I was intrigued by the new look of Thomas, the Tank Engine
The updated edition of "Thomas the Tank Engine" will also feature a refreshed "Thomas and Friends" logo.
“Thomas the Tank Engine” has been given a new look as he returns to 3D following the 2D series Thomas and Friends: All Engines Go. The blue locomotive, which has entertained children for more than 80 years since its creation in 1945, will star in a new series of “Thomas and Friends” airing in autumn on a yet-to-be-confirmed channel.
The new character design was created through research and testing with preschoolers and their parents, and is more three-dimensional than before. He also has a brighter smile, revealing bright, straight teeth, big eyes, and is generally more realistic than the 2021 version.
He looks… dare I say, a little like he was generated by artificial intelligence. But hey, maybe that’s what kids expect these days?! He seems a little too polished to me, and it makes me a little nervous. Although, of course, I’m not the target audience.
Mattel, which controls the franchise, says the new look Thomas “blends classic train culture with a warm, modern look, reinforcing the emotional connection families have had with Thomas for decades”. Ted Wu, senior vice president and global head of vehicles and building sets at Mattel, said, “Thomas has been a trusted companion for families for more than 80 years, and the new look reflects both where the brand comes from and where it’s headed on its next adventure.
“We returned to the elements that parents and kids love most while updating the design to feel relevant for today’s pre-school audience. Authentic train details, timelessness, and emotional storytelling form the foundation for the years ahead for Thomas and Friends.”
The company behind Thomas also says his new look is inspired by the franchise’s roots, which “emphasizes warmth, authenticity and dependability”. Mattel says the new look came after a design process that saw it undertake research and testing with pre-school children and their parents.
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.
“Thomas has been a trusted companion for families for more than 80 years, and the new look reflects both where the brand has come from and where it’s headed on its next adventure,” says Ted Wu, senior vice president and global head of vehicles and building sets at Mattel.
“We returned to the elements that parents and kids love most while updating the design to feel relevant for today’s preschool audience. Authentic train details, timelessness, and emotional storytelling form the foundation for the years ahead for Thomas & Friends.”
Thomas and Friends also promises more. Here’s the updated Thomas and Friends logo with a drop shadow, and you can expect more announcements about new elements in 2026.
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