What color is Thomas the Tank Engine?

Thomas the Tank Engine is blue.

His familiar livery is usually described as North Western Railway blue, with red lining and the yellow-outlined number 1 on his side tanks. In the stories, Thomas is a small tank locomotive who works on the fictional Island of Sodor.

Thomas first appeared in Wilbert Awdry’s book Thomas the Tank Engine, published in 1946, after The Railway Series began with The Three Railway Engines in 1945. The television adaptation made his bright blue appearance especially recognizable worldwide.

A common mix-up is confusing Thomas with James, whose signature color is red, or Henry and Percy, who are generally green. Thomas’s blue body is his standard identifying feature, although illustrations and adaptations can vary slightly in shade or detailing.