TV series
Making Tracks to Great Destinations
Thomas & Friends is a British children's television series, which had its first broadcast on the ITV network on 4 September 1984. It is based on The Railway Series of books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry. These books deal with the adventures of a group of anthropomorphised locomotives and road vehicles who live on the fictional Island of Sodor. The books were based on stories Wilbert told to entertain his son, Christopher during his recovery from measles. From Series one to four, many of the stories are based on events from Awdry's personal experience.
Availability
Thomas & Friends premiered October 9, 1984. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Thomas & Friends is a British children's television series, which had its first broadcast on the ITV network on 4 September 1984. It is based on The Railway Series of books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry. These books deal with the adventures of a group of anthropomorphised locomotives and road vehicles who live on the fictional Island of Sodor. The books were based on stories Wilbert told to entertain his son, Christopher during his recovery from measles. From Series one to four, many of the stories are based on events from Awdry's personal experience.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Thomas is to collect the Brass Band to take them to the park as a treat for Lady Hatt's birthday but when he does is in such a hurry that he leaves the Tuba Player standing on the platform. Will the Fat Controller's party plans for his wife be tarnished?
Written by Dave Ingham
Episode 2
Percy's loud whistle blowing to show that he can make as loud a sound as 'Arry & Bert's horns distracts some of the others and is told by the Fat Controller to only whistle at appropriate times. However, Percy isn't sure to whistle to warn Thomas from crashing some time later. Will he let his friend crash or will he make the right decision by blowing a warning whistle?
Written by James Mason
Episode 3
Some of the diesels receive a dose of contaminated fuel but will Thomas help fix the situation after Diesel calling him a "stinky old steam engine"?
Written by Paul Larson, Abi Grant
Episode 4
Henry wishes he could pull passenger trains like Gordon instead of log trucks. However, Henry comes upon a Wishing Tree which Sodor's children regulary visit later on that day...
Written by Paul Larson, Abi Grant
Episode 5
James' new lick of paint makes him concentrate less on his work, but when he's given a very dirty job to do later on, he soon shifts his way of thinking...
Written by Abi Grant
Episode 6
While a new station is being built, Thomas has to go around a sharp bend though Annie and Clarabel help him. But when they are sent to the works, will Thomas find the courage to go around the bend, or allow the Troublesome Trucks to cause havoc?
Written by James Mason
Episode 7
Following some time being overworked and running late, Percy overhears the Fat Controller talking about sending him to the scrap yard! Two accidents later, this makes him wonder whether he will be sacrificed to the flame...
Written by Abi Grant
Episode 8
Emily's bossy attitude is really getting to Thomas. So when a large snowfall arrives, Thomas decides to ignore her advice about wearing a snowplough, forgetting past incidents...
Written by Abi Grant
Episode 9
The engines are hiding a big secret from their blue tank engine friend, but what could it possibly be?
Written by Paul Larson
Episode 10
Emily is chosen to do the route running through Black Loch, but on her first run, she sees spooky shapes in the water which appear to be sea monsters!
Written by James Mason
Episode 11
Thomas wishes he could collect the fireworks stock to deliver to the Harvest Fireworks Display but feels most disappointed when James is chosen to do the job instead. James, however, breaks down...
Written by Paul Larson, Abi Grant
Episode 12
Gordon shows off to Percy while teaching him how to pull passengers. In doing so, Gordon doesn't notice a dangerous icy section of line...
Written by Paul Larson
Episode 13
Thomas and Percy's efforts to be the cleanest engines on Sodor for the Cleanest Engine competition are continuously thwarted. Will luck come to them?
Written by Marc Seal
Episode 14
Edward is chosen to compete against Spencer in a race, but is soon left eating Spencer's dust due to his much larger amount of power. Far out in the lead, Spencer grows overconfident and decides to have a little snooze...
Written by Abi Grant
Episode 15
Gordon is scared that he'll be scrapped due to strange noises inside him that he's making. Will he inform about his problems or will he instead try to hide them?
Written by Marc Seal
Episode 16
Thomas stubbornly insists on pulling the entire Circus Train by himself, but soon finds it too heavy to pull on his own.
Written by Abi Grant
Episode 17
Thomas must go slow to successfully deliver a load of eggs around Sodor but becomes impatient and speeds up, with predictable results...
Written by Robin Rigby
Episode 18
Emily has to stand in as the puller of Gordon's Express, and is determined to pull it as fast as him, but ultimately fails. Luck, however, soon greets her...
Written by Abi Grant
Episode 19
Thomas is hasty and decides to haul all the trucks with loads of fish he has to deliver all at once. He soon finds that in doing so, they are too heavy to pull in one shot...
Written by Paul Larson
Episode 20
Emily finds that being unkind to others is the wrong thing to do when in need of help with a big job.
Written by Paul Larson
Episode 21
'Arry & Bert, the naughty diesels, take advantage of the fact that it's Halloween and when Thomas and Emily are sent to do important work at the Smelter, the two diesels decide to give the steamers a fright or two!
Written by Dave Ingham
Episode 22
When Gordon becomes stuck on the Hill, Toby comes to help and push but will he have enough confidence in himself after Gordon saying earlier on to him that he's not a proper engine?
Written by Paul Larson
Episode 23
When the other engines ask James for help with some hard jobs, he says he's much too busy with his assigned task of exporting loads of coal around the Island. However, when James breaks down, his attitude soon changes...
Written by James Mason
Episode 24
Emily offers to help Thomas with his loads, but Thomas refuses any help whatsoever his friend has to offer, or at least at first.
Written by Paul Larson
Episode 25
Thomas feels sad when he has to deliver ingredients to the Ice Cream Factory instead of taking children to the beach, but later feels much happier thanks to a nice little surprise...
Written by Paul Larson
Episode 26
Percy collects a special carpet to deliver, but suddenly the windy weather starts to blow it around. Percy, though, thinks that it's a magic flying carpet!
Written by Abi Grant
Episode information updated Sep 3, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match Thomas & Friends.
Michael AngelisNarrator (Voice)
Ringo StarrNarrator (Voice)
Mark MoraghanNarrator (voice)
Ben SmallThomas / Toby (voice)
Keith WickhamEdward / Henry / Gordon / James / Percy (voice)
Teresa GallagherEmily (voice)
ITV1United Kingdom
5United Kingdom
CITVUnited Kingdom
Cartoon NetworkUnited Kingdom
CartoonitoUnited Kingdom
Nick Jr.United Kingdom
