We can all agree that you are never too old for Thomas. I, however, would even go a step further and say that Thomas is not exactly a kid's show simply because both the original show as well as the Brenner era was not made for children: Awdry himself said that it was very important to him that his stories were not childish because he was tired of such kinds of books he had to read in school. So, he purposly wrote the stories in a way that *everyone* could enjoy them. Therefore, despite the marketing, children were not the target group: The Railway Series and Classic Series did not have a target group as it was made for everyone. If anything, the target group was *anyone,* who was interested in steam locomotives or railways in general, no matter the age. Of course, starting with somewhere in between Seasons 6 and 9 up until season 16, the stories were obviously made for children, I cannot try to defend these, but I personally would not call the Brenner era a children's show either. Because these stories were made for the fans who liked the original show. There are so many references that only make sense, when you have watched certain classic episodes and know about the prodcution history. For example, the in-joke in King of the Railway about Henry's special coal or mentioning how Big Mickey never spoke until Season 21. But the show was still marketed as a children's show and there were quite some episodes, that were made for children. But many small children were not very interested in the new Thomas episodes because they could not understand much because to do so, you need to know about the show, about the over 70 year old production history. And you cannot tell me that a three-year old would do the research. (I just lost of thoughts and I am not sure, whether I missed anything. I just woke up, so, if I remember anything I forgot, I will just add it).
+Late_Jurassic, of course you're never too old for Thomas. I mean, when I was 7 or 8, my parents thought I was too old for it, so they told me not to watch it and said mean things to me like "Trains with faces are for little children.", "You're a bit too old for Thomas now." and "The Rev.W.Awdry decided it was for little children." I was very sad, cross, hurt and abused all at the same time. However, when I was 11, I told them off for telling me that I was too old for the show and telling me not to watch it, they apologised to me saying "We're sorry we told you not to watch it anymore, we just thought you were too old for it, that's all." and I said "Just because I'm getting old and growing up, doesn't mean I'm not allowed to watch it anymore! I can still watch the show even when I'm getting old!" so that's it, I still watch the show now.
The first episode I ever saw of the show when I was a baby was apparently the first time I was ever quiet according to my mum. As a baby with Autism, I was a struggle to raise as I wouldn't get the sleep I needed and I didn't like new things. Until one day when I was sat in front of the TV and an episode of Thomas the tank engine came on, I think it was Thomas, Percy and the Coal. My mum ran into the room because she was surprised at how quiet I was being and saw my eyes fixed on the screen as the episode played. Immediately we found something I liked and I would spend the next few years collecting VHS tapes, Tomy toys and even a big book full of Wilbert Awdry's stories. I was a huge fan of the classic series (series 1 to 5 to be more specific) and I still am to this day as I take deeper looks into the characters, the music and the set design. Series 9 to 10 was where I started to lose my interest and series 13 killed it. I didn't watch a single modern Thomas episode until I found out about The Adventure Begins in 2015. And right when the show caught my interest with series 17 and series 20 as well as the specials they brought, Journey Beyond Sodor made me unsure about the series and Big World Big Adventures killed my interest in modern Thomas again. If Mattel is stopping Andrew Brenner and Ian McCue from making modern Thomas great, then I swear that one day, when I have practised and perfected my writing skills, I'll find a way to get Mattel to listen and I'll do it myself.
THANK YOU MOLLY is one of my top 10 characters I want to see since I relate to MOLLY by being sensitive, shy, and want others to think we'll of me. THANK YOU
Mag Camara And what's sad is that new main character Rebecca is basically Molly 2.0. Just like Molly, she's massively shy, she's a woman, and she's yellow...
Emmaline Ruiz I still think Rebecca’s design makes her stand out more than Molly who basically looks like a yellow version of Edward. Plus, Rebecca’s had more exposure in one season than Molly’s had through the entirety of the Hit model era.
@@stirlingno.1296 Rebecca is still an unnecessary addition, fyi not my opinion. That's the opinion of some of the PRO-BWBA faction. They're the ones who said that Rosie and Molly are better.
