ERTL released their first Thomas the Tank Engine model in 1984. This die-cast model included a sheet of stickers enabling one to change the facial expression of Thomas's face. After this successful offering, ERTL intended to offer the main characters of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends but the range extended to over one hundred train characters in all. These die-cast model trains were each year from 1984 thru 2004.
In 1993-1994 ERTL also made another limited set of Thomas trains called
ERTL Gold Star Series Shinning Station which included 14 engines and cars. They also made 4 unique play sets to go with this series. Click the link above to see them. Nice starter set which are relatively inexpensive to collect. These do not have tracks and have a unique magnetic couplings.
ERTL discontinued making the highly collectible trains but there still available to collectors who seek them. The coloration and detail is what you would expect in these fine Thomas train collectibles and there is no surprise why people love to collect them.
Collecting Thomas trains and characters may be a little confusing. In particular the diecast metal series was made by several companies including ERTL, Shining Time, Learning Curve and Fisher Price but they have one thing in common, they are all diecast metal collectibles.
Please enjoy this List of ERTL Thomas trains and use it as a Collector’s Guide to diecast ERTL Thomas engines and trains. The photo gallery will also help identify these train characters in case you haven’t seen them before.
ERTL Thomas Trains Guide for Diecast Engines
Other Lists of Thomas the train manufacturers
