Wikipedia

Thomas & Friends

(Redirected from Steve Asquith)

Thomas & Friends[g] is a British children's television series developed for television by Britt Allcroft. Based on The Railway Series children's books by Wilbert and Christopher Awdry, it centers on Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as various anthropomorphic steam locomotives and other vehicles living on the fictional Island of Sodor.

Thomas & Friends
Logo used since 2009
Also known as
  • Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends
  • Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!‍[1]
GenreChildren's
Created byBritt Allcroft
Based on
The Railway Series
by
Developed byBritt Allcroft
Directed by
List
    • David Mitton (series 1–7)
    • Steve Asquith (series 8–12)
    • Greg Tiernan (series 13–16)
    • David Baas (series 17)
    • Don Spencer (series 18)
    • Dianna Basso (series 19–24)
    • Joey So (series 23–24)
    • Ian Cherry (series 24)
Voices ofList of voice actors
Narrated by
Opening theme
List
    • "Thomas Theme (instrumental)" (1984–2003)
    • "Engine Roll Call (version 1, instrumental)" (2004–2017)
    • "Engine Roll Call (version 1)" (2007–2015)
    • "Engine Roll Call (version 2)" (2015–2017)
    • "Big World! Big Adventures!" (2018–2021)
Ending theme
List
    • "Thomas Theme (instrumental, reprise)" (1984–2003)
    • "Engine Roll Call (version 1)" (2004–2015)
    • "Engine Roll Call (version 2)" (2015–2017)
    • "Big World! Big Adventures! (reprise)" (2018–2021)
    • "Engine Roll Call (version 3)" (2018–2021)
Composer
List
    • Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell (1984–2003)
    • Robert Hartshorne (2004–2016)
    • Ed Welch (2004–2008)
    • Peter Hartshorne (2011–2016)
    • Chris Renshaw (2016–2021)
    • Oliver Davis (2016–2017)
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series24
No. of episodes584 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
List
    • Britt Allcroft (1984–1986, 2002)
    • Angus Wright (1991–1998)
    • Peter Urie (2002–2003)
    • Jocelyn Stevenson (2003–2006)
    • Christopher Skala (2007–2011)
    • Marion Edwards (2009–2015)
    • Lenora Hume (2009–2010)
    • Karen Barnes (2011–2013)
    • Kallan Kagan (2013–2017)
    • Jeff Young (2013–2015)
    • Steven Hecht (2013–2015)
    • Michael Carrington (2013–2014)
    • Christopher Keenan (2014–2021)
    • Edward Catchpole (2015)
    • Marianne Culbert (2016)
    • Kyle MacDougall (2016–2021)
    • Jamie LeClaire (2016–2021)
    • Phil LaFrance (2016–2021)
Producers
List
    • David Mitton (1984–1998)
    • Robert D. Cardona (1984–1986)
    • Britt Allcroft (1991–1998)
    • Phil Fehrle (2002–2003)
    • Simon Spencer (2004–2008)
    • Nicole Stinn (2008–2012)
    • Ian McCue (2011–2017)
    • Halim Jabbour (2013)
    • Robert Anderson (2013; 2015–2017)
    • Brian Lynch (2013–2015)
    • Jennifer Hill (2014–2015)
    • Lynda Craigmyle (2016)
    • Jane Sobol (2016)
    • Tracy Blagdon (2016–2021)
    • Micaela Winter (2016–2018)
Production locations
Running time
4–11 minutes
    • 4 minutes, 30 seconds (series 1–7)
    • 10 minutes (series 8–12)
    • 11 minutes (series 13–24)
Production companies
Original release
NetworkITV
Release9 October 1984 (1984-10-09) –
14 July 1992 (1992-07-14)
NetworkCartoon Network[e]
Release16 October 1995 (1995-10-16) –
19 October 1998 (1998-10-19)
NetworkNick Jr.[f]
Release16 September 2002 (2002-09-16) –
15 January 2008 (2008-01-15)
NetworkChannel 5
Release1 September 2008 (2008-09-01) –
20 January 2021 (2021-01-20)
Related

Allcroft discovered The Railway Series in 1978 and quickly became interested in adapting it to television. It was initially filmed in live action on model sets from the mid 1980s to the late 2000s, before later utilising computer animation. Over 500 episodes were produced over the course of 24 series. It featured narration from multiple celebrities and actors, beginning with Ringo Starr.

