• Dave@lemmy.nz
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    10
    ·
    edit-2
    5 months ago

    Do you know how confusing it is that Thomas the Tank Engine has three blue, two red, and two green characters and they are the same shade of paint? We read Thomas books and my kid gets confused because Emily drives past Thomas, then meets Thomas coming down the line, past Thomas number 3.

    I’m gonna guess British shops only sold three colours of paint in 1984?

    • Technofrood
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      edit-2
      5 months ago

      Given Awdry was quite keen on accuracy to the real world engines (see the falling out with one of the first artists) I’m actually surprised there isn’t more consistency with the liveries. The Culdee Fell Railway has all engines with the same purple livery, and I think from memory the steam trains on the Skarloey Railway are red, which is more accurate to real life as generally each railway would have its own livery.

      I think earlier on when there were fewer engines it was less of a problem as they all had fairly distinct shapes being based on different real engine classes Garden and pre rebuild Henry probably being the least distinct.

      • Dave@lemmy.nz
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        5 months ago

        I think earlier on when there were fewer engines it was less of a problem as they all had fairly distinct shapes being based on different real engine classes

        Even so, it’s hard explaining to a 4 year old no no that’s not Edward that’s Thomas look at the flat sides, the flat bits come further towards the front than on Edward.

    • FrostyTrichs@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      5
      ·
      5 months ago

      Do you know how confusing it is that Thomas the Tank Engine has the blue, two red, and two green characters and they are the same shade of paint? We read Thomas books and my kid gets confused because Emily drives past Thomas, then meets Thomas coming down the line, past Thomas number 3.

      I’m gonna guess British shops only sold three colours of paint in 1984?

      Such a trainsist, thinking all blue or green trains look the same. /s