Thomas the Tank Engine.

Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic tank locomotive created by the Rev. W. V. Awdry in his Railway Series books, made into the British children's television series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends and its American spin-off Shining Time Station. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... A tank engine (occasionally tank locomotive, especially in England, notably used in reference to Thomas the Tank Engine) is a steam locomotive that carries its own fuel and water on it, instead of pulling it behind it in a tender. ... Thomas & Friends (formerly Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends) is a British childrens television series, first broadcast on Anglia Television in 1984. ... FicTioNaL is a Gaming Legend. ... Anthropomorphism, also referred to as personification or prosopopeia, is the attribution of human characteristics to inanimate objects, animals, forces of nature, and others. ... A tank locomotive (occasionally tank engine, especially in England, notably used in reference to Thomas the Tank Engine) is a steam locomotive that carries its own fuel and water on it, instead of pulling it behind it in a tender. ... Wilbert Vere Awdry, OBE, (June 15, 1911 – March 21, 1997), better known as the Reverend W. Awdry, was a clergyman, railway enthusiast and childrens author. ... Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: The Railway Series The Railway Series is a set of story books about a fictional railway system located on the fictional Island of Sodor and the engines that lived on it. ... Thomas & Friends (formerly Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends) is a British childrens television series, first broadcast on Anglia Television in 1984. ... Shining Time Station was an American spin-off of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends series, although it was co-created by Britt Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow. ...

In his first appearance in the television series he was described as follows:

"Thomas is a tank engine who lives at a big station on the Island of Sodor. He's a cheeky little engine with 6 small wheels, a short stumpy funnel, a short stumpy boiler and a short stumpy dome" -narrator Ringo Starr from the episode "Thomas & Gordon" (aka "Thomas Gets Tricked", as it was titled for the US release). He has also been described as "a little engine with a long tongue".

Thomas the Tank Engine first appeared in 1946, when stories about him were published in The Railway Series by the Reverend W.V. Awdry. A map of the Island of Sodor showing the Railway system (click to enlarge). ... Richard Starkey Jr, MBE (born 7 July 1940), known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the drummer for The Beatles. ... Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: The Railway Series The Railway Series is a set of story books about a fictional railway system located on the fictional Island of Sodor and the engines that lived on it. ... The Reverend W. V. Awdry OBE (15 June 1911 – 21 March 1997) was a clergyman, railway enthusiast and childrens author, best known as the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine. ...

When he first appeared, in the book Thomas the Tank Engine, he was a station pilot, whose job was to shunt coaches and trucks for the bigger engines. He longed for more important jobs such as pulling the express train like Gordon, but his inexperience prevented this. Eventually he was responsible for rescuing James after an accident, and the Fat Controller (who was then known as the Fat Director) decided that he was a Really Useful Engine, and ready for his own branch line. He has remained in charge of this line ever since. This list consists all of the Railway Series books by both the Rev. ... An EMD SD39 and slug in switching service. ... James the Red Engine in Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. ... Sir Topham Hatt, the Fat Controller is the head of the railway in The Railway Series of books written by Rev. ... A branch line is a relatively minor railway line which branches off a more important through route. ...

His closest friends are Annie and Clarabel, his 2 coaches. However, he is also very good friends with Percy, (despite a lot of arguments), Toby, his old friend Edward, and his frequent substitute Duck. Annie and Clarabel with Thomas the Tank Engine (as portrayed in the television series) In The Railway Series and the related Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, Annie and Clarabel are Thomass coaches. ... The Railway Series book, featuring Percy, which also carries Percys name. ... Toby the Tram Engine. ... Edward the Blue Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic steam locomotive from The Railway Series by Rev W. Awdry, and the TV Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. ... Duck the Great Western Engine as portrayed in the TV series. ...

Thomas is based on the E2 Class 0-6-0T locomotives built for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway between 1913 and 1916. LB&SCR E2 Class No. ... 0-6-0 is also the emergency telephone number in Mexico, similar to the United Statess 9-1-1. ... A tank locomotive (occasionally tank engine, especially in England, notably used in reference to Thomas the Tank Engine) is a steam locomotive that carries its own fuel and water on it, instead of pulling it behind it in a tender. ... The LB&SCRs coat of arms, displayed above the entrance to Gipsy Hill railway station. ...

