Logo used since 2008
Genre	Children's television series
Created by	Rev. W. Awdry
Based on	The Railway Series by Rev. W. Awdry Christopher Awdry
Developed by	Britt Allcroft
Directed by	David Mitton (Series 1–7) Steve Asquith (Series 8–12) Greg Tiernan (Series 13–16) David Baas (Series 17) Don Spencer (Series 18) Dianna Basso (Series 19–24)
Voices of	See List of Thomas & Friends voice actors
Narrated by	Ringo Starr Michael Angelis George Carlin Alec Baldwin Michael Brandon Pierce Brosnan (The Great Discovery) Mark Moraghan John Hasler Joseph May
Opening theme	Thomas' Theme (instrumental) (1984–2003) Engine Roll Call (2004–2017) Big World! Big Adventures! (2018–2021)
Ending theme	Thomas' Theme (reprise (instrumental)) (1984–2003) Engine Roll Call (instrumental) (2004–2017) Big World! Big Adventures! (reprise) (2018–2021)
Composer(s)	Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell (1984–2003) Robert Hartshorne (2004–2016) Ed Welch (2004–2008) Peter Hartshorne (2011–2016) Chris Renshaw (2016–2021) Oliver Davis (2016–2017)
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	584 + 14 movies and 6 double-length specials (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Britt Allcroft (1984–1986, 2002) Angus Wright (1991–1998) Peter Urie (2002–2003) Jocelyn Stevenson (2003–2006) Christopher Skala (2007–2011) Marion Edwards (2009–2015) Lenora Hume (2009–2010) Karen Barnes (2011–2013) Kallan Kagan (2013–2017) Jeff Young (2013–2015) Steven Hecht (2013–2015) Michael Carrington (2013–2014) Christopher Keenan (2014–2021) Edward Catchpole (2015) Marianne Culbert (2016) Kyle MacDougall (2016–2021) Jamie LeClaire (2016–2021) Phil LaFrance (2016–2021)
Producer(s)	David Mitton (1984–1998) Robert D. Cardona (1984–1986) Britt Allcroft (1991–1998) Phil Fehrle (2002–2003) Simon Spencer (2004–2008) Nicole Stinn (2008–2012) Ian McCue (2011–2017) Halim Jabbour (2013) Robert Anderson (2013; 2015–2017) Brian Lynch (2013–2015) Jennifer Hill (2014–2015) Lynda Craigmyle (2016) Jane Sobol (2016) Tracy Blagdon (2016–2021) Micaela Winter (2016–2018)
Production location(s)	Shepperton Studios (1984–2008) Nitrogen Studios (2008–2012) Arc Productions (2013–2016) Jam Filled Toronto (2016–2021)
Running time	4 minutes, 30 seconds (Series 1–7) 10 minutes (Series 8–12) 11 minutes (Series 13–24)
Distributor	Mattel Television
Release
Picture format	PAL (filmed) (Series 1–7) PAL (video) (Series 8–10) HDTV 1080i (video) (Series 11–12) HDTV 1080p (CGI) (Series 13–24)
Audio format	Mono (1984–1995) Stereo (1998–2002) Dolby Digital 5.1 (2003–2021)
Original release	4 September 1984 (1984-09-04) – present (present)
Chronology
Followed by	Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go Untitled Thomas & Friends sequel
Related shows	Tugs Shining Time Station
Other websites
[{{#property:P856}} Website]

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Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends (otherwise referred to as Thomas and Friends, Thomas the Tank Engine or Thomas for short) is a British children's television series. It was first broadcast on CITV in September 1984, and PBS Kids on September 2004. It is based on The Railway Series books by the Rev. W. Awdry and his son, Christopher. The main character is Thomas the Tank Engine, a tank engine that is painted blue. The show takes place on the made-up island of Sodor. There are some route systems there. One of them is a standard-gauge heritage railway run by Sir Topham Hatt known as the North Western Railway. Thomas runs on that route system.