ERTL of Sodor's video: Thomas The Tank Engine Friends on Shining Time Station 1989 - 1996

Thomas the Tank Engine made his American debut in 1989 on the PBS Children's Program "Shining Time Station". A variety show of sorts, the show focused around the activities that took place inside an old, but magical train station along the Indian Valley Railroad. Mr. Conductor (played first by Ringo Starr, and then later George Carlin), was the focal point for storytelling about the Island of Sodor throughout the program. This show introduced a whole generation to the world of the Island of Sodor, and any Americans who are still in the fandom today, owe it to this show, and are some of Thomas's oldest friends! Thomas & Friends is a property of Mattel Corp. Shining Time Station is the property of Britt Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow