Shining Time Station/'Tis a Gift

'Tis a Gift
Season 1, Episode 999
Airdate	December 9, 1990
Written by	Brian McConnachie
Directed by	Gregory Lehane Thomas director David Mitton
← 1x20 Is This the End?	2x01 → Scare Dares
Shining Time Station — Season One

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'Tis a Gift is the nine hundred ninety-ninth episode of the first season of Shining Time Station.

Starring:

Guest Starring: Lloyd Bridges (Mr. Nicholas), Rachel Miner (Vickie), Ardon Bess (Tucker), Judy Marshak (Claire)

Co-Starring:

Plot Overview

It is the Christmas season at Shining Time Station and the station is full of people trying to get home to see their families. Even Schemer is in a good mood, because the Indian Valley committee is putting on a Christmas pageant and he is almost certain to get the part of Santa's helper. The kids, Matt and Tanya, write letters to Santa Claus and Mr. Conductor sends them off for them. He then tells the kids the story about Thomas the Tank Engine. An old man, Mr. Nicholas, enters the station carrying a Christmas tree with Harry's cousin, Tucker Cupper, and immediately knows everything about Stacy Jones from when she was a little girl. Mr. Nicholas says he is there to catch the Northern Star, a train that does not run on that railway, but Mr. Nicholas is confident it will come. Meanwhile, Stacy agrees to watch Claire's daughter, Vickie, a bratty little girl, at the station. Matt and Tanya dislike her because of her attitude. She meets Mr. Nicholas, who teaches her to be nice to people and it soon begins to work. Schemer's mom has made him a Santa's helper costume and he begins his campaign against Stacy by telling Midge Smoot, J.B. King, and the Mayor lies about her. Mr. Conductor tells the kids another story about Thomas The Tank Engine from the Island of Sodor. After the story, Mr. Nicholas is still waiting for the Northern Star. To everyone's surprise, the train pulls into the station as he had predicted. Meanwhile, the fighting continues over who will play the part of Santa's helper. Mr. Nicholas encourages Vickie to use her gift of song to quell the conflict. Her singing of the song "Simple Gifts" reminds them all of the true spirit of Christmas. Harmony is restored as all gather around the tree to celebrate the power of believing.

Thomas Stories

• "Terence the Tractor" and "Thomas' Christmas Party"

Jukebox Band Segment Songs

• "Over the River and Through the Woods"
• "Jingle Bells"
• "Simple Gifts"
• "It's Christmas Time at the Railway Station"

Music Video

• "The Hobo Song"

Credits

• Producers: Britt Allcroft, Rick Siggelkow
• Jukebox Band Puppets and Marionettes by "The Flexitoons" Craig Marin, Olga Felgemacher Marin
• Casting: Julie Mossberg Casting
• Theme Composer: Joe Raposo
• Indiviual Score Composer: Paul Derrick Mason
• Line Producer: Nancy Chapelle
• Associate Producers: Sherry Bondy, Mindy H. Levine
• Associate Director: Larysa Fenyn
• Production Designer: Wayne White
• Art Directors: Harley Morden, Rosaria Sinsi
• Costume Designer: Michael Landry
• Editor: Michael Belanger
• Floor Manager: Allen Wylie
• Technical Producer: Barry Elliott
• Technical Directors: Kevin Donoghue, Gord Bell
• Lighting Director: Richard Grunberg
• Gaffer
• Lighting Boardman: Bill Paton
• Script Continuity: Frances Handleman
• Cameras: Steve Cruickshank, Dave Denman, John Fox, Ted Hart, Alfie Kemp
• Audio Mixer: Brent Marchenski
• Boom Operators: Cory Siddall, Brian Whitty
• Audio Assistant: Mike Josselyn
• Cable: Pete Kettlewell
• Audio Engineer: Steve Ibelshauser
• Video: Don MacAdam
• Videotape Operator: Robby T. Robinson
• Set Decorator: Elizabeth Calderhead
• Props: Peter Clifford
• Wardrobe Supervisor: Heather Blurton
• Wardrobe Assistant: Judith England
• Hair Stylists: Carol Bentley, Katarina Chovanec
• Make-Up Artist: Lilly Marchenski
• Production Assistants: Amy Bazil, Suzanne Cooke, Scott Cooper, Miles Raine, Mike Ruan
• Series Advisor: Dr. Ron Slaby
• Railroad Consultant: John Hankey

Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends

• Based on the Railway Series by The Rev W. Awrdy
• Producer: Britt Allcroft
• Music Composed and Arranged by Junior Campbell, Mike O'Donnell
• Art Director: Robert Gauld Galleries
• Lighting Cameraman: Terence Permane
• 1st Assistant Director: Steve Asquith
• Models and Sets: Pennicott, Payne & Lille, Ltd., DBP Models and Effects, Albatross Models & Effects, Bernard Carr
• Editors: Michael Dixon, Rebecca De Burgh Mound

• This special is dedicated to all those who have helped build Shining Time Station.

Notes

• This was Ringo Starr's final appearance as Mr. Conductor.
• When this was released on VHS, the Thomas stories were "Thomas' Christmas Party" and "Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree".

Quotes

• Stacy: Mr. Nicholas?

Mr. Nicholas: Yes, Stacy?

Stacy: There won't be anymore trains until tomorrow, but you're welcome to stay here if you like.

Mr. Nicholas: Oh, thank you, Stacy. That's very kind of you, but... (looks at his watch) ...my train will be here any minute now.

(Stacy hears a train whistle)

Stacy: Where's that whistle coming from?!

Mr. Nicholas: That's the Northern Star! And she's right on time too!

Stacy: But, Mr. Nicholas, that's... That's impossible!

Mr. Nicholas: Stacy Jones, I'm surprised at you. Nothing is impossible, unless you stop believing in it. Huh?

• Stacy: Hello? Shining Time Station. Stacy Jones speaking. Oh, hi, Clare. Oh. Oh, you want to bring Vickie here this afternoon?

(Matt and Tanya wave their arms around and try playing dead, telling Stacy to refuse)

Stacy: Oh, sure. No problem. OK. Glad to be of some help. I'll see you in a little bit.

(she hangs up and turns to the kids)

Stacy: What is your problem?!

Matt: Vickie! She's horrible!

Stacy: Oh, she's not horrible.

Tanya: Yes, she is. She's mean, and nasty, and selfish, and rude...!

Stacy: OK, OK, OK. Now, come on. Nobody can be that bad.

Matt and Tanya: Vickie can!