Exactly. One thing I considered was that the RWS was essentially the love story for railways, and when people use engines that work on a heritage railway in the story, it is basically advertising for said railway.
It's perfectly justified to consider it taboo, in case of the Bluebell Railway at least, as Britt Allcroft *did* try to copyright claim them because of Stepney once. One person working for a railroad museum called their DOWT locomotive a "big blue dumpster on wheels" xd
@@Terrier55Stepney I agree. Also e2 OCS are even hated like you can't even roleplay with a e2 oc in a Thomas and friends roleplay server. The only e2 you can use is Thomas himself.
Wilbert Awdry’s attempt to advertise real Railways in his stories was a stroke of genius They really helped these Railways a lot and now every person now knows them and want to help out That’s what I believe and what impacts me
I can't lie, if I never saw Thomas, I'd never have been into trains. But I do have appreciation for trains as non-living fine machines. And now "Forgive me father for I have cindered" is gonna by my go-to statement whenever I think negative of a train.
In my opinion, if Thomas helps keep Steam alive, then it’s all worth it. I grew up a Thomas fan and still loves the show, and because of that love for Thomas I developed a love for trains in general. Now I sponsor my local really museum whenever I get a chance and plan on volunteering to help keep the legacy alive.
I grew up with Thomas, and I cannot deny it's what sparked my interest in railways. It made me want to learn about and work on them. It's the reason I started volunteering. And it's the reason I've become a professional engine driver. To this day, I'm thankful that Thomas exists, or I might never have gotten where I am today.
I'm a railroader here in the States, and literally every single co worker except for the oldest of the old heads have at least passing familiarity with Thomas (it's always the model one). It certainly developed or started the interest in rail for alot
It's fantastic to see one of my childhood shows to have an impact to trains and railways. And thanks to the fans, I got to learn more about the Railways Series and the impact it has in real life. Such an amazing thing to happen in history. Thanks for doing a video on this!
I’m an athlete, but also a lifelong Thomas fan. This year I decided to run the Race The Train event at the Talyllyn Railway as both a personal goal and to fulfill my lifelong dream of seeing where some of my favorite fictional characters of all time originated from! I’m living proof that Thomas can bridge the gap between interests, and motivate people to follow their dreams.
Thomas has shaped the future of railways, it’s why heritage railways are ever so popular nowadays because of the impact of Thomas and the world of steam trains around him.
Honestly, as an American, my interest in Thomas got me to ride on the footplate of TVRM’s 4501. I desperately want to be able to go to places such as the National Railway Museum, National Railroad Museum, Strausburg, and even see UP 4014 one day. I’m also heavily excited for the new T1’s construction and the Prince of Wales. Thomas (and my parents’ patience) has continued to keep my interest in locomotives big and small and I don’t doubt it has in hundreds of thousands of other people too.
I have been a Thomas fan for as long as I can remember. I’m Autistic and it’s well known the link between Autism and train/Thomas fandom. I’ve also been a fan of your channel for a long time because of this. Thomas was my gateway into trains and I’m a massive railway enthusiast. Imagine my surprise, then, when I watch this fantastic video contemplating Thomas’ impact on real railways to find myself on the footplate of Peter Sam looking into the camera (10:17). I started volunteering at railways as soon as I could and, though limited by physical difficulties, I do enjoy doing what I can on the engine front. I’m not technically minded and I most probably won’t progress past cleaner but that’s fine with me, I just like being involved. Most of my volunteering because of this is helping railways in other areas. I made the pilgrimage to the Talyllyn because of the Thomas connection in 2021 for the first Awdry Extravaganza. It was, in fact, my first ever solo holiday. I immediately fell in love with the line and its people and vouched to volunteer the next year, which I did. I also volunteer at my local heritage railway as an engine cleaner and in other areas. Dry rails and good running, Oliver
I loved Thomas all growing up, but I was also a railfan even before that, and actually did study how steam engines work. The crowning moment of my childhood was when I was 7 and we took a trip to Disney, and the steam engine that circles the park stopped to take on water. They had the cast members out to entertain the kids while waiting, but I had no interest and instead wanted to go talk to the engineer. He was so happy that someone actually wanted to talk to him, and delighted that I knew something about engines to boot, that he allowed me to ride along on the footplate to our next stop. Without the Thomas franchise to help keep my interest, I might not have stuck with it long enough to learn as much as I had about railroads at that point, or for that matter continued my interest to this day. That interest also spurs me to visit (and do what I can to help fund) heritage railways whenever I can. So yes, at least from my point of view, I think real world railroads are better for its existence.
Arguably relating to the Thomas/IRL connection, it did give a permanent spark to a young generation to take interest in the real things. Whether or not it entices everyone to actually contribute to steam preservation, it *does* without doubt make the prescence of said movement notably known. Some folks might disagree with the whole aspect of repainting engines to pose as the likes of Thomas or James, or outright rebuilding them for that purpose but its a push that's done heritage railways and the legacy of steam itself a good turn in a financial sense and overall general awareness
It is sad that most die hard railfans today and "anti car fans" seem to hate the idea of seeing cars and trains as life like machines and works of art. Instead, they look at them as point a to b transportation and collecting cards. But I'm glad we still have car and rail communitys who still see them as life like creations. Thanks to a book called, the railway series.
