Thomas the Tank Engine | |
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The Railway Series/Thomas & Friends/Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go character | |
![]() Thomas as illustrated by Reginald Payne in his first appearance (1946). | |
First appearance | Thomas the Tank Engine (1946) |
Created by | Wilbert Awdry Christopher Awdry |
Designed by | L. B. Billinton (in universe) Reginald Payne |
Voiced by | UK:
US:
Other:
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Number | NWR 1 (formerly, L.B.S.C. 70 in Thomas & Friends) |
In-universe information | |
Species | Steam locomotive |
Gender | Male |
Nationality | English (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.
Thomas is a locomotive on The Fat Controller's North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor, alongside many other anthropomorphised locomotives, namely Edward the Blue Engine, Henry the Green Engine, Gordon the Big Engine, James the Red Engine, Percy the Small Engine, Toby the Tram Engine, and many other locomotives.
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.
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