How Many Thomas Books Are There? Unraveling The Great Number Of Stories

Amelia Mitchell

28 Jul, 2025

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Have you ever stopped to ponder just how vast the world of Thomas the Tank Engine truly is? For parents, collectors, or anyone who simply adores the little blue engine, a common question often pops up: how many Thomas books are there? It's a question that, you know, seems straightforward, but the answer is, frankly, not as simple as you might think.

The journey to count all the tales featuring Thomas and his railway friends is, in some respects, quite a long one. From the very first story penned by a thoughtful vicar to the countless new adventures created today, the collection has grown to include, well, a multitudinous array of volumes. This exploration will help us sort through the various series and editions, giving you a clearer picture of this beloved literary universe.

Understanding the full scope of these stories can be, actually, a bit like trying to count all the stars in the night sky. There are, you see, numerous different types of books, each adding to the overall count. So, let's take a closer look at what makes up this incredibly popular collection of railway adventures.

The Original Railway Series Stories
The Awdry Family Legacy
The Thomas & Friends Era
Different Formats and Editions
Why the Number is Hard to Pin Down
Exploring the Vast Collection
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding Your Next Thomas Adventure

The Original Railway Series Stories

The story of Thomas and his engine pals began with the Reverend Wilbert Awdry. He started telling these tales to his son, Christopher, when Christopher was, you know, recovering from measles. These stories eventually became "The Railway Series." This original collection is, in a way, the foundation of everything we know about Sodor.

Reverend Awdry wrote 26 books for this series. The very first one, published in 1945, was called "The Three Railway Engines." Thomas, the engine we all love, first appeared in the second book, titled "Thomas the Tank Engine," released in 1946. Each book in this series contains, typically, a few short stories, introducing new engines or exploring new situations on the island.

These books are, basically, known for their charming illustrations and their gentle, yet sometimes quite firm, lessons about friendship, hard work, and consequences. They represent, arguably, the pure, initial vision of the railway world. So, when we talk about the core, foundational books, we are talking about these 26 volumes.

The Awdry Family Legacy

After Reverend Wilbert Awdry completed his 26 books, his son, Christopher Awdry, continued the series. Christopher picked up the pen in 1983, adding, in some respects, more adventures to the beloved railway. He wrote 14 additional books for "The Railway Series."

This means that, if you count both Wilbert's and Christopher's contributions, "The Railway Series" totals 40 books. These 40 volumes are, basically, considered the complete, official "Railway Series" canon. They form a continuous narrative, building upon the characters and settings established by the elder Awdry.

The continuation by Christopher was, you know, a wonderful way to keep the spirit of the original stories alive for a new generation of readers. It expanded the world, adding new engines and, actually, new railway lines for Thomas and his friends to explore. So, in terms of the original, creator-driven series, 40 is the number.

The Thomas & Friends Era

Beyond "The Railway Series," the world of Thomas truly exploded with the creation of the "Thomas & Friends" television show. This show, which began in the 1980s, led to, you know, a vast, vast number of tie-in books. These books are, in a way, different from the original series, as they are often adaptations of TV episodes or new stories created specifically for the younger audience of the show.

When you ask "how many Thomas books are there?" and include these "Thomas & Friends" books, the number becomes, quite frankly, numerous. It's not just a few; it's, basically, all kinds of books. Publishers like Egmont, Random House, and others have released, in fact, countless storybooks, picture books, board books, sticker books, annuals, and even educational titles over the decades. This means a lot of items, a great number of items, as "many" means.

These books are, typically, designed to appeal to a very wide range of young readers. They often feature brighter illustrations, simpler language, and focus on the characters as seen in the television series. Counting these is, honestly, a challenge, as new ones are published regularly, and older ones go out of print. So, the count here is, more or less, always changing, making it a very fluid number.