I think there's absolutely a connection between Classic Thomas (The RWS books and the Classic TV Series 1-5) and introducing young folks to the world of real railways and their preservation. Speaking for myself, it was thanks to growing up with Thomas that I found the desire and the will to go on my first ever overseas solo holiday, to the Bluebell Railway's 50th Anniversary in 2010, right after a month-long grand tour of Pennsylvania's railway heritage with my friend Nick Ozorak. I also credit the many Thomas-inspired works on TH-cam, both direct fan stories and Awdry-esque works like The Dark Railway Series, Tales of New Wessex, and Rails to Refuge, which seek to emulate the storytelling techniques including the personification of railway engines while also showing the realities of railway operation and particularly the difficult times of British Railways Modernization and the dawn of the Preservation Era. That said, I also agree that more recent Thomas works, particularly All Engines Go and Chuggington, but also to a lesser degree the main series past Season 6 may have done more harm than good insofar as introducing young folks to trains and trying to interest them in the hobby as a gateway to the real thing. These series are about toys, nothing more. Any resemblance to real life railway workings is at best incidental. And unfortunately that's 1. leading to a lot of misunderstandings about the reality of railways, and 2. not the sort of thing that will hold a young person's passion past their primary school years. If anything, we need storytellers who can double down on what the Rev. Awdry did, who can tell engaging tales about not just the extraordinary events, but the mundane day-to-day of how railways really worked, from waking an engine up in the morning to taking a pick-up goods along a branchline.
Having grown up with Thomas myself, I completely understand where some people are coming from. It also helps that I have ridden on some heritage lines, seen factual shows like Full Steam Ahead and visited other museums as well. An example of this is the National Railway Museum in York, which means that I understand that steam locomotives are machines, with The Railway Series and Thomas & Friends helping to inspire people to preserve steam locomotives and make them less intimidating for those who aren't used to them.
Thomas made me go to my local museum railway for the first time when I was quite young, and now, all of these years later, I get to sit in the cab of three beautiful American 'Mikado' steam locomotives on a beautiful line with a long stretch that runs by a river.. Without Thomas, I doubt I'd even care about trains the way I do now. I've even had the liberty as posing as Thomas' driver at a few of our DOWT Events. Always a lovely time.
I actually thought about this the other day. I’d say that Thomas the Tank has actually made millennials more pro rail compared to the generation before them. The mindset in the 60s and 70s was the love for cars, supersonic jets and spacecraft. The railways were seen as old and dirty. But growing up as a child starting to love trains I reckon has balanced out railways as a popular mode of transport alongside roads and air
It was through the Reverend Wilbert Awdry’s ‘Railway Series’ books I was introduced to the Talyllyn Railway, the Bluebell Railway, the Snowdon Mountain Railway and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. I was also introduced to City of Truro, Flying Scotsman and Prince from the Ffestiniog Railway through the Reverend Wilbert Awdry’s books. Stepney was the first real-life steam locomotive I was introduced to through ‘Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends’ (the first two ‘Stepney’ episodes I remember watching were ‘Train Stops Play’ and ‘Bowled Out’ from Series 4 of ‘Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends’).
I volunteer with local conservation & litter picking groups. I especially enjoy getting my waders and going in the water doing river clean-up work - I've had a lot of fun, meeting loads of new people and it's been beneficial to me, my physical & mental health!
I think it’s absolutely charming Thomas and friends on the railways, excellent way to get children and families aware of the history and working of his majestic machines.
Thomas was my childhood and very much was the reason why I got into trains in the first place. Each day, I would watch the stories and film on VHS or DVD before and after school. And now, I work on the IOM Steam Railway as a guard. I don't think I'd have tried applying for that job if it wasn't for my love for Thomas.
One of my earliest memories is visiting Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania (which made a cameo in this video 😬) with my family and seeing Thomas pull into the station. It was surreal and magical
@@Terrier55Stepney did you know Sam? He is a lovely guy that helps the 9f and I love your videos since 4 years ago. your channel keeps improving from animations to your soon to be or is already wife and exploring the world with my favourite class of loco. can't wait to see how your channel will get better. You alongside trainboy and tug have shown me how a angry child with blue paint can be a never ending history lesson but just fun.
0:111:49 I've Used To Love Watching Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends The Original Series In 1984 When I Was A Kid Along With Rosie And Jim The Original Series In 1990 And Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds The Original Series In 1965. Thanks Mate. X
I briefly was a volunteer at a heritage railway here in Washington state because I’m a fan of Thomas the Tank Engine. I was a railway volunteer from October 2015 to December 2016, before I had to leave to attend college, as the campus was too far from the railway.
I had a plastic Thomas the tank engine train set as a kid and I think it helped to get me intrested and now I'm about to 3d print a 1/15th scale big boy 4-8-8-4. And I always wanted a layout for Ho or N scale trains since a bob the builder episode where they surprised the major with one for his birthday.
I'd always like to believe that I could brute-force teach myself how best to fire, operate, and maintain a steam locomotive by building one of my own. I don't mean that the construction of a steam locomotive is simple, I just mean that the process of creating even a simple one would likely teach me VAST amounts of knowledge and know-how through trial and error in the process of making a working prototype. I tend to get bored, and mechanical engineering problems are very interesting to mess around with in all honesty.
