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Thomas & Friends (franchise) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Thomas & Friends is a popular children's TV show about a group of talking trains and vehicles living on the fictional Island of Sodor. The main character is Thomas, a small blue tank engine. The show teaches important lessons about friendship, teamwork, and problem-solving. It started as a book series called The Railway Series by Reverend W. Awdry.

The Start of Thomas & Friends

The stories of Thomas and his friends began with The Railway Series books. These books were written by a father, Reverend W. Awdry, for his son, Christopher, who was sick with measles. The first book came out in 1945. The stories became very popular, leading to the famous TV show.

TV Shows About Thomas

The world of Thomas & Friends has been brought to life in several TV shows:

  • Thomas & Friends (1984-2021): This was the original TV series that many people grew up with. It used models of the trains and later switched to computer animation.
  • Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! (debuting 2021): This is a newer, rebooted series with a different animation style and new adventures.

Thomas & Friends Movies and Specials

Over the years, Thomas and his friends have starred in many longer movies and special episodes. These often have bigger adventures than the regular TV episodes. Here are some of them:

Name Year Notes
Thomas and the Magic Railroad 2000 This was a movie shown in cinemas.
Calling All Engines! 2005 A longer special released straight to video.
The Great Discovery 2008 A feature-length special, also shown in some cinemas.
Hero of the Rails 2009 A feature-length special.
Misty Island Rescue 2010 A feature-length special.
Day of the Diesels 2011 A feature-length special.
Blue Mountain Mystery 2012 A feature-length special.
King of the Railway 2013 A feature-length special.
Tale of the Brave 2014 A feature-length special.
The Adventure Begins 2015 A 45-minute special.
Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure 2015 A feature-length special.
The Great Race 2016 A feature-length special.
Journey Beyond Sodor 2017 A feature-length special.
Big World! Big Adventures! 2018 A feature-length special.
Untitled Marc Forster Thomas & Friends film TBA A future movie planned for cinemas.

Main Characters and Their Voices

The characters in Thomas & Friends are voiced by many talented actors. Here are some of the main characters and who voiced them in the movies and specials:

Characters Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000) Hero of the Rails (2009) to Big World! Big Adventures! (2018)
Thomas the Tank Engine Eddie Glen Ben Small (UK, 2009-2014)
Martin Sherman (US, 2009-2014)
John Hasler (UK, 2015-2018)
Joseph May (US, 2015-2018)
Edward the Blue Engine Not in this movie William Hope (US)
Keith Wickham (UK)
Henry the Green Engine Kevin Frank Kerry Shale (US)
Keith Wickham (UK)
Gordon the Big Engine Neil Crone Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
James the Red Engine Susan Roman Keith Wickham (UK, 2009-2014)
Kerry Shale (US, 2009-2014)
Rob Rackstraw (UK/US, 2015-2018)
Percy the Small Engine Linda Ballantyne Keith Wickham (UK, 2009-2014)
Martin Sherman (US, 2009-2014)
Nigel Pilkington (UK, 2016-2018)
Christopher Ragland (US, 2015-2018)
Toby the Tram Engine Colm Feore Ben Small (UK, 2009-2013)
William Hope (US, 2009-2013)
Rob Rackstraw (UK, 2015-2018)
William Hope (US, 2015-2018)
Emily the Stirling Engine Not in this movie Teresa Gallagher (UK)
Jules de Jongh (US)
Annie and Clarabel Shelley-Elizabeth Skinner Teresa Gallagher
Spencer the Grand Not in this movie Matt Wilkinson (UK)
Glenn Wrage (US)
Nia the African Engine Introduced later Yvonne Grundy
Patricia Kihoro (singing voice)
Devious Diesel Not in this movie Kerry Shale (UK)
Michael Brandon (US)
Diesel 10 Neil Crone Matt Wilkinson (2010-2011)
Victor Not in this movie Matt Wilkinson (UK)
David Bedella (US)
Bertie the Bus Kevin Frank Keith Wickham
Harold the Helicopter Kevin Frank Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
Kevin Not in this movie Matt Wilkinson (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)
Sir Topham Hatt/The Fat Controller Posters Keith Wickham (UK)
Kerry Shale (US)

Thomas & Friends in the Real World

The popularity of Thomas & Friends has led to many real-world experiences and products.

Day Out with Thomas Events

Thomas, Henry, Duck and troublesome trucks at Kidderminster
Thomas, Henry and Duck look-alikes on the Severn Valley Railway

"Day out with Thomas" events are special days held at old train lines, called heritage railways. At these events, real trains are dressed up to look like Thomas and his friends. You can often ride on a train pulled by "Thomas" and meet a person dressed as the "Fat Controller." These events happen in the UK, US, and other countries like the Netherlands.

Thomas & Friends at Theme Parks

Several amusement parks have had areas or rides based on Thomas & Friends:

  • From 2007 to 2017, Drusilla's Park in England had a railway ride with Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel.
  • Some Six Flags parks in the US used to have Thomas & Friends attractions, but they have since changed them.
  • In 2008, Drayton Manor in the UK opened its own Thomas Land. This is a whole area dedicated to Thomas & Friends, with rides and attractions. Japan also has a popular Thomas Land.
  • Dutch Wonderland in the USA featured a 'Thomas and Friends Live' show for a few years.

Thomas & Friends Toys and Products

Thomas 47327 at Rushcliffe Country Park
Thomas (47327) at Rushcliffe Country Park Nottingham

Because the TV show is so popular, there are many different kinds of Thomas & Friends products. The most common are toy trains and tracks, like "Take Along Thomas" and "TrackMaster." There are also wooden trains and even electric model railway sets.

Besides trains, you can find books, magazines, computer games, audiobooks, puzzles, stationery, clothes, and even household items like curtains and lampshades featuring Thomas and his friends.

Thomas & Friends and Autism

Many children with autism and Asperger syndrome really connect with Thomas the Tank Engine. Studies have shown that Thomas is often the first character these children enjoy. The clear facial expressions on the engines can help children learn about emotions. The predictable stories also give them a sense of security.

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