Thomas in The Railway Series

In the Railway Series he has generally been depicted with a cheeky and even self-important personality. He believes that he should be more respected by the others, and he gets annoyed when he does not receive this respect. Luckily, Percy and Toby are more than capable of standing up to him, and Annie and Clarabel often rebuke him. The Railway Series book, featuring Percy, which also carries Percys name. ... Toby the Tram Engine. ... Annie and Clarabel with Thomas the Tank Engine (as portrayed in the television series) In The Railway Series and the related Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, Annie and Clarabel are Thomass coaches. ...

He is aware of his fame in the real world, and following a visit to the National Railway Museum at York he became an honorary member of the National Collection, joining such legendary locomotives as Mallard, City of Truro and Rocket. Locomotives arranged around the turntable in the Great Hall. ... York shown within England Coordinates: , Sovereign state Constituent country Region Yorkshire and the Humber Ceremonial county North Yorkshire Admin HQ York City Centre Founded 71 City Status 71 Government  - Type Unitary Authority, City  - Governing body City of York Council  - Leadership: Leader & Executive  - Executive: Liberal Democrat  - MPs: Hugh Bayley (L) John... Number 4468 Mallard is a London and North Eastern Railway Class A4 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive built at Doncaster, England in 1938. ... GWR 3700 City Class 4-4-0, no. ... A contemporary drawing of Rocket Rocket as preserved in the Science Museum, London. ...

The Thomas of the early stories looks a little different from the one shown in later ones. Following the events of the story Thomas Comes to Breakfast, in which Thomas crashed into the Stationmaster's house and tore up his front buffer beam, it was rebuilt without the "dip" it had previously had. The Rev. Awdry had noticed that the dip had put Thomas' front buffers out of line with his back ones, hence the story. He has kept this ever since in the Railway Series. However, Thomas has always kept his curved front buffers in the television series. This list consists all of the Railway Series books by both the Rev. ...

Thomas has been the source of some friction between Christopher Awdry and his publishers, who repeatedly asked for more books centred around the character. Although Thomas was the most popular character in the books, both Wilbert and Christopher Awdry had always treated the characters in the books as an ensemble, and so before the television series was released there had only been two books named after Thomas (Thomas the Tank Engine and Tank Engine Thomas Again). After the debut of the television series, there were five more (More About Thomas the Tank Engine, Thomas and the Twins, Thomas and the Great Railway Show, Thomas Comes Home, Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines). Some of these are rather tenuous in their links with the character: Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines (the 50th anniversary volume, originally to be called The Fat Controller's Engines) features only one story out of the four centred on Thomas; while in Thomas Comes Home, Thomas appears only on the last page, the rest of the book dealing with the other engines on his branch line while he was away at York. Christopher Awdry (born 1940) is a British author best known for his contributions to The Railway Series of books featuring Thomas the Tank Engine, which was started by his father Rev. ... This list consists all of the Railway Series books by both the Rev. ... This list consists all of the Railway Series books by both the Rev. ... This list consists all of the Railway Series books by both the Rev. ... This list consists all of the Railway Series books by both the Rev. ... This list consists all of the Railway Series books by both the Rev. ... This list consists all of the Railway Series books by both the Rev. ... This list consists all of the Railway Series books by both the Rev. ...

Thomas in the TV Series

In the early series of Thomas the Tank Engine, Thomas's personality was similar to that used in the books. From Season six onwards, however, his character was modified. He became less cheeky and pompous. He is now kind to other engines, and always ready to stand up for a friend in need. He is always eager to prove himself, and has had many exciting adventures as a result. He wasn't cheeky again until Calling All Engines.

He no longer appears to be limited to his branch line and now seems to work all over Sodor. This change in his personality and duties is a result of his "star" status. He is the most popular character in the series, and therefore he has the largest number of appearances.

In the Japanese version he was played by Keiko Toda. Keiko Toda (戸田恵子 Toda Keiko), born Keiko Inoue (井上恵子 Inoue Keiko; born on September 12, 1957 in Nagoya, Japan) is a Japanese actress. ...

