Meet Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends

Thomas the Tank Engine is the central character in the RailwaySeries books written by Reverend W. Awdry. These tales, created in 1942, entertained his son while he recovered from a devastating illness. Confined to bed rest, his son requested to hear the stories again and again, all while correcting storyline inconsistencies. In order to keep track, Rev. Awdry recorded the adventures of this group of railway engines on scraps of paper. It was from these charming beginnings that decades of TV episodes, Thomas the Tank Engine Movies, toys, Legos and games were formed.

Thomas the Tank TV Episode Hot Picks
In the 1980's Britt Allcroft purchased the television rights to Thomas' stories and produced the TV series, which premiered in the UK and was originally narrated by Ringo Starr. Thomas has remained a pop icon for the past 60 years because he provides children with stimulation they crave while addressing life lessons that parents appreciate.

DVDs of the TV series such as Thomas the Tank Engine - Make Someone Happy & Other Thomas Adventures where Thomas and friends learn the rewards of doing good deeds and making people happy, as well as Thomas the Tank Engine - Steamies vs.Diesels & Other Thomas Adventures where two kinds of engines – steam powered (steamies) and diesel powered (diesels), learn to put aside their differences and work together, are awesome episodes to consider when building to your Thomas the Tank Engine collection. Keep in mind, Steamies vs. Diesels doesn't end with the regular theme song and has games in the middle instead of the regular intermission.

Still, if you want to add variety to your Thomas collection with a few slightly non-traditional episodes, consider Thomas the Tank Engine - Spills & Chills & Other Thomas Thrills , which are slightly scarier and more suspenseful than other episodes. Here, Thomas and his friends learn how to face their fears and the importance of home and friendship. For additional Thomas the Tank Engine stories, try Thomas & Friends - Sing-Along & Stories , Thomas and the Magic Railroad , or Thomas the Tank Engine - Thomas and the Special Letter & Other Stories .

With Thomas, the Sky is the Limit
The best part about being a Thomas the Tank Engine fan is designing your own stories at home with great imagination tools such as the Thomas the Tank Engine: Thomas Playtable Package -- awesome because it quickly sets the scene for Sodor adventures with a colorful Island Adventure Playboard. It even comes with two storage drawers to help keep all of Thomas the Tank Engine's friends and your playboard parts organized.

Whether you have a playtable or a more traditional Thomas the Tank Engine Track consider this: Accessorizing ads life to your imaginary world and is something you can do gradually. When you know what to look for, one or two pieces can inject your Thomas the Tank Engine playset with instant energy. For example, the Deluxe Knapford Station by Thomas Wooden Railway features an authentic passenger station, realistic train sounds, and a working microphone.

The remote control Learning Curve Take Along Thomas & Friends - Harold's Heliport is another great choice because it connects to other Thomas the Tank Engine playsets, is easy for small hands to assemble, and is very portable. Two of the most popular engines, Percy and James, make great accessories for Thomas the Tank Engine. Percy is a 0-4-0 Avonside saddle-tank engine who is involved in many of the best adventures. Whether he is getting waterlogged in Thomas & Friends - Percy Takes the Plunge , or he is caught in a mishap like the one he causes at the chocolate factory in Thomas & Friends - Percy's Chocolate Crunch , tiny tots love him because although he is little, he constantly proves himself helpful, hardworking, and useful. James is just the opposite. Big, bright and red Thomas Express Engines: James makes his first serious appearance in the third book titled James the Red Engine. Adding James the Red Engine to your Thomas the Tank Engine collection is sure to enhance any set. Speaking of enhancing your Thomas the Tank Engine set, check this list for expansion options:
Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway System: Iron 'Arry and Bert
Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Oliver by Learning Curve
Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Sodor Water Works by Learning
Thomas and Friends Around-the-Tree Holiday Set
Thomas the Tank Engine: Sights and Sounds Set
Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Boulder Mountain Set
Thomas & Friends Roadway Adventures Mountain Tunnel Overpass Set
Thomas the Tank Engine: Roundhouse Set
Take Along Thomas & Friends - Percy and the Carnival Set
Thomas The Tank Engine Games

Thomas the Tank Engine can be a very memorable portion of any childhood. Whether you prefer books, videos, or interactive play, Thomas the Tank Engine and friends have a way of exercising your imagination, and making learning fun.