Thomas the Tank Engine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas & Friends character
Thomas' model
First appearance	Thomas the Tank Engine (The Railway Series) "Thomas & Gordon" (Thomas & Friends)
Created by	Rev W. Awdry Christopher Awdry (The Railway Series) Britt Allcroft (Thomas & Friends)
Designed by	L. B. Billinton
Voiced by	Edward Glen (Thomas and the Magic Railroad) John Bellis (original workprints only) Ringo Starr (The Official BBC Children in Need Medley) Ben Small (UK; 2009–2015; Hero of the Rails – S18) John Hasler (UK; 2015–present; The Adventure Begins onwards) Martin Sherman (US; 2009–2015; Hero of the Rails – S18) Joseph May (US; 2015–present; The Adventure Begins onwards) Daniel Radcliffe (Robot Chicken) Kevin Shinick (Mad) Keiko Toda (Japan; 1990–2007; S1-8) Kumiko Higa (Japan; 2008–present; Calling All Engines! onwards) Shin Yong-Woo (Korea; Season 18 and 19)
Number	1 (formerly, L.B.S.C. 70)
Information
Gender	Male

Thomas the Tank Engine is a famous small steam locomotive. He is a fictional character from The Railway Series books. These popular stories were created by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and later by his son, Christopher. Thomas is known for his cheeky personality and his adventures on the fictional Island of Sodor. He is usually seen pulling coaches or shunting trucks.

Who is Thomas the Tank Engine?

Thomas is a blue tank engine with the number 1 painted on his side. He is one of the most well-known engines on the North Western Railway. Thomas is often a bit cheeky and sometimes gets into trouble. However, he is also very kind and always tries his best to be a really useful engine. His main job is to pull coaches for passengers. He also helps move goods around the railway.

Thomas's Personality and Role

Thomas is a young engine who is eager to learn. He can be a bit boastful at times. He loves to explore and have adventures. Thomas is a loyal friend to the other engines. He often helps them when they are in need. His adventures teach important lessons about friendship and teamwork.

How Thomas Was Created

Thomas the Tank Engine was first created by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry. He made up stories for his son, Christopher, when Christopher was sick. The first story about Thomas appeared in a book called Thomas the Tank Engine. This book was published in 1946.

From Books to TV

The stories became very popular. Later, Britt Allcroft helped bring Thomas to television. The TV show, Thomas & Friends, started in 1984. This made Thomas famous all over the world. The show uses models of the engines. It tells new stories about Thomas and his friends.

Thomas's Friends and Home

Thomas lives and works on the Island of Sodor. This is a fictional island located between England and the Isle of Man. He works with many other engines. Some of his best friends include Edward, Gordon, Henry, James, Percy, and Toby. Each engine has a unique personality. They all work together to keep the railway running smoothly.

The Island of Sodor

Sodor is a busy island with many different places. There are towns, villages, and countryside. The engines travel all over the island. They deliver passengers and goods. The railway is a very important part of life on Sodor.

The Real-Life Inspiration for Thomas

Thomas's design was inspired by real steam locomotives. He looks a lot like the LB&SCR E2 class tank engines. These engines were built in England for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. The Reverend Awdry saw these engines. He used their design to create Thomas.

Images for kids

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  TV series and Hornby based Thomas on this prototype belonging to the LB&SCR E2 class

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  A Thomas the Tank Engine themed JNR Class C11 train in Japan, 2014.