Chases, Races and Runaways is a UK VHS featuring three Season 1 episodes and eight Season 2 episodes narrated by Ringo Starr and four Season 3 episodes and three Season 4 episodes narrated by Michael Angelis. This was Distributed by VCI in 1997.
Episodes
- Percy Runs Away
- Dirty Objects
- Down the Mine
- Thomas, Percy and the Coal
- Cows
- Percy and Harold
- The Runaway
- A Close Shave
- Better Late Than Never
- Break Van
- Percy's Predicament
- Gordon and the Famous Visitor
- Toby's Tightrope
- Escape
- Oliver Owns Up
- Four Little Engines
- Steam Roller
- Train Stops Play
Notes
- Narrated by Ringo Starr and Michael Angelis.
- Release Date: 6th October 1997.
- The cover shows scenes from Thomas Comes to Breakfast, Off the Rails, and Trust Thomas, however, these episodes are not on this VHS.
- Distributed by VCI.
Episode Summaries
- Percy Runs Away - Henry, James and Gordon decide to go back to work, but Percy is careless on the main line and gets a nasty shock.
- Dirty Objects - James the Red Engine learns that it is wise not to speak rudely to other engines. You never know what will happen next.
- Down the Mine - Thomas tries some mischief and gets in a hole. Gordon has to help him out. Both engines are in disgrace so they decide to form an alliance and never be cheeky to each other again.
- Thomas, Percy and the Coal - Thomas becomes a little too cheeky for his own good. Trucks and coal dust bring disaster - first to Thomas - then to Percy.
- Cows - Edward has an accident. Gordon and Henry tease him about it when they learn why, but Edward has the last laugh.
- Percy and Harold - Harold the Helicopter is being a nuisance. He thinks railways are out of date. Percy and his driver surprise him.
- The Runaway - Duck looks after Annie and Clarabel whilst Thomas is ill. When Thomas returns, the coaches discover that Thomas is still in trouble.
- A Close Shave - Duck has a chase with runaway trucks and pays a surprise visit to a barber's shop.
- Better Late Than Never - The Railway is being repaired. Delays make life difficult for Thomas and his friends.
- Break Van - Donald and Douglas are delightfully disorganised twin engines from Scotland, and when they arrive they cause The Fat Controller a great deal of trouble. They are worried that The Fat Controller will order one of them to leave his Railway. A break van makes matters worse until James helps in a surprising way.
- Percy's Predicament - Daisy is difficult. Percy is annoyed and Toby tries to help the situation with surprising results.
- Gordon and the Famous Visitor - An important engine visits the yard. Everyone is excited, except Gordon - who doesn't trust domeless engines.
- Toby's Tightrope - Mavis' high spirits put Toby in terrible danger. She is sorry for her actions and decides she will ask experienced engines for advice in the future.
- Escape - Douglas is pulling the Midnight Goods Train when he encounters an engine called Oliver and his break van, Toad - escaping from the fate that all engines fear!
- Oliver Owns Up - Oliver learns that trucks can be troublesome and after an uncomfortable derailment he returns to Duck's branch line a wiser engine.
- Four Little Engines - Sir Handel is having trouble with some trucks who are being awkward and rude. They bump Sir Handel so hard that he comes off the rails and has to go away and be mended. Skarloey, although old and tired comes to help and is rewarded for his efforts.
- Steam Roller - One day when Sir Handel is showing off about his big wheels, Skarloey decides to trick him into a race with George the Steamroller. Sir Handel and George squabble as they race down the line, but who is the winner?
- Train Stops Play - Stepney watches a cricket match while waiting at a signal. As he sets off again, he doesn't realise that the ball has landed in one of the trucks. Caroline the Car sets off with the players in pursuit of Stepney, the trucks and the cricket ball!
Opening Credits
- THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE & FRIENDS
- Based on The Railway Series by The REV.W.AWDRY
- Adaptation by BRITT ALLCROFT
- PERCY RUNS AWAY
- Told by RINGO STARR
- Directed by DAVID MITTON
Opening Previews (UK)
- VCI Ident (voiceover: "VCI presents some of the most popular children's characters available to buy on video.")
- Thomas the Tank Engine Promo
- Fourways Farms Promo
- Sooty and Co. Promo
- My Christmas Play Rhymes and Songs Promo
- Tots Video Promo
- The BFG Promo
- Video overview
- "New for '97" overview
- Control VCI Warning (1995)
- VCI Warning (1995)
- VCI Ident (1995)
- Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends - Chases, Races and Runaways title card
- Britt Allcroft Presents logo
- Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends Opening
- First few seconds of Percy Runs Away
Closing Previews (UK)
- Last few seconds of Train Stops Play
- Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends Closing
- A Britt Allcroft Production: @Britt Allcroft (Thomas) Limited 1995
- VCI ident (1995)