Thomas the Tank Engine documentary to receive UK premiere at Alstom’s The Greatest Gathering

An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine explores the profound influence of the beloved children’s television series on popular culture and its enduring legacy. The documentary delves into the origins of Thomas the Tank Engine, its global impact and the passionate community of fans that have grown around it.

An Unlikely Fandom has been directed by Brannon Carty, an independent filmmaker from Greensboro, North Carolina. He will be travelling from the USA to take part in a Q&A following the screening on Saturday 2 August, where he will be joined by the film’s producers, Ahmad Akfa, Joshua Hood and Nicholas Maniscalco, along with co-producer James Garder. 

“For many of us railfans, it was watching episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine as children that drew us into the wonderful world of trains and railways. Therefore, it was only fitting that we shone a spotlight on Thomas and his friends at The Greatest Gathering and invite the filmmakers to premiere their fantastic documentary at our historic site. For visitors coming to our festival on Saturday 2 August, this will be a perfect way to end their day,” said Ben Goodwin, Director of Communications UK and Ireland at Alstom. 

The popular character began his adventures in a book published in 1945 – the first in Rev. W. Awdry’s The Railway Series. These stories were later adapted by Britt Allcroft into a live action television show that starred the anthropomorphic railway engines, and which ran from 1984 until 2021.

“Collaborating with Alstom for the UK premiere of An Unlikely Fandom is an incredible honour. Longtime fans and newcomers can finally experience the film that moved audiences at our New York premiere in November 2023,” said Brannon Carty, Director of An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine.

He added: “At its core, this documentary tells the story of how one little blue train connects fans across generations, cultures and communities. Sharing our passion project at such a landmark event feels like the perfect way to celebrate Thomas’ 80th anniversary.”

The Greatest Gathering takes place on Friday 1, Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August 2025 at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Site in Derby. Britain’s biggest and oldest remaining train factory will be home to more than 100 rolling stock exhibits from the past, present and future of the railways, with the site itself opening to the public for the first time in almost 50 years.

Alongside displays of historic and modern, mainline locomotives, Britain’s biggest rail celebration will also feature rides along Derby’s Test Track and a variety of narrow-gauge trains will be in operation. Fairground attractions, street food and live music will also add to the festival feel.

Meanwhile, one of the site’s large paint booths will be transformed into a 250-seat auditorium – the Mobility Theatre – for the event, and which will host drop-in talks and engaging discussions from famous faces and industry leaders across the three days. It will also host the screening of An Unlikely Fandom from 17.00 on Saturday 2 August, once the main event has closed for the day.

Tickets to the UK premiere of An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine are available to purchase only by existing ticketholders of The Greatest Gathering on Sunday 2 August only. Priced £10 per person (plus booking fees), they are available via the event’s official website and See Tickets. 

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