My interest comes from passing down from generations and growing up from Thomas my grandpa was a railroad enthusiast and I watched Thomas as a small child and yes I grew up with the miller era
As an American who grew up with Thomas in the late 2000s and early 2010s I was definitely influenced to love real trains because of it. I currently am a member of my local depot and our club uses a Bachman Thomas to help influence the children when the come to the depot. It is nice to have Thomas influence lots of people to join the hobbie.
"Get well soon!" Stepney, literally just existing as a face at that point 😂. I've been interested in locos as a kid but as both a female ( in a very male dominated interest) and being bad with numbers, technical stuff, I never found a way to learn that wasn't daunting. Thomas and RWS is a nice ice-breaker. I like them and real locos.
I grew up with the original TV series, but I was pretty into trains anyway. Spent a couple years volunteering at a local railroad museum (Colorado Railroad Museum), mostly working in the roundhouse on rolling stock restorations. They had an annual Day out with Thomas event, with an unpowered Thomas replica pushed by a diesel (they only have narrow gauge track which limited their options somewhat). This was by far the biggest event of the year, followed by their Polar Express thing every winter. Even if it doesn't feel all that authentic, if nothing else those two events sure bring in a boatload of cash to the museum that funds their other efforts. I could just be an old-ish guy nostalgic for my own childhood, but I get the sense the new series have become more distant from the original intent of the Thomas series, less about railroading and more about commercialism, devolved into a standard little kids' show.
The stories by the Reverend about Sodor were the catalyst that led me to undertake a lifelong interest in the real world of railways, and it’s been an adventure in itself. Maybe I would’ve loved trains either way, but I can’t help but think of Awdry’s characters whenever I read about the Talyllyn Railway or other railways in 🏴 Wales or elsewhere… ☺️
Thomas 100% got me into trains an railways and ever since that every time I visit york I end up in the NRM or find my way heading to the NYMR and any other railways nearby. So yes Thomas did start my passion for trains
If people can only be inspired to support heritage from real life experience or the passion being passed down from generation to generation, the amount of those people will continually diminish until running these trains is infeasible for more and more places. Media is the best way to get enough people to care.
I grew up knowing Thomas for a long, long time... and because of him, I had a love for trains and all machinery. I also live Dinos, but that's isn't the point. What does matter is that Thomas (the old days) was the best way to keep Steam alive and kicking. Near where I live, we had one of the legendary *BIG BOY* Steam locomotives come to town.
thomas is what got me into trains I still watch thomas every so oftern but i've never looked at the engines as characters I look at them as marchines/living breathing things cause they can be stubbin and stuff like that
I'd put it as this, as someone who was child and loved Thomas and is now an adult. I did have a fascination with steam engines since at a young age, but I found the trains having faces a little more appealing, as I was a kid and seeing an inanimate object being alive or having face usually helps draw kids in at first, but that won't always be the case as they get older. As I grew I become more interested in the steam engine itself and that soon grew to me being a full time train enthusiast. I'm able to separate real engines and Thomas characters, but I still love Thomas of course and always will. I think to simplify it, kids will come see the trains for the face and are more interested in that, but as they get older soon become interested in the rest of the engine.
I don’t know how I feel about the “Did you grow up with trains as characters or machines” because My family was not a train family and I was just born with the love for trains so I kinda grew up both ways. Regardless this video shows that both ways don’t matter. At the end of the day, we all love trains.
I love Thomas and friend’s, especially the railway series and the way I see it half of the steam engines in the world wouldn’t be around without the railway series and it’s fans
I live nowhere near the Talyllyn but if I did volunteer I’d be a cleaner and would greet the locos and probably talk to them. The staff would think I’m nuts lol
I got into trains through Thomas when I was very young and I definitely would not be into trains because of it, plus since I'm now at the age to start volunteering at Bluebell, once I have a good way of transport I will be volunteering there
It was Thomas the tank engine who helped me understand the efficiency of freight trains over cross country tractor trailer lorries. The world needs more freight railways
I have became a fan of Thomas the Tank Engine ever since I was young. If it wasn't for Wilbert Awdry and Thomas the Tank Engine, then the Heritage Railways will fall into decline and the Age of Steam will be done for…
"Maybe pop down to your local heritage railway" Which is what I would do... ...if I had one. Florida has absolutely nothing as far as heritage railways go, other than the Magic Kingdom Railroad which kinda only half-counts since it's treated as an amusement ride but does have one preserved narrow-gauge Forney. We have a handful of railway museums but they're static display at best, assuming they even have any full-sized equipment.
Before the railway seriese books were bought up and forcibly packaged into bumper a bumper book set with only 3/5 of the total books as a "complete" collection, parents would buy a railway seriese book in the gift shop to read to their kids as part of the day out. a link that has been broken for a long time now.
6:56 Tell that to Bressingham! They used to have a whole wall of Thomas merch from posters, to toys to toothbrushes. But now the Thomas stuff has been replaced by misc. garbage. And I think some of us know why...
