Thomas And Friends Toys

Thomas and Friends, is British Television series about a toy train which was first broadcast on Anglia Television in September 1984. The series debuted with the title Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends but this title was then changed in 2003 to Thomas and Friends.

The series draws its inspiration from 'the Railway Series' of books which were written and published in 1945 by a Reverend Wilbert V Awdry, who told these stories to his son Christopher to entertain him while he was recovering from a bout of measles. Many of these entertaining and charming tales were based on the Reverend's personal experiences as well.

The stories talk about the adventures of a group of toy engines and vehicles that live on the fictional island of Sodor. Today the TV series features half hour episodes each of which contain three separate adventures. These episodes are introduced by song which transports the young viewers to the island of Sodor where Sir Topham Hatt is the head of the railway. Each story has an engine as a central character and this engine often embarks on an adventure during which it encounters obstacles and learns to be a Really Useful Engine. A variety of social themes is explored in these stories as a result of which the series has won scores of admirers among adults and children world-wide.

To cash in of the world-wide popularity of these toy engine characters a wide array of merchandise has been produced and these include the Thomas and Friend Toys which are essentially models of Thomas and his friends like Ben, Bill, Percy, Oliver, Toby who are all engines.

Along with these various models which have been produced in various ranges there are also accompanying rail systems and videos, magazines. audiobooks, annuals, coloring and activity books, jigsaws, board games, stationery, clothing, cutlery, household items such as curtains, bedding, duvet covers and lampshades, and even soft drinks and spaghetti shapes. All this merchandise is available online and at toy stores located world wide.

Apart from all the Thomas and Friends toys and the various other merchandise 'Days out with Thomas' is a marketing tour organized by HIT Entertainment in the UK which uses heritage railways in the UK to bring alive the characters of the series to its young admirers. A similar exercise exists in the US, where the Thomas engine visits historic railroads across the US and children along with their families have the chance to take part in Thomas-themed games events.

In 2007, a Thomas and Friends attraction also appeared at various Six Flag amusement parks located in many US states and in March 2008, a Thomas Land, devoted to beloved toy engine opened at the Drayton Manor Theme Park located in Staffordshire in the U.K.