Thomas the Tank engine was dreamt up by a vicar 65 years ago, it started as a simple story for a sick child... now, 65 years later, he's a global superstar. Thomas the Tank Engine - actually, he's so famous now, just call him Thomas - is adored by children in 121 countries. His adventures have sold 80 million books and the Thomas industry from toys to clothes and even pasta shapes makes more than £1billion a year. At least 10 theme parks around the world feature Thomas the Tank Engine rides. In the UK, Drayton Manor Park in Tamworth, Staffs, opened its own Thomas Land in 2008.