I didn't grew up with Thomas at all, never actually watched the show or read the books, as a child (and still today) I was very interested in anything old and especially old machines that still works despite their age. I developed a more specific passion for anything steam operated after visiting a heritage railway on a holiday while still very young. If Thomas helps heritage railways to still exists by bringing volunteers and public then it's a good thing but when it comes to me, I'm not a fan of creepy faces (cause I find them very creepy how do children not make nightmares about those ?) on engines and crying childs. I'm one that prefer to see the engine as it was when operating, they are way more beautiful like that than with ridiculous stuff on them. But as I said if it allows heritage railways to continue to operate then it's a good thing, it's not for me but you've gotta have something for everyone I guess
Thomas got me interested in trains to begin with, and the fact that the characters are based on real locomotives got me interested in real steam railroads (hi, I'm American) So I think Thomas has had a great impact on steam preservation! And I don't know why a lot of railfans have issues with a smiling blue tank engine
I totally agree about Thomas impacting real railways. However, what I believe is Thomas can impact futurisms on American railroads and the safer and disaster free travels. Something Walt Disney like on the imagination and such. This is where my inspired idea about my own Disney version of Thomas (Thomason) comes into play.
Personally, I didn't know the tie between Thomas and their real life basis of each character until I stumbled upon a TH-cam video. Not sure which one. But since that day, I see Thomas, the original series, as an example of real trains in a fictional world. While some points in the original series are questionable in terms of plots and characters, it's the reminder that each character has irl basis that barely power me through the downfalls before Mattel killed the original series. The reboot is not what Thomas is or was. It's basically Thomas-ified Chuggington. While yes, Chuggington characters also have irl basis, Thomas handled it better in the long run. Knowing that the Thomas characters have basis irl, it puts character into those locomotives and rolling stock even if the character never existed in the show. It puts the thought of "if this was a Thomas character, what would it be like" into your mind and suddenly it feels like it is. You almost feel like you can hear conversations as the real trains travel around no matter what powers them. The original series wasn't just a show, it put fictional characters in from real trains and rolling stocks. That is part of the magic of what Thomas brought and always will be.
Watching the classic model series by Britt Allcroft and narrated by Sir Ringo Starr and the late Michel Angelis and reading the original books 📖 by the Rev W Awdry is how I got into steam trains 🚂 and I still love ❤️ Thomas to this day and always will and I love visiting the many museums and heritage railways especially the Talyllyn Railway in Wales 🏴 when I attended the awdry extravaganza last year which was amazing seeing the beautiful little railway where the Rev W Awdry got his inspiration for his stories and I am not a fan of the new Thomas and friends all engines go to me it has lost what made Thomas special and shows everything a steam train is not supposed to do thanks for sharing this video on my favorite steam engine 👍❤️
actually the Isle of Sodor is off the coast of Man & just West of Barrow-In-Furnass😉 I wish Awdry's son's books were in a thick collected book just like the originals
the next generation of railway preservationists would have generally grown up with Thomas nowadays and would have learnt further and further about histories and technologies of the railways and railroads of their own countries. I mean that is how I got into railways.....that and I grew up nearby a railway 🙂
I grew up with Thomas stories, and have since volunteered on heritage railways and museums, and also work on the Main Line Railway, i think the influence that Thomas as a media franchise has had on the Railway (and Heritage sector in particular), shouldn't be under estimated...for Young Children, it is usually their first link to railways as something other than a means of getting from A-B, it's use of realistic locomotives and equipment, invites further curiosity into those aspects of railways, its toy lines can lead to introductions into the world of railway modelling, which then doubles back into proper railways (as well as many other related fields), As people working on (heritage) railways we should use Thomas as a bridge to explaining concepts to the uninittiated, the faces serve the same purpose as stabalisers on a bike, once you've learnt to appreacate railways without them, we can take them off and keep going
Railfans will often try to limit bringing up Thomas when discussing railways, but even they can’t deny the influence he’s had on railway heritage.
It's a very hush hush topic no doubt, but perhaps not always justified.
Exactly. One thing I considered was that the RWS was essentially the love story for railways, and when people use engines that work on a heritage railway in the story, it is basically advertising for said railway.
It's perfectly justified to consider it taboo, in case of the Bluebell Railway at least, as Britt Allcroft *did* try to copyright claim them because of Stepney once.
One person working for a railroad museum called their DOWT locomotive a "big blue dumpster on wheels" xd
@@Terrier55Stepney I agree. Also e2 OCS are even hated like you can't even roleplay with a e2 oc in a Thomas and friends roleplay server. The only e2 you can use is Thomas himself.
@@Terrier55Stepney Can you make Real Life Thomas And friends Whistles Horn And Bells ?
Wilbert Awdry’s attempt to advertise real Railways in his stories was a stroke of genius
They really helped these Railways a lot and now every person now knows them and want to help out
That’s what I believe and what impacts me
I agree. If you ask a Thomas fan to name heritage railways in the UK I bet the majority answers would be ones mentioned by Awdry.
I can't lie, if I never saw Thomas, I'd never have been into trains. But I do have appreciation for trains as non-living fine machines.
And now "Forgive me father for I have cindered" is gonna by my go-to statement whenever I think negative of a train.
That's the best way to go.
Same Thomas is what got me in railways to and I like to this my favorite is the ugly Ducklings (Neville) I how weird and unique they are ya know
In my opinion, if Thomas helps keep Steam alive, then it’s all worth it.
I grew up a Thomas fan and still loves the show, and because of that love for Thomas I developed a love for trains in general. Now I sponsor my local really museum whenever I get a chance and plan on volunteering to help keep the legacy alive.
I grew up with Thomas, and I cannot deny it's what sparked my interest in railways. It made me want to learn about and work on them. It's the reason I started volunteering. And it's the reason I've become a professional engine driver. To this day, I'm thankful that Thomas exists, or I might never have gotten where I am today.
