Full steam ahead - Thomas is going to Hollywood
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is set to steam onto the big screen in 2011

Sixty four years after Rev Wilbert Awdry created Thomas to comfort his son, the adventures of the steam engines have become one of the world's biggest pre-school children's businesses.

Fifty million copies of the original 26 stories written by Rev Awdry, and the 13 then written by his son, Christopher, have been sold worldwide. The Thomas television series has enjoyed decades of small screen success and subsequent massive global DVD sales.

Last week, HIT Entertainment, Thomas the Tank Engine's owner, took the first steps towards making a new feature film. Julia Pistor, the head of HIT's newly created film division, said that it made sense for the company - also home to Bob the Builder - to start its film business with Thomas because the engine is a "phenomenally successful and versatile brand".

Josh Klausner, the writer of Shrek the Third, has been signed to act as the screenwriter for a movie that the company hopes will lead to a film emerging from the tunnel of production some time in 2011.