Thomas on film

Thomas's on screen appearances have all been produced by The Britt Allcroft Company, now Gullane Entertainment, and distributed in more than 120 countries to date. The TV series, first broadcast in 1984, was narrated by former Beatles member Ringo Starr, followed by Michael Angelis in later editions. (In the U.S. video releases Starr was followed by comedian George Carlin, and then actor Alec Baldwin.) The Britt Allcroft Company was a company created by britt allcroft and angus wright in 1984. ... Gullane Entertainment was a company that produced TV shows for the whole family and was formerly called The Britt Allcroft Company. ... The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 as part of their first tour of the United States, promoting their first hit single there, I Want To Hold Your Hand. ... Richard Starkey Jr, MBE (born 7 July 1940), known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer, songwriter and actor, best known as the drummer for The Beatles. ... Michael Angelis (born January 18, 1952 in Liverpool, England) is a British actor. ... George Denis Patrick Carlin[15] (born May 12, 1937) is a Grammy-winning American stand-up comedian, actor, and author. ... Alexander Rae Alec Baldwin III (born April 3, 1958) is an Emmy- and Academy Award-nominated, and Golden Globe Award-winning, American actor. ...

In 2000 Thomas starred in a feature film, 'Thomas and the Magic Railroad'. He was voiced by Edward Glen. He was the only engine from the television series to play a major role in the story, and he even leaves Sodor briefly. The film was not a success, but Thomas's movie career continued in the straight-to-video feature Calling All Engines. Thomas and the Magic Railroad is a 2000 film based on the well-known TV series and its American spinoff. ... Edward Glen, sometimes credited as Eddie Glen, is a Canadian voice actor. ... For other uses see film (disambiguation) Film refers to the celluliod media on which movies are printed Film — also called movies, the cinema, the silver screen, moving pictures, photoplays, picture shows, flicks, or motion pictures, — is a field that encompasses motion pictures as an art form or as...

Thomas in toyboxes

Thomas as a 'promo gadget' for the single Train (1990) of the British band Red Box.

Main article: Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends merchandise

With the popularity of the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV series among children, 'Thomas'-based merchandise has proven very lucrative. At least five different categories of trains and tracks exist: "Take Along Thomas" with grey tracks; Tomy battery-operated engines with blue tracks; Brio-type wooden engines with wooden rails and roads (by ELC and others); electric model railway (produced in O gauge by Lionel, HO/OO gauge by Hornby and Bachmann and N gauge by Tomix); and Lego engines and tracks; along with complementary videos, DVDs, books, games, puzzles, stationery, clothing and household items. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Red Box was British pop group active in the 1980s. ... // Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends merchandise describes the range of merchandise that has been manufactured to cash-in on the success of the TV Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. ... Thomas & Friends (formerly Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends) is a British childrens television series, first broadcast on Anglia Television in 1984. ... Hornby Railways is the leading brand of model railway in the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see Lego (disambiguation). ...

Thomas on real railways

Main article: Day Out With Thomas

Thomas on the Avon Valley Railway Bitton

Hit Entertainment licences several "Day Out With Thomas" events all over the world, in which visitors to heritage railways can meet and ride on a replica "Thomas". Thomas the Tank Engine on the Avon Valley Railway Thomas on the Watercress Line Alresford Day Out With Thomas is a trade name, licenced by HIT Entertainment, for tourist events that take place on heritage steam railways and feature one or more trains decorated to look like characters from the... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Avon Valley Railway is a two mile long heritage railway between Oldland Common and Bitton in South Gloucestershire, England. ... The new HIT Entertainment logo, introduced in June 2006. ... Thomas the Tank Engine on the Avon Valley Railway Thomas on the Watercress Line Alresford Day Out With Thomas is a trade name, licenced by HIT Entertainment, for tourist events that take place on heritage steam railways and feature one or more trains decorated to look like characters from the...

