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The Thomas & Friends 80th Anniversary Podcast is a podcast released starting 12 May 2025 in honour of the 80th Anniversary of The Railway Series.
It is hosted by longtime Thomas & Friends fan Tom Denham and sponsored by Smyths Toys Superstores.
Description
Celebrate the 80th anniversary of Thomas & Friends™, by listening to this new podcast series where we talk to the people behind this beloved franchise, from the original Railway Series books, by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry, to the creation of the iconic TV show, and more.
Thomas & the Thin Clergyman
Thomas & the Thin Clergyman is the first episode of the 80th Anniversary Podcast. It was first released on 12 May 2025.
Description
In this very first Thomas & Friends™ 80th Anniversary podcast episode, we speak to the Reverend Awdry’s family to discover the origins of Thomas & Friends™, how the original books of The Railway Series started, the early days of the TV series and why both became a runaway success.
Interviewees
Trivia
- Music composed by Peter Hartshorne for The Adventure Begins is used in the intro of the episode and all subsequent episodes.
- Audio from the UK dubs of Thomas and Gordon, Edward and Gordon, James and the Coaches, Thomas and Bertie, Toby and the Stout Gentleman, Saved from Scrap, Duck Takes Charge, The Deputation, Granpuff, Henry and the Elephant and Fish are used.
Thomas Comes to Television Part 1
Thomas Comes to Television Part 1 is the first part of the second episode of the 80th Anniversary Podcast. It was first released on 19 May 2025.
Description
Find out how Thomas and his friends went from children's books to the wonderful world of television, in today's episode of the Thomas & Friends™ 80th Anniversary podcast.
Interviewees
Trivia
- Audio from the UK dubs of Edward and Gordon, Thomas and Bertie, Thomas in Trouble, Down the Mine, Granpuff, Toby's Discovery and Percy and the Oil Painting are used.
Thomas Comes to Television Part 2
Thomas Comes to Television Part 2 is the second part of the second episode of the 80th Anniversary Podcast. It was first released on 19 May 2025.
Description
In today's Thomas & Friends™ 80th Anniversary podcast episode, we continue to discover how Thomas and his friends on Sodor came to television, and how the show evolved from live action models to animated CGI.
Interviewees
Trivia
- Audio from the UK dubs of Thomas to the Rescue, Calling All Engines!, The Great Discovery, The Thomas Way, The Adventure Begins, The Great Race, Journey Beyond Sodor, Forever and Ever and An Engine of Many Colours are used. Thomas the Babysitter, Philip's Number and Big World! Big Adventures! are also mentioned.
Thomas and the Storywriters Part 1
Thomas and the Storywriters Part 1 is the first part of the third episode of the 80th Anniversary Podcast. It was first released on 26 May 2025.
Description
Jump on board for another Thomas & Friends™ 80th Anniversary podcast episode, and listen to how the writers of the TV series continued to tell the story of the little blue engine, and introduced new friends on the island of Sodor.
Interviewees
Trivia
- Audio from the UK dubs of Elizabeth the Vintage Lorry, Emily's New Coaches, James and the Queen of Sodor, Percy and the Magic Carpet, Percy and the Oil Painting, Respect for Gordon, Molly's Special Special, Mighty Mac, Hero of the Rails and Misty Island Rescue are used. Thomas and the Rainbow is also mentioned.
Thomas and the Storywriters Part 2
Thomas and the Storywriters Part 2 is the second part of the third episode of the 80th Anniversary Podcast. It was first released on 26 May 2025.
Description
In today's Thomas & Friends™ 80th Anniversary podcast episode, we continue to learn how the show writers continued to tell the timeless tales of Thomas and his friends.
Interviewees
Trivia
- Audio from the UK dubs of Down the Mine, Henry's Forest, Flatbeds of Fear, The Adventure Begins, Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure, Engine of the Future, The Great Race and An Engine of Many Colours are used. Journey Beyond Sodor is also mentioned.
Thomas and the Music of Sodor
Thomas and the Music of Sodor is the fourth episode of the 80th Anniversary Podcast. It was first released on 2 June 2025.
Description
Songs and music have always been important in the world of Thomas & Friends. So, sit back and enjoy this musical episode as we speak to the composers behind the iconic tunes, in today's Thomas & Friends™ 80th Anniversary podcast episode.
Interviewees
Trivia
- Audio from the UK dubs of The Flying Kipper, Thomas in Trouble, Escape, Sidney Sings, and Journey Beyond Sodor are used. Excerpts from the songs Thomas' Anthem, Really Useful Engine and The Island Song are also featured.
Goofs
- On some streaming platforms, the "r" in Sodor is missing in the title, making it misspelt it as Sodo.
Thomas Finds His Voice
Thomas Finds His Voice is the fifth episode of the 80th Anniversary Podcast. It was first released on 9 June 2025.
Description
In today's Thomas & Friends™ 80th Anniversary podcast episode, we hear the many voices of Thomas & Friends, from those who have narrated the classic stories to the actors who have helped to bring the characters to life on screen.
Interviewees
Trivia
- Audio from the US dubs of Play Time and No Snow for Thomas and the UK dubs of Don't Bother Victor, The Adventure Begins, Diesel's Ghostly Christmas, Best Engine Ever, The Great Race, Over the Hill, The Railcar and the Coaches, Stuck in Gear, School of Duck, Gordon Gets the Giggles, Race for the Sodor Cup, The Great Bubbly Build, Nia's Green Surprise, Pizza Picnic Problem and various others are used. Excerpts from the Island of Sodor intro sequence and the Storytime with Mr. Evans segments are also featured.
Thomas and the Fans of Sodor
Thomas and the Fans of Sodor is the sixth episode of the 80th Anniversary Podcast. It was first released on 16 June 2025.
Description
Today we hear from the fans of Thomas & Friends and learn how the classic stories influenced their own personal journey. Find out more in this Thomas & Friends™ 80th Anniversary podcast episode.
Interviewees
- Max Davies (known as Terrier55Stepney on YouTube)
- SeaSwine9
- Ryan Hagan
- Daniel Long (known as TardisRescue on YouTube)
- SodorGal
- Luke Ryan
- Jamie Ringwood
- Jason Hadfield (known as SideKickJason on YouTube)
- Matt Michaud (known as EnterprisingEngine93 on YouTube)
Trivia
- Audio from the UK dubs of Thomas and the Breakdown Train, Edward's Exploit, Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady, Rusty to the Rescue, Thomas and Stepney, Train Stops Play, Toad Stands By, Stepney Gets Lost, and The Great Little Railway Show are used.
Thomas' Autistic Friends
Thomas' Autistic Friends is the seventh episode of the 80th Anniversary Podcast. It was first released on 23 June 2025.
Description
In today's Thomas & Friends™ 80th Anniversary podcast episode, we discuss why autism became so linked with Thomas & Friends, and how the series has aided those on the spectrum. We also learn how Thomas' first autistic friend, Bruno, was created.
Interviewees
- Abi Grant
- Daniel Coffey (known as SmurfyDan on YouTube)
- Michael White
- Daniel Share-Strom
- Zoe Gross
- Elliott Garcia
Trivia
- Audio from the UK dubs of Thomas and the Guard, Thomas, Terence and the Snow, Trust Thomas, One Good Turn, Special Funnel, Shake, Rattle and Bruno, Bruno's Blustery Day and Quacking Quandary are used. The Mystery of Lookout Mountain and The Christmas Letter Express are also mentioned.