Mattel's Thomas & Friends franchise announced on May 9, 2025, the kickoff of its 80th-anniversary celebration. To mark the milestone, Mattel is releasing the original, never-before-seen 1983 pilot episode of 'Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends' on YouTube.
The meticulously restored pilot episode features classic model trains and a never-before-heard voiceover by legendary musician Ringo Starr. Additionally, the brand is launching new weekly episodes for the 'Thomas & Friends Storytime' podcast, focusing on themes of friendship and teamwork.
As part of the celebration, Thomas & Friends is partnering with Propstore for a charity auction of historic memorabilia, including signed items by celebrity friends and original props from the 1984 stop-motion series. Mattel UK will donate net proceeds from the auction to The National Autistic Society, reinforcing the brand's commitment to social impact.
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