subject: Thomas Tank Engine Wooden Train Toys Are Coming Soon [print this page] What do you get when you pair the worlds leading brand of preschool toys with one of the worlds most beloved wooden train characters? In just a few more months, well find out. Starting in 2010, Fisher-Price, will be marketing Thomas Tank Engine play toys. The release is timed to coincide with the popular train toys 65th birthday.
Best known for its track and engine sets, Fisher-Price will be expanding the Thomas brand beyond the current line of wooden train sets to include high-quality die-cast vehicles, electronic learning and developmental toys, role play toys, battery-powered ride-ons, and, in some places, plastic pedal trikes (see below for a complete list).
In a new deal with HIT Entertainment, a world leader in childrens programming, entertainment, and properties, Fisher-Price has been granted global rights (excluding Japan) for a collection of Thomas and Friends toys. HIT Entertainments portfolio includes several hot properties--Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, and Angelina Ballerina are among the most popular.
What does this mean for Thomas Tank Engine wooden train sets? According to Jeff Dunn, CEO of HIT entertainment, Aligning one of the worlds most successful and preeminent preschool brands with the worlds largest toy company is both an exciting event and a natural evolution for HIT Entertainment. We are immensely proud of Thomas & Friends... We look forward to working closely with Fisher-Price in taking Thomas & Friends to the next level as we begin preparations for Thomas 65th Anniversary celebrations in 2010. Learning Curve will retain the rights to wooden Thomas toys.
Thomas Tank Engine has been popular with children since his first appearance in 1946, as a wooden train character in the Rev. W.V. Awdrys Railway Series. The much-loved television series, Thomas Tank Engine and Friends (Thomas and Friends in the US) followed in 1984. The series quickly gained popularity, possibly in part due to the casting of Richard Starkey, better known as Beatle Ringo Starr, as the Fat Conductor. From 2000 through 2009, Thomas Tank Engine has also appeared in three movies, leading to a resurgence in Thomas play toys.
The new HIT Entertainment/Fisher-Price deal, however, brings Thomas back to his roots. How? The very first Thomas toy was carved by Rev. Awdry from a piece of broomstick. Carved to resemble a train, the toy was intended to amuse Rev. Awdrys small son, Christopher. (Christopher Awdry has since authored several Thomas books, and marks the series as beginning when he was just two years of age, and suffering through a bout of measles.) Today, Thomas and Friends wooden train toys are the worlds most successful brand for preschool-aged boys.
Neil Friedman, President of Fisher-Prices parent company, Mattel Brands, says, It feels only natural that the worlds number one preschool brand for boys and the worlds largest toy company should work together to continue the growth and development of this much-loved property.
Fisher-Price and Thomas & Friends both have an incredibly rich history, and are much loved by children and trusted with parents. We look forward to bringing our expertise to development of the Thomas line, taking Thomas into its 65th year and beyond.
Want to know more about the new Thomas Tank Engine play toys? Heres the complete list of global production rights, according to a joint press release:
1. Vehicles, figures and play-sets, including die cast vehicles and play sets, and the TrackMaster train system
2. Preschool toys, including electronic learning and developmental toys
3. Plush, games, puzzles, role play and water toys
4. Battery-powered ride-ons
5. Plastic pedal trikes (North and South America and Asia only)