Different Formats and Editions

The sheer number of Thomas books is also complicated by the different formats and editions available. You might find, for example, a single story released as a small board book for toddlers. That same story, you know, could also appear in a larger picture book, or as part of a collection of stories in an anthology. Each of these counts as, in a way, a distinct book item.

There are, actually, also special editions, commemorative books, and books bundled with toys. These add to the overall count of "Thomas books" that exist in the world. For instance, a book might be part of a "My First Thomas" series, or a "Step into Reading" series. These are, basically, different publishing lines, each with its own set of titles.

So, when you consider all these variations, it becomes clear that "many" means, in this context, a truly multitudinous collection. It's not just about the unique stories, but about how those stories are presented and packaged for young readers. This makes a precise count, you know, very, very difficult to get.

Why the Number is Hard to Pin Down

The question "how many Thomas books are there?" is hard to answer with a single number because of several reasons. First, as we've discussed, there's the distinction between "The Railway Series" and the broader "Thomas & Friends" books. These are, in a way, two different categories of publications.

Second, the ongoing nature of the "Thomas & Friends" franchise means new books are, you know, constantly being released. As of today, for example, publishers continue to create fresh stories and re-release older ones in new formats. This means any specific number you get will, in some respects, be outdated pretty quickly.

Third, there are regional variations. Books published in the UK might be different from those published in the US or other countries, even if they feature the same characters. These variations, you know, contribute to the overall difficulty in getting a definitive global count. So, when someone asks how many, it's a very open-ended question, meaning a large number of items.

Exploring the Vast Collection

Given the countless number of Thomas books, where should a curious reader or collector begin? If you want to experience the original stories as they were first told, you should, basically, look for "The Railway Series" books by Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher. These 40 books are, in a way, the heart of the Thomas universe.

For younger readers who love the TV show, the "Thomas & Friends" books are, frankly, everywhere. You can find them in bookstores, libraries, and online. These books often feature, you know, bright, cheerful illustrations and simpler plots that mirror the television episodes. They are, typically, a great way to introduce very young children to the characters.

You might also want to explore different types of books, like lift-the-flap books, sound books, or even story collections that combine many tales into one larger volume. There are, actually, quite a few of these, offering different ways to enjoy the adventures. Learn more about the history of Thomas & Friends on our site, and you can also find more information on our dedicated Thomas page.

Frequently Asked Questions

People often have a lot of questions about the Thomas books. Here are some common ones:

How many books did the original author of Thomas the Tank Engine write?

Reverend Wilbert Awdry, the original author, wrote 26 books in "The Railway Series." His son, Christopher Awdry, continued the series, adding 14 more. So, the original author wrote 26, and the series totals 40 books by both father and son, you know, covering the original canon.

Are new Thomas & Friends books still being published?

Yes, absolutely! The "Thomas & Friends" franchise is, actually, still very active. Publishers continue to release new storybooks, activity books, and various other formats based on the characters and new animated content. So, the number of books is, basically, always growing.

What is the best way to start collecting Thomas books?

If you want to start collecting, you could, perhaps, begin with the complete set of "The Railway Series" books. These 40 volumes offer, in some respects, the full original story. For younger fans, starting with a few "Thomas & Friends" picture books featuring their favorite engines is, typically, a great way to begin. There are, you know, many choices out there.

Finding Your Next Thomas Adventure

The world of Thomas the Tank Engine is, frankly, filled with stories, both old and new. While getting an exact, single number for "how many Thomas books are there?" is, you know, quite a challenge, we can certainly say there are numerous, multiple, and frankly, countless adventures to discover. The term "many" truly means a large number in this context.

Whether you prefer the classic tales from "The Railway Series" or the vibrant stories from the "Thomas & Friends" collection, there's always a new journey waiting. So, you might want to consider picking up a new book and, actually, enjoying the ride with Thomas and his loyal friends. You can learn more about the history and evolution of the Thomas & Friends universe by visiting a trusted fan resource, for instance, a site like this comprehensive Thomas fan wiki.