Thomas the Tank Engine:Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway

The Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway (TAFWR) is a wooden model railway system created by Learning Curve in Chicago and made in China. This wooden railway system is based on the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV series and The Railway Series. Learning Curve makes a series of tracks, buildings, and bridges for the model trains.

The TAFWR includes characters from The Railway Series that have not been televised, such as Culdee, Mike, D199 and Wilbert.

Product History, Design and Make
The company "Learning Curve" was foundet by John W. Lee 1993 in Chicago. In 2003 the company is acquired by "Racing Champions Ertl" that was renamed in the same year to "RC2". Learning Curve introduced some new designs for the track surface of wooden toy railways, such as the "Clicketyclack" rails patented in 1995 and the newer tracks with a relief to supply better traction grip for battery powered trains patented in 2003. They also introduced a road track that uses the same gauge as the railway tracks.

The original models were constructed mainly from painted wood, with metal used in the coupling magnets and axles, and plastic wheels and faces. These models were relatively primitive having simple wooden stubs for the funnel and dome. Details such as windows, whistles and buffer beams were omitted.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the models were upgraded. The wooden funnel and painted smokebox were replaced with a separate plastic smokebox with a more realistic looking funnel. The tender engines received this an additional upgrade of moulded plastic coal.

These improved designs were manufactured until 2004 when they were replaced with a third generation of design, which included new and more detailed faces.

Learning Curve is rapidly expanding its lineup of locomotive and locations.

Engines

 * Thomas the Tank Engine
 * Edward the Blue Engine
 * Henry the Green Engine
 * Gordon the Big Engine
 * James the Red Engine
 * Percy the Small Engine
 * Toby the Tram Engine
 * Donald the Scottish Twin
 * Douglas the Scottish Twin
 * Diesel
 * Diesel (reintroduction)
 * BoCo (1995-1997, then 2004-2005)
 * Duck the Great Western Engine
 * Mavis
 * Daisy (1995-2004)
 * Daisy (2007 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Bill
 * Ben
 * Bill and Ben (2005 two-pack reintroduction)
 * Oliver (1995-3003)
 * Oliver (2006 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Derek (2001-2002)
 * Derek (2007 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Stepney
 * Lady
 * Diesel 10
 * Dodge (2002 single-pack reintroduction- 2001-2003)
 * Splatter (2002 single-pack reintroduction- 2001-2003)
 * Iron 'Arry and Iron Bert
 * The Diesel (1998-2002)
 * Salty
 * Harvey
 * Murdoch
 * Emily
 * Spencer
 * Arthur
 * Fergus
 * Neville
 * Molly
 * Dennis
 * Rosie
 * Whiff
 * Billy
 * Skarloey (1996-2005)
 * Rheneas
 * Rheneas (2008 limited-time seperate release)
 * Sir Handel (1997-2002)
 * Sir Handel (2008 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Peter Sam (1995-2004)
 * Peter Sam (2008 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Rusty
 * Duncan (1998-2005)
 * Duncan (2008 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Mighty Mac
 * Duke (1997-2003)
 * Duke (2008 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Fearless Freddie (2008 seperate release)
 * Smudger
 * Proteus
 * Stanley
 * Flora
 * Hank
 * Culdee
 * Wilbert (2001-2002)
 * Flying Scotsman (1999-2003)
 * Neil (1999-2001)
 * Mike (1998-2005)
 * D199 (1996-2000)
 * D199 (2005 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Frank (2001-2002)
 * Big City Engine (2002-2005)
 * Mud-Covered Thomas
 * 'Sodor Day' Thomas and Stanley