As someone who watches Hyce's content a lot, he's not shy about saying that Thomas and the Polar Express keep historic railroads in business.
I'm a railroader here in the States, and literally every single co worker except for the oldest of the old heads have at least passing familiarity with Thomas (it's always the model one). It certainly developed or started the interest in rail for alot
It's fantastic to see one of my childhood shows to have an impact to trains and railways. And thanks to the fans, I got to learn more about the Railways Series and the impact it has in real life. Such an amazing thing to happen in history. Thanks for doing a video on this!
Thanks for watching! It's certainly helped a good cause I think.
I’m an athlete, but also a lifelong Thomas fan. This year I decided to run the Race The Train event at the Talyllyn Railway as both a personal goal and to fulfill my lifelong dream of seeing where some of my favorite fictional characters of all time originated from! I’m living proof that Thomas can bridge the gap between interests, and motivate people to follow their dreams.
This is proof that Thomas is one of the best kids shows for a younger audience
The fact he added the 475 incident makes this all more great
Thomas has shaped the future of railways, it’s why heritage railways are ever so popular nowadays because of the impact of Thomas and the world of steam trains around him.
Thomas is likely one of the main factors on why the railfan ommunity is so large. He gets people into trains, and then trains take it from there.
Honestly, as an American, my interest in Thomas got me to ride on the footplate of TVRM’s 4501. I desperately want to be able to go to places such as the National Railway Museum, National Railroad Museum, Strausburg, and even see UP 4014 one day. I’m also heavily excited for the new T1’s construction and the Prince of Wales. Thomas (and my parents’ patience) has continued to keep my interest in locomotives big and small and I don’t doubt it has in hundreds of thousands of other people too.
I have been a Thomas fan for as long as I can remember. I’m Autistic and it’s well known the link between Autism and train/Thomas fandom. I’ve also been a fan of your channel for a long time because of this. Thomas was my gateway into trains and I’m a massive railway enthusiast.
Imagine my surprise, then, when I watch this fantastic video contemplating Thomas’ impact on real railways to find myself on the footplate of Peter Sam looking into the camera (10:17).
I started volunteering at railways as soon as I could and, though limited by physical difficulties, I do enjoy doing what I can on the engine front. I’m not technically minded and I most probably won’t progress past cleaner but that’s fine with me, I just like being involved. Most of my volunteering because of this is helping railways in other areas.
I made the pilgrimage to the Talyllyn because of the Thomas connection in 2021 for the first Awdry Extravaganza. It was, in fact, my first ever solo holiday. I immediately fell in love with the line and its people and vouched to volunteer the next year, which I did. I also volunteer at my local heritage railway as an engine cleaner and in other areas.
Dry rails and good running,
Oliver
90% sure that Thomas is like, half the reason I got back into rail and transit so easily.
I wish I had a heritage railway by me, I'd volunteer so fast
I loved Thomas all growing up, but I was also a railfan even before that, and actually did study how steam engines work. The crowning moment of my childhood was when I was 7 and we took a trip to Disney, and the steam engine that circles the park stopped to take on water. They had the cast members out to entertain the kids while waiting, but I had no interest and instead wanted to go talk to the engineer. He was so happy that someone actually wanted to talk to him, and delighted that I knew something about engines to boot, that he allowed me to ride along on the footplate to our next stop. Without the Thomas franchise to help keep my interest, I might not have stuck with it long enough to learn as much as I had about railroads at that point, or for that matter continued my interest to this day. That interest also spurs me to visit (and do what I can to help fund) heritage railways whenever I can. So yes, at least from my point of view, I think real world railroads are better for its existence.
Arguably relating to the Thomas/IRL connection, it did give a permanent spark to a young generation to take interest in the real things. Whether or not it entices everyone to actually contribute to steam preservation, it *does* without doubt make the prescence of said movement notably known.
Some folks might disagree with the whole aspect of repainting engines to pose as the likes of Thomas or James, or outright rebuilding them for that purpose but its a push that's done heritage railways and the legacy of steam itself a good turn in a financial sense and overall general awareness
It is sad that most die hard railfans today and "anti car fans" seem to hate the idea of seeing cars and trains as life like machines and works of art. Instead, they look at them as point a to b transportation and collecting cards. But I'm glad we still have car and rail communitys who still see them as life like creations. Thanks to a book called, the railway series.
I think there's absolutely a connection between Classic Thomas (The RWS books and the Classic TV Series 1-5) and introducing young folks to the world of real railways and their preservation. Speaking for myself, it was thanks to growing up with Thomas that I found the desire and the will to go on my first ever overseas solo holiday, to the Bluebell Railway's 50th Anniversary in 2010, right after a month-long grand tour of Pennsylvania's railway heritage with my friend Nick Ozorak.
I also credit the many Thomas-inspired works on TH-cam, both direct fan stories and Awdry-esque works like The Dark Railway Series, Tales of New Wessex, and Rails to Refuge, which seek to emulate the storytelling techniques including the personification of railway engines while also showing the realities of railway operation and particularly the difficult times of British Railways Modernization and the dawn of the Preservation Era.
