Thomas and Friends (Series 8)

The eighth series of Thomas & Friends was the first series produced entirely after HiT Entertainment's acquisition of Gullane Entertainment had completed. It was narrated by Michael Angelis in the UK and Michael Brandon in the US. It first premiered on VHS and DVD in May 2004 before airing on television in August 2004 in the UK. It was also first broadcast in September 2004 in the US as well.
== Production ==
After their purchase of Gullane, HiT Entertainment decided to make a number of major changes to the format of the series. Jan Page was replaced by Paul Larsonand Abi Grant (both involved with the franchise since 2001) as story editor, while Sam Barlow was appointed as a script executive, granting him a supervisory position over the show's writing. The primary cast was similarly revamped through the creation of a solidified main cast of eight engines, dubbed the Steam Team. In order to establish its presence, all episodes would feature one or more of these eight characters in leading roles, while other characters were relegated to supporting parts or eliminated altogether, with many not returning to the show as regulars for a decade or more. Intending to relaunch the series on TV in the United States following three years of primarily direct-to-video distribution, HiT extended each episode's runtime from four and a half to seven minutes and created a 30-minute block for the series on PBS containing two new episodes, an episode from the previous series (albeit with rescored background music) and several musical numbers and CGI learning segments. To comply with PBS's programming mandates, the tone of the series became more overtly educational, with noticeably simplified vocabulary and the main cast of engines being written far more analogously to young children (complete with a vastly reduced role for their drivers, who would vanish almost entirely in subsequent model series).
Following a legal dispute, veteran music composers Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell were replaced by Robert Hartshorne and songwriter Ed Welch, while David Mitton was superseded as director by longtime Shepperton crew member Stephen Asquith. Sony digital camera equipment similarly replaced the 35mm film camera utilized for the previous seven series. 
Series 8 was originally meant to be produced by Gullane Entertainment as far back as 2001, Gullane were going make 78 episodes that would take up 3 seasons. However, the acquisition of Gullane by HiT the following year only enabled them to produce 52 episodes (or two full seasons).
Work on Series 8 began sometime in 2003, shortly after the seventh series and Jack and the Sodor Construction Company had been filmed. A draft of a pitch bible used for this season would be written in March 2003.
== Episodes ==
* Production Order
* UK
* US
* JPN
Screenshot	Title 	Written By 	Episode number #
 	Thomas and the Firework Display 	Abi GrantPaul Larson 	#01
 	Thomas is upset that James gets the task of delivering fireworks instead of him but gets his chance when the splendid red engine breaks down. 	Thomas is upset that James gets the task of delivering fireworks instead of him but gets his chance when the splendid red engine breaks down. 	Thomas is upset that James gets the task of delivering fireworks instead of him but gets his chance when the splendid red engine breaks down.
 	 	 	
 	Percy's New Whistle 	James Mason 	#02
 	Percy keeps blasts his whistle, not realising he is causing trouble for his friends. 	Percy keeps blasts his whistle, not realising he is causing trouble for his friends. 	Percy keeps blasts his whistle, not realising he is causing trouble for his friends.
 	 	 	
 	Fish 	Paul Larson 	#03
 	Thomas is sent to help Arthur on the coastal branch and is told to take only five trucks at a time. But because Thomas does not like the smell of fish, he wants to get the job done and over with.	Thomas is sent to help Arthur on the coastal branch and is told to take only five trucks at a time. But because Thomas does not like the smell of fish, he wants to get the job done and over with.	Thomas is sent to help Arthur on the coastal branch and is told to take only five trucks at a time. But because Thomas does not like the smell of fish, he wants to get the job done and over with.
 	 	 	
 	Emily's Adventure 	Paul Larson 	#04
 	Emily learns to ask nicely whilst collecting timber to repair Farmer McColl's barn roof after a big storm damages it. 	Emily learns to ask nicely whilst collecting timber to repair Farmer McColl's barn roof after a big storm damages it. 	Emily learns to ask nicely whilst collecting timber to repair Farmer McColl's barn roof after a big storm damages it.
 	 	 	
 	Thomas Saves the Day 	James Mason 	#05
 	Thomas tries to tackle a dangerous bend without Annie and Clarabel's assistance. 	Thomas tries to tackle a dangerous bend without Annie and Clarabel's assistance. 	Thomas tries to tackle a dangerous bend without Annie and Clarabel's assistance.
 	 	 	
