'Thomas the Tank Engine' inspires unlikely fandom 

Fellow Thomas fans, we’ve made the news. We’ve done it.

Ngl that train turntable always slapped, it was like the ‘power rangers command center’ of thomas the tank engine.

Mattel doesn’t know what they’re doing with this franchise, but this strong fandom keeps it alive and thriving! I’m proud to call myself a Thomas Fan.

I hate how our society bullies people or makes fun of them for being passionate about something. If it was a father being passionate about it with their son it wouldn’t be looked down upon. But we as adults in this society have to either ignore or conform to what people say we need to do.

full-grown adults who care what other adults do in their own space, without hurting others, are the immature ones.

It's the Thomas fandom itself that's helping to keep the spirit of the franchise alive, the way Britt Allcroft wanted.

I didnt even know the fandom was this huge. Im a fan of My Little Pony, so I welcome others who can see the merit in good franchises.

When it’s put on the news, you know you’ve made it.

Thomas is more than a show. It’s a whole world.

The fandom is amzing. When Mattel ain’t giving a s**t about the franchise, WE WILL! It’s been like that for over 7 years now and it will continue on for years to come

People don't realize how amazing the show is, and what context there is in the books

Proud to be a part of this fandom. I love just how many creators have brought their talents to the table to pay homage to the franchise. This documentary is like a love letter to that.

I don't see why they gotta hide it. I'm not a fan, but I do enjoy the whimsical nature of Thomas. It's a comfort show and helped lot of younger people find passion in trains. Nothing to be a shame of. Way to go for enjoying your passion!

The General Public believes that Thomas is some ordinary “Kid Show” and that’s fine if you’re not into to it, but if you do look into it, you’ll learn that Thomas the Tank Engine is more than some kind of “Kid Show” It’s a legacy with hundreds of books and episodes in the span of now almost 80 Years based on real life advents about trains, and now that Brandon put the efforts into pointing all of this out in a documentary, I can easily use this as an example to make millions of people understand why this “Unlikely Fandom” of a Talking Steam Engine is so massively big and cherished by many

“If people saw that I like this, they’d just brand me as immature and a loser” For a long time, I felt this way

I’m not a Thomas fan myself but I do participate in other fandoms that are more kid oriented and appreciate the enthusiasm we all have. It’s tough when so many people say “oh it’s for kids why do you like this?”, because they only see it as only for kids to get entertainment (usually in a negative way). There’s teams of artists and creators who made this, there’s lessons to be learned, and sometimes it’s nice to enjoy the simple things. Whether it’s MLP or bluey or Thomas, whether we are in it for the nostalgia or the current appreciation, whoever we are, sharing these kinds of spaces with friends can be a blast. I’d love for people to take it more seriously and this is a cool step forward. I always loved video essays and documentaries and I’m hoping to catch this one!

Thomas is a HUGE part of my childhood, and im not ashamed to admit that i still watch it from time to time when i feel nostalgic

Hang on why are Americans celebrating Thomas on the news? He is BRITISH NATIONAL TREASURE! Quite literally since he has been inducted into The National Railway Museum.

Thomas Fans Unite! I can't believe we got this thing to the News!

Im 27, im a father of 2 amazing young boys and my love for Thomas has never died, and now i get to pass that joy down to my kids. There really is something special about Thomas, and is the reason i like trains in the first place.

1:14 - OMG! Is that ‘TUGS’ merchandise! I swear, that show NEVER gets enough love!

As a Brony, it was so awesome to see the news reporting on the fandom that I’m apart of. I’m not part of the Thomas the Tank Engine fandom, but what I can say, is that when you see your fandom reported on by the news, it’s an awesome feeling. Congratulations, Tankies, you made it.

I’m so glad they showed the good stuff. And not the garbage stuff

I still enjoy a bit of Thomas now and again. It's fun to revisit my childhood.

I can’t believe unlikely fandom got on the news (in a good way of course). Stuff like this makes me happy to be a fan of Thomas. Thomas and Friends is eternal and I hope many people get to experience that for many years to come!

