'Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends' creator Britt Allcroft dies at 81

The creator of a beloved children's television show that sparked decades of dedicated fans around the world has sadly died.

According to Breitbart, Britt Allcroft, the creator of the legendary children's TV show, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, has passed away at the age of 81.

Allcroft's friend and filmmaker Brannon Cart announced the tragic news on Friday via social media.

The character didn't start as a children's character or at least wasn't meant for it. But it became so popular around the world that it was reshaped primarily into a show geared toward younger children.

Cart, her friend, and the creator of the 2023 documentary An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact Of Thomas The Tank Engine, indicated in his social media post that Allcroft's family asked him to announce the sad news of her passing.

"It is with great sadness that I share with you the passing of Britt Allcroft. The Allcroft-Wright family has asked me to bring this news to the Thomas fandom," he wrote. "A full obituary will be released in the London Times later today. The family is currently in mourning and asks that their privacy be respected at this time.

He added, "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.'"

"It was an absolute honor to have her in our documentary, and she has since remained a vocal supporter of our cause," Cart went on.

It is with great sadness that I share with you the passing of Britt Allcroft.

The Allcroft-Wright family has asked me to bring this news to the Thomas fandom. A full obituary will be released in the London Times later today. The family is currently in mourning and asks that… pic.twitter.com/LSFq8VL7jK

— carty™ (@cartycinema) January 3, 2025

Breitbart noted:

The Thomas the Tank Engine character rolled across the Atlantic to America in 1989 when Allcroft and U.S. producer Rick Siggelkow created the TV series, Shining Time Station, which brought the world of Thomas and his railway friends to millions of American children. Thomas also became a huge hit in the U.S. before fanning out to Japan and many other countries.

The show was beyond popular and aired a total of 584 episodes. It ran for a total of 24 years.

She produced other children's TV shows, including Moon Clue Game, Dance Crazy, Keepsakes, and Mothers By Daughters.

One X user wrote, "I adored her era of Thomas and Friends as a little child, I had several vhs tapes that I watched to death. RIP legend."

Another user wrote, "RIP to Britt Allcroft. Her creation brought a lot of joy to me and my youngest child. Memories that will last forever. Thank you."