'The Complete Series 15' bargain pre-orders at ASDA

ASDA have launched special pre-orders for The Complete Series 15 DVD in the UK.

The collector's edition of the full 2011 season is to arrive in the country in less than three weeks time for July.

ASDA's direct store have in anticipation placed pre-orders of the disc for a bargain price of £4.

Happy Hiro and Henry's Happy Coal meanwhile mark their debuts on UK DVD for the first time.

The summary reads; All 20 episodes from the 15th series of the children's animation following tank engine Thomas and his locomotive pals on Sodor Island.

In this series, the trains compete to become the 'Sodor Search and Rescue Engine' and Thomas and Bertie encounter some trouble on the Shake Shake Bridge.

The Complete Series 15 from Hit Entertainment hits UK DVD shelves on July 7th.

PRE-ORDER 'THE COMPLETE SERIES 15' FROM ASDA DIRECT

Thomas Minnesota Museum exhibit opens and previews

The Thomas & Friends exhibition in Minnesota has opened its doors to the public.

Explore the Rails held its launch at the Minnesota Children's Museum last week on June 14th.

The walk-through complex, announced last October, primarily sees a scientific educated practice of Sodor and its engines explored in an interactive way.

The exhibit allows fans to monitor the workings of an engine, role-play as the railway's staff, train as an engineer and develop routes to destinations of the island.

An essential guide into the history and culture of the show is explored through merchandise and clips.

Its launch was previewed on KSTC News, with the museum's Nichole Polifka discussing on the opening.

Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails is now running at the Minnesota Children's Museum in the US until September 21st.

VISIT MINNESOTA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM'S WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Thanks to thomasrocksification for the alert.

Series and specials return to Netflix service in the UK

A number of series and feature-length specials have made their way back onto Netflix in the UK.

The first four seasons have been reprieved from the wilderness and are available for streaming on the payable service.

The 13th and 14th seasons follow suite, as are specials Calling All Engines! and The Great Discovery.

It comes after a large cull of titles, including Thomas, hit the media during May 2013.

Another removal, more specifically of Lionsgate's US DVDs, occurred almost a year after.

Thanks to Hawk01 for the alert.

Railway Series anniversary collection pushes October

Egmont's celebratory release of The Railway Series has been pushed forward to this year.

In March, Roll Along Thomas revealed plans by the bookmakers to publish a 70th anniversary compilation of the Rev. W. Awdry books, leaving the Christopher Awdry era out.

Initially set for 2015, the year of The Three Railway Engines, the collection has instead been brought forward to the autumn.

A detailing of the collection has appeared on amazon.co.uk, with pre-ordering now available.

The Rev. Awdry's first book in the classic Railway Series, The Three Railway Engines, was published exactly 70 years ago. This elegant slipcase brings together the all 26 books from this famous series in one stunning volume.

The ultimate gift for all those who delight in the adventures of this cheeky little engine and his friends and a delightful present for new babies who are sure to grow up to be firm Thomas fans.

The Railway Series Complete Collection: 70th Anniversary Collection from Egmont hits UK book shelves on October 9th.

PRE-ORDER 'THE RAILWAY SERIES: 70TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION FROM AMAZON.CO.UK

70th anniversary build-up continues with logo designs

Plans for the 70th anniversary of The Railway Series have continued with designs for a logo.

Next year will mark the landmark celebrations of the first book The Three Railway Engines, originally published in 1945.

This week saw a work in progress logo, specifically for the Thomas & Friends brand, submitted to Mattel with the tagline Keeping kids happy since 1945.

A Little Trains for Big Imaginations poster is over-arched with a selection of characters and backdrops circled in a surreal way.

London freelance designer Carmelina, who designed the proposed specs, detailed her contribution to the anniversary.

In the face of growing competition, the brand has become recessive. [Mattel] want to use 2015 to really reinvigorate it, making the brand more exciting, relevant and contemporary without losing the trust and safety it stands for.

In addition, it is the 70th Anniversary and this provides a great opportunity to celebrate the brands heritage.

'Tale of the Brave' Take-n-Play receives Scrapyard set

An incoming Take-n-Play product related to the Tale of the Brave is due this summer.

Percy and new crane Reg are included in Fisher Price's Scrapyard Cleanup Team for next month.

The portable fold-out set has the green engine ready to push scrap metal down to the crane.

Percy is accompanied with an attachable plough while a turn function is applied to Reg, as are levels on a loop track.

A Roaring Dino Run playset, previewed in March at the New York Toy Fair, is also due.

Take-n-Play Scrapyard Cleanup Team from Fisher Price hits UK, US and Australian toy shelves in July.

Thanks to Bass Tbone for the alert.

Toby "stolen" from Drayton Manor's Thomas Land

One of the original TV models of Toby was apparently stolen from Drayton Manor's Thomas Land.

The UK theme park in Staffordshire is home to several props and sets from the show in its Discover Thomas & Friends Exhibition.

