I notice a number of tourist railways are trying the "Little Engine That Could" events out this summer. Apparently it includes a full size engine just like Thomas, but I don't have any real knowledge of the details.Any feedback yet on how they're doing? Interesting that someone has cooked up some competition for Thomas events.

I believe the story is in the public domain which makes it attractive. Thomas, Polar Express and Hogwarts Express are all owned and permission to use them must be bought. One of the keys to bringing local visitors back more than once is special events with a wide market appeal, we need to keep creating more of them.dave

This is an Allan Harper venture--ie, owner of the D&S and Great Smokey Mountain Railway. "Rail Events" is the marketing arm and it operates under American Heritage Railrods, the Harper holding company.FWIW, the character is not actually in the public domain, its licensed via Universal Studios Licensing LLLP and copyright owned by Penguin. But yes, competition for the other Little Blue Engine.

The copyright for Little Engine That Could is not as strong as the Thomas copyright. The familiar book and story from the 1930's and 1940's was actually plagiarised from other versions dating to the turn of the century. So, I imagine the license fee is lower and much more negotiable.

Thanks for setting me straight. I wonder what other stories could be used that are in public domain?dave

For those who don't follow the life of the Little Engine that Could, you might be surprised to learn about her sex change. This little engine began life as a "boy train," partly because many train stories appealed to boys. In the past 25 or so years, publishers looking for positive female role models decided that this story, possibly because of an expired copyright, could make the leap to being a "girl train." They may have reasoned that most railroaders refer to their steam engines as "she's," so it wouldn't be very difficult. For a time, books featuring the little engine as a boy or girl could be found on the same shelf, and the girl train seemed passable.Many of us think of "Casey Jr." in Disney's film Dumbo as the Little Engine that could, and Ward Kimble definitely made this engine out to be male.

Check out the link for more information. This is the official site. If you need contact info feel free to email me and I'll point you in the right direction.www.thelittleenginethatcouldtour.comRyan