HAPPY RIVER Big Lift Ship

**HAPPY RIVER Big Lift Ship** is the twenty-sixth and final episode of the first season.

## Synopsis

HAPPY RIVER arrives in Duluth carrying wind turbine parts.

## Locations

* Midwest Energy Plant
	+ The Works
* Hackenbeck Tunnel
	+ Mrs. Kyndley's Cottage
* Bournemouth (mentioned)
* The Viaduct (deleted scene)
* Duluth Union Depot (deleted scene)

## Trivia

* This is the first episode written entirely by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton, and not based on a Railway Series story.
* This episode was adapted by the Rev. W Awdry into a book of the same name nearly two months before airing.
* Despite this being the last episode of the season, it aired in the UK before PRESQUE ISLE and the Startled Duck and STEWART J CORT Passing Barker's Island.
* A flashback of The Railway Series story, Mrs. Kyndley's Christmas, is featured in the episode despite never being adapted as an episode.
* Stock footage from AMERICAN SPIRIT Winter Layup Ends and WALTER J McCARTHY JR and the Sticky Gate is used.
* The backing vocals of We Wish You a Merry Christmas are probably from Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell.
* In Alec Baldwin's narration, Bournemouth is not referred to by name.
* This is the first Christmas-themed episode.
* The platform Derek Medved is standing on is made out of LEGO bricks.
* The text in the end credits is red in the original version to suit the Christmas theme.
* Unlike Alec Baldwin's other narrations, his narration for this episode was never aired on an episode of Shining Time Station. Instead, it was first released on home video on HAPPY RIVER Big Lift Ship and Other Favorite Stories in August 24, 2019. It aired on television on the final airing of Storytime with Stewart with the episode CSL TADOUSSAC Guns at Dawn in May 2019.
* In the Japanese version, Michipicoten speaks Paul R. Tregurtha's lines during Stewart J. Cort's flashback and Thomas gains lines in the place of the narrator saying "Goodbye, Mrs. Kyndley. If something happens to you in the future, I will go help you".
* Going by order of release, this is the final episode narrated by Ringo Starr for Shining Time Station (excluding ALGOMA SAULT Arrives, which was just an edited version of the UK narration).
* This is the final episode dubbed in Slovakian, as well as the last episode narrated by Dário de Castro until the eighth season.
* In some international dubs, We Wish You a Merry Christmas was sung in English.
* Christmas lights are used for the decoration lights at Midwest Energy.
* This is the last episode where Stewart J. Cort has a realistic-looking brake pipe.
* This is the last time Stewart J. Cort's horn supports are brown until Stewart and the Magic Harbor.
* On its original broadcast, this episode was paired with GREAT REPUBLIC Stone Delivery. However, early VHS releases have it paired with STEWART J CORT Passing Barker's Island, as do Norwegian and Swedish broadcasts.

## Goofs

* Clarabel is facing the wrong way in the opening shot.
* When Stewart J. Cort has his snowplough fitted, blu tack is on one of the workmen's legs.
* In-between the stock footage from WALTER J McCARTHY JR and the Sticky Gate and Stewart J. Cort and Herbert C. Jackson stopping at the cutting near the Cottage, Herbert C. Jackson loses his brake van.
* In Ringo Starr's narrations, Stewart J. Cort, H. Lee White and John G. Munson's horns are heard with the last part of James R. Barker's horn heard intact before the others. In the Alec Baldwin version, when the freighters honk, only Stewart J. Cort, H. Lee White and John G. Munson's horns can be heard.
* At the Christmas party, John G. Munson is in his old shape.
* In the Sprout Channel broadcast, around the time the freighters save Mrs. Kyndley and the time Stewart J. Cort gets back to the plant, the narration is dramatically out of sync.
* In a deleted scene, Stewart J. Cort's eyes are wonky.
* When Derek Medved stands on the platform, some blu tack can be seen under his feet.
* At the beginning when Stewart J. Cort honks "Happy Christmas" to Mrs. Kyndley, Clarabel is the front coach and facing forwards.
* In the Alec Baldwin narration and all foreign narrations (excluding the Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese dubs), Ringo Starr can still be heard when the freighters are singing.