Thomas and Friends – Track, Trains, and World of Sodor

Watch the magic unfold as your child becomes a part of the wonderful world of Thomas and Friends. The winding track, characters, trains and the mesmerizing world of Sodor are just the beginning to a play date with endless opportunities for imaginations to flourish.

Thomas and Friends Origin and Brief History

The story of Thomas and friends came to life over 60 years ago. These wonderful Engines and their stories were created by the Reverend W. Awdry who brought them to life for his son Christopher who was confined to bed with measles.

Christopher so loved these stories that he encouraged his father to write them all down which eventually led to his first published book “The Three Railway Engines” in 1945. At Christmastime that year, the Reverend Awdry made his son a simple, wooden toy engine that was to be named Thomas.

More wonderful stories were created and in 1946, “Thomas the Tank Engine” was published. A new book was written every year until his twenty-sixth and final story, “Tramway Engines,” came out in 1972.

Christopher followed in his father's footsteps and in 1983 published his first book, "Really Useful Engines”. To the delight of Christopher's son Richard, he went on to publish a total of 14, continuing the legacy and a second generation of Thomas fans.

Thomas the Tank Engine

Thomas the Tank Engine wooden toys are inspired by the ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ book of 1946. What does it look like? What does it do? What does it go with? How do you play with it? How does it help in self directed play, learning colors and such?

Engaging your child in self-directed play is a very important aspect of development. Watch their motor skills, hand-eye coordination grow was they become a part of this open-ended play that takes creativity to another level.

Your child can learn valuable lessons in cooperation, sharing and friendship as well as long term critical thinking skills. Learning colors and counting is made fun with Thomas and Friends. This developmental system teaches many vital skill that will serve them well throughout the years.

Thomas and Friends Train Sets

Basic track layouts are provided with all Thomas and Friends Train Sets. However, it is always fun to create your own layout designs with your wooden train tracks. Keep in mind that there aren't any rules when it comes to layouts and designs. You can make it as diverse as you want, as long as you have enough tracks.

The more tracks that you have, the more creative you can be. Add a suspension bridge, roundhouse or 8 way turn table and explore the new places it will take you. Let your imagination run free!