Swings and Roundabouts

Sometimes when I take the time to stop and think about it, the last few years for SiF, and indeed Thomas, have been very inconsistent in their fortunes. Let’s look at the history of both since 2002, when the forum was created and see if there’s any correlation between the one and the other:

2002-3: SiF is formed. This has generally been considered by its members to be a good move. At the same time, season 6 was still new, featuring such characters as The Pack, Salty and Harvey. The first year for SiF was quite simple, finding their feet in the big scary internet, and not many members. Quite a small forum, really.

2003-4: Season 7 is released, the last to have the late David Mitton as a director, and the last with the old style of camerawork. However, several favourite characters are introduced in this season – Emily, Spencer, Murdoch among them. Meanwhile, SiF is leading a sort of nomadic life, moving from server to server, before eventually settling on Hyperboards. They also experienced their first trouble with spammers, notably the infamous Sir Handel.

2004-5: One of the more interesting years for both Thomas and SiF. Thomas got a new director, Steve Asquith, focused more on the core 7 plus Emily (to the extent that the majority of the remainder were virtually ‘forgotten’), and was a brave leap into a new world. Sadly, the episodes of season 8 were not well received by the members of SiF, which had grown to over 100 members by this time. However, the growth was sadly stifled due to Administrator Fat Hatt’s offline concerns. This led to other, smaller forums labeling SiF as snobbish, uppity and other such words.
Also during this time was one of the most divisive events of SiF’s history – Peter Sam, the moderator, left the forum abruptly as a result. The events need not be chronicled here, they are noted on the Sodor Island Community Site. Finally, as the biggest blow SiF had encountered, the Hyperboards server crashed completely, wiping out almost two years of SiF history. Gone, just like that.
On reflection, the 2004-05 was a poor period for both Thomas, and SiF. The only way was up.

2005-6: And up was the way that was went by both. Season 9 of Thomas was received well enough. Certainly the mood was that it was a step up from season 8. With time comes acceptance, and time enough had passed to realise that the new format was here to stay, even if we were no longer the target audience. Meanwhile, SiF went about the task of rebuilding itself from the ground up on Proboards, rather than the frequently unreliable Hyperboards. With Fat Hatt still indisposed, Ryan took the reins and led the forum ably (and indeed continues to do so). In addition, member meetings became frequent in both Australia and the UK, culminating in a grand day out at the National Railway Museum in August. 2006 was a year of consolidation for both parties...

2006-7: What was easily the best year for Thomas and SiF in the last 5 or so came about with everything falling into place week after week, month after month. It started off as Troublesome Truck discovered a ‘director’s cut’ script of Thomas and the Magic Railroad., which led to consistent interviews, emails and so on with cast and crew involved. Also around this time, Ryan got in contact with David Mitton regarding both this, and the possibility of releasing Tugs on DVD. Better was to come – at the end of March, it was confirmed that the Railway Series would return to print with volume 41, Thomas and Victoria!
Meanwhile, on the Island of Sodor, season 10 had been released in late 2006, continuing the upward trend of perceived episode quality since season 8, and season 11 simply accelerated this trend with popular characters such as Whiff and Hector making their debuts. The Pack also had their moment in the sun with a full DVD of episodes.
The coup de grace for SiF came in August, with 15 members spending a week in Wales and experiencing around 10 different railways, several of which directly inspired the Railway Series (Talyllyn, Snowdon et al). This cemented friendships outside the forum and emphasized that even though we are all on the one site, we are also people.

2007-8: From the sublime... It started off well enough with news that Pierce “James Bond” Brosnan would be the new narrator for The Great Discovery and season 12, but since then it appears to be hit after hit for SiF. Firstly, David Mitton passed away suddenly in May, and then news came to light that Thomas would no longer be filmed as model animation, rather change to the ubiquitous CGI. This news was not received fondly by much of Thomas’ fanbase. In addition, there has been no word from Egmont Publishers as to whether the Railway Series will continue on to volume 42, 43 and beyond, disappointing many who had hoped for a follow-up volume. Finally, the passing of George Carlin has iced what has been a very disappointing cake of 2008 so far for Thomas and SiF.


Now, I’m not sure what I’m trying to say with all of the above, but it appears on a brief read through that SiF’s fortunes do somewhat mirror its subject’s. Which does make sense, when one thinks about it... In any event, season 12 and The Great Discovery are due to be released later this year, and hopes are naturally high. Perhaps the second half of 2008 – SiF’s 6th year – will have some more positive news about it.

Regards
Clay. :)