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 Ada, Jane, and Mabel, Agnes, Ruth, Lucy and Jemima, Beatruce, Cora and Gertrude and Millicent (coaches from the (Skarloey Railway), Mike, Red, Bert, Jock, Frank, Blister I & Blister II and Sigrid of Arlesdale (from Small Engines), Wilbert and Sixteen (from Wilbert the Forest Engine), D199 (Spamcan), D7101 (Bear), Jinty & Pug, Ivo Hugh, Fred, Catherine the Mountain Coach, The Truck, Godred, Ernest, Wilfred, Culdee, Shane Dooiney, Lord Harry, Alaric, Eric, Isabel, Dulice, Alice and Mirabel, Alfred, Victoria and Helena, Old Stuck, Pip and Emma, The Works Diesel and The Big City Engine.

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.

Popular items
Over the several years that TAFWR has been made several items have remained popular, while others have been withdrawn. Two of the longest running items are the barrel loader, which remains in production, and the single stone bridge which has recently been withdrawn in favour of the Knapford Covered Bridge.

Engines

 * Thomas the Tank Engine
 * Edward the Blue Engine
 * Henry the Green Engine
 * Gordon the Big Express Engine
 * James the Red Engine
 * Percy the Small Engine
 * Toby the Tram Engine
 * Donald the Scottish Twin
 * Douglas the Scottish Twin
 * Devious Diesel
 * Boco
 * Duck the Great Western Pannier Engine
 * Mavis
 * Daisy
 * Bill and Ben (2005 two-pack reintroduction)
 * Oliver (2006 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Daisy (2007 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Derek (2007 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Stepney
 * Lady
 * Diesel 10
 * Dodge (2002 single-pack reintroduction)
 * Splatter (2002 single-pack reintroduction)
 * Iron 'Arry and Iron Bert
 * Derek
 * Salty
 * Harvey
 * Murdoch
 * Emily
 * Spencer
 * Arthur
 * Fergus
 * Whiff
 * Neville
 * Molly
 * Dennis
 * Rosie
 * Billy
 * Skarloey
 * Rheneas
 * Sir Handel
 * Peter Sam
 * Sir Handel (2008 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Peter Sam (2008 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Rusty
 * Duncan
 * Mighty Mac
 * Duke
 * Smudger
 * Fred
 * Jinty
 * Pug
 * D199
 * D7101 (a.k.a Bear)
 * Godred
 * Ernest
 * Wilfred
 * Culdee
 * Shane Dooiney
 * Lord Harry
 * Alaric
 * Eric
 * Mike
 * Rex
 * Bert
 * Jock
 * The Diesel D261
 * Neil
 * The Flying Scotsman
 * The Works Diesel
 * Old Stuck Up
 * Pip and Emma
 * Wilbert
 * Sixteen
 * Frank
 * Blister I & Blister II
 * Sigrid of Aresldale
 * The Big City Engine
 * Alfred

Rolling stock

 * Annie
 * Clarabel
 * Henrietta
 * Troublesome Truck
 * Hector
 * Sodor Chicken Cars
 * Toad (2006 limited-time reintroduction)
 * S.C. Ruffey (2006 limited-time reintroduction)
 * Old Slow Coach
 * Rocky
 * Sodor Dairy Cars
 * Musical Caboose
 * Troublesome Breakvan
 * Sodor Line Caboose
 * Henry's Forest Log Car
 * Knapford Express Coach
 * Tidmouth Milk Tanker
 * S.C.Ruffy
 * Toad
 * Tar Tanker and Fuel Car
 * Breakdown Train
 * Chinese Dragon
 * Sodor Mail Coach
 * Sodor China Clay Cars
 * Barrel Car
 * Toad
 * Express Coaches (Red and Cream)
 * Express Coaches (Green and Cream)
 * NW Breakvan (The Spiteful Breakvan)
 * Sawmill Log Car
 * Cargo Car
 * Ice Delivery Cars
 * Giggling Troublesome Trucks
 * "Rickety" Troublesome Truck
 * Box Cars
 * Handcar (Pump Truck)
 * Aquarium Cars
 * Fred the Orange Coal Car
 * Catherine
 * The Truck
 * Recycling Cars
 * Gold Prospector's Cars
 * Sodor Water Works
 * Fog Cars
 * Annie and Clarabel (2004 two-pack reintroduction)
 * Isabel
 * Dulice
 * Alice
 * Mirabel