An international tour featuring Thomas and his driver was completed in 2005 in honour of the 60th anniversary of the original stories. In America, Thomas the Tank Engine is thought to be an excellent rôle model for children.^{[citation needed]} The former President George H.W. Bush dedicated the Presidential Train during a ceremony in 2005. Order: 41st President Vice President: Dan Quayle Term of office: January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993 Preceded by: Ronald Reagan Succeeded by: Bill Clinton Date of birth: June 12, 1924 Place of birth: Milton, Massachusetts First Lady: Barbara Pierce Bush Political party: Republican George Herbert Walker Bush, KBE (born...

A "real" Thomas was used in a special play staged to celebrate the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, starring well-loved characters from children's literature. In the play, Thomas was used to convey Sophie Dahl to centre stage. Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... For other uses, see Literature (disambiguation). ... Sophie Dahl (born September 15, 1977 in London) is an English fashion model and authoress. ...

The Zigzag railway in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney Australia has regular 'Thomas' weekends, where a giant face is attached to the front of a working blue steam engine. A train trip of about 20 minutes duration can be made.

Behind the scenes

When the Rev. W. Awdry created Thomas, the engine existed only as a push-along wooden toy made for his son, Christopher. This engine looked rather different from the character in the books and television series, and carried the letters NW on its side tanks. Awdry claimed that this stood for "No Where", but later works would identify the railway Thomas and his friends worked on as the North Western Railway. Christopher Awdry (born 1940) is a British author best known for his contributions to The Railway Series of books featuring Thomas the Tank Engine, which was started by his father Rev. ... A map of the Island of Sodor showing the Railway system (click to enlarge). ...

Awdry wrote four stories about Thomas, which were collected into a book called Thomas the Tank Engine. For this, the publisher hired an illustrator named Reginald Payne. Payne decided to base his version of Thomas on a real locomotive, an E2 Class of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. Awdry was initially annoyed that Thomas in the book differed so substantially from his original visualisation, but was satisfied when Payne explained that he was taken from a real prototype. Indeed, in later books, Awdry based all his characters on real locomotive classes. LB&SCR E2 Class No. ... The LB&SCRs coat of arms, displayed above the entrance to Gipsy Hill railway station. ...

One detail of Thomas' design bothered Awdry. This was the fact that the front end of his featured a downward slope, which meant that his front and back buffers were at different levels. This was an illustrator's mistake that was perpetuated in subsequent books. The accident in 'Thomas Comes to Breakfast' was partly devised as a means of correcting this.

Unfortunately, despite creating the visual image of such an iconic character, Payne did not receive any credit for his work, and it is only since the publication of Brian Sibley's The Thomas the Tank Engine Man that he has started to receive major recognition. Indeed, it had often been erroneously assumed that C. Reginald Dalby, responsible for illustrating books 3-11 and repainting the illustrations of book 1, was the character's creator. Brian Sibley is a British writer. ...

Thomas As A Model

Thomas had his genesis, like the immortal Winnie the Pooh, in a toy for a small child. A wooden push-along toy from the early 1940s, predating Learning Curve by many decades, is the original Thomas made by the Rev. W. Awdry "out of a piece of broomstick" for his son Christopher. However, the Reverend was happy to endorse Payne's account that the locomotive was an LBSC E2, although the first Thomas on the Rev Awdry's model railway, from Stuart Reidpath, lacked extended tanks. In the 1979 Thomas Annual, the Rev Wilbert describes;

"I bought Thomas in 1948 when I was writing "Tank Engine Thomas Again", and wanted to start modeling 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."

After Hornby produced the LBSC E2 tank in the late 70s and early 80s, Wilbert gladly adapted one to take the role of Thomas on his layout, the Ffarquhar branch. Very ironically, despite Awdry's requests for models, to which the company then called Lines Brothers (Triang-Hornby) responded with Meccano Percy in 1967, Hornby eventually adapted the tool to be Thomas when they started Railway Series models in the 1980s.

External links

• Thomas the Tank Engine .com Official website
• Thomas the Tank Engine Photos Pictures of Thomas at the Strasburg Rail Road, Lancaster County, PA
• Thomas the Tank Engine Recall - Google News
• [1] Refers to Thomas's inspiration of Starlight Express