Thomas the Tank Engine
| Thomas the Tank Engine | |
|---|---|
| Thomas & Friends character | |
Thomas' Model
|
|
| First appearance |
Thomas the Tank Engine (The Railway Series) "Thomas & Gordon" (Thomas & Friends) |
| Created by |
Wilbert Awdry Christopher Awdry |
| Voiced by |
Edward Glen (Thomas and the Magic Railroad) John Bellis (original work-prints 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) Keiko Toda (Japan; 1990-2007; S1-8) Kumiko Higa (Japan; 2008-present; Calling All Engines! onwards) Joel Beckford (UK; scripts only) Keira Jones (US; scripts only |
| Number | 1 (formerly, 70) |
| Information | |
| Gender | Male |
Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and is the title character in the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas & Friends.
Thomas is a steam engine and has a number 1 painted on his side. All of the locomotives in The Railway Series were based on prototypical engines; Thomas has origins in the E2 Class designed by Lawson Billinton in 1913. 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. Thomas' best friends are Percy and Toby.
In 1979, the British writer/producer Britt Allcroft came across the books, and arranged a deal to bring the stories to life as the TV series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends (later simplified to Thomas & Friends). The program became an award-winning hit around the world, with a vast range of spin-off commercial products.
When Awdry created Thomas, the engine existed only as a 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"; as the Railway Series and its backstory developed, the railway Thomas and his friends worked on what became known as the North Western Railway.
Thomas wasn't originally based on a prototype; rather, the initial stories were an accompaniment to the toy made for Christopher. After Awdry's wife encouraged him to publish the stories, the publisher of the second book in The Railway Series, Thomas the Tank Engine, hired an illustrator named Reginald Payne. Awdry selected a real locomotive for Payne to work from to create authenticity; a Billinton designed 0-6-0 E2 Class of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. This may have been chosen simply because Awdry had a photograph to hand.
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