 	Squeak, Rattle and Roll 	Marc Seal 	#06
 	Gordon tries to hide his squeaking, rattling and knocking after Diesel tells him he is going to be scrapped soon. 	Gordon tries to hide his squeaking, rattling and knocking after Diesel tells him he is going to be scrapped soon. 	Gordon tries to hide his squeaking, rattling and knocking after Diesel tells him he is going to be scrapped soon.
 	 	 	
 	Thomas, Emily and the Snowplough 	Abi Grant 	#07
 	Thomas ignores Emily's advice to put on his snowplough and as a result, ends up getting into trouble in the snow. 	Thomas ignores Emily's advice to put on his snowplough and as a result, ends up getting into trouble in the snow. 	Thomas ignores Emily's advice to put on his snowplough and as a result, ends up getting into trouble in the snow.
 	 	 	
 	Edward the Great 	Abi Grant 	#08
 	Edward has a race with Spencer to the Duke and Duchess of Boxford's summer house. 	Edward has a race with Spencer to the Duke and Duchess of Boxford's summer house. 	Edward has a race with Spencer to the Duke and Duchess of Boxford's summer house.
 	 	 	
 	Spic and Span 	Marc Seal 	#09
 	Thomas and Percy try to beat Gordon, Emily and James in a cleanliness competition when the railway inspector comes for a visit. 	Thomas and Percy try to beat Gordon, Emily and James in a cleanliness competition when the railway inspector comes for a visit. 	Thomas and Percy try to beat Gordon, Emily and James in a cleanliness competition when the railway inspector comes for a visit.
 	 	 	
 	James Goes Too Far 	James Mason 	#10
 	James refuses to help his friends when given an important job but he learns his lesson after running out of water. 	James refuses to help his friends when given an important job but he learns his lesson after running out of water. 	James refuses to help his friends when given an important job but he learns his lesson after running out of water.
 	 	 	
 	Thomas Gets it Right 	Robin Rigby 	#11
 	Thomas wants to make multiple journeys but he is disappointed when he has to deliver eggs slowly for Farmer McColl. 	Thomas wants to make multiple journeys but he is disappointed when he has to deliver eggs slowly for Farmer McColl. 	Thomas wants to make multiple journeys but he is disappointed when he has to deliver eggs slowly for Farmer McColl.
 	 	 	
 	You Can Do it, Toby! 	Paul Larson 	#12
 	Toby has to look after Wellsworth yard while Edward is at Brendam but is worried about pushing Gordon and the express up his hill. 	Toby has to look after Wellsworth yard while Edward is at Brendam but is worried about pushing Gordon and the express up his hill. 	Toby has to look after Wellsworth yard while Edward is at Brendam but is worried about pushing Gordon and the express up his hill.
 	 	 	
 	Percy and the Magic Carpet 	Abi Grant 	#13
 	Percy is disappointed about delivering a carpet until Salty tells him that it could be magic. 	Percy is disappointed about delivering a carpet until Salty tells him that it could be magic. 	Percy is disappointed about delivering a carpet until Salty tells him that it could be magic.
 	 	 	
 	Thomas and the Circus 	Abi Grant 	#14
 	Thomas is told to take the circus train and to share the load with Percy and James due to its weight. Thomas wants all the glory, so he tries to pull the circus train all by himself. 	Thomas is told to take the circus train and to share the load with Percy and James due to its weight. Thomas wants all the glory, so he tries to pull the circus train all by himself. 	Thomas is told to take the circus train and to share the load with Percy and James due to its weight. Thomas wants all the glory, so he tries to pull the circus train all by himself.
 	 	 	
 	Percy's Big Mistake 	Abi Grant 	#15
 	Percy is frightened he will be sent to the scrapyards after being late too often. 	Percy is frightened he will be sent to the scrapyards after being late too often. 	Percy is frightened he will be sent to the scrapyards after being late too often.
 	 	 	
