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Thomas and the Magic Railroad

Play trailer Poster for Thomas and the Magic Railroad G 2000 1h 26m Kids & Family Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
22% Tomatometer 65 Reviews 45% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends are being threatened by diesel engines like the surly Diesel 10 and his sidekicks Splatter and Dodge. Even the magical Mr. Conductor, who has always traveled between the train world and the human world of Shining Time Station, is losing his powers and sparkle. In the middle of this crisis, Lily meets up with Mr. Conductor on the way to visit her lonely grandfather Burnett Stone. Brave Thomas reminds them all that "even little engines can do big things."
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Thomas and the Magic Railroad

Thomas and the Magic Railroad

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Critics Consensus

Kids these days demand cutting edge special effects or at least a clever plot with cute charectors. This movie has neither, having lost in its Americanization what the British original did so right.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 29, 2010
3/5
Will please its many fans, but plot might confuse kids. Go to Full Review Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader May 19, 2008
Scenes with Peter Fonda as a melancholy grandfather -- he couldn't get a cherished engine running in time for his late wife to ride it -- periodically bring the movie screeching to a halt. Go to Full Review Empire Magazine Dec 30, 2006
1/5
With clunky bluescreen, spot-a-mile-off matte work and an absolute lack of synergy between real-life and animated action, it all conspires to provide an appropriately amateur sheen. Go to Full Review Kaleem Aftab The List Apr 13, 2019
3/5
For those under-tens, Thomas and the Magic Railroad will be a great way to spend a school holiday afternoon. Go to Full Review Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Aug 7, 2008
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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Doug N @dis_doug Sep 6, 2026 The first Thomas the Tank Engine feature film, and the only one to feature live actors, stars Alec Baldwin, Peter Fonda, and Mara Wilson. As a lifelong Thomas fan, this is a movie I distinctly remember seeing in theaters in 2000. I loved it as a kid and watched it repeatedly, but as I grew older, its disjointed and confusing story became more apparent. Still, it has a warmth and charm that I adored growing up. Hummie Mann’s beautiful score adds to the film’s whimsy, while the CGI and effects remain commendable for their time. I’m also fascinated by the history of its elusive director’s cut. Brannon Carty and Joseph Marshall’s independent effort to reconstruct Britt Allcroft’s original vision gives me hope for the film’s second life. While far from good, it remains special to me for its ambition, charm, and childhood nostalgia. See more William M @RT66623695 Sep 6, 2026 This movie always makes me laugh and the old McDonald song that Diesel 10 made up is a funny song See more John K @WQCMI Jun 14, 2026 Apart from Diesel 10, the acting is annoying. Due to an ageist decision by the Americans, they didn't have Michael Angelis as the narrator, instead Alec Baldwin. Plus, the story could've been interesting but it was boring and rubbish. See more Jake C @RT64465563 May 17, 2026 For me watching this when I was a kid and not knowing much of any Thomas story or lore it’s a great time. Watching it today was nice. Nostalgia is strong but it’s definitely a watch for kids with parents. On its own for an adult that never seen it, ehh lol. See more Spencer C. @movierater6688 Feb 18, 2026 I like basically everything about it. The only thing I don’t like is that it’s a model Thomas movie and don’t hate me for this, but I don’t like how model Thomas looks. See more Davetheman Dec 29, 2025 Yeah the animation looks fake See more Read all reviews
Thomas and the Magic Railroad

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Cast & Crew

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Britt Allcroft

Director

Peter Fonda

Burnett Stone

Mara Wilson

Lily

Alec Baldwin

Mr. Conductor

Didi Conn

Stacy

Michael E. Rodgers

Mr. C. Junior

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Thomas and the Magic Railroad

Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000) Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000) Grandpa Burnett Stone (Peter Fonda) paints the legendary lost engine, Lady. Mr. Conductor (Alec Baldwin) is "All Aboard!" in Thomas and the Magic Railroad. Alec Baldwin and writer/director Britt Allcroft on the set. Patch (Cody McMains) has found the lost engine, Lady. Lily (Mara Wilson) and Grandpa Burnett Stone (Peter Fonda) visit the Island of Sodor. Lady and Thomas prove together that little engines can do big things. Thomas the Tank Engine is on the run from the big bad bully Diesel 10. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends are being threatened by diesel engines like the surly Diesel 10 and his sidekicks Splatter and Dodge. Even the magical Mr. Conductor, who has always traveled between the train world and the human world of Shining Time Station, is losing his powers and sparkle. In the middle of this crisis, Lily meets up with Mr. Conductor on the way to visit her lonely grandfather Burnett Stone. Brave Thomas reminds them all that "even little engines can do big things."
Director
Britt Allcroft
Producer
Britt Allcroft
Distributor
Destination Films
Production Co
Gullane Pictures, Isle of Man Film, Destination Films
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 26, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$15.9M
Runtime
1h 26m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby A, Stereo, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
1.66:1
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