Thomas The Tank Engine first appeared in The Railway Series, a collection of British books about anthropomorphic locomotives such as Thomas and his friends Gordon, Henry and James, by the children’s author Reverend Wilbert Awdry, first published in 1945. His stories, initially told to entertain his son Christopher, evolved into The Railway Series, featuring the characters Edward, Gordon and Henry. The first book was published in 1945, with Thomas the Tank Engine himself introduced in the second book in 1946. The stories were adapted into the Thomas and Friends TV show, which first aired in 1984. Photo issued by Mattel of the new look Thomas The Tank Engine as he returns to 3D following 2D series Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go (Image: Mattel/PA Wire)Mattel, which controls the franchise, say the new look Thomas “blends classic train culture with a warm, modern look, reinforcing the emotional connection families have had with Thomas for decades”.