how did Thomas the Tank Engine get successful?

[Kyle Nuva]

i may have grown up with it and watched the shows, dont remember much but the fact the show is of living toys that are alive long before toystory and the first ever narrator show ever. wooden figures as humans, not alot going on in a dead world, then the added villains and lore. got pretty dark with them being alive with fear and retiring than death and worked to death. but looking back at it now, it looks pretty boring

[Q-T_3.14.exe]

Choo choo

[Ganger]

I used to love watching Thomas the tank engine back in the 80's. Great kids show for the all the family to enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3g4n0tPpHo

[Odra]

I blame the unchecked rise and spread of its core audience.

[Rio]

I dunno, why did blue's clues get popular? Why did gumby? Why did barney the purple dinosaur? Why was bananas in pajamas a thing? Why did snorks? Or jabber jaw? Or smurfs, or gummy bears...

[Irene ❤]

Agree.
"Thomas train" might be overrated.
"once upon a time life" is underrated. : P

[Ganger]

Originally posted by Irene ❤:

"once upon a time life" is underrated. : P

You mean this.... if so I used to watch this every sunday morning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj6G986lpag&list=PL8D1D0E1DB8598123

Wasn't this a offshoot of 'Once upon time - Man'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzwk1hC0eEw&list=PLKnJDcjkfEp2JATd5dB21Ou6gzod8etcb

[VirtueBox]

Thomas is a train, kids love trains.

[Angel]

Over $1 billion annual retail sales related to the franchise (according to 2012 and 2016 reports). Don't forget that Thomas the Tank Engine is not just a show but also toys, stationery, clothing lines, books and games.