Iconic Thomas the Tank Engine Returns in New CG Animated Series Thomas and Friends: Railway Stories. It begins with a half-hour special, Really useful engineswhich already has more than two and a half million views on YouTube. The special will premiere on Netflix on Wednesday, September 30. Here’s my animation Q&A with Rob David, executive producer and senior vice president of animation at Mattel Studios. (This interview was conducted as an email Q&A and has been edited for length and clarity.)
Jackson Murphy:The “Thomas & Friends” brand is very loved. What do you love about what it represents?
RobDavid: What I love most about Thomas & Friends is its timeless message of friendship, teamwork, and helping others. For more than 80 years, he has taught generations that we all have something valuable to contribute, no matter how big or small. Being “truly useful” is not about being the greatest or the biggest. faster, it’s about showing up for your friends, working together, and doing your best. That message still resonates today and it’s an honor to help carry that legacy into this new era of Thomas & Friends.
JM: Why do you think children really like trains, especially from a young age?
RD: Trains are magical for children because they represent movement, adventure and discovery. There’s something fascinating about watching a train move on its tracks and imagining where it might go next. Thomas & Friends takes that fascination even further by giving each engine a distinct personality and a story that kids can connect with both through the show and by acting out Thomas stories at home.
JM: How did you want to show Thomas’ enthusiasm for helping others in the “Really Helpful Friends” special?
RD: We wanted Thomas’ enthusiasm for helping others to come through in everything he does. In “Really Useful Engines,” you enthusiastically take on challenges, solve problems, and rally your friends, because being useful is truly what brings you joy. That spirit also manifests itself in the animation, its interactions with characters like Percy and Rosie, and the three original songs, which celebrate teamwork and friendship at the heart of Thomas & Friends.
JM: Completing tasks/doing your job well is very important. How does this theme work in parallel in this series?
RD: There is a strong parallel. Just as Thomas prides himself on being a truly helpful powerhouse, our entire team—from our head writer, Jill Cozza-Turner, to our creative producer, Dave Palmer, to all the artists, directors, and producers at Brown Bag Films and Mattel Studios—takes pride in the work we’re creating. We set out to honor over 80 years of Thomas & Friends while also making the series feel fresh and relevant for kids today. It takes incredible teamwork across all departments, and that shared commitment to doing the best we can truly reflects the same values we ask Thomas and Friends to model.
JM: How interesting is it to animate specific moments / create specific shots involving the movement of trains (their separation from each other on the tracks / how they get to specific places)?
RD: It’s one of the most rewarding parts of the animation process. The trains move with such rhythm and precision that animating them can seem almost choreographic. Every detail, from how Thomas accelerates to how he navigates a curve, can help communicate emotions and move the story forward. The challenge is to balance realistic railway mechanics with expressive character moments, making the engines feel authentic and truly alive.
JM: How important are the facial expressions of the train and the human characters?
RD: Facial expressions are absolutely crucial because they are what give life to our characters. Even with relatively simple features, a subtle change in Thomas’s eyes or mouth can communicate confidence, concern, determination or joy. With revamped character designs, we’ve kept that iconic Thomas and Friends look while adding even more expressiveness and personality. Those little emotional details are what help the audience connect with the characters and believe that these engines really have hearts and feelings.
JM: Henry Golding is a great choice as a narrator. What’s it like having him on board?
RD: Henry brings so much warmth and heart to the role. He truly understands these stories and has a natural ability to connect with audiences of all ages. His instincts for pacing and emotion brought a lot to the storytelling, and we’re thrilled to have him guide families through Thomas’ world. We are equally excited to have Karla Souza narrate the Spanish version, bringing her warmth and talent to the special.
JM: What should families and longtime “Thomas” fans expect in the rest of this season of “Railway Stories”?
RD: There is much for families to look forward to. We’re bringing back beloved characters like Thomas, Percy and Rosie, introducing new friends like Deepak and exploring themes of friendship, perseverance and working together. Longtime fans will recognize the heart and railroad traditions that have always made Thomas & Friends special, while experiencing fresh animation. narration and character development. “Really Utility Engines” is available now on YouTube and begins streaming on Netflix on September 30, and the full “Railway Stories” series will arrive in early 2027. It’s really about honoring the legacy while carefully leading Thomas and friends into an exciting new chapter.