Thomas the Tank Engine was created by the Rev. Wilbert ... Thomas rolled into the U.S. on PBS in 1989 as the spinoff Shining Time Station, created by Allcroft and American producer Rick Siggelkow.

Segments of the show aired as part of the PBS program Shining Time Station. The producing duo stayed married for two decades before divorcing in 1997, just a year before Thomas the Tank Engine ...