Britt Allcroft, who co-created the beloved "Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends" children's series, has died. She was 81.

The beloved blue locomotive was first imagined in the 1940s — he starred in stories Rev. Wilbert Awdry told his son. Allcroft adapted Awdry's The Railway Series into Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends.

Known for bringing 'Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends' to British TV in 1984, writer, director and producer Britt Alcroft has died at 81.

Brannon Carty, who worked with Allcroft on his 2023 'An Unlikely Fandom' documentary, announced her death in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter)

Britt Allcroft, the creator of the “Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends” series, died at 81, filmmaker Brannon Carty announced on X. Allcroft was best known for producing the popular children’s show featuring Thomas the Tank Engine after obtaining the rights to adapt Reverend Wilbert Awdry’s “Railway Series” books for the small screen.