It’s nice to see mainstream news showcasing Thomas without the usual stigma of it being “evil and too scary for kids”, genuinely one of the best media coverages I think I’ve seen about this subject, at least way better than all the articles where Henry “died” in the tunnel. Just because it’s meant for kids doesn’t mean it can’t be sophisticated or dumbed down, and I think that’s the beauty of the original series. It appealed to everyone, kids, parents, train enthusiasts, hell I was watching episodes on repeat with my mother and she was enjoying them just as much as me. I’m about to enter my adulthood and I can proudly say my love for Thomas has never died. The corporation owning the property may not care about its legacy, but I and all of the other loyal fans this fandom has will. 17 years a proud Thomas fan and I hope to be one 17 years more.

T&F helped me develop my interest in the railway/railroad industry and therefore I'm genuinely proud to call myself a fan of T&F

He spoke for all of us not just himself. Thomas is a part of all of our lives.

I'm really proud to be in this fandom.

People do know that adults make children's media, right? They can use their passion for the arts to work with animation, music, editing, model building.. I think it's wonderful and these creative individuals are not to be unfairly judged. The critics are likely bitter their life isn't adequately full

It doesn't mean you're immature. If you grew up with the originals, it made you a 90's kid. If you grew up with the HiT era, it made you a 2000's kid.

If you feel embarrassed about being a Thomas fan don’t be. The King of England himself is a Thomas fan possibly the biggest and even got to appear in the books along with his mother. Thomas has been a world icon going on 80 years chances are very prominent people are fans of the series. They just aren’t open about it. Take pride in the fact you are open about what you love.

I am so happy to see the mainstream media portray Thomas in a positive light without going "This is a show for toddlers and babies, grown ups who like it are weird!" (Despite DOZENS of Disney, Pixar, PBS, Nickelodeon, Universal, etc. shows and/or movies being aimed at kids and having grown up followings) or "Oh this show is too scary for kids!" This show helped me fall in love with trains.

The documentary made the news!! That's huge!

Never watched Thomas but I hope that this documentary gets the recognition it needs.

Thomas has been my childhood for many years it was basically my everything and I can’t believe my childhood found its way into the news

Me and my mother LOVE Thomas The Tank Engine! She and I watch it whenever one of us are having a bad day

Mattel doesn't care for Thomas, but we do. The Thomas Fandom is more than just a collection of people who make videos about the franchise, we make games, we make customizations, we write fan-stories, and so much more! Despite all the hardships here and there, we still hold our ground. People can make fun of us, and we don't care, we're proud of who we are and are glad to call ourselves Thomas Fans in an Unlikely Fandom.

Making Ringo Starr proud

Im 14 and since when i was 4 Ive been a thomas fan since that happen thomas will forever be my childhood

I’m am proud of the fandom making this to keep the Thomas and friends spirit alive and I love it that it inspires people to create things that makes Thomas so special after all these years THOMAS AND FRIENDS FOREVER ❤️

Bro im nearly 25 and i still love Thomas so much

DUDDDE WERE ON THE NEWS

Is this the first time Tugs has been on TV since 1989? Albeit it’s just a merchandise cameo, but it’s something.

I have the same thing with transformers, I love them to this day. Don’t let the world ruin your sanctuary

I used to have Thomas the Tank Engine toys, but I never became a huge fan of the show. But even years later I still find the show just whimsical and fun :) (Unfortunately I was a Chuggington kid since I watched that more lmao)

There is nothing wrong here let the man enjoy his hobby. It's not that different from a sports fan collecting they organizations jerseys, collector cards, video games, gaming event, athletes memorabilia, clothing line.

WE DID IT BOYS THOMAS’ MESSAGE IS GETTING OUT THERE TO THE NEWS

“Am I in it?” asked Frank

Glad to be a part of this fandom! For some reason this talking train show has stuck with me since one and a half years old. Amazing how this masterpiece of a documentary got on the news.

As a Thomas lover as a child, I feel like I grew up in a golden age of the 2000s, quality products and tv show. Of course as I got older I left the fandom, then I discovered people using 3D models and maps to make their own stories and I’ve fallen in love again.

I will agree with this. I, too, had a horrible childhood; my parents were always fighting. I often drifted aside towards Thomas and friends as my only place for escapism and comfort, and despite my parents making very little income, I've always stayed towards the VHS releases throughout my life.

I've been a fan of Thomas since the day i was born. 30 years later, nothing's changed. I love that little blue puffball.

This fandom is literally now making Thomas seasons after pretty much everyone abandoned seasons 25 and on.

I’m glad people are open to liking this show, it teaches people that all animation is valid.

Thomas still has a place in my heart. I grew up with the original show that used the model trains instead of cgi. I even have a toy from the wooden railway series I keep as a desk buddy. Reminds me that not every day is a bad one, just gotta get the work done.

When THIS is big enough to be featured on the news, it’s clear that the fandom is keeping Thomas as something REALLY Special better than how Mattel is doing :) Also: 2:24, of course he grabbed and examined Thomas Tales From the Tracks, the final US Thomas VHS release.

Tugs in the background

The Thomas and Friends fandom has been alive and well for like 30 years now. How is this news?

I'm from Connecticut and I remember going to a DOWT event with my mom and my brother and sister when i was little at Essex Steam Train and Riverboat. I think i was around 2 or 3 years old and even though i absolutely loved it, seeing Thomas up close scared the living daylights out of me!!!! It was very overwhelming!!!! But i still loved the event as a whole!!!! Me and my brother are now 22 and while he's grown out of it, i am still a HUGE fan to this day and i always will be!!!! T&F is my 2nd favorite franchise alongside Power Rangers!!!! 💙💙👍👍🎉🎉

Thomas still being an inspiration and him and his friends's exploits will never cease to be

I am proud to be a part of this fandom, and most of all I’m proud to call myself a fan of Thomas the Tank Engine.

As someone who grew up with Thomas, I gotta watch this documentary!

"There's 2, there's 4, there's 6 there's 8, Fandom in a nutshell.

"But i just got to show this in front of 250 people in New York with the creator of Thomas The Tank Engine there, so who's laughing now?" raw as FUUCK

The fact that the Thomas fandom is what is keeping this series alive is both amazing and kinda sad, cause sure it means this fandom has a lot of talented folks in it but also, it means that the owners of this beloved series can’t even take good enough care of it

I used to carry a toy Thomas around with me when I was very little. However, I stopped doing that by the time I entered 4th grade.

Man this will always be a favorite part of my childhood my love for Thomas will never die thank God I had this in my life Thomas will never die from me

Congratulations Thomas!

I remember Thomas the tank engine. I loved that series too. It meant so much to me.

When I was 8, my parents forced me to grow out of Thomas and put it away cause it was “for babies”. Last summer, I got sick for the first time in 13 years and when I was sick, I remembered one episode “Henry’s Special Coal” and I watched that episode nearly 50 times over a few weeks because it helped me feel better. Because of that, I got pulled back into the Thomas fandom and it was the most wholesome fandom I have ever been a part of. Debates were civil, politics kept out of it, saying you like a certain part of the show isn’t a Scarlett letter. It truly is a fandom that I think more fandoms need to learn from.

Fellow Tank engine fan here: YES! Bring back classic Thomas!

Its a huge shame that I (and Surely a few others) couldn’t attend to the Unlikely Fandom event, as a massive Thomas fan I would’ve love to see TV Creater Britt Allcroft, ask so her many questions and even get her autograph or picture! She really brought Thomas the Tank Engine a lot of charm that I hold dearly in my heart and I still have yet to make videos of them on my channel! I really hope this Documentary gets put on streaming service real soon!

I was not expecting to see Unlikely Fandom on the news but I’m glad that it is

I used to LOVE Thomas as a kid. Nothing wrong with showing love to "kids' stuff," for there's always an inner child somewhere in one's heart.

I have liked animation in its many forms since childhood in the 1960s. One of my earliest memories is of playing with a toy train while watching Jerry and Silvia Anderson’s “Stingray.” I liked Thomas the Tank Engine, and I loved seeing a mock up of him on the tourist railroad I was a volunteered on. I am 61 years old and I like old cartoons, stop gap animation, and some anime.

3:45 i never got embarrassed to show everyone about thomas even as a little kid i still love this show ever since 2006 i grew up with the hit era on discovery kids. The classic era is also good. Along with the cgi series. So i still like thomas to this very day

this is so awesome, as a Thomas fan this is SO COOL

yoo!! as someone in the thomas fandom, im amazed this made the news! i wasnt a part of Unlikely Fandom as a production and didnt get to go see it myself, but im friends with people that did go see it, and this is simply amazing!! I actually got back into thomas as an adult, one of my friends played the chatracter themes on a Discord voice chat one day and it just set the ball rolling from there. May the Thomas fandom never die!!