 	Don't Tell Thomas 	Paul Larson 	#16
 	Thomas feels upset about being left out of a Christmas surprise that is being arranged. But when Harold tells him that he hasn't, he finds out the surprise is for the number one engine himself. 	Thomas feels upset about being left out of a Christmas surprise that is being arranged. But when Harold tells him that he hasn't, he finds out the surprise is for the number one engine himself. 	Thomas feels upset about being left out of a Christmas surprise that is being arranged. But when Harold tells him that he hasn't, he finds out the surprise is for the number one engine himself.
 	 	 	
 	Emily's New Route 	James Mason 	#17
 	Emily is scared of a monster in Black Loch but finds out that the monster turns out to be a family of seals. 	Emily is scared of a monster in Black Loch but finds out that the monster turns out to be a family of seals. 	Emily is scared of a monster in Black Loch but finds out that the monster turns out to be a family of seals.
 	 	 	
 	Chickens to School 	Paul Larson 	#18
 	A lack of sleep gets the better of Thomas as he muddles up his jobs, so he needs help from Edward and Percy. 	A lack of sleep gets the better of Thomas as he muddles up his jobs, so he needs help from Edward and Percy. 	A lack of sleep gets the better of Thomas as he muddles up his jobs, so he needs help from Edward and Percy.
 	 	 	
 	Gordon Takes Charge 	Paul Larson 	#19
 	Percy has not taken passengers in a very long time, so during the Christmas season, Gordon teaches the small green engine how to treat coaches but ends up showing off. 	Percy has not taken passengers in a very long time, so during the Christmas season, Gordon teaches the small green engine how to treat coaches but ends up showing off. 	Percy has not taken passengers in a very long time, so during the Christmas season, Gordon teaches the small green engine how to treat coaches but ends up showing off.
 	 	 	
 	Thomas and the Tuba 	Dave Ingham 	#20
 	Thomas is so excited to collect the brass band and take them to a park for Lady Hatt's birthday, that he leaves the tuba player behind. 	Thomas is so excited to collect the brass band and take them to a park for Lady Hatt's birthday, that he leaves the tuba player behind. 	Thomas is so excited to collect the brass band and take them to a park for Lady Hatt's birthday, that he leaves the tuba player behind.
 	 	 	
 	Henry and the Wishing Tree 	Abi Grant
Paul Larson 	#21
 	Henry wishes that he could pull the express at a wishing tree in the forest but soon learns to be careful about what he wishes for. 	Henry wishes that he could pull the express at a wishing tree in the forest but soon learns to be careful about what he wishes for. 	Henry wishes that he could pull the express at a wishing tree in the forest but soon learns to be careful about what he wishes for.
 	 	 	
 	Too Hot for Thomas 	Paul Larson 	#22
 	Thomas is dismayed when he has to get cream, strawberries and chocolate to make ice cream instead of taking children on a hot day at the seaside. 	Thomas is dismayed when he has to get cream, strawberries and chocolate to make ice cream instead of taking children on a hot day at the seaside. 	Thomas is dismayed when he has to get cream, strawberries and chocolate to make ice cream instead of taking children on a hot day at the seaside.
 	 	 	
 	James Gets a New Coat 	Abi Grant 	#23
 	After James gets repainted, he is too busy showing off to do his job. He soon gets covered in coal on his way to Brendam Docks, with his hopes of being seen. 	After James gets repainted, he is too busy showing off to do his job. He soon gets covered in coal on his way to Brendam Docks, with his hopes of being seen. 	After James gets repainted, he is too busy showing off to do his job. He soon gets covered in coal on his way to Brendam Docks, with his hopes of being seen.
 	 	 	
 	Thomas to the Rescue 	Abi Grant
Paul Larson 	#24
 	Diesel gives Thomas a hard time at the quarry but regrets what he said after taking on a batch of bad fuel. 	Diesel gives Thomas a hard time at the quarry but regrets what he said after taking on a batch of bad fuel. 	Diesel gives Thomas a hard time at the quarry but regrets what he said after taking on a batch of bad fuel.
 	 	 	
 	As Good as Gordon 	Abi Grant 	#25
 	Emily gets a chance to pull the express and tries to do as good of a job as Gordon. 	Emily gets a chance to pull the express and tries to do as good of a job as Gordon. 	Emily gets a chance to pull the express and tries to do as good of a job as Gordon.
 	 	 	
