The popular children's stories character Thomas the Tank Engine was created by Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher, and first appeared in the second book of the series 'Thomas the Tank Engine' in 1946.
The first books were illustrated by Reginald Payne.
Thomas was inspired by a a real Billinton LB&SCR E2 class locomotive.
Thomas' stories were adapted for TV in 1984 and the first 26 chapters were narrated by former Beatle Ringo Starr.