I wish the same thing. Someone needs to call or write to Mattel about this. (This downfall happen it the Great Race was here.) Maybe Mattel can make a movie about all the Great Race charaters come to Sodor, so Thomas won't have to go around the world AGAIN to see them. Maybe you can write to Mattel about what you said. Who knows, maybe you can write about the movie I talked about. Then the fandom will grow again. More RWS stories, more classics remakes, more Brenner style, more EVERYTHING!!!. Plaese God help us with this crisis we Thomas fans are having.
Rudhly D It’s sad when you think about how the internationals could have learned more about Sodor as opposed to Thomas being forced to learn about their railways instead. Especially since I’ve seen fanfics of Ashima visiting Sodor.
@@nicholetheotter1957 I've been working in a my own fan-fiction project called the History of the NWR (based in Thomas1Edward2Henry3's NWR origins, but with a lot more info) when I was writing, I used a lot of RWS elements of Sodor's history, and while using them, I've just realized how interesting Sodor is. I've got no prejudice with the countries explored at the current series, but honestly, I think that they should focus more on Sodor, since these countries exist in real life, while Sodor doesn't, we can only see something about it in the TTTE universe, and unfortunately, we can't just see how much interesting Sodor is in the current series. This is only my opinion btw.
In 2008 when the CGI series started, I was like "Yay! The characters can move the faces now; I've always wanted that to happen!" I never complained about the CGI series ever since it came out, because I was always used to CGI; I was always a huge fan of it. I also used to like CGI Fireman Sam and Bob The Builder: Ready Steady Build.
That last show you mentioned, I don't really think was that bad, honestly. Especially with the Fireman Sam and (by what I think you're on about) the Sharon Miller era of the Thomas series. At least it still felt like a Bob the Builder show.
I think "Ready Steady Build" was at least better than seasons twelve to sixteen of the show because, okay yes, I know RSB had the formula used again and again, but at least the characters learn their lesson in the end, and at least there were no strikes of any kind from that era to make the episodes either bad or downright awful. But S12-16... what the hell were they thinking back then?!?
@@thedragonking4862 Pick E: end the show early so we won't have to go through the bad animation that is in today Leaving Mattel in charge was a bad idea
@@jjb1908 yeah but thats about the mainline standard gauge stories. im talking about the miniature railway stories with mike, rex and bert. also this comment is a year old so yeah...
The first ever episode of Thomas that I saw was the Michael Brandon version of "Gordon Takes a Tumble" on PBS Kids. I can still remember watching that episode to this very day, and Gordon's faces when he crashes into the field actually scared me as a kid to the point where they would be in my nightmares. Eventually, I got over it, and watched the rest of this amazing show. (Amazing does not include the Sharon Miller era.) This really is one of the best shows for kids to watch nowadays. I hope the series returns to its original format. But, even if it doesn't, I will still continue to watch this show. I am that much of a fan to watch through all of Thomas's ups and downs, and that is why I consider myself to be a true fan of the show. It's just like his sing-along puts it, "Thomas, we love you".
@@JamesAWilliams Well, yeah. I do agree with you that BWBA is bad (I watched your review of the movie), and it does have a lot of very big problems. But I think that Season 23 (or at least what there is so far on RU-vid) isn't all that bad. It makes a lot of good references, for example, in the episode "The Other Big Engine" it references Edward, Henry, and Toby as a little nod to the fans that they aren't gone. Likewise, "Free the Roads" is the first episode with Bulgy as the main role since Season 7. Some of the imagination sequences were actually pretty funny, like the one in "Free the Roads" (even though it is unrealistic), and I do like the new renders of the engines, with them looking more detailed, but the only problem with that is that this new design for the engines doesn't fit in with the bouncing. But, it's obvious that Mattel is at least trying to make the show good to watch again, but I do think it will be a long, long time before the show can redeem itself.
