My tribute to Ms. Britt Allcroft. May she rest in peace.
The other day, I received some devastating news. Britt Allcroft, the creator of the Thomas and Friends television show, the Shining Time Station television show, and the Thomas and the Magic Railroad movie, passed away on Christmas Day. I'm heartbroken. Thomas the Tank Engine has always been one of my favorite childhood icons, and I cannot begin to tell you how many fond memories I have. To my memory, the Magic Railroad movie was mine and my brother's introduction to the Thomas franchise in the first place. He and I loved the film when we saw it, and to me, it's always been a classic.
The show was amazing, too. So many great characters like Percy, Toby, James, Gordon, Henry, and of course, Thomas! Countless great episodes, particularly the seasons I grew up with, which were one to five. Stories ranging anywhere from hardworking, to silly, to intense and even scary! My favorite Thomas and Friends episode of all time is the season four episode, Thomas Meets The Queen, known in the UK as Paint Pots and Queens. I really enjoyed the narrations provided by Ringo Starr, George Carlin, and Alec Baldwin, with George Carlin being my personal favorite.
My brother and I initially watched Thomas and Friends from 2000 to about 2003. Then in 2012, he showed me the YouTube series created by Mr. Doug Walker, the Nostalgia Critic. If you're not familiar, the Critic reviews movies and television shows, and in my opinion, he's very hilarious. In one of his videos, he reviews the Thomas and the Magic Railroad Movie. My first time watching that video, from the moment I hit Play, I was indeed hit by waves of nostalgia. All the precious memories of my childhood came rushing back, the episodes, the toys, the books, including some of the original Railway stories by Rev. W. Awdry. Plus, the times my brother and I wished that we could visit the island of Sodor and go on journeys with all of the engines, despite the fact that some kind of trouble, usually an intense accident, happens just about every episode.
Ever since I watched Mr. Walker's review of the Magic Railroad film, I have been going back and watching Thomas and Friends on YouTube. I rewatched the classic episodes from when I was a kid, and caught up with the television show starting in, like I said, late 2012 or early 2013. I found out how, in the approximate decade I had stopped watching it, the show had transitioned from model trains and sets to full CGI. It officially ended in 2021, with a total of 24 seasons. I haven't seen every single episode, nor will I ever, but the general consensus, which I agree with, is that seasons 1-5 are the best, 6, 7, and 17-20 are good, 8 and 21 are alright, and 9-16, and 22-24 are bad. Since I returned to watching, they have introduced some great characters post my childhood, like Emily, Salty, Ashima, Rosie, Luke, Victor, and Paxton. I also really liked Mark Moraghan's narration, too. But season one to Thomas and the Magic Railroad will always be the golden era for me.
Speaking of Thomas and the Magic Railroad, I love that film to this day. Like I said, it was my introduction to the franchise, and, along with King of the Railway and The Adventure Begins, it's one of my three favorite films in the series. The story of Thomas, Lily and Burnett Stone, and the Conductor family all trying to find and restore Lady the Magic Engine and the gold dust while trying to fend off the villainous Diesel 10 has always held a special place in my heart. I know a lot of people don't like it, but I will always treasure it. Lady is such a kind and helpful character, and I wish she had appeared in the show, too. The fact that she was voiced by Britt Allcroft herself is just icing on the cake.
Rest In Peace, Ms. Allcroft. Thank you for creating one of my favorite childhood television shows, as well as its (to me, at least) beloved first movie, and bringing the franchise's wonderful characters to screens of all sizes. You will most definitely be missed, and you and Thomas will always be in countless hearts.