Thomas & Friends premiered on ITV on 9 October 1984 and was broadcast on several other television networks until 20 January 2021. It received mixed critical reception and spawned a franchise of the same name. A film adaptation written and directed by Allcroft, Thomas and the Magic Railroad, was released in theatres in 2000, but underperformed at the box office. A second film is in development and will be directed by Marc Forster. Thomas & Friends was followed by two reboots; the first was Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, which premiered in 2021 and ended in 2025, and the second is scheduled for late 2026.

Voice cast

Thomas & Friends initially relied on various narrators, including Ringo Starr, Michael Angelis, George Carlin, Alec Baldwin, Michael Brandon, Pierce Brosnan, Mark Moraghan, John Hasler, and Joseph May.[3][4][5][6][7] The characters were later given their own voices in the 2009 film Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails, with Thomas the Tank Engine being voiced by Ben Small.[8]

Characters

List of productions

Television series

SeriesEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast releasedNetwork
1269 October 1984 (1984-10-09)8 January 1985 (1985-01-08)ITV
22624 September 1986 (1986-09-24)17 December 1986 (1986-12-17)
32625 February 1992 (1992-02-25)14 July 1992 (1992-07-14)
4264 March 1996 (1996-03-04)8 April 1996 (1996-04-08)Cartoon Network
52614 September 1998 (1998-09-14)19 October 1998 (1998-10-19)
62616 September 2002 (2002-09-16)21 October 2002 (2002-10-21)Nick Jr.
7266 October 2003 (2003-10-06)10 November 2003 (2003-11-10)
8261 August 2004 (2004-08-01)24 October 2004 (2004-10-24)
9265 September 2005 (2005-09-05)28 November 2005 (2005-11-28)
10282 September 2006 (2006-09-02)15 September 2006 (2006-09-15)
11263 September 2007 (2007-09-03)15 January 2008 (2008-01-15)
12201 September 2008 (2008-09-01)26 September 2008 (2008-09-26)Channel 5
132025 January 2010 (2010-01-25)19 February 2010 (2010-02-19)
142011 October 2010 (2010-10-11)5 November 2010 (2010-11-05)
15201 March 2011 (2011-03-01)28 March 2011 (2011-03-28)
162020 February 2012 (2012-02-20)25 December 2012 (2012-12-25)
17263 June 2013 (2013-06-03)21 November 2014 (2014-11-21)
182625 August 2014 (2014-08-25)31 July 2015 (2015-07-31)
192621 September 2015 (2015-09-21)10 March 2017 (2017-03-10)
20265 September 2016 (2016-09-05)31 July 2017 (2017-07-31)
212018 September 2017 (2017-09-18)22 December 2017 (2017-12-22)
22263 September 2018 (2018-09-03)15 May 2019 (2019-05-15)
23232 September 2019 (2019-09-02)15 May 2020 (2020-05-15)
24232 May 2020 (2020-05-02)20 January 2021 (2021-01-20)

Films

The first film adaptation of Thomas & Friends, Thomas and the Magic Railroad, released in 2000 and grossed almost US$20 million[9][10] against a cost of USD$19 million to produce.[11] It was broadcast on BBC1 on 1 January 2004 and again on 29 December 2008.[12][13]

A second Thomas & Friends film was first attempted in March 2009, when previous Thomas brand owner HIT Entertainment announced that a live-action Thomas & Friends film would pilot its theatrical division. It was originally targeted for a late 2010 release,[14] but this was later revised to early 2011.[15] The last update was that Shane Acker would direct, with Wētā Workshop and Mattel joining the creative team, Cinetic Media and UTA Independent Film Group financing and distributing, and Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi writing the script.[16]

