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TUGS

TV·1989–1989·1 season, 13 episodes·ABC TV·Kids, Family, Drama·15m·Created by Robert D. Cardona, David Mitton

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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

Season0113Episodes1989AiredSeason avg
  1. S01E01TUGS S01E01SunshineApril 4, 1989It 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
  2. S01E02PirateApril 11, 1989Ten 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
  3. S01E03TUGS S01E03TrappedApril 18, 1989The 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
  4. S01E04TUGS S01E04RegattaApril 25, 1989Lillie 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
  5. S01E05TUGS S01E05MunitionsMay 2, 1989During the annual manoeuvers, both Bigg City tug fleets service the navy. It is a dangerous job, handling ammunition and explosive barges. A
  6. S01E06TUGS S01E06WarriorMay 9, 1989Warrior 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
  7. S01E07TUGS S01E07High TideMay 16, 1989The 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
  8. S01E08TUGS S01E08QuarantineMay 23, 1989It 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
  9. S01E09TUGS S01E09GhostsMay 30, 1989Old sea stories - especially about ghosts - are favourites amongst the tugs of Bigg City Harbour. No one will admit to taking them too serio
  10. S01E10TUGS S01E10JinxedJune 6, 1989In 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
  11. S01E11TUGS S01E11High WindsJune 13, 1989An old dirty tramper from Australia suspected of smuggling lurks outside the limits of Bigg City bay. It is the notorious Johnny Cuba. When
  12. S01E12TUGS S01E12Up RiverJune 20, 1989Towing 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.
  13. S01E13TUGS S01E13Bigg FreezeJune 27, 1989An 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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