Here is your friend Thomas the Tank Engine. He wanted to come out of his station yard and see the world. These stories will tell YOU how he did it. I hope you will like them because you helped ME to make them.
Your loving daddy,
Wilbert Awdry"
Introduction to Thomas & Friends, EST 1945
In the summer of 1945, a children's entertainment legacy was born. Wilbert Awdry (aka the Reverend W. Awdry) created the well-known Island of Sodor and its hard working crew of trans, tractors, buses and other road vehicles. Throughout the years, Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, Emily, Nia, Rebecca, Sir Topham Hatt and all of their friends have been entertaining generations after generations with its much loved tales of working together and importance of trustworthiness and honesty.
The idea for this franchise all started as early as 1943 when Wilbert's nephew and future Thomas & Friends book writer Christopher Awdry was down with the measles at the age of three years old. To help cheer him up and make him feel better, Wilbert told him stories about railway trains that he made up from the top of his head. He knew that from that time in his life, he hatched an idea for what would later become one of America and the world's most greats kids and family entertainment franchises of our generation.
The franchise all began in 1945 with the publication of The Three Railway Engines followed by the title character Thomas the Tank Engine's introduction in the second book released the following year. And the rest is history.
Since then, Thomas and his crew of really useful engines have spawn 42 books written by the Awdr family, TV series-tie in books released by such publishers as Random House, Golden Books and ViacomCBS' Simon & Schuster, over 20 films starting with a theatrical crossover with fellow Thomas series Shining Time Station, theme parks, Broadway musical productions and a now 35-years running TV series with over 570 episodes.
Now Hit Entertainment, Mattel and Jam Filled Toronto are bringing companies, organizations and fans together to celebrate seven and a half decades of the number one blue tank engine and his never-ending duties on the Island of Sodor. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the three companies are planning an epic year-long celebration dedicated to all fans of the Thomas franchise, young and old.
The franchise all began in 1945 with the publication of The Three Railway Engines followed by the title character Thomas the Tank Engine's introduction in the second book released the following year. And the rest is history.
Since then, Thomas and his crew of really useful engines have spawn 42 books written by the Awdr family, TV series-tie in books released by such publishers as Random House, Golden Books and ViacomCBS' Simon & Schuster, over 20 films starting with a theatrical crossover with fellow Thomas series Shining Time Station, theme parks, Broadway musical productions and a now 35-years running TV series with over 570 episodes.
Now Hit Entertainment, Mattel and Jam Filled Toronto are bringing companies, organizations and fans together to celebrate seven and a half decades of the number one blue tank engine and his never-ending duties on the Island of Sodor. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the three companies are planning an epic year-long celebration dedicated to all fans of the Thomas franchise, young and old.
The celebrations kick off this Saturday May 2nd on ViacomCBS' UK preschool block Milkshake on Channel 5 with the release of the 75th Anniversary movie special Thomas & Friends: The Royal Engine guest starring Prince Harvey of Wales and the UK's Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth the 2nd.
Later through the year, the celebrations will continue with new Thomas content, including the release of the highly anticipated Season 24 of 13 half-hour episodes (division of 20 11-minute episodes and 3 22-minute specials) which will air on Milkshake UK and Netflix USA later this year.
The celebration is the Thomas & Friends production crew's way of saying a massive thank you to all of their fans for continuing to support the blue engine with no confusion and delay since day one. The team had been very grateful to share this railway journey with you.
Jack Kuffner and myself joining in the festivities by continuing to support the franchise will be dedicating this anniversary to the late Wilbert Awdry (1911-1997) the man responsible for bringing this blue train and its railway island of adventures to life.
Thank you to all the fans who continue to support Thomas & Friends over the last 75 years. Everyone at ViacomCBS, Mattel, Hit Entertainment, Netflix and Jam Filled Toronto Entertainment have been grateful enough to continue making this franchise a smash hit on the rails.
HAPPY 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Thomas & Friends
Making Tracks To Great Destinations Since 1945
1945-2020
Later through the year, the celebrations will continue with new Thomas content, including the release of the highly anticipated Season 24 of 13 half-hour episodes (division of 20 11-minute episodes and 3 22-minute specials) which will air on Milkshake UK and Netflix USA later this year.
The celebration is the Thomas & Friends production crew's way of saying a massive thank you to all of their fans for continuing to support the blue engine with no confusion and delay since day one. The team had been very grateful to share this railway journey with you.
Jack Kuffner and myself joining in the festivities by continuing to support the franchise will be dedicating this anniversary to the late Wilbert Awdry (1911-1997) the man responsible for bringing this blue train and its railway island of adventures to life.
Thank you to all the fans who continue to support Thomas & Friends over the last 75 years. Everyone at ViacomCBS, Mattel, Hit Entertainment, Netflix and Jam Filled Toronto Entertainment have been grateful enough to continue making this franchise a smash hit on the rails.
HAPPY 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Thomas & Friends
Making Tracks To Great Destinations Since 1945
1945-2020
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