Thomas & Friends is releasing the original, never-before-seen 1983 pilot episode of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends on YouTube for the first time ever. PEOPLE has a sneak peek at the special ...

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Ringo Starr, fourth from left, was the original narrator of “Thomas & Friends.” Mattel A vast majority of the many characters were originally male — and, apparently, white.

Thomas & Friends is celebrating 80 years of the beloved character and his stories PEOPLE has a first look at the never-before-seen 1983 pilot episode of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends ...