the treasure, but Thomas crossly told him that the treasure never belonged to him or Captain Calles in the first place, and that it will be going to the Museum. Thomas then bumped Sailor John and Skiff onto a siding and crossly steamed away, and as he does, Skiff apologized to him.
Once when Thomas delivered the waste to the dump, he headed back to Knapford, where he watched the Fat Controller speaking to someone to the Museum over the phone. The Fat Controller grew amazed to find out the treasure dates back to the 16th Century, and said that he will keep the treasure in a safe in his office until the next day. Thomas is still worried about the treasure when he returned to the Construction Yard, when Ryan said hello to him. Ryan thanked Thomas for saving him from the burning dynamite and apologized for getting him into trouble, but Thomas believed that he should have to be the one apologizing, as he never warned Ryan about the bad coal. Ryan refused to mind and asked if Thomas wanted to stay in the shed with him, but Thomas declined the offer and chose to stay at Knapford.
That night, Thomas arrived at Knapford and slept on a siding where he can watch for anything. While he is sleeping, Sailor John and Skiff shall arrive at Knapford, and Sailor John used a stick of dynamite to destroy the Fat Controller's office and the safe. The sound of the explosion woke Thomas up, and he began to chase after Sailor John. As Thomas reached a hill on the Little Western, he is shocked to discover the Pirate Ship at the top of the hill, which Sailor John has rigged as an escape vehicle. Sailor John tied a horrified Skiff to the ship and released the anchor, which freed the ship and allowed it to race down the hill.
At Arlesburgh Junction, Ryan felt concerned about Thomas and wondered what he is so worried about, when he saw the Pirate Ship coming through and panicked. As the ship and Thomas shall come into view, Thomas called to the Small Engines and asked for their help. Sailor John scoffed at the miniature engines' size, but together, they can manage to shove a train of ballast hoppers off the chute and onto the standard gauge line. The Pirate Ship slammed most of the trucks aside, but one of the trucks got caught on the front of the ship, causing it to lose momentum. As the ship went round a bend, a loose rope got caught on Ryan's buffer, and as Ryan came to a stop at a set of buffers, the ship is pulled over. Thomas congratuled Ryan and continued chasing after Sailor John.
By the time Thomas and Sailor John shall reach Arlesburgh, the sun is beginning to rise. Sailor John tried to slow Thomas down by throwing a shovel and Skiff's anchor at him, but this does not stop him. When Sailor John found a set of dynamite, he lit it and laughed, but Skiff shook around just as he is preparing to throw it, causing Sailor John to lose his aim and throw the dynamite away from Thomas. Skiff encouraged Thomas to derail him, when Sailor John violently whacked Thomas in the face with an oar and threatened to leave Skiff in the dry dock if he went against his orders. Thomas bumped into Skiff at a junction, but accidentally sent him onto another track. Though it seemed as if there is no hope left, Thomas noticed that his line crossed over onto Skiff's, and ran into him at the crossing. Their relief is short-lived, for Thomas suddenly noticed that the line they are on ran straight into the sea. Thomas landed in the sea and came to rest atop of Skiff's chassis, while Skiff and Sailor John begin to sail away. Skiff wanted to go back and help Thomas, but Sailor John threatened to end his life if he went against him. Suddenly, a large wave caused Sailor John to lose the oar, and the treasure chest proved to be too heavy for Skiff to carry. Sailor John is too stubborn to throw the treasure overboard and ordering Skiff to sail on, but a large wave captized Skiff, causing Sailor John to lose the treasure. Thomas believed that Skiff had perished, but when Skiff went over and felt alright, both are happy.
Sailor John admitted defeat, and later that morning, the police shall come to arrest him. While this is happening, Rocky lifted Thomas onto a flatbed, when Thomas noticed the Fat Controller has come. Thomas believed that he will be punished again, but this time, the Fat Controller is proud of him, having been told by Ryan what he had done and that, despite the treasure being lost, he will always be his No. 1 engine. Thomas smiled and looked at his tanks, and for the first time in a long time, his number is finally showing.
At last, construction of the Harwick Branch Line has been completed, and the grand opening of the line is held. When both Oliver's can arrive to attend the opening of the line, Marion is shocked to discover that there is actually more than one Oliver on the Island, when Thomas, now repainted and pulling his coaches again, arrived. The Fat Controller announced that the new branch line has been completed, and told the engines that Ryan will be looking after the goods traffic on the line, while Daisy handled the passenger trains. The Fat Controller allowed Thomas to cut the ribbon, and the engines shall travel down the new line. As they shall pass through Arlesburgh Junction, Thomas met up with Skiff, who has been repainted and is giving out railboat tours at the harbour. That night, Thomas and Skiff will watch the fireworks in the sky at Arlesburgh Harbour.
Characters[]
Speaking roles[]
- Thomas
- Edward
- Henry
- Gordon
- James
- Percy
- Toby
- Duck
- Donald
- Douglas
- Oliver
- Emily
- Bill
- Ben
- Marion
- Daisy
- Salty
- Victor
- Bertie
- Cranky
- Kevin
- Jack
- Max
- Monty
- Alfie
- Oliver the Excavator
- Annie
- Clarabel
- Toad
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Mike
- Rex
- Bert
Does not speak[]
- Rocky
Cameo[]
- Rosie
- Stanley
- Porter
- Samson
- Diesel
- Mavis
- Henrietta
- Captain
- Lady Hatt
- Stephen Hatt
- Bridget Hatt
- Sir Robert Norramby
- Farmer Trotter
- Dowager Hatt
- Sodor Brass Band
Introduced[]
- Ryan
- Skiff
- Sailor John
- Captain Calles (does not speak)
- The Thin Clergyman (cameo)
Locations[]
Voice Cast[]
Songs[]
- Never Overlook a Little Engine - sang by the small engines when Thomas arrives at Arlesburgh Junction, and again during the end credits
- We Make a Team Together - plays during the montage of Thomas, Skiff and Sailor John searching for the treasure, and plays again during the end of the film
Bonus Features[]
UK/US[]
Continuity[]
- The opening of the special features Thomas passing the windmill, going under a bridge and then arriving at Ffarquhar station, similar to the original intro for the television series.
- The windmill from the original intro was even supposed to appear in this scene, but was dropped for unknown reasons.
- When Thomas arrives at Ffarquhar, Annie and Clarabel remind him that the passengers do not like to be bounced around like "peas in a frying pan", which is quoted from Thomas and Bertie.
- Marion believes that the Small Engines are real upon meeting them for the first time, and continue to believe they are real throughout the special. James and Henry previously believed that the Small Engines were magic in the Railway Series book, Small Railway Engines.
- The way Thomas has trouble steaming up when he wakes up is similar to what happened in Thomas and Gordon. The way the scene is played out here, however, is much more similar to the retelling of the story shown in The Adventure Begins, in which other engines, including Henry, try to wake him up.
- When Duck sees Donald and Douglas for the first time, he says that it has been ages since he has seen them. Between the release of Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure and the twelfth season, the twins had been absent from the series for seven years.
Trivia[]
- Starting with this special, the season/special timeline has been changed. Rather than taking place before the season released alongside it, the special now takes place after the events of the season. As a result, none of the new characters, locations or returnees featured in this special were shown in the nineteenth season.