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TUGS
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TUGS is a British children's television series first broadcast in 1988. It was created by the producers of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Robert D. Cardona and David Mitton. The series dealt with the adventures of two anthropomorphized tugboat fleets, the Star Fleet and the Z-Stacks, who compete against each other in the fictional Bigg City Port. The series was set in the Roaring Twenties, and was produced by TUGS Ltd., for TVS and Clearwater Features Ltd. Music was composed by Junior Campbell and Mike O'Donnell, who also wrote the music for Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.
Due to the bankruptcy of production company TVS, the series did not continue production past 13 episodes. Following the initial airing of the series throughout 1988, television rights were sold to an unknown party, while all models and sets from the series sold to Britt Allcroft. Modified set props and tugboat models were used in Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends from 1991 onwards.
Castfull cast & details
Episodes by season
Season01
- S01E01
SunshineApril 4, 1989—It is the 1920's: Rival tug fleets compete for work in Bigg City Port. Captain Star briefs his Star Tugs - he's trying the regular contract - S01E02PirateApril 11, 1989—Ten Cents delivers his last cargo barge to the Old Quay after a very busy day. As night falls, it is towed away by a mysterious boat. Captai
- S01E03
TrappedApril 18, 1989—The Z-Stacks must share the up-river jobs with the Star Tugs. When a tramper that Zorran and Zug are towing goes out of control blocking the - S01E04
RegattaApril 25, 1989—Lillie Lightship is sad. Moored out of the harbour to guide boats and keep them out of danger, she never gets to see the Regatta. In spite o - S01E05
MunitionsMay 2, 1989—During the annual manoeuvers, both Bigg City tug fleets service the navy. It is a dangerous job, handling ammunition and explosive barges. A - S01E06
WarriorMay 9, 1989—Warrior had always had a reputation for being a bit clumsy, but on this day he sets out to prove to Captain Star that he is capable of worki - S01E07
High TideMay 16, 1989—The Stars and the Z-Stacks are both competing for a big steel contract. the fleet which can transport the most steel in one day, wins the co - S01E08
QuarantineMay 23, 1989—It has been one of the hottest weeks of the summer. In such hot weather, there was a greater danger that ships might be carrying diseases. I - S01E09
GhostsMay 30, 1989—Old sea stories - especially about ghosts - are favourites amongst the tugs of Bigg City Harbour. No one will admit to taking them too serio - S01E10
JinxedJune 6, 1989—In the estuary late one evening Ten Cents and Sunshine came across a tug named Boomer, who was just drifting along hoping to be run down by - S01E11
High WindsJune 13, 1989—An old dirty tramper from Australia suspected of smuggling lurks outside the limits of Bigg City bay. It is the notorious Johnny Cuba. When - S01E12
Up RiverJune 20, 1989—Towing huge piles of logs was always a very dangerous operation. When the snows began to melt and the rivers swelled it added to the danger. - S01E13
Bigg FreezeJune 27, 1989—An Ocean liner called Vienna is to come into Bigg City Port but Lillie Lightships needs to refuel, if there isn't a light Vienna can't come.
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