Thomas the Tank Engine: The Great Race Explained (Simply)

You ever sit back and wonder how a show about talking trains became a global powerhouse? It's wild. Most of us grew up with the slow-paced model stories, but by 2016, things had shifted into high gear with the release of Thomas & Friends: The Great Race. Honestly, this movie was a massive turning point for the franchise, basically acting as the "Avengers: Endgame" of the railway world by bringing in engines from literally everywhere.

If you’re trying to figure out why your kid is suddenly obsessed with a colorful engine named Ashima or why Gordon has a weird aerodynamic shell, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to look at what actually happens in the movie, the real-world history it tapped into, and why it's still a big deal for fans today.

What Really Happened With the Great Railway Show?

The plot is pretty straightforward but surprisingly high-stakes for a kids' movie. Basically, Thomas hears about the Great Railway Show on the Mainland. It’s like the Olympics for engines. Naturally, Thomas wants in. But there's a problem: he's a small tank engine. The big engines—especially Gordon—laugh at him, thinking he isn't fast or strong enough to compete.

Thomas tries everything to fit in. He asks to be streamlined (which results in a hilarious dream sequence involving a David Bowie-inspired paint job). He tries to get repainted. He even gets grumpy with a new engine named Ashima, a beautiful tank engine from India, mostly because he’s jealous of how great she looks.

Eventually, through a series of mishaps, Gordon gets the streamlining instead, becoming "The Shooting Star." But Gordon’s arrogance leads to his safety valve being left off, and his boiler literally explodes during the race. It’s a pretty intense moment for a movie rated for toddlers. Thomas ends up entering the shunting competition and—spoiler alert—proves that being yourself is actually enough.

The International Lineup (It’s a Lot)

One of the biggest draws of Thomas & Friends: The Great Race was the introduction of 13 new international engines. This was a clear move by Mattel to make the brand more global, and it mostly worked.

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• Ashima (India): She’s the standout. Voiced by Tina Desai, she’s kind, capable, and has one of the most intricate paint jobs ever seen in the series.
• The Flying Scotsman (Great Britain): This was huge for the "railfans." Gordon’s real-life famous brother made his first major appearance here, voiced by Rufus Jones.
• Vinnie (USA/Canada): The "bully" engine. He’s a massive North American 4-8-4 who tries to push Philip around.
• Etienne (France): An electric engine who actually wins the Great Race because he’s ridiculously fast.
• Axel (Belgium): A streamlined steam engine.
• Carlos (Mexico): A proud, older engine who competed in the first-ever Great Railway Show.
• Raul (Brazil): A small but feisty shunter.
• Frieda (Germany): A big, blue streamlined engine who thinks she's better than everyone.

There were others too, like Yong Bao from China and Ivan from Russia, though they didn't get nearly as much screen time as the others.

Why This Movie Still Matters

It wasn't just another DVD release. Production for this special began in May 2015 and wrapped up in early 2016. It was directed by David Stoten and written by Andrew Brenner, who many fans consider the "savior" of the writing style during that era.

Budget-wise, it was a solid hit. The movie grossed about $3.6 million worldwide, with a surprisingly strong performance in China where it made over $1.6 million in its opening weekend. That's a lot of money for a talking train.

The Musical Element

People forget that this is basically a musical. There are several catchy (and some slightly annoying) songs that drive the plot:

1. "Will You Won't You" - The main anthem where everyone is getting hyped for the show.
2. "Streamlining" - Thomas imagining himself as a sleek, fast engine.
3. "I'm Full of Surprises" - Diesel being, well, Diesel. He tries to sneak onto the mainland by hiding in a crate.
4. "You Can Only Be You" - The moral of the story. Ashima sings this to Thomas to make him feel better about his six small wheels.

The Weird Trivia Most People Miss

The movie is packed with Easter eggs. In the fantasy sequence where Thomas dreams of being repainted, one of the designs features a red and blue lightning bolt over his eye. That is a direct nod to David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane album cover.

Also, the timing wasn't an accident. The movie was released in May 2016 to coincide with the real-life return to service of the actual Flying Scotsman locomotive in the UK. It was also meant to tie into the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Interestingly, this was the last movie produced by Arc Productions before they went bankrupt and were taken over by Jam Filled Toronto. If you look closely at some of the animation in the later half of the 20th season, you can see where the transition happened, but The Great Race remains one of Arc's most polished works.

Key Takeaways for Parents and Collectors

If you're watching this for the first time or looking to buy the toys, here is the deal:

• Theme of Identity: It’s a great way to talk to kids about not needing to change who they are to "win."
• Geography: It’s a sneaky way to introduce kids to different countries and cultures through the engines.
• The Toys: The "Wooden Railway" and "TrackMaster" versions of these international engines are some of the most sought-after on eBay because they were only produced for a limited window. Ashima and Vinnie usually go for the highest prices.

How to Watch It Today

You can find the movie on most streaming platforms like Amazon Prime or Apple TV. If you’re a purist, the DVD actually has some cool bonus features, including "contender" videos for each engine that give a bit more backstory than the film itself.

Next time you see a blue engine with a lightning bolt or a big green engine with two tenders, you'll know exactly what's going on.

Actionable Insights:

1. Check out the "contender" shorts on YouTube if your kid wants to know more about engines like Yong Bao or Shane, as they get very little screen time in the actual movie.
2. If you are collecting the toys, focus on the "Great Race" versions of Thomas and Gordon (The Shooting Star), as they have unique molds that aren't used in the standard line.
3. Use the international engines as a springboard to show your kids where those countries are on a map—it turns movie time into a quick geography lesson.