Britt Allcroft, creator of the Thomas the Tank Engine series, dies at 81

Thomas the Tank Engine and his fans around the world are in mourning.

Britt Allcroftwho co-created the beloved Thomas the tank engine and his friends children's series, has died. She was 81 years old.

“It is with great sadness that I share with you the passing of Britt Allcroft,” Brannon Cartywho directed the 2023 documentary An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine, shared on (formerly Twitter) January 3. “The Allcroft-Wright family has asked me to bring this news to the Thomas fandom.”

Carty added that “the family is currently grieving and asks that their privacy be respected at this time.”

“Britt was a lovely mother and wife,” he continued. “A visionary producer. She brought so much joy and happiness to people around the world during her time on Earth.”

Allcroft was born in the small town of Worthing, England in 1943 and made her debut as a television producer at the age of 21.