That said, I also agree that more recent Thomas works, particularly All Engines Go and Chuggington, but also to a lesser degree the main series past Season 6 may have done more harm than good insofar as introducing young folks to trains and trying to interest them in the hobby as a gateway to the real thing. These series are about toys, nothing more. Any resemblance to real life railway workings is at best incidental. And unfortunately that's 1. leading to a lot of misunderstandings about the reality of railways, and 2. not the sort of thing that will hold a young person's passion past their primary school years. If anything, we need storytellers who can double down on what the Rev. Awdry did, who can tell engaging tales about not just the extraordinary events, but the mundane day-to-day of how railways really worked, from waking an engine up in the morning to taking a pick-up goods along a branchline.
I've always said this Thomas is the best thing that happened to railway preservation
Having grown up with Thomas myself, I completely understand where some people are coming from. It also helps that I have ridden on some heritage lines, seen factual shows like Full Steam Ahead and visited other museums as well. An example of this is the National Railway Museum in York, which means that I understand that steam locomotives are machines, with The Railway Series and Thomas & Friends helping to inspire people to preserve steam locomotives and make them less intimidating for those who aren't used to them.
When I finish school, I’m considering taking a volunteer position on the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway
Thomas made me go to my local museum railway for the first time when I was quite young, and now, all of these years later, I get to sit in the cab of three beautiful American 'Mikado' steam locomotives on a beautiful line with a long stretch that runs by a river.. Without Thomas, I doubt I'd even care about trains the way I do now. I've even had the liberty as posing as Thomas' driver at a few of our DOWT Events. Always a lovely time.
Thomas is where I learn about steam locomotives, and the fact that heritage railways exist.
Can't imagine the same happening if I was born in 2021
I actually thought about this the other day. I’d say that Thomas the Tank has actually made millennials more pro rail compared to the generation before them. The mindset in the 60s and 70s was the love for cars, supersonic jets and spacecraft. The railways were seen as old and dirty. But growing up as a child starting to love trains I reckon has balanced out railways as a popular mode of transport alongside roads and air
It was through the Reverend Wilbert Awdry’s ‘Railway Series’ books I was introduced to the Talyllyn Railway, the Bluebell Railway, the Snowdon Mountain Railway and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.
I was also introduced to City of Truro, Flying Scotsman and Prince from the Ffestiniog Railway through the Reverend Wilbert Awdry’s books.
Stepney was the first real-life steam locomotive I was introduced to through ‘Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends’ (the first two ‘Stepney’ episodes I remember watching were ‘Train Stops Play’ and ‘Bowled Out’ from Series 4 of ‘Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends’).
I volunteer with local conservation & litter picking groups. I especially enjoy getting my waders and going in the water doing river clean-up work - I've had a lot of fun, meeting loads of new people and it's been beneficial to me, my physical & mental health!
I think it’s absolutely charming Thomas and friends on the railways, excellent way to get children and families aware of the history and working of his majestic machines.
Reminds me of all those Tumblr posts about how humans will pack-bond with anything.
I definitely wouldn’t love railways as much as I do if I didn’t watch Thomas as a kid
0:42 Perfect example of young and old Thomas fans.👍
This is the best video I’ve seen this year
Thomas was my childhood and very much was the reason why I got into trains in the first place. Each day, I would watch the stories and film on VHS or DVD before and after school. And now, I work on the IOM Steam Railway as a guard. I don't think I'd have tried applying for that job if it wasn't for my love for Thomas.
One of my earliest memories is visiting Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania (which made a cameo in this video 😬) with my family and seeing Thomas pull into the station. It was surreal and magical
I’m an American who grew up with Thomas and that’s where my love for trains started. And I love seasons 1-7 of Thomas to this day.
I am a thomas fan and although I'm 11 I volunteer at the bluebell in the 9f club
I started out in the 9F club and loved it very much. Good on you for volunteering, I hope you enjoy it.
@@Terrier55Stepney did you know Sam? He is a lovely guy that helps the 9f and I love your videos since 4 years ago. your channel keeps improving from animations to your soon to be or is already wife and exploring the world with my favourite class of loco. can't wait to see how your channel will get better. You alongside trainboy and tug have shown me how a angry child with blue paint can be a never ending history lesson but just fun.
0:11 1:49 I've Used To Love Watching Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends The Original Series In 1984 When I Was A Kid Along With Rosie And Jim The Original Series In 1990 And Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds The Original Series In 1965. Thanks Mate. X
I briefly was a volunteer at a heritage railway here in Washington state because I’m a fan of Thomas the Tank Engine. I was a railway volunteer from October 2015 to December 2016, before I had to leave to attend college, as the campus was too far from the railway.
I had a plastic Thomas the tank engine train set as a kid and I think it helped to get me intrested and now I'm about to 3d print a 1/15th scale big boy 4-8-8-4. And I always wanted a layout for Ho or N scale trains since a bob the builder episode where they surprised the major with one for his birthday.
2:15 i still remember being in a meet with 2 friends when that happened
You COULD say thomas just doesn't get too detailed with how engines work, but you CAN'T deny that it brings in a lot of money for these railways
I'd always like to believe that I could brute-force teach myself how best to fire, operate, and maintain a steam locomotive by building one of my own.
I don't mean that the construction of a steam locomotive is simple, I just mean that the process of creating even a simple one would likely teach me VAST amounts of knowledge and know-how through trial and error in the process of making a working prototype.
