The iconic Thomas the Tank Engine returns in a new CG animated series Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories. It kicks off with a half-hour special, Really Helpful Engines, which already has more than two and a half million views on YouTube. The special will make its Netflix premiere on Wednesday Sept. 30. Here’s my Animation Scoop Q&A with Rob David, Executive Producer and SVP, Animation, Mattel Studios. (This Interview was conducted as an Email Q&A and was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy:The “Thomas & Friends” brand is so beloved. What do you love about what it stands for?

Rob David: What I love most about Thomas & Friends is its timeless message of friendship, teamwork and helping others. For more than 80 years, it has taught generations that everyone has something valuable to contribute, no matter how big or small. Being “really helpful” isn’t about being the biggest or fastest, 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 fresh new era of Thomas & Friends.

JM: Why do you think kids are really into trains, especially from a young age?

RD: Trains are magical for kids because they represent movement, adventure and discovery. There’s something mesmerizing about watching a train move along its tracks and imagining where it might go next. Thomas & Friends takes that fascination even further by giving each engine a distinct personality and story kids can connect with both through the show itself and playing out Thomas’ stories at home.

JM: How did you want to show Thomas’ enthusiasm for assisting others in the “Really Helpful Friends” special?

RD: We wanted Thomas’ enthusiasm for helping others to come through in everything he does. In “Really Helpful Engines”, he eagerly takes on challenges, solves problems and rallies his friends, because being helpful is genuinely what brings him joy. That spirit also comes through in the animation, his interactions with characters like Percy and Rosie, and the three original songs, which celebrate the teamwork and friendship at the heart of Thomas & Friends.

JM: Accomplishing tasks / doing well with your jobs is very important. How does this theme parallel working on this series?

RD: There’s a strong parallel. Just as Thomas takes pride in being a really helpful engine, our entire team — from our Head Writer, Jill Cozza-Turner, our Creative Producer, Dave Palmer and all the artists, directors, and producers at Brown Bag Films and Mattel Studios —t akes pride in the work we’re creating. We set out to honor more than 80 years of Thomas & Friends while making the series feel fresh and relevant for today’s kids. It takes incredible teamwork across every department, and that shared commitment to doing our best really reflects the same values we’re asking Thomas and his friends to model.

JM: How interesting is it to animate specific moments / create specific shots involving the movement of the trains (their separation from each other on the tracks / how they get to specific locations)?

RD: It’s one of the most rewarding parts of the animation process. Trains move with such rhythm and precision that animating them can feel almost choreographic. Every detail, from how Thomas accelerates to how he navigates a curve, can help communicate emotion and move the story forward. The challenge is balancing realistic railway mechanics with expressive character moments, making the engines feel both authentic and truly alive.

JM: How important are the facial expressions of the train and human characters?

RD: Facial expressions are absolutely crucial because they’re what bring our characters to life. Even with relatively simple features, a subtle change in Thomas’ eyes or mouth can communicate confidence, worry, determination or joy. With the refreshed character designs, we’ve maintained that iconic Thomas & Friends look while adding even more expressiveness and personality. Those small emotional details are what help audiences connect with the characters and believe these engines truly have hearts and feelings.

JM: Henry Golding is a great choice as the narrator. How is it having him on board?

RD: Henry brings such warmth and heart to the role. He really understands these stories and has a natural ability to connect with audiences of all ages. His instincts around pacing and emotion brought so much to the narration, and we’re thrilled to have him guiding families through Thomas’ world. We’re equally excited to have Karla Souza narrating the Spanish-language version, bringing her own warmth and talent to the special.

JM: What should families and longtime “Thomas” fans look forward to on the rest of this season of “Railway Stories”?

RD: There’s so 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 railway traditions that have always made Thomas & Friends special, while experiencing fresh animation, storytelling and character development. “Really Helpful Engines” is available now on YouTube and begins streaming on Netflix September 30, with the full “Railway Stories” series coming in early 2027. It’s really about honoring the legacy while thoughtfully moving Thomas & Friends into an exciting new chapter.