A live-action animated Thomas & Friends film was announced by Mattel Films in October 2020. Marc Forster will direct, and the script is written by Alyssa Hill and Jesse Wigutow.[9] It is in active development alongside 13 other film adaptations of Mattel's intellectual properties.[17] In June 2025, Mattel Films merged with the Mattel Television division to become Mattel Studios, with development on Forster's Thomas & Friends film and other Mattel features uninterrupted.[18]

Production

A surviving photograph of James the Red Engine from the 1953 BBC production

Thomas & Friends is adapted from The Railway Series, a series of children's books created by Wilbert Awdry.[19] The BBC attempted to adapt the books to television in 1953, utilising model trains by Hornby Railways. The broadcast went live that June,[20] and multiple issues such as derailments occurred. Subsequently, the BBC received complaints from viewers,[21] and the Daily Mail featured the failed broadcast on their front page.[22] Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote a Railway Series television adaptation in 1977, which was cancelled following concerns that it would be altered upon being released worldwide. Webber's cancelled adaptation would later serve as inspiration for Starlight Express, a 1984 broadway musical about trains.[20][21]

In 1978, film producer Britt Allcroft discovered The Railway Series during her research for a documentary film about the Bluebell Railway. She "loved this whole little world [Awdry] had created," quickly became "intrigued by the characters, the relationships between them and the nostalgia they invoked," and wanted to adapt the books to television. Allcroft spent four years securing the funds, which included mortgaging her house to gain a £50,000 bank loan. She hired Ringo Starr upon finding his voice "perfect" for narration; his previous work as a member of the Beatles had "nothing to do with" Allcroft's decision. David Mitton was hired to direct, with music being composed by Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell.[22][23] A pilot episode titled "Down the Mine" was produced in 1983.[24]

Starr departed from the series in 1990 in favour of returning to his music career; he was replaced by George Carlin in the American dub.[25] In 2002, Allcroft sold the series and her production company to HIT Entertainment,[19] who in 2011, would then be bought out by Mattel for US$680 million with the sole intent of acquiring Thomas & Friends.[26] In 2017, Mattel begun planning a rebrand of the series, titled Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!, which saw Thomas travelling to other countries and breaking the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience. Meanwhile, two female characters—Rebecca and Nia—were added to the main cast; the latter is the series' first African locomotive. A film of the same name released in 2018, with Jam Filled Entertainment producing the new series, which featured a new theme song. Mattel collaborated with the United Nations to design Nia and incorporate their Sustainable Development Goals into both the new episodes and the film.[1][27]

Animation

The original series was filmed in live action and utilised radio-controlled models and static figures, with stop motion being used for certain characters.[25] Traditional animation was introduced in series 3.[23] In 2009, the series switched to computer animation,[28] allowing the characters' face to move.[29] Animation services were first provided by Nitrogen Studios, who had previously incorporated computer-generated imagery into series 12.[29]

Release

Thomas & Friends premiered on ITV on 9 October 1984 under the title Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends.[23] The first episode, "Thomas and Gordon", was seen by 8.5 million viewers.[19] Since then, it has been broadcast on Cartoon Network, Channel 5, Milkshake!, Nick Jr., PBS Kids, and Netflix.[24][29]