Multi-Car Packs
(Tired-Face Thomas, Troublesome Truck, Barrel Car, Tidmouth Milk Tanker, and Sodor Line Caboose) (Oliver, Toby, Fred, Bertie, and Henrietta) (Coal Dust Percy, Jack Frost Percy, and Chocolate-Covered Percy) (Orange Rickety, Rickety, Toad, S.C Ruffey, Fred the Orange Coal Car, Hector, Troublesome Truck) (Winter Wonderland Thomas, Paint-Splattered Thomas, and Thomas Comes to Breakfast) (James with Team Colors and Busy as a Bee James) (Gold Thomas, Silver Percy, and Bronze Devious Diesel) Agnes, Ruth, Lucy and Jemima
 * Calling All Engines! Gift Pack (Lady, Diesel 10, George, Harvey, and Devious Diesel)
 * Circus Train
 * Thomas 5-Car Value Pack
 * Sodor Gift Pack with Henrietta
 * Adventures of Percy (Origianally available as a Toys R Us special)
 * Troublesome Truck's Gift Pack
 * Adventures of Thomas (Originally available as a Toys r Us special)
 * Adventures of James (Originally available as a Toys r Us special)
 * Happy Birthday Thomas
 * Sodor Collector's Pack
 * Thomas "Winter Wonderland" Train
 * Bertram with Scrap Cars
 * Rusty with Construction Cars
 * Stepney with Museum Cars
 * Rheneas with Rock Crusher and Quarry Car
 * Ada, Jane and Mabel
 * Beatrice
 * Cora
 * Gertrude and Millicent
 * Sodor Railway Repair
 * Culdee and Apple Orchard Cars
 * Ivo Hugh with Zoo Cars

Non-railway vehicles

 * Bertie the Bus
 * Harold the Helicopter
 * Terence the Tractor
 * Madge
 * Sir Topham Hatt's Car
 * Crosby Station Cargo Truck
 * Sodor Bay Cargo Ship
 * Sodor Bay Tug Boat
 * Sodor Power Crew
 * Trevor the Traction Engine
 * Butch the Tow Truck
 * Horrid Lorry 1 with Flatbed
 * Caroline
 * George
 * Thumper
 * Bulgy
 * Elizabeth
 * Sodor Road Crew
 * Tiger Moth
 * Sodor Fire Crew
 * Jack the Front Loader
 * Alfie the Excavator
 * Byron the Bulldozer
 * Max and Monty the Twin Dump Trucks
 * Isabella
 * Ned
 * Kelly
 * Oliver (Pack)
 * Nelson
 * Buster
 * Patrick
 * Patrick covered in cement

Limited edition and Storytime models

 * Bulstrode
 * Fearless Freddie
 * Sad Face Henry
 * Tired Face Thomas
 * Tired Face Edward
 * Surprised Face Spencer
 * Orange Rickety
 * Red Handcar
 * Horrid Lorry 2
 * Horrid Lorry 3
 * Surprised Face Rheneas
 * Surprised Face Rickety
 * Green/White Narrow Gauge Coach (without face)
 * Limited Edition Thomas Comes to Breakfast
 * Limited Edition James Goes Buzz Buzz
 * 60th Anniversary Henry
 * Thomas and the Magic Railroad Ore Car (Only Available in Canada)
 * Limited Edition A Better View for Gordon

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 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

Buildings

 * Special Engine Shed
 * Ellsbridge Station
 * Ellsbridge Platform
 * Windmill
 * Gristmill
 * Lighthouse
 * Knapford Station Platform
 * Sodor Log Loader
 * "The Works" Engine Repair Shop
 * Roundhouse
 * Sodor Cargo Crane
 * Barrel Loader
 * Sawmill with Dumping Depot
 * Cranky the Crane
 * 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
 * Tidmouth Timber Yard
 * Sodor Oil Depot
 * Sodor Cement Works
 * Useful Engine Shed
 * Gantry Crane
 * Toby's Windmill
 * Happy Island Repair Yard

Sights and Sounds Buildings

 * Cargo Transfer Station
 * Mountain Overpass
 * Sodor Scrub and Shine
 * Smelting Yard with Oliver
 * Deluxe Roundhouse
 * Deluxe Cranky the Crane
 * Ice Cream Factory with Sir Handel
 * Sodor Power Station
 * Echo Tunnel
 * Recycling Center
 * Deluxe Fire Station
 * Deluxe Over-the-Track Signal
 * Lighthouse Bridge 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
 * Lights and sounds Gordon

Battery-Powered Items

 * Battery-Powered Lady
 * Battery-Powered Thomas
 * Battery-Powered James
 * Battery-Powered Percy
 * Battery-Powered Salty
 * Battery-Powered Bertie
 * Battery-Powered Duck
 * Battery-Powered Thomas with Milk Tanker and Track
 * Battery-Powered Percy with Fuel Car and Track
 * Battery-Powered James and Track