I’ve been watching Thomas & Friends for as long as I can remember. I was mostly interested in the model ones, they were the most fun at times. If any says Thomas & Friends was always a stupid baby show, I’ll tell them that there were two specific scenes from the model series that *scared me.* No joke. I never wanted to watch Buzz Buzz because I didn’t like the animated bees; it felt really unnatural. Other than that, I love Thomas and always will. It fills me with nostalgia nowadays and filled me with happiness back in the day.
Thomas The Tank Engine has been with me ever since I was 4 or 5 years old. My all-time favorite episode, and I think it was the first episode I ever watched, is Thomas and Bertie's Great Race. I also really loved Thomas Comes To Breakfast. This show means so much to me and it still does. Thank you for making this video. It was an amazing tribute to one of my childhood favorites.
Dear Christopher: Here is your friend Thomas the Tank engine he wanted to come out of his Station Yard and see the world, these stories tell you how he did it, I hope you will like them because you helped me to make them Your loving Daddy
@@nmuniz2 No what I meant is if Wilbert Vere hadn't written that line "see the world", maybe Mattel wouldn't have thought of you know what, watch the beginning half of James a Williams BWBA movie review
Thomas was a show I did grow up with, but Thunderbirds will always be the childhood show that brings me happiness. I even got one of my old books personally autographed by Alan Tracy's original voice actor Matt Zimmerman in 2017.
(Mohammed Geedi) I have said this before and I am going to say it again - my top two favourite eras of the original Thomas the Tank Engine television show in my wholehearted personal opinion are: #01: The HiT Era (Seasons 8 to 12) [2004 to 2008] #02: The Nitrogen Era (Seasons 13 to 16) [2009 to 2012]
(Mohammed Geedi) In my personal opinion - I wish there was an alternate universe in full CGI where I could get to see Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, Emily and other characters in their human forms just their controller: Sir Topham Hatt. (But with actual individual voice actors from the UK, Canada, the US and North America in my personal opinion)
(Mohammed Geedi) Also in my opinion - I choose to take out all the cartoony unrealistic animation so they can save time with the production of the two Thomas movies and specials in 2017 and 2018 - #01: Journey Beyond Sodor (JBS) [2017] #02: Big World! Big Adventures! (BWBA) [2018]
I have also been to Thomas Land @ Drayton Manor Theme Park, I have been there 6 times now. I first went on 31st August 2008. (I was only 4 years old back then)
"T H E B O U N C I N G" Though I loved watching the Original Thomas Series when I was young. The First Episode I watched was the Episode where Thomas crashed into the Station Master's Home. "JUST LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO OUR BREAKFAST!".
The very first Thomas media that I ever saw was Thomas and the Magic Railroad. So, yeah, I have a lot of respect for that movie for introducing me to the series.
My opinion basically stems the same as yours. Horrendously obsessed when I was young, thank Alec Baldwin, lost interest due to a gaming obsession I was gaining. Came back for Hero of the Rails, stayed until Day of the Diesels, buggered off until Legend of The Lost Treasure, and once again jumped ship. As for first episode I think the one I recall most was Horrid Lorry. Though it wasn’t long until Thomas and the Jet Engine became my favorite which still stands... man I wish Hank were used more.
They could have brought back 30+ characters instead of doing the international engines. Probably why we never got BoCo and Duke. I am fine with Rebecca, but they could have also introduced Pip and Emma into the series.
ThomasSirHandel Sadly, Rebecca's main character trait is just being a generic nicey-nice woman who is only defined by having a face that always smiles and nothing else. That does not make her the feminist role model that Mattel wanted her to be, and it will just have a bad effect on young girls by having Rebecca show them that it's not okay to express sad feelings. She feels too much like a Mary Sue, in fact almost as Mary Sue as Nia is, who was introduced only to have a POC member in the main cast. The shit-hole of a fandom has made Rebecca, a very generic SJW-pleasing female character who is remembered solely for a facial expression, nothing but overrated. If she is to fly in my universe, she needs a massive rewrite so that she isn't defined only by her generic smiley face.