In the United States, the series had first appeared in the form of sequences on Shining Time Station, during the program's run from 1989 to 1995 on PBS. The sequences of the series later aired in 1996 on Mr. Conductor's Thomas Tales. The series aired as Storytime with Thomas on Fox Family (now Freeform) from 1999 to 2000. Thomas & Friends returned in the form of several direct-to-video releases during series 6 (2002) and as a stand-alone half-hour program on PBS Kids. It was distributed from 2004 to 2007 by Connecticut Public Television, and then by WNET from 2008 to 2017. It also aired on Sprout from 2005 to 2015. The rights to broadcast the series through PBS expired on December 31, 2017,[30][31] thus ending a period of almost 30 years of programming related to Thomas & Friends on American public television. From 2018 to 2019, Nickelodeon held exclusive rights to the series in the United States. In 2020, the streaming rights were sold to Netflix, with traditional television rights left unresolved.[32] It also airs on Kabillion.[33] In spring 2024, classic episodes of the series became available on the free streaming channel PBS Retro.[34] Early episodes from series 1 through 7 are available on Amazon Prime Video.[25]

Mobile apps

Mattel partnered with several companies, including Budge Studios and Animoca Brands, to create mobile apps based on Thomas & Friends.[35][36] In 2010, Callaway Digital Arts created apps based on the brand.[37][38][39][40] By mid-2011, thirteen Thomas apps were available.[41] HiT Entertainment and Mattel both released apps under their own names.[42][43] During the 75th anniversary press release in 2020, Mattel mentioned an intent for more apps.[44]

Reception

Critical response

Common Sense Media rated the show a four out of five stars, writing, "Parents can be assured that this series has educational aspects as well as behavioural modelling. The Thomas the Tank Engine stories were conceived by a young British boy early in the 20th century, who would listen to the trains as they chuffed through the countryside. The stories he told his son – who has consequently passed them on to his own son – have been documented in books and toy train models. Since the series was introduced to television viewers in the 1980s, Thomas & Friends has seen a healthy fan base sprout worldwide."[45]

Jia Tolentino in The New Yorker acknowledged that as a girl she did not "take in anything that was actually happening", but after reviewing the show and internet posts about it as an adult, criticised what she saw as the "show's repressive, authoritarian soul."[46]

University of Alberta professor Shauna Wilton wrote "A Very Useful Engine: The Politics of Thomas and Friends". Wilton, who justified her study by arguing that socialisation of children is an important aspect, wrote that she received "a combination of outrage, disbelief, and condescending dismissal" when she announced she was going to study the politicisation of the series, although some people gave her thanks.[47] She stated that despite the inclusion of female characters by the 2000s, in the era after major social revolutions in real life the series was "largely unchanged" from when it was "created in a context of rigid social hierarchies, male dominance in the public sphere, and a strong social culture of good behavior, respecting authority, and following the rules."[48]

In 2011, a contributor for Slate analyzed the "hidden subtexts" of British imperialism in the series, while in 2013 Alex Knapp wrote for Forbes about the "baffling economics" of the Island of Sodor.[49][50]

Reboots

On 12 October 2020, Mattel announced the series would be rebooted with Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, co-produced and animated by Nelvana. The deal stipulated that 104 eleven-minute episodes and two 60-minute specials would be produced, and that the animation would transition from computer animation to 2D animation, with new redesigns for the characters.[51] On 5 February 2021, it was announced that Cartoon Network and Netflix had jointly picked up the broadcast and streaming rights to the series in the United States, respectively.[52] On 11 October 2022, Mattel announced that the series was renewed for a third and fourth season, each consisting of 26 episodes and a special.[53]

A second reboot, first announced in May 2025,[54] is currently set for a release in 2026.[55] Thomas' new design was revealed in January 2026.[56]

Notes

  1. ↑ In the United States, Starr's series were dubbed by George Carlin.
  2. ↑ In the United States, Angelis's series were dubbed by George Carlin, Alec Baldwin, and Michael Brandon.
  3. ↑ In the United States, Hasler's series were dubbed by Joseph May.
  4. ↑ Produced as Britt Allcroft Limited (Gullane (Thomas) Limited[2])
  5. ↑ Most episodes of Series 4 and 5 first premiered straight-to-video.
  6. ↑ Series 6–8 were rerun on CITV, while series 8–11 were rerun on Channel 5.
  7. ↑ Originally known as Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, and later as Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! from series 22 to series 24