Rolling stock

 * Annie
 * Clarabel
 * Annie & Clarabel (2004 two-pack reintroduction)
 * Henrietta (1995-1997)
 * Toad (1995-2002)
 * Toad (2006 limited-time reintroduction)
 * S.C.Ruffey (1996-2001)
 * S.C.Ruffey (2006 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Old Slow Coach
 * Rocky
 * Hector
 * NW Brakevan aka. The Spiteful Breakvan (1999-2001)
 * Fred the Orange Coal Car aka. Fred Pelhay (1997-2002)
 * Catherine (1999-2002)
 * 'Rickety' Troublesome Truck (2000-2002)
 * Troublesome Truck (1995-1999)
 * Troublesome Brakevan (1995-1997)
 * Giggling Troublesome Trucks
 * Knapford Express Coach (1995-1998)
 * Express Coaches
 * Sodor Mail Coach (1996-1999)
 * Musical Caboose
 * Sodor Line Caboose (1995-2006)
 * Tidmouth Milk Tanker (1995-2005)
 * Tar Tanker and Fuel Car (1995-2003)
 * Breakdown Train
 * Breakdown Train (2006 reintroduction)
 * Chinese Dragon
 * Sodor Dairy Cars
 * Sodor Chicken Cars
 * Sodor China Clay Cars (1997-2001)
 * Sodor Zoo Cars
 * Ice Delivery Cars (2005-2006)
 * Box Cars (2000-2004)
 * Aquarium Cars
 * Recycling Cars
 * Gold Prospector Cars (2003-2007)
 * Sodor Water Works Cars (2005-2006)
 * Fog Cars (2004-2007)
 * Barrel Car (1997-2003)
 * Henry's Forest Log Car (1995-2002)
 * Sawmill Log Car (1999-2001)
 * Sodor Cargo Car (1999-2002)
 * Handcar aka. Pump Truck (2000-2004)
 * Weather Tracker Car

Multi-Car Packs

 * Calling All Engines! Gift Pack (Lady, Diesel 10, George, Harvey, and Devious Diesel)
 * Thomas 5-Car Value Pack (Tired-Face Thomas, Troublesome Truck, Barrel Car, Tidmouth Milk Tanker, and Sodor Line Caboose)
 * Sodor Gift Pack (Oliver, Toby, Fred, Bertie, and Henrietta)
 * Adventures of Percy (Coal Dust Percy, Jack Frost Percy, and Chocolate-Covered Percy)
 * Adventures of Thomas (Winter Wonderland Thomas, Paint-Splattered Thomas, and Thomas Comes to Breakfast)
 * Adventures of James (James with Team Colors and Busy as a Bee James)
 * Happy Birthday Thomas & Birthday Box Car
 * Sodor Collector's Pack (Gold Thomas, Silver Percy, and Bronze Devious Diesel)
 * Thomas "Winter Wonderland" Train (2002-2003)
 * Bertram with Scrap Cars (2000-2003)
 * Rusty with Construction Cars
 * Stepney with Museum Cars (1996-2000, then 2003-2005)
 * Rheneas with Rock Crusher Cars (2003-2006)
 * Ada, Jane and Mabel (1997-1999)
 * Sodor Railway Repair (1998-2002)
 * Culdee with Apple Orchard Cars
 * Ivo Hugh with Zoo Cars
 * Circus Train

Non-Railway Vehicles

 * Bertie the Bus
 * Bertie the Bus (reintroduction)
 * Harold the Helicopter
 * Harold with Retractable Magnet
 * Terence the Tractor (1995-2004)
 * Terence the Tractor (2004 reintroduction)
 * Madge
 * Trevor the Traction Engine
 * Butch the Tow Truck (2001-2007)
 * Lorry 1 with Flatbed (2001-2003)
 * Caroline the Car (2002-2005)
 * George (2000-2006)
 * Thumper (2002-2005)
 * Bulgy (2003-2005)
 * Elizabeth (2003-2005)
 * Tiger Moth (2001-2002)
 * Colin
 * Jack
 * Alfie
 * Byron
 * Max and Monty
 * Isobella
 * Cranky the Crane
 * Sodor Power Crew
 * Sodor Fire Crew
 * Sodor Road Crew (2003-2006)
 * Sir Topham Hatt's Car (1995-1996)
 * Sir Topham Hatt's Car (2008 reintroduction)
 * Crosby Station Cargo Truck (1995-1997)
 * Sodor Bay Cargo Ship (1995-1999)
 * Sodor Bay Tug Boat (1995-1997)

Limited Edition and Storytime Models

 * Golddust Thomas (Gold Mine Mountain Set)
 * Tired Face Thomas
 * Limited Edition Thomas Comes to Breakfast (2003)
 * Limited Edition James Goes Buzz Buzz (2003)
 * Limited Edition A Better View for Gordon (2004)
 * Tired Face Edward (Edward the Great Set)
 * Sad Face Henry
 * 60th Anniversary Henry
 * Surprised Face Spencer (Edward the Great Set)
 * Surprised Face Rheneas (Rheneas & Roller Coaster Set)
 * Fearless Freddie
 * Golddust Salty (Gold Mine Mountain Set)
 * Orange Rickety (Tidmouth Station Travel Set)
 * Golddust Rickety (Gold Mine Mountain Set)
 * Bulstrode (Down at the Docks Set & Lighthouse Bridge)
 * Lorry 2
 * Lorry 3
 * Green/White Narrow Gauge Coach (Rheneas & Roller Coaster Set)
 * Special VIP Coach (Edward the Great Set)
 * Red Handcar
 * 'Thomas & the Magic Railroad' Ore Car (Only Available in Canada)

