The Railway Series
This 1945 book was the very first published in the series, though Thomas himself didn't actually appear until the second book.
What is The Three Railway Engines?
This big blue engine is number 4, handles the Express, and is known for being a bit boastful but ultimately heroic.
Who is Gordon?
This magical, eighteen-inch-tall conductor lives in a signal box at Shining Time Station and uses gold dust to travel to Sodor.
Who is Mr. Conductor?
This famous former member of The Beatles served as the very first narrator for both the UK and US versions of the television series.
Who is Ringo Starr?
These giggling, singing, and mischievous pieces of rolling stock love nothing more than pushing engines down hills or into ditches.
What are the Troublesome Trucks?
In the books, this is the name of the fictional island where all the railway adventures take place, located between England and the Isle of Man.
What is the Island of Sodor?
The iconic controller of the North Western Railway, known for keeping the engines in "order" and ensuring everything runs on time.
Who is Sir Topham Hatt?
This Native American character is the resident silversmith and engineer at Shining Time Station, often seen playing his flute or working on the Rainbow Valley engine.
Who is Billy Twofeathers?
This British television producer adapted The Railway Series books into the iconic model animation show we know today.
Who is Britt Allcroft?
This oily character was the very first diesel engine to arrive on Sodor, instantly causing rumors and friction among the steam engines.
Who is Diesel?
Henry the Green Engine originally suffered from a small firebox and required a special, expensive type of this fuel imported from Wales to run properly.
What is Welsh coal?
This narrow-gauge engine, number 4 on the Skarloey Railway, is fiercely proud of his grandfather Duke and always insists on doing things "the old way."
Who is Peter Sam?
This front loader with a red chassis is the eager, enthusiastic leader of the Sodor Construction Company (The Pack).
Who is Jack?
To make the model engines' eyes move smoothly on camera, the crew hidden inside the engines used these types of controllers, usually meant for model airplanes.
What are radio controllers (RC transmitters)?
This dynamic duo of twin diesel engines run the Sodor Ironworks and are notorious for threatening to turn steam engines into scrap metal.
Who are 'Arry and Bert?
He is the very first engine introduced in the books—a small, green saddle tank engine who got stuck in a tunnel because he was afraid of the rain.
Who is Edward?
In the classic Season 2 episode "The Deputation," the engines stand up to the Fat Controller to prevent these two Scottish twin engines from being sent away.
Who are Donald and Douglas?
In Thomas and the Magic Railroad, this dark, diesel-powered villain arrives on Sodor with a giant hydraulic claw attached to his roof.
Who is Diesel 10?
Before the series switched to full CGI in 2009, the original models used throughout the classic eras were built to this specific model railway scale.
What is Gauge 1?
This giant, heavy breakdown crane went rogue in Season 5's "Horrid Lorry," causing massive delays and nearly destroying the docks before being put in his place.
Who is Rocky?
In the final book of the original run, Centenary, this real-life standard gauge steam engine—the first to officially reach 100 mph—makes a guest appearance on Sodor.
Who is the Flying Scotsman?
This ghostly legend, supposedly a small engine who ran into a swamp, became a major spooky plot point for Percy and Thomas in Season 5.
Who is the Flatbeds Ghost?
This fictional town and railway junction serves as the primary setting for the American live-action spinoff series Shining Time Station.
What is the Indian Valley?
This legendary composer created the iconic, upbeat Thomas & Friends theme song that defined the classic era of the show.
Who is Mike O'Donnell? (Or Junior Campbell)
This specific, troublesome brake van constantly caused delays for Douglas until Edward's strength ultimately crushed him to pieces on a steep hill.
Who is the Spiteful Brake Van?