Thomas and the Magic Railroad is a 2000 children's fantasy adventure film written and directed by Britt Allcroft and produced by Allcroft and Phil Fehrle; the cast includes Alec Baldwin, Peter Fonda, Mara Wilson, Didi Conn, Russell Means, Cody McMains, Michael E. Rodgers, and the voices of Eddie Glen and Neil Crone.

The plot is centered on Lily Stone (Wilson), the granddaughter of the caretaker (Fonda) of an enchanted steam engine who is lacking an appropriate supply of coal, and Mr.

Conductor enlist the help of Thomas the Tank Engine (Glen), who confronts the ruthless, steam engine-hating Diesel 10 (Crone) along the way.

Lady had been hidden in a workshop on Muffle Mountain by her driver, Burnett Stone, after Diesel 10's previous attempt to destroy her.

Percy discovers that Splatter and Dodge have found the Sodor entrance to the Magic Railroad and goes to warn Thomas.

While traveling through the Magic Railroad to take Lily home, Thomas discovers the missing coal truck.

Diesel 10 then chases Thomas and Lady and tries to cross the viaduct, but it collapses under his weight and he falls into a barge filled with sludge.

[11] In mid to late 1995, Britt Allcroft was approached by Barry London, then vice-chairman of Paramount Pictures, with an idea for the Thomas film.

In February 1996, Britt signed a contract to write the script for the film with the working title Thomas and the Magic Railroad.

During that year, Barry London became chairman of the newly founded Destination Films (owned by Sony Pictures).

[1] In early August 1999, it was announced that Alec Baldwin, Mara Wilson and Peter Fonda had joined the cast to play Mr.

[14] David Jacobs, the former vice president of The Britt Allcroft Company, stated that Baldwin got involved in the project because his daughter Ireland was a fan of the series.

[14] John Bellis was originally attached to voice Thomas,[15] but was replaced by Canadian actor Edward Glen.

Patrick Breen (known as the narrator of Allcroft's Magic Adventures of Mumfie) was originally set to voice both Splatter and Dodge, but was eventually replaced by both Kevin Frank and Neil Crone.

Bellis received the role when he happened to pick up Britt Allcroft and her crew from the Isle of Man Airport in July 1999.

"[9] English actor Michael Angelis, who was the UK narrator of the series at the time, was the original voice of both James and Percy, but was recast for the same reason as Bellis.

[8] Additionally, American actor Patrick Breen was the original voice of both Splatter and Dodge, but he was also subsequently recast for unknown reasons.

National press coverage was low, as many journalists were concentrating on the launch of the book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, for which a special train called "Hogwarts Express" would run from July 8 to 11.

[23] Thomas and the Magic Railroad was originally released onto VHS and DVD by Icon Home Entertainment on October 19, 2000.

The site's critical consensus reads, "Kids these days demand cutting edge special effects or at least a clever plot with cute characters.

[34] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film one star out of four, and wrote "(the fact) That Thomas and the Magic Railroad made it into theaters at all is something of a mystery.

"[35] While he admired the models and art direction, he criticized how the engines' mouths did not move when they spoke, the overly depressed performance of Peter Fonda, as well as the overall lack of consistency in the plot.

[35][36] Elvis Mitchell of The New York Times gave the film a negative review, saying, "Mr. Baldwin's attack – there's no better way to put it – is unforgettable.

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.

Parents may well find that their children are squirming in their seats long before Thomas rides his magic rails into the sunset.

That said, and the magic notwithstanding, tikes who do manage to grasp the complex story lines, and can sit still for an hour and a half, will learn good lessons about friendship, courage, hard work and being kind.

"[39] Nell Minow of Common Sense Media gave the film three out of five stars and writing that it "will please [Thomas fans]" but that the plot "might confuse kids".

[40] A video game based on the film, titled Thomas and the Magic Railroad: Print Studio, was released in the United Kingdom.

[44] On June 8, 2011, it was announced that 9 director Shane Acker would direct the film, with Weta Digital designing the visual effects.

On October 6, 2020, it was announced that Marc Forster would be directing a new theatrical live-action animated film based on Thomas & Friends.