About
Thomas Timeline
1917
The railway that inspired the Rev. W. Awdry was the Great Western line from Paddington to Bristol.
The Rev. W. Awdry's father built him a model railway in the back garden of the vicarage where they lived!
1943
The first little boy ever to be told a "Railway Series" story was Christopher Awdry, when he was in bed with the measles. It was about an engine called Edward.
The Rev. W. Awdry sketched pictures to go with the stories and he was the first person to draw faces on the engines.
1945
60 years ago, the first book in "The Railway Series" was published – and the first story in it was called "Edward's Day Out."
1946
Thomas the Tank Engine first came to life as a wooden model made for The Rev. Awdry's son, Christopher.
1950
The Island of Sodor is "discovered" after the Rev. Awdry visited the Isle of Man. Sodor lies between the Isle of Man and Barrow-in-Furness on the mainland.
"Tenders and Turntables" is published, in which James spins round in the wind on a turntable. This was based on a real life event.
1953
Did you know that the story "Down the Mine" is also based on a real event which happened at Lindal-in-Furness in 1892, when a train fell down an old mine?
1979
Television producer Britt Allcroft meets the Rev. W. Awdry.
1984
Thomas & Friends is broadcast on ITV for the first time.
1985
Thomas gets a rock star voice. Former "Beatles" drummer, Ringo Starr hops on board as narrator for the television series.
1987
Every single place and person on the Island of Sodor has a history and back story all about them.
1989
Thomas arrives in America on PBS television broadcast.
1991
Japan is the next international stop for Thomas.
1996
Thomas the Tank Engine travels all the way to Wisconsin for the first "Day Out With Thomas" family event.
Thomas finds his way onto the internet, as www.thomasthetankengine.com is launched.
1998
Thomas goes off the rails as Thomas & Friends theme park opens in Japan!
A huge inflatable Thomas the Tank Engine is spotted outside the London Transport Museum!
Virgin Balloons launch an unusual object into the skies – a Thomas the Tank Engine hot air balloon!
2000
Thomas becomes a movie star as "Thomas and the Magic Railroad" opens in cinemas around the world.
2002
Another famous voice takes a ride with Thomas – Alec Baldwin narrates new episodes in the US.
2004
Over half a million people met Thomas this year as "Day Out with Thomas" events took place all over Britain.
2005
Thomas & Friends celebrate their 60th anniversary!
2008
Thomas & Friends full length special voiced by Pierce Brosnan;
2008
Thomas Land an attraction boasting 12 wonderful themed rides, a spectacular indoor play area and a shop filled with fantastic Thomas & Friends merchandise open in the UK at Drayton Manor Park.
2009
For the first time ever, Thomas & Friends are animated in CG in a feature-length special and each engine has it's own unique voice
2010
Thomas & Friends celebrate their 65th anniversary!