References

  1. 1 2 "Thomas the Tank Engine launches gender-balanced, multi-cultural Steam Team". The Independent. 1 September 2018. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Gullane (Thomas) Limited". Archived from the original on 27 April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  3. ↑ Haring, Bruce (31 May 2020). "Michael Angelis Dies: Voice Of 'Thomas The Tank Engine' Was 76". Deadline. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  4. ↑ Allcroft, Britt (26 June 2008). "Los Angeles Times – "The George Carlin I knew"". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 5 November 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  5. ↑ Paul Willistein (30 August 1999). "Rolling along new adventures for Thomas the Tank Engine". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  6. ↑ Thur Starr (19 July 2007). "'Thomas' has new friend in Brosnan". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  7. ↑ "Former Brookside actor to be Thomas the Tank Engine narrator". The Guardian. 17 May 2013. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  8. ↑ "Thomas the Tank Engine steams into computer age". WalesOnline. 24 September 2009. Archived from the original on 4 December 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  9. 1 2 Anthony D'Alessandro (6 October 2020). "Thomas & Friends New Movie In The Works From Mattel Films & Marc Forster's 2Dux²". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  10. ↑ "Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  11. ↑ "Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Archived from the original on 10 April 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  12. ↑ "Thomas and the Magic Railroad". BBC. 1 January 2004. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  13. ↑ "Thomas and the Magic Railroad". BBC. 29 December 2008. Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  14. ↑ Hayes, Dade (3 March 2009). "Hit Entertainment gets into movie biz". Variety. Archived from the original on 19 March 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  15. ↑ "Hit Entertainment's Hit Movies Division Begins Development Of First Feature Film Based on the Adventures of Thomas and Friends" (Press release). HIT Entertainment. 30 September 2009. Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  16. ↑ Fleming, Mike (8 June 2011). "'9' Helmer Shane Acker Boards Feature Based on the Thomas The Tank Engine Toys". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  17. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (26 July 2023). "Mattel Execs on Next Hollywood Moves: Barney, Polly Pocket and Barbie Sequels (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  18. ↑ Grobar, Matt (2 June 2025). "Mattel Combines Film & TV Units To Create Mattel Studios, Promoting Robbie Brenner & Hiring Three". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2 June 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  19. 1 2 3 "Thomas the £1billion Tank Engine". Daily Mirror. 23 January 2010. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
  20. 1 2 Arnold, Eden (27 March 2023). "Thomas the Tank Engine Should Embrace Its "Starlight Express" Bond". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on 31 January 2026. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  21. 1 2 Jewers, Nick; Limbu, Dawn (26 December 2023). "Thomas the Tank Engine author was 'powerful presence'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 12 April 2026. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  22. 1 2 Clark, Rhodri (19 May 2005). "Still Building Steam at 60". The Journal. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  23. 1 2 3 Muir, Ellie (3 January 2025). "Britt Allcroft, Thomas the Tank Engine series creator, dies aged 81". The Independent. Archived from the original on 3 January 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  24. 1 2 Glynn, Paul (9 May 2025). "Rediscovered Thomas & Friends pilot to be released". BBC. Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  25. 1 2 3 Greene, Jules Chin (11 December 2024). "How to watch all of Thomas the Tank Engine TV series, spinoffs, and movies in order". Popverse. Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  26. ↑ Adler, Tim (24 October 2011). "Mattel Buys A $680M Ticket for Thomas the Tank Engine with HIT Entertainment Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 30 August 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  27. ↑ Clarke, Stewart (14 October 2017). "Mattel Sets Thomas The Tank Engine Makeover With Eye on Global Appeal". Variety. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  28. ↑ "Thomas the Tank Engine Speaks". ABC News. 10 September 2009. Archived from the original on 28 June 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  29. 1 2 3 Loveday, Samantha (9 June 2008). "New York 08: Hit reveals new look for Bob and Thomas". Licensing.biz. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  30. ↑ "THOMAS & FRIENDS Announcement". WNET. 29 December 2017. Archived from the original on 20 January 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  31. ↑ "Celebrate the holidays with Thomas & Friends! New on Nick starting tomorrow, Friday 12/15!". Thomas and Friends Facebook page. Hit Entertainment. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022.
