Thomas the Tank Engine

This article is about the character. For the franchise this character appears in, see Thomas & Friends (franchise). For the original 1946 book by Wilbert Awdry, see Thomas the Tank Engine (book).

Thomas the Tank Engine
The Railway Series/Thomas & Friends/Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go character
Thomas as illustrated by Reginald Payne in his first appearance (1946).
First appearanceThomas the Tank Engine (1946)
Created byWilbert Awdry
Christopher Awdry
Designed byL. B. Billinton (in universe)
Reginald Payne
Voiced byUK:

US:

  • Martin Sherman (2009–2015)
  • Joseph May (2015–2021)
  • Meesha Contreras (All Engines Go, 2021–2023)[1]
  • David Kohlsmith (All Engines Go, 2023)
  • Kai Harris (All Engines Go, 2023–present)

Other:

NumberNWR 1 (formerly, L.B.S.C. 70 in Thomas & Friends)
In-universe information
SpeciesSteam locomotive
GenderMale
NationalityEnglish (formerly)
Sudric

Thomas the Tank Engine is an anthropomorphised fictional tank locomotive in the British Railway Series books by Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher, published from 1945. He became the most popular and famous character in the series, and is the titular protagonist in the accompanying television adaptation series Thomas & Friends[2] and its reboot Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.

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.

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.

  1. ^ "Thomas' Promise". Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go. Season 1. Episode 1. 13 September 2021. Cartoon Network.
  2. ^ "Thomas - Engine Profile & Bio: Thomas & Friends". Mattel. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021.
  3. ^ Sibley, Brian (1995). The Thomas the Tank Engine Man. London: Heinemann. ISBN 0-434-96909-5.
  4. ^ Sibley, Brian (1995). The Thomas the Tank Engine Man. Heinemann. p. 291. ISBN 0-434-96909-5.