 	Halloween 	Dave Ingham 	#26
 	Emily accidentally scares herself as well as Thomas, 'Arry and Bert at the smelter's yard on Halloween night. 	Emily accidentally scares herself as well as Thomas, 'Arry and Bert at the smelter's yard on Halloween night. 	Emily accidentally scares herself as well as Thomas, 'Arry and Bert at the smelter's yard on Halloween night.
== Songs ==
Screenshot	Title 	Composers	Original release date
 	Sounds 	Ed Welch 	18 May 2004 (US/CAN; VHS/DVD)
 	
: "All Aboard!" and "Close the doors!"
: Whistle blows and the engine roars...	
: "All Aboard!" and "Close the doors!"
: Whistle blows and the engine roars...	
: "All Aboard!" and "Close the doors!"
: Whistle blows and the engine roars...
 	 	 	
 	Engine Roll Call 	Ed Welch 	18 May 2004 (US/CAN; VHS/DVD)
 	
: They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight,
: Shunting trucks and hauling freight...	
: They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight,
: Shunting trucks and hauling freight...	
: They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight,
: Shunting trucks and hauling freight...
 	 	 	
 	A World Around You	Ed Welch 	Summer 2004 (US; VHS)
 	
: Have a look about you, take in what you see
: There's a world around you wherever you may be...	
: Have a look about you, take in what you see
: There's a world around you wherever you may be...	
: Have a look about you, take in what you see
: There's a world around you wherever you may be...
 	 	 	
 	Emily 	Ed Welch 	15 August 2004 (UK)
 	
: There's no one quite like Emily
: Friendly, emerald Emily...	
: There's no one quite like Emily
: Friendly, emerald Emily...	
: There's no one quite like Emily
: Friendly, emerald Emily...
 	 	 	
 	Surprises 	Ed Welch 	29 August 2004 (UK)
 	
: ﻿Surprises, surprises, they come all shapes and sizes
: You never know what's round the bend...	
: ﻿Surprises, surprises, they come all shapes and sizes
: You never know what's round the bend...	
: ﻿Surprises, surprises, they come all shapes and sizes
: You never know what's round the bend...
 	 	 	
 	Determination 	Ed Welch 	12 September 2004 (UK)
 	
: Don't give up, show determination.
: Don't give up. You'll be a big sensation...	
: Don't give up, show determination.
: Don't give up. You'll be a big sensation...	
: Don't give up, show determination.
: Don't give up. You'll be a big sensation...
 	 	 	
 	Patience 	Ed Welch 	26 September 2004 (UK)
 	
: Patience is a virtue, so it never hurts to
: Take a little time to see...	
: Patience is a virtue, so it never hurts to
: Take a little time to see...	
: Patience is a virtue, so it never hurts to
: Take a little time to see...
 	 	 	
 	Ode to Gordon 	Ed Welch 	10 October 2004 (UK)
 	