  32. ↑ "Netflix picks up Thomas & Friends in the US". Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  33. ↑ "Thomas and Friends". Kabillion. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  34. ↑ Manfredi, Lucas (24 April 2024). "PBS Launches Ad-Supported Classic TV Channel on Roku | Exclusive". TheWrap. Archived from the original on 19 January 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  35. ↑ "The new ways kids app makers are monetizing". Kidscreen. 21 February 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  36. ↑ "Animoca Brands and Mattel launch "Thomas & Friends: Race On!" game". Animoca Brands. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  37. ↑ Arts, Callaway Digital (15 December 2010). "Callaway Digital Arts and HIT Entertainment Bring Thomas & Friends™ to the iPad in Time for the Holidays". www.prnewswire.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  38. ↑ "Thomas & Friends adds new app". Kidscreen. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  39. ↑ "Thomas & Friends: Day of the Diesels App Review | Common Sense Media". www.commonsensemedia.org. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  40. ↑ "Thomas & Friends: Misty Island Rescue for iPad App Review | Common Sense Media". www.commonsensemedia.org. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  41. ↑ "Thomas chugs along with 13th app". 1 June 2022. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  42. ↑ "Thomas Tilt and Go App Review | Common Sense Media". www.commonsensemedia.org. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  43. ↑ "Thomas & Friends: Adventures! App Review | Common Sense Media". www.commonsensemedia.org. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  44. ↑ "Thomas & Friends™ Announces Global 75th Anniversary Activities Throughout 2020". Business Wire. 28 April 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  45. ↑ "Thomas & Friends – TV Review". 14 June 2007. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  46. ↑ Tolentino, Jia (28 September 2017). "The Repressive, Authoritarian Soul of "Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends"". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  47. ↑ Nieguth, Tim (1 January 2015). The Politics of Popular Culture: Negotiating Power, Identity, and Place. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. ISBN 978-0-7735-9686-3.
  48. ↑ Wilton, p. 21-22.
  49. ↑ Roake, Jessica (26 July 2011). "Thomas the Imperialist Tank Engine". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  50. ↑ Knapp, Alex. "The Baffling Economics Of The Island Of Sodor". Forbes. Archived from the original on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  51. ↑ "Mattel Television Greenlights 104 New 'Thomas & Friends' Television Episodes and 2 Specials". Mattel (Press release). El Segundo. BusinessWire. 12 October 2020. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  52. ↑ Whyte, Alexandra (5 February 2021). "Cartoon Network, Netflix snap up new 2D Thomas". Kidscreen. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  53. ↑ Jamie Stalcup (11 October 2022). "Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go Scores Two-Season Renewal". TV Kids. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  54. ↑ "All Aboard for 80 Years: Thomas & Friends Marks Milestone with Never-Before-Seen Pilot Episode and Charity Auction". 9 May 2025. Archived from the original on 21 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  55. ↑ "Thomas & Friends Unveils Refreshed Look & Logo as It Steams into a New Era". Animation Magazine. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  56. ↑ Weprin, Alex (28 January 2026). "Mattel Plans "Bold" New Thomas the Tank Engine in Franchise Relaunch". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 28 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.

Further reading

  • Sibley, Brian (2015). The Thomas the Tank Engine Man: The Life of Reverend W. Awdry (2nd ed.). Lion Books. ISBN 978-0-7459-7027-1.
  • Wilton, Shauna (1 January 2015). "A Very Useful Engine: The Politics of Thomas and Friends". In Nieguth, Tim (ed.). The Politics of Popular Culture: Negotiating Power, Identity, and Place. McGill-Queen's Press. pp. 19-. ISBN 9780773596863.
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