Jordi Studios Reasons why Rebecca sucks: 1. Created only to please feminists 2. Caused Henry to gradually fade out of the franchise, with Mattel execs acting as if he never existed 3. Generic friendly character, much like almost every other female in the series 4. Ridiculous livery made purely for eye candy 5. She is a disgrace to her basis 6. No character trait aside from a face that’s always smiling, and she never seems to express any conflict 7. She’s clumsy, which is a blatant attempt to copy Marshall from PAW Patrol 8. Her voice sounds too much like a child 9. The fandom is immature enough to actually defend her and act as if she’s the best thing to happen to the series, which is wrong 10. She is not a good role model for young girls
Nichole Williams yeah, you are right, Nia and Rebecca are pretty weak characters, they are so stupid and are replacing the two characters who started the whole franchise. The show was better when they didn’t existed, much better.
Nichole Williams if you say me that Brenner who created those two dumbasses I swear to god that I would put my head inside the toilet and put flush with my head in it.
Geroge Carlin was without a doubt the best narrators of the series. How ironic is it that i got introduced to one of the most foul mouthed and angriest stand up comedians from this show. shows the range and vocal talent he had
i talked to a lawyer for HIT Entertainment about the bouncing, but he said it would eventually fade away and BWBA will be gone soon as they only have a few countries left to do. Also there are some nice flashbacks to some old episodes in S23. I agree with your opinions and Edward and Henry were the original RWS characters so yeah
I think the first Thomas episode that I ever watched was either Troublesome Trucks on Troublesome Trucks & Other Stories VHS, A Scarf For Percy on Season 3 DVD or Granpuff on Season 4 DVD.
I loved Thomas and Friends as a kid. I used to watch each season of the CGI series occasionally, but I began to realize that they’re not as good as the classic series. I only watch the model seasons from now on because they’re the ones I grew up with and I have no desire in rewatching any of the newer stuff especially All Engines Go.
No, Thomas isn't the narrator because of the reason said in the video, it's because Mattel didn't want (insert name of newest narrator here) anymore to make the series worse, probably on purpose.
Here's my short summary of Thomas and Friends- Seasons 1-6 are in my opinion, the golden age of Thomas and Friends. All these seasons are just pure gold. My favourite is definitely Season 5. Seasons 7-8 are what I call the transitional seasons. Season 8 gets too much hate and Season 8 is honestly a really good season. Seasons 9, 11 and 12 are what I call the boring filler seasons. Season 10 is pretty decent though. Seasons 13 and 16 are average( Yeah, really ) and Seasons 14 and 15... are terrible. Seasons 17-19 and 21 are great and Season 20 is god tier. Then... BWBA happened......
The first Thomas episodes in season 1 were Percy Runs aways, Thomas gets Tricked, and James learns a lesson. That’s how my first Thomas and Friends experience came to me when I was so Watching on PBS kids, VHS, DVD, Sprout Tomy, Wooden Railway, Trackmaster, and more. I love Thomas so much since childhood even Casey jr. from Disney’s Dumbo and The little Engine that could.
I grew up in the 2000’s, Obsessed with Thomas, Watching every VHS I could get my hands on. Lost Interest because I got into MLP but once I found out the fandom had gotten so amazing, I rejoined the Thomas Fandom while still being a brony.
To answer your question as to why Thomas is travelling around the world AGAIN... I read about something about this in a magazine article on the internet. Apparently, most toddlers were complaining that "oh, trains can go ANYWHERE they want, but Thomas goes NOWHERE! BOO HOO!" This show is clearly no longer appealing to a "family" audience, I'll tell ya that.
The NWR LMS Ivatt No. 5 Not to mention Thomas got beaten as the “best preschool franchise” by franchises that bleed oversensory graphics and treat kids as doofuses, like PAW Patrol, PJ Masks and Peppa Pig. The latter two also now got purchased by Hasbro, due to their acquisition of Entertainment One.