Bridges and tunnels

 * Arched Stone Bridge
 * Single Stone Tunnel
 * Tidmouth Covered Bridge
 * Rolf's Castle Bridge
 * Double-Wide Old Iron Bridge
 * Lifting Bridge
 * Sodor Bay Bridge (2 Spans)
 * Henry's Tunnel
 * Mountain Tunnel
 * Curved Viaduct (4 Pieces)
 * Suspension Bridge
 * Collapsing Sodor Suspension Bridge
 * Arched Viaduct (1999 2-piece reintroduction of Curved Viaduct)
 * Drawbridge
 * Knapford Covered Bridge
 * Sling Bridge
 * Quarry Mine Tunnel
 * Castle Clock Tower
 * Waterfall Tunnel
 * Toll Booth Bridge
 * Holiday Tunnel
 * Suddery Swing Bridge
 * Sodor Slate Mine
 * Rumblin Bridge

Buildings

 * Special Engine Shed
 * Elsbridge Station
 * Elsbridge Platform
 * Windmill
 * Lighthouse
 * Knapford Station Platform
 * Sodor Log Loader
 * "The Works" Engine Repair Shop
 * Roundhouse
 * Sodor Cargo Crane
 * Barrel Loader
 * Sawmill with Dumping Depot
 * Transfer Table
 * Stop and Go Station
 * Sodor Engine Wash
 * Grain Loader
 * Coal Station
 * Water Tower
 * Switch Tower
 * Fire Station
 * Sodor Dairy Farm
 * Conductor's Shed
 * Wellsworth Station
 * Abbey Repair Shop
 * Over-the-Track Signal
 * Sodor Airfield Tower
 * Honey Depot
 * Rescue Hospital
 * Sodor Service Station
 * Musical Carousel
 * Windmill (2002 reintroduction)
 * Sodor Dairy Farm (2002 reintroduction)
 * Fire Station (2002 reintroduction)
 * Coal Loader
 * Mr. Jolly's Chocolate Factory
 * Brendam Fishing Dock
 * Cargo Drop
 * Scrap Yard (with exclusive Scrapyard Lorry)
 * Tidmouth Timber Yard
 * Sodor Oil Depot
 * Sodor Cement Works (with exclusive Loader Lorry)
 * Useful Engine Shed
 * Gantry Crane
 * Toby's Windmill

Sights and Sounds Buildings

 * Cargo Transfer Station
 * Mountain Overpass
 * Sodor Scrub and Shine
 * Smelting Yard (released with Oliver)
 * Deluxe Roundhouse
 * Deluxe Cranky the Crane
 * Ice Cream Factory (released with Sir Handel)
 * Sodor Power Station
 * Echo Tunnel
 * Recycling Centre
 * Deluxe Fire Station
 * Deluxe Over-the-Track Signal
 * Lighthouse Bridge (released with Bulstrode)
 * Farmer McColl's Pig Shed
 * Deluxe Knapford Station
 * Deluxe Railroad Crossing

"Lights and Sounds" Engines

 * Lights and Sounds Thomas
 * Lights and Sounds James
 * Lights and Sounds Percy

Battery-Powered Items

 * Battery-Powered Lady
 * Battery-Powered Thomas
 * Battery-Powered James
 * Battery-Powered Percy
 * Battery-Powered Salty
 * Battery-Powered Bertie (2003-2005)
 * Battery-Powered Thomas with Milk Tanker and Track
 * Battery-Powered Percy with Fuel Car and Track
 * Battery-Powered James and Track
 * Battery-Powered Jet Engine with Thomas
 * BATTERY-POWERED STANLY

Coming Soon

 * Colin
 * Oliver (The Pack)
 * Kelly (2009)
 * Kelly (2011 limited time olny)
 * Patrick
 * Nelson with trailer
 * FLORA
 * BATTERY POWERD STANLY


 * TALKING THOMAS
 * TALKING TOBY