Recently rediscovered in Mattel’s archives and remastered, this is the original 5-minute pilot episode ‘Down The Mineshaft’ for Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends. The pilot, narrated by Ringo Starr and filmed in 1983, was later remade for use as the show’s 25th episode after executives confirmed that yes, this Thomas The Tank Engine thing is, in fact, a gold mine. Since then there have been “more than 500 episodes, 207 books and 20 movies.” Damn, talk about the little engine that could! Thomas is hauling money straight to the bank. Now, are you thinking what I’m thinking? “Does it involve a train robbery?” I’ll get some bandanas, you start practicing poking a train in the eyes from horseback.