I tend to get bored, and mechanical engineering problems are very interesting to mess around with in all honesty.
4:53 hey look there’s thirlmere! Nice to include the aussies lol.
My interest comes from passing down from generations and growing up from Thomas my grandpa was a railroad enthusiast and I watched Thomas as a small child and yes I grew up with the miller era
As an American who grew up with Thomas in the late 2000s and early 2010s I was definitely influenced to love real trains because of it. I currently am a member of my local depot and our club uses a Bachman Thomas to help influence the children when the come to the depot. It is nice to have Thomas influence lots of people to join the hobbie.
"Get well soon!" Stepney, literally just existing as a face at that point 😂.
I've been interested in locos as a kid but as both a female ( in a very male dominated interest) and being bad with numbers, technical stuff, I never found a way to learn that wasn't daunting. Thomas and RWS is a nice ice-breaker. I like them and real locos.
I grew up with the original TV series, but I was pretty into trains anyway. Spent a couple years volunteering at a local railroad museum (Colorado Railroad Museum), mostly working in the roundhouse on rolling stock restorations. They had an annual Day out with Thomas event, with an unpowered Thomas replica pushed by a diesel (they only have narrow gauge track which limited their options somewhat). This was by far the biggest event of the year, followed by their Polar Express thing every winter. Even if it doesn't feel all that authentic, if nothing else those two events sure bring in a boatload of cash to the museum that funds their other efforts. I could just be an old-ish guy nostalgic for my own childhood, but I get the sense the new series have become more distant from the original intent of the Thomas series, less about railroading and more about commercialism, devolved into a standard little kids' show.
The stories by the Reverend about Sodor were the catalyst that led me to undertake a lifelong interest in the real world of railways, and it’s been an adventure in itself. Maybe I would’ve loved trains either way, but I can’t help but think of Awdry’s characters whenever I read about the Talyllyn Railway or other railways in 🏴 Wales or elsewhere… ☺️
Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania is one of those heritage railways that does Day out with Thomas.
Thomas 100% got me into trains an railways and ever since that every time I visit york I end up in the NRM or find my way heading to the NYMR and any other railways nearby. So yes Thomas did start my passion for trains
If people can only be inspired to support heritage from real life experience or the passion being passed down from generation to generation, the amount of those people will continually diminish until running these trains is infeasible for more and more places. Media is the best way to get enough people to care.
7:03 I think I had one of these at some point...
Anyways, great video as always!
I grew up knowing Thomas for a long, long time... and because of him, I had a love for trains and all machinery. I also live Dinos, but that's isn't the point. What does matter is that Thomas (the old days) was the best way to keep Steam alive and kicking. Near where I live, we had one of the legendary *BIG BOY* Steam locomotives come to town.
thomas is what got me into trains I still watch thomas every so oftern but i've never looked at the engines as characters I look at them as marchines/living breathing things cause they can be stubbin and stuff like that
I'd put it as this, as someone who was child and loved Thomas and is now an adult. I did have a fascination with steam engines since at a young age, but I found the trains having faces a little more appealing, as I was a kid and seeing an inanimate object being alive or having face usually helps draw kids in at first, but that won't always be the case as they get older. As I grew I become more interested in the steam engine itself and that soon grew to me being a full time train enthusiast. I'm able to separate real engines and Thomas characters, but I still love Thomas of course and always will. I think to simplify it, kids will come see the trains for the face and are more interested in that, but as they get older soon become interested in the rest of the engine.
I'm a thomas fan since im a kid in 2011-2023, and I'm still a fan
I don’t know how I feel about the “Did you grow up with trains as characters or machines” because My family was not a train family and I was just born with the love for trains so I kinda grew up both ways. Regardless this video shows that both ways don’t matter. At the end of the day, we all love trains.
I love Thomas and friend’s, especially the railway series and the way I see it half of the steam engines in the world wouldn’t be around without the railway series and it’s fans
I live nowhere near the Talyllyn but if I did volunteer I’d be a cleaner and would greet the locos and probably talk to them. The staff would think I’m nuts lol
When your a kid you love the talking trains
When your an adult you like the realistic atmosphere
7:05 your giving me the fucking express gordon give it to me...
RIGHT FUCKING NOW *shooting and screeming*
I got into trains through Thomas when I was very young and I definitely would not be into trains because of it, plus since I'm now at the age to start volunteering at Bluebell, once I have a good way of transport I will be volunteering there
This video is a definition of rail fans who are young
It was Thomas the tank engine who helped me understand the efficiency of freight trains over cross country tractor trailer lorries. The world needs more freight railways
8:00 I wish i got that chance but despite this I love trainspotting
I have became a fan of Thomas the Tank Engine ever since I was young. If it wasn't for Wilbert Awdry and Thomas the Tank Engine, then the Heritage Railways will fall into decline and the Age of Steam will be done for…
“You are not a train. Do not lie to me!” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
"Maybe pop down to your local heritage railway"
Which is what I would do...
...if I had one.
Florida has absolutely nothing as far as heritage railways go, other than the Magic Kingdom Railroad which kinda only half-counts since it's treated as an amusement ride but does have one preserved narrow-gauge Forney. We have a handful of railway museums but they're static display at best, assuming they even have any full-sized equipment.
Before the railway seriese books were bought up and forcibly packaged into bumper a bumper book set with only 3/5 of the total books as a "complete" collection, parents would buy a railway seriese book in the gift shop to read to their kids as part of the day out.
a link that has been broken for a long time now.
