Britt Allcroft, “Thomas the Tank Engine” TV Series Creator, Dies at 81

Britt Allcroft, creator of beloved children series Thomas the Tank Engine, has died. She was 81.

On Thursday, Jan. 2, filmmaker, Brannon Carty announced the legendary producer's death in a poignant statement shared to X (formerly known as Twitter).

"It is with great sadness that I share with you the passing of Britt Allcroft," he began, adding that her family members have asked him to share the news to the Thomas fandom. "The family is currently in mourning and asks that their privacy be respected at this time."

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Noting how Allcroft was not only an "adoring mother and wife," he added that she was a "visionary producer" who brought "so much joy and happiness to people everywhere during her time on Earth."

"Over the years of knowing Britt, we developed a close connection. It was truly a privilege to have her as both a mentor and a friend, and I’m so glad that so many fans were able to meet her at the New York screening of 'An Unlikely Fandom,'" said Carty, who directed the 2023 film, An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine. "It was an absolute honor to have her in our documentary, and she has since remained a vocal supporter of our cause."

"I think I can speak for the entirety of the fandom when I say that all of us will deeply miss her. Without her, so many of us would never have met," he continued, encouraging fans to make a charitable donation to their local ASPCA chapters in her Allcroft's honor.

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"While I am devastated by her passing, we can all find comfort in the certainty that her legacy will endure forever through Thomas and his fans around the world," he concluded. "Rest in Peace."

Born in the small seaside town of Worthing, England, Allcroft made a name for herself when she adapted the iconic locomotive, Thomas the Tank Engine, into a television series. The producer entered the industry at just 21 years old and got her start producing children's shows like 1967's Get It-Got-It-Good and more.

Despite her accomplishments in television, it wasn't until she launched Thomas & Friends in 1984 that her career took off. She and her then-husband, Angus Wright, created a production company that debuted the children's show that is beloved to this day.

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Thomas the Tank Engine has since seen numerous spinoff series, including most recently, Diesel: Impossible (2020), The Looney Diesels (2020) and Thomas & Friends ERTL Adventures: The Biggest Christmas Adventure (2024.)

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