Never been so proud for the passion of thomas getting known by fans and the true inspiration that had effect on our childhood lives. Thomas is not just a kid franchise, it's what makes it unique and how its stories been told. Thomas is for all ages as Wilbert wanted it to be. Thomas forever. 1# 💙

We made the news!!!

We finally did it Finally FINALLY

Boy, am I happy my parents let me experience a wonderful fandom 😭 😢 I'm serious, Thomas & Friends built me who I am.

I still hold a special place in my heart for Thomas the Tank Engine. My dad and I didn’t have a lot in common but we did share an interest in trains (in particular model train sets). One of my fondest memories is when he took me to a train museum and we got to see some famous trains like Mallard and City of Truro.

I may not be a thomas fan, but I completely get it. I'm a fan of several things from my childhood, and I still collect stuff for them and keep tabs on new media. I liked Power Rangers, Sonic, TMNT, and several other things. I even got into MLP and Bluey in recent years. It gives back what life took from you, sorta. Or in the case of those last two, it gives you something like it.

Wow so cool Thomas is also my childhood

I’m relatively new to the fandom. I’m not ashamed of my love for this, but it’s hard for me to tell others about it. Whenever I do, though, and I know that they are not going to make fun of me, I could go on for hours. it took me out of a really dark place in life, and I’m super grateful. My love and respect will last forever. ❤️🚂

I loved Thomas when he was on shining time station. I bet most of you have never heard of that show.

3:25 the down the mine pilot cameo

I’ve been a huge Thomas fan for over 20 years! We love you, Thomas.

Hold on to your childhood! I still have all my toys from the 80s and will always treasure them!

To say that Thomas was made for all ages is an understatement. Thomas has made such an impact on all ages, especially adults because it talked about many serious issues, death in the way of scraping, saving your railway from going out of buisness in Gallant Old Engine, which many kids may not understand and was a call or nod to the adults watching the show with their kids. The creativity and support of this community is amazing, all just because of a man’s son got measles. And to those who are making fun or putting someone down because of their love of Thomas, you don’t realize the passion of the person your making fun of, someone who, one day, could make an amazing achievement. Our community is unbreakable, road to 80 years!

0:57 people like what they like.As long as their not offending or hurting anyone.Then there's no problem

I was a Thomas fan for quite some time and was always a little shy about it. I love the show for its cute and calming nature and beautiful stories. It’s cool when people like him let others know it’s ok to love something you feel passionate about. Best of luck to him and his documentary

Im a grown man, Ive done many manly things, worked in some of the most masculine fields....but there is no age limit to loving something, and dang it I love Thomas the Tank Engine. The show and the toys both introduced me to the "age of steam" and launched me into my lifelong appreciation of steam locomotives and logistics. Sometimes so many years will pass without so much as a passing thought, and then like a freight train ramming into my head Im suddenly constantly thinking about Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends and the stories that unfold through the original Thomas and Friends TV series. To this day, while in the US and many other places its called one thing, I still refer to running cars around the yard as "Shunting" because thats what I have always known it as since I was a kid watching Thomas and the crew shunting the giggling and trickster cars all over. Thank you Reverend for creating a wonderful series of books, thank you to everyone involved in the creation of the original TV show and line of toys, and thanks to this guy for doing his part to keep the love alive.

You know other media targeted for kids has adult fans like - Mario - Sonic - Pokémon - Transformers - Spongebob - Power Rangers - Sesame Street - Disney movies - Bluey But until its like thomas then oh no, I still like watching episodes and watching videos about the popular tank engine

Doesn't matter how much dramas going on right now since it applies to every fandom. Proud as heck to be a Thomas fan.

Nobody can stop by Thomas cause he is unstoppable

Well, EE93 & Carty can now both use the “look Gray! Its me!” meme, haha.

I’m a toy car guy. But i still indeed have a few of my Thomas engines laying around somewhere in a box. I keep them as a momento from my childhood 👍