First time I can remember seeing Thomas was me picking up the VHS tape of Thomas and The Magic Railroad. I grew up with the classic series, especially my favourite episode of all time, which is the first one I can remember watching, Henry’s Forest. I completely agree with you on Season 22, especially the bouncing, Edward and Henry moving out, the fantasies, Thomas being abroad for no reason etc. If Awdry was still alive, then he would be throwing a fit at what Mattel has done to his creation and beautiful characters. I also am not watching anymore modern Thomas due to the new stuff that is ruining it entirely IMO.
That's a shame about Thomas. Being a fan of something for so long can be frustrating. I am the same with Sesame Street. There were good moments and bad. I think Sesame Street is doing okay but it won't be like it's heyday especially with many cast members dying or retiring. At least you stuck through as much as you could. 22 seasons is plenty to decide to quit now. Thank you for sharing your history and looking forward to your next video! ^-^
I highly doubt S22 and BWBA would be worth being miserable and sad over because I wasn't sure to think about them at first, then when I saw all 26 episodes of S22, and BWBA. They were very good. Don't get me wrong, there were some episodes from that season that were not my taste. "Samson and the Fireworks" in my opinion, just wasn't interesting. Yes it had a good message about overcoming your fears, but they could have used Molly as she is more sensitive than Samson. Not to mention, I am kind of tired of Samson just being this stubborn fool he was, it worked before, but now it gets pretty mediocre after a while. But okay, at least it's better than having to go through the torture of three stereotypical fucking logging locos of all things!
12:37 With the added bouncing animation for the characters is done because Thomas & Friends lost the competition to Paw Patrol in which kids nowadays are more interested in and Mattel Creations had to include the bouncing and a study shows that kids can’t sit still and watch a 60 minute movie or an episode for 5 minutes.
Nathan Chan Rebecca’s personality also seems to be an attempt to pander to PAW Patrol fans, as Mattel made her into the token main cast clumsy character, just like Marshall. Both just act annoying and are only known for their slipping and crashing.
The first time I ever saw Thomas in CGI was in a promo for season 15. And I was a little creeped out by it at first. But then I watched Hero of the rails for the first time and really enjoyed it. And I still do to this day.
The very first episode I ever saw was James and the red balloon. I remember we went to the library one week and we found it in the DVD section. And that was the first episode I ever saw. After that my mom bought a DVD.
You mind if I add in my two cents of the argument? Don't know about you, but I didn't mind the bouncing from Journey Beyond Sodor, but what I didn't like was how exaggerated it was. They were moving so loosely, they could just fall off. Later seasons have dialed down, so the only thing they can do is just shift slightly. The true downfall of Thomas in my opinion is in Big World, Big Adventures. The idea it came from was not a bad one, since there are Thomas fans around the world. The execution was the one that was fumbled. The movie was non-sensical, some characters were pointless, and the humor was a little over the top. Honestly, what I would've done is make a separate web-series around the world involving JUST the engines from their respective countries (Not involving Thomas). For example, each web-episode could be as long as a normal episode, but focusing on just the international characters. Afterwards, your points for Nia and Rebecca. I think they're... fine characters, but they felt unnecessary. I'd keep Nia back in Kenya and involve her back in the web-series I mentioned earlier, and only introduce Rebecca, as not as a replacement for Henry, but to run double Express services on Sodor. That way, Edward and Henry remain. I mean, they were two of the original THREE RAILWAY ENGINES, alongside Gordon. The Reverend is rolling in his grave me by saying that. If the female representation really was a huge matter, why not use already existing female characters, like you said? Molly and Rosie, especially how Jasper treated them like legit characters. There's also Mavis, Marion, and Emily, the latter was already there since the beginning, so there was already some female representation to begin with.
LavenderBeautydance Specifically, in 2003 because no female steam engines existed in the series (assuming Lady is discounted). She joined the main cast in the year later with HIT Entertainment’s “reboot” of the series.
