History of Thomas

History of Thomas

Thomas The Tank Engine was originally created as part of the Railway Series books created by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry.  The original book – THE THREE RAILWAY ENGINES – was created as a set of three stories to occupy the mind of the Clergyman’s three year old son, who was stricken down with measles at the time of writing.  It was published in 1945 and was shortly followed by THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE in 1946, introducing what was to spark a new title published under Awdry’s name every year until 1972, tallying up a total of 26 books in his Railway Series, later to be undertaken by the same son, Christopher, adding another 14 titles to the Series bringing it to a grand total of 40 in 1996, from which point, the Railway Series books were discontinued and the Awdry family’s involvement has been limited since sale of the copyright from the hands of the publishers, however, winning one victory with a new publication in 2007.

1984 brought us the arrival of a new incarnation of Awdry’s works in the form of the Television Series which has been in production across three incarnations of model and, as of 2009, CGI animation, across 25 years.  Holding 13 Series, a spin-off series, a feature film, three feature length specials and participation in a UK No.1 Charity Single for BBC Children In Need (2009’s Animated All-Stars release) to its credit, it is looking set to continue for many years to come, and currently going through its biggest spat of popularity since the 1980s when it was originally launched.

2015 is a Big Year for our Favourite Number 1 Blue Engine as he celebrates his 70th Anniversary, it’s hard to believe the impact that those stories the Reverend Wilbert Awdry created back in 1945 for his son Christopher has had on so many generations of children, including our own and the reason we started Peep Peep Thomas.

From those early stories through to the latest 2015 film “Sodor’s Legend of the Lost Treasure”  and the 2014 film “Tale of the Brave” many exciting developments have happened to Thomas the Tank Engine, and no doubt many of us have a Favourite Character, it might be one of the engines from the original stories such as Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy or Toby, to one of the new characters such as Timothy, Marion, Stephen, Connor or Caitlin, personally from the Island of Sodor we have always liked Duke, Mavis and Alfie.

So to help us celebrate with Thomas on his Magnificent 70th Anniversary we at Peep Peep Thomas have decided to kick off those celebrations a little early by offering every week until next summer when the official events are likely to be happening, some special offers and highlighting of new items.

So please bookmark this page and keep an eye out for some great offers and exciting new releases.