6:56 Tell that to Bressingham! They used to have a whole wall of Thomas merch from posters, to toys to toothbrushes. But now the Thomas stuff has been replaced by misc. garbage. And I think some of us know why...
Amazing job man
I am about to join the railway as a conductor and my interest in the railways all started from thomas
Btw the ending of his video wants me to drive a steam engine at my local heritage railway (I live 15 mins away from BlueBell)
7:03 Ladies... One at a time please
I agree with you that steam engine are fantastic in railway series and in real life I hope that magic in steam engines will live on forever
I didn't grew up with Thomas at all, never actually watched the show or read the books, as a child (and still today) I was very interested in anything old and especially old machines that still works despite their age. I developed a more specific passion for anything steam operated after visiting a heritage railway on a holiday while still very young.
If Thomas helps heritage railways to still exists by bringing volunteers and public then it's a good thing but when it comes to me, I'm not a fan of creepy faces (cause I find them very creepy how do children not make nightmares about those ?) on engines and crying childs. I'm one that prefer to see the engine as it was when operating, they are way more beautiful like that than with ridiculous stuff on them.
But as I said if it allows heritage railways to continue to operate then it's a good thing, it's not for me but you've gotta have something for everyone I guess
My Gramdpa used to tell me storys of steam engines.
8:33 WOW my god it's Stepney🤩🤩
“to work with similar engines themselves” funny you showed a black 5 and Henry when you said that.
I think river irt used to operate near me on the duffieled bank
3:45
I have huge ambitions to contribute to both the rail heritage and Thomas fandom.
Thomas got me interested in trains to begin with, and the fact that the characters are based on real locomotives got me interested in real steam railroads (hi, I'm American)
So I think Thomas has had a great impact on steam preservation! And I don't know why a lot of railfans have issues with a smiling blue tank engine
Put it simply if I hadn’t watched Thomas I wouldn’t be interested in trains in the first place.
9:13 i Didn't know Stepney has a fan club
This video is explanation for why I believe that "all engines go" was a fucking mistake.
Was that engine that's derailed at 2:45 faceless?
I totally agree about Thomas impacting real railways. However, what I believe is Thomas can impact futurisms on American railroads and the safer and disaster free travels. Something Walt Disney like on the imagination and such. This is where my inspired idea about my own Disney version of Thomas (Thomason) comes into play.
Personally, I didn't know the tie between Thomas and their real life basis of each character until I stumbled upon a TH-cam video. Not sure which one. But since that day, I see Thomas, the original series, as an example of real trains in a fictional world. While some points in the original series are questionable in terms of plots and characters, it's the reminder that each character has irl basis that barely power me through the downfalls before Mattel killed the original series.
The reboot is not what Thomas is or was. It's basically Thomas-ified Chuggington. While yes, Chuggington characters also have irl basis, Thomas handled it better in the long run.
Knowing that the Thomas characters have basis irl, it puts character into those locomotives and rolling stock even if the character never existed in the show. It puts the thought of "if this was a Thomas character, what would it be like" into your mind and suddenly it feels like it is. You almost feel like you can hear conversations as the real trains travel around no matter what powers them.
The original series wasn't just a show, it put fictional characters in from real trains and rolling stocks. That is part of the magic of what Thomas brought and always will be.
I am a Thomas fan and I like this vudeo
8:14 why winner just asking why
7:21 That looks nothing like Henry, what are they on?
There is still a Thomas at watercress line
I'd personally love to be a guard.
Watching the classic model series by Britt Allcroft and narrated by Sir Ringo Starr and the late Michel Angelis and reading the original books 📖 by the Rev W Awdry is how I got into steam trains 🚂 and I still love ❤️ Thomas to this day and always will and I love visiting the many museums and heritage railways especially the Talyllyn Railway in Wales 🏴 when I attended the awdry extravaganza last year which was amazing seeing the beautiful little railway where the Rev W Awdry got his inspiration for his stories and I am not a fan of the new Thomas and friends all engines go to me it has lost what made Thomas special and shows everything a steam train is not supposed to do thanks for sharing this video on my favorite steam engine 👍❤️
actually the Isle of Sodor is off the coast of Man & just West of Barrow-In-Furnass😉
I wish Awdry's son's books were in a thick collected book just like the originals
"It's just a stupid show about silly talking trains." - My dad 2011
the next generation of railway preservationists would have generally grown up with Thomas nowadays and would have learnt further and further about histories and technologies of the railways and railroads of their own countries. I mean that is how I got into railways.....that and I grew up nearby a railway 🙂
I grew up with Thomas stories, and have since volunteered on heritage railways and museums, and also work on the Main Line Railway, i think the influence that Thomas as a media franchise has had on the Railway (and Heritage sector in particular), shouldn't be under estimated...for Young Children, it is usually their first link to railways as something other than a means of getting from A-B, it's use of realistic locomotives and equipment, invites further curiosity into those aspects of railways, its toy lines can lead to introductions into the world of railway modelling, which then doubles back into proper railways (as well as many other related fields), As people working on (heritage) railways we should use Thomas as a bridge to explaining concepts to the uninittiated, the faces serve the same purpose as stabalisers on a bike, once you've learnt to appreacate railways without them, we can take them off and keep going