Magazines

There have been several Thomas & Friends branded magazines printed around the world from 1987 onwards. There are many characters and stories exclusive to these magazines. Originally, they were published by Marvel Comics, who are more widely known for their superhero characters. However in 1999, by Issue #305, Marvel quietly discontinued them and Egmont took over in publishing Thomas magazines as they still do today. In 2021, the Thomas & Friends UK Magazine became the longest running UK licensed comic-related title, after reaching 800 issues, and being around for 34 years. As of 2022, the UK feature material from Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go as well.

1980s magazine stories

Early 1990s magazine stories

During the early 1990s, there were seasonal magazines released during the spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The stories are listed below:

Late 1990s/early 2000s magazine stories

During the late 1990s, the magazines were given a new layout:

• 1) 5-page story (may feature character[s] on the front cover)
• 2) 2-page story (with two illustrations)
• 3) "Read-and Colour" story
• 4a) "All About..." (character profile, plus a competition for an ERTL model)
• 4b) Story from the television series, plus competition for an ERTL model.
• 5) 3-page story featuring Stephen Hatt and Bridget Hatt as the main characters. These were a spin-off called "The Hatt Family".
• 6) 5-page story (may feature the character[s] on the front cover)

Introduced Characters

The stories often featured characters exclusive to the magazine stories. They are listed below:

The Hatt Family

In the late 1990s, the magazines gave the readers fortnightly stories about the Hatt family too.

Fun to Learn with Thomas the Tank Engine

There was also a magazine series called "Fun to Learn with Thomas the Tank Engine". They had stories, mathematics, picture questions, and poems, as well as pictures from the television series. These magazines were originally published by Redan.

• The Best Engine - The engines argue about their ranking on the railway.
• Percy's House - Percy gets the goods trains whilst James takes the passengers.
• Dirty Coaches - Thomas accidentally pours smoke all over Annie and Clarabel.
• Diesel Becomes a Coach - Diesel's breakdown makes him part of Thomas' train of coaches.
• Diesel Causes Delay - Diesel puts the trucks in the wrong places.
• Diesel's Nasty Turn - Diesel thinks that only steam engines are careless with the turntable.
• The Lost Parcel - A parcel amongst Percy's post train goes missing.
• Diesel and the Trucks - Diesel ignores Thomas' advice about dealing with some Troublesome Trucks.
• James and the Tunnel -
• The Big Ship - The engines have a very busy Sunday.
• Duncan Has a Spill - Duncan ignores Duke's warnings.
• The Very Important Job - Donald and Douglas play a trick on James.
• Gordon and Edward - Gordon learns that Edward is really useful.
• Thomas and the New Bridge - The old iron bridge is too weak to take Thomas' weight.
• Too Much Luggage - Thomas' guard has a very busy time at the station.
• Henry's Secret - Henry refuses to leave the shed.
• Edward's Scarecrow - Edward gets a scarecrow.
• Henry's Busy Day - Diesel ignores Thomas' advice about dealing with some Troublesome Trucks.
• What Is a Name? -
• Terence Helps Trevor -
• Engine Colors -
• Percy's Accident - Percy crashes into some milk tankers.
• James Needs a Push - James learns how useful Duck is when he helps push him up Gordon's Hill.
• Chilly Diesel - Diesel has some trouble starting on a chilly morning.
• Is Thomas Rescued? -
• A Hot Day for Toby -
• Duncan Gets Upset - Duncan gets upset when the rest of the engines tease him.
• Ben at the Station -
• James Bumps His Trucks - James lets the Troublesome Trucks get the better of him.
• Timetable Trouble - Gordon decides to work without a timetable.
• Percy Saves the Day - Percy proves his worth to Diesel.
• Bricks and Tunnels - James delivers bricks to an old tunnel.
• The Old Bridge - Thomas and Gordon get covered in brick dust from an old bridge.
• Tired Engines - The engines complain about how tired they are.
• Gordon the Town Engine - Gordon gets a surprise on his journey.
• How Does Percy Work? - Bertie wants to know how Percy works.

Poems/Mini-Stories

• "Numbers" - Troublesome Trucks
• "Houses and Homes" - Edward
• "Turntables" - Sir Handel
• "Annie and Clarabel" - Annie and Clarabel
• "Passengers" - Donald and Douglas
• "Harbours" - James and Henry
• "Pulling and Pushing" - Culdee
• "Coaches and Carriages" - Annie and Clarabel
• "Goods and Freight" - Gordon
• "Brave Engines" - Peter Sam
• "Travelling Up and Down" - Culdee
• "Off the Rails" - Donald and Douglas
• "Surprises" - Duncan
• "Trouble on the Line" - Edward
• "Rescuers" - Harold and Henry
• "Movement" - Henry
• "Railway Rules" - Henry
• "Henry" - Henry
• "James" - James
• "Gordon" - Gordon
• "Hellos and Goodbyes" - Skarloey
• "Travelling Up and Down" - Culdee
• "Lost and Found" - Duck and Diesel
• "Engine Parts" - James
• "Colors" - Sir Handel
• "Names" - Mavis
• "Seasons" - Oliver
• "Castles" - Percy
• "Noisy Engines" - Diesel
• "Christmas" - Thomas
• "Busy Days" - Trevor
• "Special Events" - Peter Sam
• "Special Railways" - Percy
• "Tricks and Jokes" - Oliver

My First Thomas

Aside from the fortnightly Thomas and Friends UK magazine, the Play and Learn magazine, and the Express Special magazine, for a short while, My First Thomas magazines were published fortnightly. They contained rhymes and simple illustrations and stories.

Present Layout

• Welcome page with map showing a different location on Sodor per issue
• All about... (character page)
• Activity page (drawing or colouring)
• Spotting/Spot the Differences
• Story from television stories
• 2-page Bedtime story
• 3-page story
• Jumble story
• Sodor Quiz
• Thomas World

International magazines

Egmont's Thomas and Friends magazine has been released in other countries. Magazines are typically released in a different order to the UK. Besides translations, international editions feature different stories, posters, activities, gifts and competitions chosen by the local editors.

Europe

The magazine is released in European countries including Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Russia and Poland. It was also formally available in Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania. The Romanian edition was released from September 2008 to December 2013.

Australia

The Australian edition of the magazine was first released from 2008 to 2012. A revised bi-monthly edition was later released from 2013 to 2015. The UK edition has since been sold in Australia.