Thomas the Tank Engine:Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends ERTL Models

The Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends ERTL models are a set of die-cast models of the characters from the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV series and The Railway Series books, by ERTL. The range originally consisted of only the main characters, but it eventually extended to include almost all

Overview
Ertl created their first Thomas model in 1984. It came with a sticker sheet so you could alter Thomas' face to make him have a different facial expression. This year they also released a larger, motorised version of Thomas.

Later during the year, James and Henry were released. They featured only their happy face. The stickers were soon replaced with fixed plastic faces.

The Ertl range has made new engines nearly every year since then, tallying up to over 100 models, until the range was replaced by Take Along.

During the range's popularity, they made miniature models of each engine, as well as Gold rail models. Some were only released in America, such as Thomas with Annie and Clarabel, Percy and the Foolish Freight cars, as well as Toby, Henrietta and a truck. These were quite big, and lacked in detail, but they were still fun to play with.

Ertl ceased production for the US market in 2001, and for the UK market in 2004. The model range has now been discontinued. Also all packaging from 1989-1999 featured a detailed illustration of the character and with a wonderful background with it which were drawn by the talented Owain Bell.

the characters.