I do like the idea of adding more female characters to the Steam Team, but I don't like that they removed Edward and Henry. Also, the writers could have also had the Sodor episodes focused on female characters and have the female characters as secondary characters in the Around-the-World episodes.
While surprisingly shorter this time, another great review from you. Also some extra thoughts: 0:17-0:42 My first experience with Thomas was when I was 2, where I had a small Thomas toy that didn't have any moving wheels. I was obsessed with the show since. 0:46 Judging by the footage (Possibly ripped from said VHS), I'm supposing that it had the infamous Tetra Films era from 1994 on your tape. 2:42-4:39 Could have been a bit shorter, but never mind. 3:53-3:56 Is it me or does Angelis' voice for Mrs. Kyndley sound like he's sick? 4:39-5:02 I have a lot of Take-Along and Take-N-Play toys. 5:21-5:49 I grew up really enjoying TATMR, but nowadays I think it's just okay. I hope someday the Director's Cut gets released to the public, maybe it could be put on Netflix as a Netflix Original? 5:56-6:36 While I enjoyed the Classic Series the most, I grew up with the New Series era mostly with DVDs and airings on Nick Jr. 6:33-6:36 I actually kinda like Shrek the Third. My favourite scene was Shrek's nightmare about becoming a dad (I thought that scene was hilarious). 7:12-9:03 I also kind of grew up with the quite bad Seasons 13-16 and I really enjoy Hero of the Rails. 7:52-8:04 I remember watching Ramahfool's Ask Thomas videos, sadly he stopped making them. 9:07-9:18 I'm still surprised I haven't seen this movie yet. 10:57-11:03 I actually really enjoyed TGR. 13:15-13:19 While I haven't seen it yet, some fans actually do like JBS. 16:24-16:30 These horrifying fantasy sequences IMO are just eye-bleeding and all around cringeworthy to look at. 16:42-16:49 It's The Problem Solverz all over again... 17:39-17:54 Maybe if Mattel did this, along with removing the nightmare-inducing fantasy sequences along with the out of place bouncing, keeping Edward and Henry, making Nia a one-time character in the movie Rebecca a just secondary/minor characters since both of them replacing Edward and Henry was unnecessary in the first place, keeping Mark Moragham as the narrator, improving the humour and also fix the other issues, the BWBA revamp might have actually been decent at best.
I love steam trains too! Especially Thomas & Friends. I love the action on it as well, plus the awesome narration and the songs featured on certain episodes and my favorite narrators are Ringo Starr, George Carlin and Alec Baldwin. Plus I actually thought up a Disney version of this show because actually Walt Disney himself had a love of steam trains too.
James A Williams, you've hit the nail on the head. Mattel's really screwed up a show we've loved since childhood, and for what, pandering to kids while selling crappy toys? That's just terrible...
TheXavib1 Not to mention pandering to SJWs, by changing the main cast to become a perfectly even gender distribution. Nia and Rebecca, the two new SJW main characters, also have been heavily shoehorned into new episodes and the merch in general.
12:56 May I ask where you got this information from? Did someone from HiT/Mattel actually confirm that? I don't think you should disguise your own subjective bias as facts.
Plus I actually love Hero of The Rails. When I first saw the trailer of it, I was just thrilled. Watching it as well, I thought it was really great because unlike some of the dishonest episodes, the movie has all the locomotives much like Edward. Not only kind and good hearted and stuff but also really supportive, caring, sympathetic, and really just caring and helpful. There's no ranting, no boasting, no competing, no arguing, no cruelty or anything like that. But the only thing that really irritates me is Sir Topham Hatt as the big obnoxious jerk, due to his impatience. But I do like the scene where helps Thomas bring Hiro into action.
My reaction when I first saw Edward leaving Tidmouth. Now Edward is at Wellsworth, good, like in the RWS. When I discovered that he left the main cast: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Come on! He was the first character ever created by Wilbert Awdry. He did things that Thomas never did.
