However, in 2006, I discovered the series of Thomas The Model Series on YouTube. Fascinated by this series and its popularity, I thought it might be worth putting some of my episodes online.
So in November that year, 2 episodes were ripped from a video and uploaded to the YouTube channel. These were not the best of quality, in all aspects, but were a start for the series nonetheless.

The following year, after a camera was recieved for Christmas, the first proper series was filmed and released on YouTube. The episodes still had a long way to go, but compared to the two original episodes, were much better. This series featured most of the characters that are in the series today, but all were un-introduced, apart from Queen Elizabeth.

When series 1 finished in 2007, a second series was quickly started up. This series, originally run by the title "When They Met..." showcased episodes based around when the new characters arrived to the railway. Midway through this series, the camera decided to pack in, which meant filmed ceased for some considerable time. Thankfully, a cable to connect an old camera (which had been used to film the first two episodes) to the computer was found, and filming resumed with this. The last half of series 2 was completed in a much better picture quality, and backdrops in the form of camping groudmats were used.

Series 3 began after a short break in 2008. This series had a different opening to the previous series, using an instrumental version of the Thomas Anthem, followed by the Island Of Sodor introduction segment as used in the TV show. This series screened 15 episodes starring a mix of the characters characters.
Series 3 saw a change for filming though. The first episode of the series was filmed before series 2 had even been completed, and was held back because of this.
But the big change for TTMA was the switchover to cast faces.
Up until then, the engines had all used hand-drawn faces which were stuck to the smokeboxes of the trains with blu-tac. But it was decided, to improve the look of the series, that these would be replaced with cast faces. This was originally because it was believed the plaster would be more durable, as the paper faces were "soaked" by the blu-tac in some cases and became creased over their useage. The plaster faces would also allow the eyes to be drilled out, being replaced by plasticine which could be moved the allow the characters to look in different directions.
Series 3 ended in 2009.

Series 4 was delayed by more camera problems. The computer crashed and would no longer accept the old camera, so another new one was acquired. After filming three episodes, a faulty part caused the camera to topple of the tripod and break. It took 3 months for it to be replaced after issues with the post and supplier.
Eventually though, the series was under way in 2010. The plaster faces had been slightly improved, having had a layer of paint added. Another 15 episodes were screened, and the series lasted into the early months of 2011.

2011 also sees TTMA's 5th Anniversary, and the movie, which has been awaiting production for near on 3 years, is to be screened in celebration of this...

It is hoped a 5th series will be made at some point in the future, but this will not be for some time, as I hope to build a proper layout to film on and purchase some scenics to help bring Sodor to life.

Over the course of its life, TTMA has proved quite popular with many people, and when the time comes for it to close up completely, I am sure it will be dearly missed.