Thomas & Friends Celebrates 80th Anniversary

Mattel has kicked off the 80th anniversary celebrations for Thomas & Friends with the release of the original, never-before-seen 1983 pilot episode of the classic series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends.

The episode, available on YouTube, was pieced together using 40-year-old 35mm film trims. The Thomas & Friends content team took footage from the first test shoot to rebuild and digitize both the picture and the sound, and Mike O’Donnell, series composer from 1984 to 2003, created a new bespoke music arrangement for the episode, which also features a never-before-heard voiceover by Ringo Starr.

In addition to the episode from Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, the Thomas & Friends Storytime podcast has begun to launch new episodes, each centered around key themes from the brand’s 80-year history. Each episode is complemented with a full retelling of a classic Thomas story. Some of the featured guests include Andrew Brenner, one of the head writers; Ian McCue, series producer; and members of creator Reverend Wilbert Awdry’s family.

To celebrate further, the Thomas & Friends franchise has partnered with Propstore, which is giving fans a chance to own original pieces from the IP’s history, including signed items by celebrities, original artwork and props from the stop-motion series that first aired in 1984. Also included in the auction are one-of-a-kind pieces signed by British actors who have voiced Thomas & Friends characters throughout the years, such as Olivia Colman, Eddie Redmayne and Hugh Bonneville. Bidding on the global auction is now live through May 28.

“For 80 years, the Thomas & Friends brand has brought joy to generations, sharing timeless stories and valuable life lessons,” said Roberto Stanichi, executive VP of Hot Wheels and global head of vehicles and building sets at Mattel. “As we celebrate this momentous year, we’re unveiling 40-year-old footage and newly uncovered stories from the vault for the first time ever, offering longtime fans and new audiences the chance to reconnect with the beloved adventures of Thomas & Friends in new and nostalgic ways.”