: We'll sing a song for Gordon,
: He's big, he's fast, he's proud...	
: We'll sing a song for Gordon,
: He's big, he's fast, he's proud...	
: We'll sing a song for Gordon,
: He's big, he's fast, he's proud...
== Characters ==
* Thomas
* Edward
* Henry
* Gordon
* James
* Percy
* Toby
* Emily
* Harvey
* Arthur
* Spencer
* Diesel
* Mavis
* 'Arry and Bert
* Salty
* Troublesome Trucks
* Annie and Clarabel
* Bertie
* Elizabeth
* Harold
* Cranky
* Sir Topham Hatt
* Farmer McColl
* Sodor Brass Band
* The Dockyard Manager
* The Ffarquhar Quarry Manager
* Stephen Hatt (not named)
* Mr. Hobson (not named)
* Murdoch (does not speak)
* Trevor (does not speak)
* Lady Hatt (does not speak)
* Refreshment Lady (does not speak)
* Allicia Botti (does not speak)
* The Duke and Duchess of Boxford (do not speak)
* Farmer Collett (not named, does not speak)
* Henrietta (cameo)
* George (cameo)
* Caroline (cameo)
* Butch (cameo)
* Tiger Moth (cameo)
* Bridget Hatt (cameo)
* Mrs. Kyndley (cameo)
* Jem Cole (cameo)
* Farmer Trotter (cameo)
* Nancy (cameo)
* Cyril the Fogman (cameo)
* The Photographer (cameo)
* The Injured Sailor (cameo)
* The Storyteller (cameo)
* The Lighthouse Keeper (cameo)
* The Captain (cameo)
* The Second Butler (cameo)
* Harold's Pilots (cameos)
* Mrs. Last (cameo)
* The Mid Sodor Railway Manager (cameo)
* David Mitton (cameo)
* City of Truro (scrapped model/picture cameo)
* Toad (faceless cameo)
* Big Mickey (faceless cameo)
* Duck (music video cameo)
* Oliver (music video cameo)
* Rheneas (music video cameo)
* Rusty (music video cameo)
* One of the Stone-Dropping Boys (music video cameo)
* The Bowler Hat Inspector (music video cameo)
* The Mayor of Sodor (mentioned)
* Mr. Jolly (factory logo cameo; mentioned)
* Donald and Douglas (mentioned; speaking role cut; music video cameos)
* The Fisherman (mentioned; music video cameo)
* Bill and Ben (cut; deleted scene)
=== Characters Introduced ===
* The Sodor Ice Cream Factory Manager
* The Black Suited Railway Inspector
* The Halloween Engine (does not speak)
* The Clowns (do not speak)
* Kuffy the Clown (not named; does not speak)
* Sodor Dairy Manager (cameo)
* The Dairy Employees (cameos)
== Locations ==
* Island of Sodor
** Black Loch
** Brendam Docks
*** Brendam Canal
*** Brendam Warehouse
*** Sodor Shipping Company
** Bulgy's Bridge
** Callan Castle
** Dryaw
*** Dryaw Airfield
*** Dryaw School
** Ffarquhar
*** Ffarquhar Quarry
**** Mavis' Shed
** Henry's Forest
*** Sodor Wishing Tree
** Henry's Tunnel
** Kellsthorpe Road
** Kirk Ronan Junction
** Knapford
*** Knapford Sheds
*** Knapford Yards
** Maithwaite
** Maron
** McColl Farm
** Mr. Jolly's Chocolate Factory
** Rail Under Road Bridge and Signalbox
** Road and Rail Runby and Road Bridge
** Sir Topham Hatt's Office
** Sodor Dairy
** Sodor Fuel Depot
** Sodor Ice Cream Factory
** Sodor Ironworks
** Sandy Beach
** The Coaling Plant
** The Coal Hopper
** The Country Village Station
** The Difficult Bend
** The Duke and Duchess of Boxford's Summer House
** The Flour Mill
** The Fishing Village
** The Intersection
** The Timber Mill
** The Runby Bridge
** The Sheep Field
** The Watermill
** Tidmouth Beach
** Tidmouth Sheds
*** Tidmouth Engine Works
*** Tidmouth Goods Station
** Toby's Shed
** Tower Windmill
** Wellsworth
*** Wellsworth Bridge
*** Wellsworth Yards
** The Hay Farm (stock footage)
** Tidmouth Tunnel (stock footage)
** Crosby (deleted scene)
** Rail Bridge over Rail and Canal Runby (deleted scene)
** Sodor Slate Quarry (mentioned)
** Elsbridge (dropped)
* The Mainland (mentioned)
== Half Hour Format ==
Series 8 was the first series to use a half hour format to air Thomas & Friends, airing in the UK and Ireland on Nick Jr., PBS Kids and PBS Retro in the US and Treehouse TV in Canada. In the airing, two Series 8 episodes, one Series 7 episode, a few Learning Segments and a song were paired. In the Nick Jr. airings in the UK and Ireland, Michael Angelis' narrations of Series 7 episodes are paired with Robert Hartshorne's music replacing Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell's music. When aired in Latin America on Discovery Kids, the Series 7 episodes were no longer paired in the airings. The UK airings were also released on DVD in South Africa, with the exception of Patience.
