Is It Based on a Book?

Movie · 2000

Is Thomas and the Magic Railroad based on a book?

Quick answer

Yes. Thomas and the Magic Railroad is based on the book series The Railway Series by Wilbert Awdry and Christopher Awdry (1945).

The movie was released in 2000.

The book series behind Thomas and the Magic Railroad

The Railway Series

Book series by Wilbert Awdry and Christopher Awdry · first published 1945 · children's literature

Series of children's books by Wilbert Vere Awdry.

The Railway Series: books in order

  1. The Three Railway Engines (1945)
  2. Thomas the Tank Engine (1946)
  3. James the Red Engine (1948)
  4. Tank Engine Thomas Again (1949)
  5. Troublesome Engines (1950)
  6. Henry the Green Engine (1951)
  7. Toby the Tram Engine (1952)
  8. Gordon the Big Engine (1953)
  9. Edward the Blue Engine (1954)
  10. Four Little Engines (1955)
  11. Percy the Small Engine (1956)
  12. The Eight Famous Engines (1957)
  13. Duck and the Diesel Engine (1958)
  14. The Little Old Engine (1959)
  15. The Twin Engines (1960)
  16. Branch Line Engines (1961)
  17. Gallant Old Engine (1962)
  18. Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine (1963)
  19. Mountain Engines (1964)
  20. Very Old Engines (1965)
  21. Main Line Engines (1966)
  22. Small Railway Engines (1967)
  23. Enterprising Engines (1968)
  24. Oliver the Western Engine (1969)
  25. Duke the Lost Engine (1970)
  26. Tramway Engines (1972)

Other adaptations of The Railway Series

Common questions

Is Thomas and the Magic Railroad based on a book?

Yes. Thomas and the Magic Railroad is based on the book series The Railway Series by Wilbert Awdry and Christopher Awdry (1945).

Who wrote the book Thomas and the Magic Railroad is based on?

The Railway Series was written by Wilbert Awdry and Christopher Awdry and first published in 1945.

Should I read the book before watching?

Start with The Three Railway Engines, book 1 of The Railway Series. If you like knowing the full story and characters first, read it before you watch. Adaptations often change or cut plotlines, so the book is a different experience even if you've seen the movie.

Facts from Wikidata (CC0). See also Wikipedia.