Britt Allcroft, Producer Who Adapted ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ for TV, Dies at 81

variety.com:

Andrés Buenahora Britt Allcroft, a British television producer and writer who helped to develop “Thomas & Friends” based on “The Railway Series” books and its characters including Thomas the Tank Engine, died on Dec.

25, 2024. She was 81. Allcroft’s daughter, Holly Wright, confirmed her death to the New York Times. Director Brannon Carty announced her death on X earlier today, writing: “It is with great sadness that I share with you the passing of Britt Allcroft…Britt was an adoring mother and wife.

A visionary producer. She brought so much joy and happiness to people everywhere during her time on Earth.” Born Hilary Mary Allcroft in 1943, she later changed her name to Britt at the age of 16 as her career in British television expanded.

Hailing from Worthing, England, she served as a producer on a number of British television shows throughout the 1970s. Among her first projects was “Get It-Got-It-Good.” She eventually secured the rights to the “Railway Series” books from which the character Thomas the Tank Engine was adapted on screen.