=== Sounds ===
* Thomas and the Tuba
* Learning Segment: Which Whistle Suits Thomas?
* Song: Sounds
* Peace and Quiet
* Learning Segment: Sounds
* Percy's New Whistle
South African DVD release: Full Steam Ahead
=== Differences ===
* Thomas to the Rescue
* Learning Segment: Dot to Dot - Gordon
* Learning Segment: Steamies and Diesels Sounds
* Emily's New Coaches
* Learning Segment: Guess the Engine - Thomas, Henry and Toby
* Henry and the Wishing Tree
South African DVD release: All Aboard with the Steam Team
=== Personality ===
* James Gets a New Coat
* Learning Segment: Guess the Engine - Percy
* Song: Emily
* Best Dressed Engine
* Learning Segment: Being Blue
* Thomas Saves the Day
South African DVD release: Arise and Shine
=== Listening ===
* Percy's Big Mistake
* Learning Segment: Guess the Engine - James
* Learning Segment: How Does Emily Get to Cronk Station?
* Gordon and Spencer
* Learning Segment: Percy Pulls Out of the Station
* Thomas, Emily and the Snowplough
South African DVD release: Whistle Stop
=== Surprises ===
* Don't Tell Thomas
* Learning Segment: Toby is Surprised to see...
* Song: Surprises
* James and the Queen of Sodor
* Learning Segment: Surprise Destinations
* Emily's New Route
South African DVD release: Hide and Peep
=== Responsibility ===
* Thomas and the Firework Display
* Learning Segment: Thomas Trundles Out of the Station
* Bill, Ben and Fergus
* Learning Segment: Thomas and the Mast
* Learning Segment: Being on Time
* Gordon Takes Charge
South African VHS/DVD Release: Making Tracks with Thomas
=== Determination ===
* Spic and Span
* Learning Segment: Thomas and Percy play Hide and Seek
* Song: Determination
* Not So Hasty Puddings/Not So Hasty Cakes
* Learning Segment: Truck Trouble
* Edward the Great
South African DVD release: The World's Strongest Engine
=== Sharing ===
* Squeak, Rattle and Roll
* Learning Segment: Which Way Should Thomas and Emily Go?
* Learning Segment: Sharing
* Percy Gets it Right
* Learning Segment: Sharing Trucks
* Thomas and the Circus
South African DVD release: Happy Little Helpers
=== Patience ===
* Thomas Gets it Right
* Learning Segment: Dot to Dot - Emily
* Song: Patience
* What's the Matter with Henry?
* Learning Segment: The Children Wait for Gordon
* As Good as Gordon
=== Difficulties ===
* Fish
* Learning Segment: Dot to Dot - Edward
* Learning Segment: What Thomas Needs to do in the Winter
* The Old Bridge
* Learning Segment: Helping One Another
* Emily's Adventure
South African DVD release: It's Great to be an Engine!
=== Confidence ===
* Halloween
* Learning Segment: Guess the Engine - Emily
* Song: Ode to Gordon
* Trusty Rusty
* Learning Segment: What Makes Percy Feel Better?
* You Can Do it, Toby!
South African DVD release: Bold and Brave
=== Helping ===
* James Goes Too Far
* Learning Segment: Henry Huffs out of the Station
* Three Cheers for Thomas
* Learning Segment: Job Destinations - Thomas, Toby and James
* Learning Segment: Edward Helps Emily up Gordon's Hill
* Chickens to School
South African DVD release: Peep! Peep! Hurray! Three Cheers for Thomas
=== The Weather ===
* Too Hot for Thomas
* Learning Segment: Painting James
* Song: A World Around You
* Salty's Stormy Tale
* Learning Segment: How does Thomas Get to the Timber Yards?
* Percy and the Magic Carpet
South African DVD release: Truck-loads of Fun
== Cast ==
* Edward Glen as Thomas
* Sean Astin as Edward
* Kevin Frank as Henry, Bertie and Harold
* Neil Crone as Gordon
* Susan Roman as James
* Linda Ballantyne as Percy
* Colm Feore as Toby
* Lacey Chabert as Emily
* Bill Fagerbakke as Harvey
* Tim Curry as Diesel
* Nicole Sullivan as Mavis
* Clancy Brown as Salty
* Kevin Schon as Arry and Bert
* Dave Foley as Arthur
* Lewis MacLeod as Spencer
* Corey Burton as Troublesome Trucks
* Shelley Elizabeth-Skinner as Annie and Clarabel
* Tress MacNeille as Elizabeth
=== Live Action Actors ===
* Bill Fagerbakke as Sir Topham Hatt
* Jodi Benson as Lady Hatt
* Kevin Schon as The Ffarquhar Quarry Manager 
* Bill Irwin as Farmer McColl
* Jason Lee as Farmer Trotter
* TBA as Allicia Botti
* Rodger Bumpass as The Coaling Plant Manager