She adapted the children’s book series to TV, creating a lasting cultural behemoth that spawned movies, merchandise and theme parks.

Britt Allcroft, who co-created the beloved "Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends" children's series, has died. She was 81.

Thomas the Tank Engine creator Britt Allcroft has died aged 81. The producer brought the beloved children's series to TV screens after securing the rights to adapt Reverend Wilbert Awdry’s Railway Series books. The series aired as Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends from 1984 until 2021.