A recent visit in early June saw a doubled model of the tram engine absent from the public layout. The theft was fed to Ellsworth of SiF by a member of the layout.

Toby is no longer in the exhibiton because his model got stolen shortly after Thomas' 65th Anniversary Party in December 2010, so it was early 2011 he was stolen.

Unfortunatley, the thief was never caught and I doubt the model will ever be seen again. My last visit [before June] was July 2011. Toby definitely wasn't there.

The Bryans Museum, located by Spencer's Adventure Play, is home to the crew of the Discover exhibition.

The Train Shed in Sydney to cease operation in October

Australia's The Train Shed, home to Thomas rides for the public, is to close in late October.

The beloved outdoor attraction in Luddenham, Sydney, which offers train rides on several characters in weekends is to cease operation for good before Halloween this year.

Its demise, after 15 years, comes owing to the construction of the brand new Badgerys Creek Airport soon to overtake the land of The Train Shed.

Their facebook page gave out the news at the beginning of June; Last chance for a ride on Thomas at The Train Shed! Badgerys Creek Airport is going ahead and we are on Airport land.

[We] will have to close on Sunday 26th October. Don’t miss out! Come to visit soon, avoid the last minute rush and have a Great Day Out with Thomas, Toby, James, Percy, Mavis and Gordon. Bring the kids before its too late!

The neighbour-hooding 91 year old Vicary's Winery and Famous Woolshed however are to both stay.

VISIT THE TRAIN SHED'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR DETAILS ON EVENTS

New 'Tale' and future sets join Track Master relaunch

Fisher Price's Track Master for Thomas & Friends is to be relaunched for later this year.

The motorised road and rail franchise has been overhauled under the subtitle Track Master Revolution, bringing core characters back under redesigns and new packaging.

Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James and Percy are just some of the engines to be reflected of their CGI physiques.

Diesel, Diesel 10, Spencer, Hiro and Victor fill the new collection, to be accessorised with selected trucks.

A New Friends & Moments series will see Gator and Timothy in their own packs for the Tale of the Brave.

The unnamed green engine, who is to appear in future episodes, is to inspire a pack for the Dinos & Discoveries book double.

The brand new Track Master revolution sets from Fisher Price hit UK, US and Australian toy shelves in August.

SEE WHAT'S COMING UP FOR FISHER PRICE'S TRACK MASTER

Thanks to The Blue Sunil for the alert.

'Tale of the Brave' world premiere for Australia in July

Tale of the Brave's world premiere is to arrive for Australian fans next month in July.

The brand new special, marking the arrivals of Timothy, Reg, Marion and Gator to the franchise, will head Down Under in mid July at Hoyts cinemas until mid August.

The cinema chain paved the way for King of the Railway's debut at a similar point a year previous, holding it's premiere in Melbourne.

Vue in the UK are to screen the special coinciding with the country's September DVD release.

Tale of the Brave: The Movie arrives for its world premiere in Australia at Hoyts cinemas from July 19th to August 19th.

Thanks to Adam Abrahart for the alert.

New engine Logan teased for book and Wooden Rail set

A brand new character for future series has been revealed by Mattel and Fisher Price.

Logan the Strong Little Shunter is earmarked as a limited-release for an upcoming book and playset combo for Wooden Railway.

The newcomer and Gordon are detailed for Logan and the Big Blue Engines. A diagram on its instruction sheet narrowly obscures Logan's physical appearance in wooden form.

The description reads; Meet Sodor’s new engine Logan! This strong steamie looks like a Diesel and works at the coal plant. This exciting story teaches a lesson about patience and how Logan rushes to make a mix-up turn out right.

Your little engineer can bring the story to life as he helps Logan shunt and couple cars and stops at the coal loader to lift a cargo car and drop a heavy load.

A lights-and-sounds mini Knapford Station, a signal house, a tunnel, rolling stock and track complete the 23 piece set.

A similar combo set involving James, Colin, Victor and Kevin is to arrive at a simultaneous period.

Wooden Railway Logan and the Big Blue Engines from Fisher Price is coming soon to UK, US and Australian toy shelves.

Thanks to Bass Tbone for the alert.

James and Gator releases for Wooden and Take-n-Play

Fisher Price is to release two products for the Wooden Railway and Take-n-Play merchandising lines.

For Wooden Rail, a set featuring James is on the horizon. The book and playset combo James Sorts it Out plots the red engine with Colin, Victor and Kevin in The Steamworks.

Decorations are applied to both James and sections of tracks, with Colin able for arm extensions and cargo and flatbeds also included.

Alternatively available as a Mysterious Cargo pack, Gator is due as a separate release in the summer.

The model offers slight differences compared to the aforementioned pack. A black running board and an olive green colour scheme are just some of the modifications present.

Wooden Railway James Sorts it Out and Take-n-Play Gator are coming soon to UK, US and Australian toy shelves.

Thanks to GeebMachine for the alert.