Thomas

[Tom Haythornthwaite]

Out of curiosity, do any members run 'Thomas' family locos and stock as-is (perhaps for grandchildren's delight)?

[Hugh Norwood]

Er... Ahem... I have an ERTL Toby converted to 9mm gauge that often hides backstage for the entertainment of small people.

Oh, and I do have the Bachmann US Rhinitis and the other one (you know - Skarloey)

[Tom Haythornthwaite]

Ha!  I was hoping somebody would say they run something!

I've been idly thinking about this subject and can imagine two or two-and-a-half scenarios.

1.0  Modelling a modern railway that has 'Thomas' days.  (Do any narrow gauge railways do 'Thomas'?)
2.0  Modelling the setting and story of the Railway books.
2.5  Amusing people of any age with the engine characters, on some other layout.

I grew up with the books, miss them, and do not think they should be disparaged.  (But they don't fit into my plans.) 

[clayliner]

I grew up with the books, miss them, and do not think they should be disparaged. 

I'm sure lots of us did as well. For those of us who are older they were perhaps more innocent then - certainly they were not surrounded by all the commercial aspects which seem to have taken some of that innocence away (or is it just that we ourselves are now grown up and so more aware of the trappings like merchandising and licensing?)

There is no doubt the books were responsible for creating a whole generation (or two) of railway enthusiasts. I wonder, though - did they make us into enthusiasts or did they just tap into something already in the male brain?

David.

[Ian Jopson]

My daughter (now 30 and a mother herself) still asks if I've got "her" Percy. I think she has eyes on it for when her son is old enough. I haven't the courage to tell her that I have, but the chimney is broken. I might have to get a new one before it's too late. I did buy the Bachmann N Percy, but with the intention of doing some sort of 009 'pugbash', I just can't work up the nouce to cut up an expensive model.

[Hobby]

1.0  Modelling a modern railway that has 'Thomas' days.  (Do any narrow gauge railways do 'Thomas'?)

Many used to but have had to stop because the copyright holders introduced demands that they were unable to meet. I think the Talyllyn may still do as it has (had?) special dispensation from the Rev as that was the line the books were based on and he was a volunteer.

[Graeme Dunbar]

I wonder how far it could be pushed? Thomas was not the first pale blue engine with a face.

[Peter Boulter]

I hear that Ivor the Engine could be making a comeback.

[engerth399]

There was also a series of books about Sammy the Shunter.

[Graeme Dunbar]

If the dates are right, Eileen Gibbs Sammy the Shunter books came out just after Rev. Awdry series started.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_Gibb

My introduction though was this fellow, another imitator - Peter, Pull and Puff.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peter-Pull-Puff-Arthur-Baldwin/dp/B004TMB8YM


So far, I've found no trace of the author Arthur W. Baldwin, though he appears to have been quite a prolific illustrator, author and editor. Suspiciously though, all for Dean & Son Ltd. which makes me wonder if it is a name they used for books ghost written (if that is the right term in this situation) and illustrated by several different people.

Also, Peter P&P was a 2-4-2 of goodness knows what design whereas some of the other books by the same named author look like they are 'anatomically correct' railway illustrations and I don't think a real railway artist would commit such heresy.

Plagiarism comes full circle with with "Arthur W Balwin's" Hector the Helicopter making a re-appearance under another name years later courtesy of a royal/ex-royal.

Even the Little Engine that Could has several supposed authors with the original idea apparently going back to Sweden in 1903. Also, the engine might have been a girl.

https://www.npr.org/2014/07/08/329520062/in-little-engine-that-could-some-see-an-early-feminist-hero

[Hugh Norwood]

1.0  Modelling a modern railway that has 'Thomas' days.  (Do any narrow gauge railways do 'Thomas'?)

In "real life" the Talyllyn do Thomas days, of course. (they were the inspiration for the ng line and locos in the Thomas books) So there is no reason why a 009 "heritage" line could not do a "Thomas" day!

[Hobby]

Ah, thanks, Hugh, didn't know if they still did them... Even got RTR stock available for use these days! ;)

[clayliner]

As I think I may have mentioned here before, apart from 'Thomas' (and friends - the original bunch of Gordon, James etc. but before any modern traction arrived) my other childhood inspiration was -


Jimmy and the Little Old Engine


It was never specified but I'm sure 'Ethel' had to be narrow gauge, judging by the look. Jimmy and his cat [on the front footplate] had lots of adventures involving Redskins (as in the picture) and other non-PC friends.

David.

[Phil Court]

Some years back I acquired a die cast Luke and found it was suitable to fit a Kato 11-103.
It did require a chassis adapter plate made from styrene sheet.
Without a Dremel to drill and grind away the internal metalwork it would have been difficult.
Its a good little runner and amuses the grand kids, great grand kids and even adults. so reluctant to remove the face!!!!

Later I acquired  Gator, Rusty, Peter Sam and Thomas that all looked ok to motorise.
The Gator was next in line and uses the existing plastic "chassis" to be butchered to take a Kato 11-105.
Have yet to fit coupling hooks. Its also a bit wide and just clears the tunnel portals and station platforms.

Will get round to the others in due course but some may require heavy modification.

Here are Luke and Gator at the motive power depo awaiting work duty!!!!!!

[MickT]

Here are Thomas and Gator at the motive power depo awaiting work duty!!!!!!

But Thomas is supposed to be Blue!