Exclusive: Egmont planning Railway Series 70th release

Egmont is to commemorate the 70th birthday of The Railway Series with a special edition book.

The authors of current Thomas books in the UK will re-release the Rev. W. Awdry's Complete Collection in 2015 as an anniversary edition.

A centenary boxset marking the birth of Awdry went on sale in 2011. In a response forwarded to Roll Along Thomas, Egmont's Brand and Marketing Assistant, Katie Westlake, divulged the intention.

Next year, there are plans to print an anniversary edition of Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection.

Despite the occassion, the Christopher Awdry compilation is to be left out, as of now; We currently do not have plans to print an anniversary edition of Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection.

Several of the books written by Christopher Awdry are still available in the hardback series format along with those written by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry.

Christopher's era of The Railway Series was compiled together for a 2007 release coinciding with the arrival of 41st title, Thomas and Victoria. It no longer remains in print and has become a rare collector's merchandise.

Thanks to Daniel Coffey.