Instead of trying to write away the two first characters ever created they should get rid of this steam team, then all the engines could live in their respective sheds.
Mikethe Kingboss They didn’t kick them out of the show, they’ve just been reallocated as secondary characters. They’ve actually appeared quite sporadically in BWBA and S22.
@@Mikethekingboss I understand you. I actually believe that Mattel wants to wipe Henry from the franchise altogether, since he's now getting excluded from new merchandise, had less speaking roles than Edward in S22, and because his replacement (Rebecca) was S22's token newbie (not counting internationals). Another possible theory may be the controversy that's been surrounding The Sad Story of Henry thanks to leftist news outlets who believe he was left to rot in the tunnel forever.
Now that we have the shit fest this show is now,I’m trying to get series 17-20 (whenever 20 actually comes out! 😒) NEW,just to support releases of episodes from the time Thomas respected it’s audience and tried to be memorable rather than trying to cater to what they’d love to see!! I’m the very same,James! Once I finished watching BWBA,I realised that Thomas is officially dead! Now it’s up to the fans to make good of this safe,money grabbing train wreck! 😠
Yessss! My next door neighbors son got me into Thomas through shining time station! At some point the show ended and they aired it as Thomas or Thomas the tank engine if I remember correctly. I don’t remember much of the movie but recently I’ve bought it on dvd. You’re spot on about all of this though!
my first encounter with the little blue hero wasnt the little blue hero in a way. i got the daily mirror dvd with the last 2 pack episodes on it and the first on there was jack owns up. i of course knew what thomas was as i had some of the toys before that. i then recieved a dvd of pulling together for my birthday and signed the mind control contract to thomas XDD. i started to collect the many toy ranges (mainly take along) and watched the new seasons. and here we are today. im sat in my room on a friday night watching season 6 XDDD
Honestly the show needs a complete reboot and get rid of Thomas being the main focus in most of the damn stories. Go back to the books format of Main line engines, Branch line engines, Private engines, and etc. Put Thomas, Percy, Toby, and Daisy on Thomas Branch line. Maybe add one or two new engines into that mix. Rosie and Stanley can work for that but, they would better as the station pilot and yard worker at Tidmouth. Get rid of the foreign engines unless their was a railway expo then I can understand them but, something as low like a "great race".
If I ran the franchise I would organize the show in three parts: The Railway Series (Books 1-26) happenings: 1925-69. The New Adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends (books 27-42) happenings: 1977-2011. The tales of Edward the Blue Engine: (non Awdry stories) happenings: 2015-?. Edward would be the narrator (the same way in Victor Tanzig). And I will do another series called The History of the NWR (inspired in Thomas1Edward2Henry3's NWR Origins and with some Victor Tanzig style) in which we would cover my version of some background story of the NWR, the characters and a the happenings of some of the RWS stories. I would also do sometimes do some movies for one character time to time. When I grew up and buy some models, I will do this series, but fan made.
Nobody even wanted any bouncing nor any female characters NIETHER DID ANYONE WANT ANY SHIT POURED IN THE SHOW! Jesus Christ, next they might cross Chuggington with Thomas. I think that Hit Entertainment should dust off their models and make the show great again
With me here in the United States I was exposed to it through shinning Time station. Ringo Starr was amazing as Mister Conductor and then he was outdone by the outstanding George Carlin. I was in college before I remembered the show, I was watching one of Carlin’s standup shows when he referenced being Mister Conductor. All my childhood memories came back at once. He is my all time favorite. Now I am in my 30s working on building a realistic model railway, I am ordering a steam tram J70 just like Toby my favorite character. I think this classic series is hilarious.
Imagine If Thomas And His Friends Have 1 Brother And 10 Sisters On Their Railways, They Are: Thomas: Ruby Percy: Chloe James: Maddi Gordon: Nellie Henry: Lilly Edward: Daisy Toby: Rosie Emily: Hamish Duck: Amy Oliver: Isabella Donald And Douglas: Penny