Thomas & Friends begin talking

[ngauger]

Now this is cool!!! 8-) 8-) 8-)

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Play the video, It's good!

[Ralph]

I've always admired the layout for the show. Such nice scenery! Shouldn't Thomas have a British accent?

Ralph

[nachoman]

I think I am going to have nightmares

[eightyeightfan1]

I just got back from my local Wally-World. I had to walk through the pre-school stuff to get to the die cast section. Passing by the display of Thomas and Friends, I heard "Hello. I'm Thomas the Tank Engine". Apparently...they already have the stuff out where Thomas speaks. But to have motion detectors......Kinda of annoying if you ask me.

[e-paw]

The animation looks OK , I'm sure kids will love it . but I'll miss the modelling end of the show. I saw a behind the scene's show on Thomas when it first came to TV in the U.S. ,and I was very impressed with the production and sets. I wonder what the film co. will do with the old sets and models?

[shaygetz]

CGI bytes...gimme the real deal...

[e-paw]

[RobertInOntario]

Yes, the modeling part of the show was great and I used to enjoy seeing that.

I think the voices aspect is good & creative but I do quibble that they don't have British accents. The kids won't think of this, etc., but the show and its railways are SO British that it seems strange to hear American accents. Maybe they're already running a British version in the UK with British voices?

Overall, the Thomas stories are great for railway enthusiasts -- the original books were even written by one, the Rev. Awdry. As I've said before, the original stories are excellent because the engine's are usually described performing actual railway activities -- things like shunting, banking, waiting for the right signals, etc. And they're continually introducing new generations to railways ... and heritage railways have Thomas Days, etc. So I'm sure Thomas has made it possible for many younger people to become railway enthusiasts.

Rob

[pennman]

Thomas is greatpromotional tool for model rr and tells a good storyfor the kids. I like it and watch it all the time with my grandkids.My oldest grandson Nate has the wood train set and treats it as if he where touching my trains. God help you if you touch his trains without his permission. It also teaches him respect for granddads trains..LOL
On the other hand, I dont like the live thomas traveling show, Its all about sell toys (over priced and rated). Didnt feel that was worth the money, but the kids had fun

[RobertInOntario]

Thomas is greatpromotional tool for model rr and tells a good storyfor the kids. I like it and watch it all the time with my grandkids.My oldest grandson Nate has the wood train set and treats it as if he where touching my trains. God help you if you touch his trains without his permission. It also teaches him respect for granddads trains..LOL
On the other hand, I dont like the live thomas traveling show, Its all about sell toys (over priced and rated). Didnt feel that was worth the money, but the kids had fun

I agree with all of these points but only partially re the “live Thomas travelling show”.

I think, in North America, these travelling shows are a lot of hype, over-priced, etc. But it’s different, IMO, in the UK. Being “partly-British” and having visited the UK several times, my family & I have gone to two Thomas events at heritage steam railways in England. Yes, they were busy but they were excellent because the “Thomas” is a real steam loco painted up in Thomas colours. The other steam engines have faces on too & they have a few “Gordon’s,” “Henry’s,” etc.

I enjoy going to Thomas events in the UK because the prices are reasonable and they’re using real steam engines. But, here in Canada, I believe they just use a “dummy” coach that looks like Thomas pushed by a diesel switcher! And the prices very expensive on top of that so I just can’t get motivated to take my family, especially after having experienced the ones in the UK.

Rob

[Brakie]

Museums that features "A day out with Thomas" calls 'im Thomas the bank engine.

When one of the guys runs Thomas during the open houses the eyes on a wee one lights up and the cry of -"Look mommy there's Thomas!" can be heard..

I think Thomas is a great ambassador for the hobby.

[RobertInOntario]

Museums that features "A day out with Thomas" calls 'im Thomas the bank engine.
I think Thomas is a great ambassador for the hobby.

Yes, I don't think we could ask for a better one! Rob

[Tom]

I'm 33 years old, don't have kids, and I watch Thomas the Tank Engine if it comes on, I'm flipping channels and nothing else is on TV.

I don't really care who think's I'm immature for it either!

Seriously, I was at California State Railroad Museum at the library with 4 other members of the Feather River Rail Society doing research in the second floor of the archives, and I didn't realize it was a "Day out with Thomas" event that day. We got up to take a break, and when we looked out the window, it wa a sea of little striped hats about 3 feet off the ground. You couldn't even see the ground for all the kids, there were THOUSANDS, ON A FRIDAY! We strolled through the grounds (and waded through the crowds of children) and one of our guys got a great photo of Western Pacific F7 #913 stopped for photos on it's run around move, posed next to Thomas. The tent with the toys and merchandise was EXPENSIVE, in fact, everything about Thomas was expensive, however, it was obvious that they had a brilliant marketing plan that worked, because they were raking in the dough, and according to one of the managers at CSRM, the Thomas events bring in some good income for the museums that host him. The star attraction was essentially a steam outline "dummy" engine with moving "googly eyes" and a smoke generator, and the "Driver" (really a brakeman on a radio protecting the shove) was dressed in a drivers costume from the show, and they even had a costumed "Sir Topham Hat" mascot walking around greeting kids. Pretty impressive set up if you ask me. By the way, I'd like to know what they use for smoke fluid, because it certainly wasn't Lionel Smoke Pills, it smelled like rotten eggs.

All in all, I don't think the hobby of model railroading has ever had a better ambassador. I think he's alright. (though I still can't get used to watching George Carlin do Shining Time Station!)

[RobertInOntario]

[quote="Tom" ... All in all, I don't think the hobby of model railroading has ever had a better ambassador. I think he's alright. (though I still can't get used to watching George Carlin do Shining Time Station!) :tada:[/quote]

Ringo Star was the best narrator, IMHO! Rob

[tomustang]

Ringo Star was the best narrator, IMHO! Rob

George Carlin IMO