In 1984 Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends made its initial broadcast in the UK. Beatles member, Ringo Starr, joined the series as a storyteller for 52 episodes. The show was then a success with more than 8.5 million viewers. Despite becoming the most popular character in The Railway Series, Thomas was not featured in the first book, The Three Railway Engines. a tank engine who lived at a Big Station. He had six small wheels, a short stumpy funnel, a short stumpy boiler and a short stumpy dome. He was a fussy little engine, always pulling coaches about. [...] He was cheeky, too.

Thomas was described in the opening to "Thomas and Gordon", the first story in book number two, Thomas the Tank Engine, as: [11] All of the prototype LB&SCR E2 class locomotives were scrapped between 1961 and 1963. Thomas locomotives used on Day Out with Thomas days on heritage railways are either unpowered replicas or converted from other locomotives. [10] The Railway Series Christopher Awdry took over the series in 1983, writing sixteen books, and concluded the series with the 42nd book, Thomas and his Friends. Two companion volumes were also published: 1987’s The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways by Rev. W. Awdry and George Awdry, and 2005’s Sodor: Reading Between the Lines by Christopher Awdry. Also available are annuals, picture book versions of the classic Thomas stories, as well as books that tie into his long-running TV series. Ant-Man granted Thomas the Tank cameo as long as train wasn't evil". The Independent. 30 July 2015 . Retrieved 27 December 2022. The Three Railway Engines was published in 1945, and Thomas the Tank Engine the year after. What followed was a series of profound development of delightful and pleasant characters and books filled with unique characters with various qualities and flavours, all set on the wonderful island of Sodor. Along the way, iconic friends such as James, Percy, Edward, and the “Fat Controller” Sir Topham Hatt. Year by year, Awdry worked hard to release new titles, which gave so much happiness and joy to children worldwide. His last book, Tramway Engines, was released in 1972.Thomas the Tank Engine stamps launched on East Lancs Railway". Lancashire Telegraph . Retrieved 21 September 2022.

Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (9 May 2019). "Why are people modding Thomas the Tank Engine into video games?". The Face . Retrieved 15 May 2019. The colour blue paintwork that appears on Thomas is actually the official colour of the North Western Railway, did you know that Thomas was originally teal green with white lines. Thomas has been referenced, featured and parodied in popular culture. In 1988, he was parodied on ITV's Spitting Image where he was portrayed as a drunk who went "completely off the rails." [18] In 2009, he appeared in " The Official BBC Children in Need Medley" where he was voiced by Ringo Starr, who narrated the first two series of Thomas and Friends. [19] In the British comedy show Bobby Davro's TV Weekly, a spoof was created titled "Thomas the Tanked Up Engine" involving Jeremy, the pink engine. Bobby Davro provided the narration by impersonating Ringo Starr. In 1979, British writer and producer Britt Allcroft came across the books, [4] and arranged a deal to bring the stories to life as the TV series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (later simplified to Thomas & Friends). The programme became an award-winning hit around the world, with a vast range of spin-off commercial products.Awdry, Christopher (2005). Sodor: Reading Between the Lines. Spalding, UK: Sodor Enterprises. ISBN 0-9549665-1-1. OCLC 931417954. All of the vehicles in The Railway Series were based on prototypical engines; Thomas's basis is the LB&SCR E2 class. [3] Thomas first appeared in 1946 in the second book in the series, Thomas the Tank Engine, and was the focus of the four short stories contained within. In The Railway Series and early episodes of Thomas & Friends, Thomas's best friends are Percy and Toby, though he is also close friends with Edward. Later episodes of Thomas & Friends have Thomas in a trio with James and Percy, and Percy is known as his best friend. Follow the adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends on their many easy to follow adventures around Sodor. Perfect for young readers aged 2+. For the first time, all 65 books are collected together as one bundle in one single amazing boxset, all characters included to showcase all the different railways and directions, with different individual adventures for kids to enjoy! Main articles: Thomas & Friends and Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go Thomas' model in Series 8 (2004) Thomas the Tank Engine has been enchanting children for over seventy-five years. He first appeared in the second volume of the Rev. W. Awdry’s Railway Series and soon became its lead character. He was featured in the hit TV series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, which ran for 37 years, and the new animated show Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go. He also stars in movies, specials, merchandise, and railway experiences. Thomas has become a name known throughout the world. Still, it all started with an English vicar who became one of the most influential authors ever in kids' books.

At the heart of the Thomas the Tank Engine series lies the lovable blue engine himself, Thomas. With his cheerful demeanour and can-do attitude, Thomas has become an iconic character in children's literature. As readers join him on his various escapades, they learn valuable lessons about friendship, teamwork, and the importance of being true to oneself. Through his experiences, Thomas teaches children the power of determination, kindness, and the joy of discovery. In The Adventure Begins which is a retelling of Thomas's early days on Sodor, he is a bluish-green colour when he first arrives on Sodor, his tanks are lettered "LBSC" (for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway) with the number 70 on his bunker. The 70 is a reference to 2015 being the 70th anniversary for The Railway Series, while the LB&SCR E2 class were actually numbered from 100–109. The real life LBSC no. 70 is an A1 class.

How Thomas the Tank Engine ended up in Ant-Man". Digital Spy. 27 July 2015 . Retrieved 27 December 2022. The first Thomas model was not based on a prototype. [6] After Awdry's wife encouraged him to publish the stories, [7] the publisher of the second book in The Railway Series ( Thomas the Tank Engine) hired illustrator Reginald Payne. Awdry selected a real locomotive for Payne to work from to create authenticity: a Billinton designed 0-6-0 E2 Class of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. [8] This may have been chosen simply because Awdry had a photograph to hand. [6] The Thomas the Tank Engine books are not just simple stories but captivating adventures that stimulate the imagination. From meeting new engines to exploring picturesque landscapes, each book presents a new opportunity for young readers to embark on an exciting journey. Children will delight in following Thomas and his friends as they navigate challenges, solve problems, and learn important life lessons along the way. Characters of the Railway Series: Thomas the Tank Engine". PegnSean. Archived from the original on 13 December 2017.

When Awdry based Thomas on a wooden toy made for his son Christopher. This toy looked rather different from the character in the books and television series, and carried the letters NW on its side tanks, which stood for "No Where" according to Awdry. [5] Thomas the Tank Engine speaks for the first time". Metro. 24 September 2009. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012 . Retrieved 31 May 2010. Thomas - Engine Profile & Bio: Thomas & Friends". Mattel. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Even Thomas The Tank Engine Was A Digital Fake In Ant-Man". Gizmodo Australia. 6 July 2018 . Retrieved 27 December 2022.I bought Thomas in 1948 when I was writing Tank Engine Thomas Again, and wanted to start modelling once more after a lapse of some twenty years. Thomas was one of Stewart Reidpath's standard models with a heavy, cast white metal body, and was fitted with his "Essar" chassis and motor. Stewart Reidpath is now dead, and his motors, let alone spare parts for them, have been unobtainable for years; but Thomas still keeps going! He is, as you might expect from his age, a temperamental old gentleman, and has to be driven very carefully indeed. Skit From MadTV: Thomas The Unstoppable Tank Engine. Ryan21hw. 2 October 2011. Archived from the original (YouTube) on 28 January 2019 . Retrieved 21 June 2018.