If you’ve spent any time around a toddler lately, you know the drill. They don’t just want a train. They want the train to fly. They want the "Thomas the Train plane." It sounds like a fever dream or a weird bootleg toy you’d find in a dusty corner of the internet, but there is actually a very real, very specific character that fits this description. His name is Jeremy.
Jeremy the Jet Plane.
Honestly, the Railway Series—the original books by Reverend W. Awdry—was always pretty grounded. It was about steam, coal, and the occasional grumpy diesel. But as the franchise evolved into the global juggernaut we know as Thomas & Friends, the creators realized they needed to expand the "Sodor Airways" department. That’s where Jeremy comes in. He’s a high-speed jet plane who lives at the Sodor Airport, and for a lot of kids, he is the definitive Thomas the Train plane.
But it’s not just about one character. The search for a flying Thomas has led to a bizarre world of crossover toys, custom mods, and even some pretty questionable knock-offs that have parents scratching their heads.
Who is the actual Thomas the Train plane?
Let’s get the facts straight. Jeremy debuted in Season 10 of the television series. He’s a large, white jet with a smiley face on his nose. He’s basically the personification of a commercial airliner. He’s posh. He’s fast. And, unsurprisingly, he makes Thomas feel a little bit inadequate because, well, Thomas is stuck on tracks and Jeremy can see the whole island from the clouds.
There’s a specific episode, "Thomas and the Jet Plane," where this all comes to a head. Thomas is annoyed by Jeremy’s constant "busy, busy, busy" attitude. It’s a classic Sodor rivalry. The show uses these flying characters to bridge the gap between traditional rail travel and the modern world.
But Jeremy isn't the only one. You also have Harold the Helicopter. While Harold isn't a "plane" in the technical sense, many parents and kids use the terms interchangeably when they’re searching for Sodor’s aerial cast. Harold has been around much longer, debuting in the second season back in the 1980s. He’s the veteran. Jeremy is the flashy newcomer.
Then there’s Tiger Moth. He’s a biplane. He doesn’t talk. He just flies around looking cool and occasionally getting into trouble. If you’re looking for a "Thomas the Train plane" that looks like a vintage flyer, Tiger Moth is your guy.
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The weird world of Thomas crossover toys
Here is where things get kind of weird. If you go on Amazon or eBay and search for a Thomas the Train plane, you aren’t just going to find Jeremy. You’re going to find Thomas himself transformed into a plane.
Fisher-Price and Mattel have released various "hyper-glow" or "intergalactic" versions of Thomas over the years. Some of these sets involve Thomas being launched off ramps or "flying" through the air on specialized tracks. There was even a "Thomas Sky-High Bridge Jump" set that was massive. It literally launched a motorized Thomas through the air.
Is he a plane? No. Is he flying? Technically, yes. For a three-year-old, that’s a plane.
The toy market has also seen "Thomas & Friends" mashups with other brands. You might see custom 3D-printed kits where people have taken a standard wooden railway Thomas and slapped wings on the side. It’s a DIY subculture. People love it. It’s weirdly creative.
Why does this specific search matter for collectors?
Collectors are a different breed. They aren't looking for the plastic stuff you find at Target. They want the retired models.
Take the Learning Curve Wooden Railway line. The Jeremy model from that era is actually somewhat hard to find in good condition. Because it has wings, it’s prone to chipping. If you find one with the paint intact, you’ve got a minor treasure on your hands.
The Tomy/TrackMaster versions are also interesting. These are motorized. Seeing a battery-operated Jeremy zoom across the floor next to a blue steam engine is a bit surreal, but it’s a staple of many basement layouts.
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Most people get it wrong by assuming there is a "Thomas Plane" in the show's lore. There isn't. Thomas is always a tank engine. But the brand is so big that the "Thomas" label has become a catch-all for everything in the Sodor universe.
Real-world planes that look like Thomas
Believe it or not, there are actual airplanes painted to look like Thomas the Tank Engine. In Japan, the airline EVA Air is famous for its Hello Kitty planes, but various regional carriers and promotional events have featured Thomas-themed liveries.
In the UK, there have been hot air balloons shaped like Thomas’s head. Seeing a massive, blue, smiling face floating over the English countryside is either charming or terrifying, depending on how you feel about sentient trains.
There was also a specific promotional partnership with certain airlines where Thomas branding was used on the "winglets" of planes to entertain children during long-haul flights. This further blurs the line for kids. They see Thomas on a plane, so they ask for a Thomas plane.
Sorting through the "Thomas Plane" confusion
If you are a parent trying to buy the right toy, you need to know which "era" of Thomas your kid is watching.
- The Classic Era: Stick with Harold the Helicopter. He’s the icon.
- The CGI Era: This is where Jeremy the Jet Plane lives.
- All Engines Go: This is the newest, 2D-animated reboot. The physics here are crazy. Trains jump, they stretch, and they basically fly anyway. In this version, the "plane" aspect is more about the animation style than a specific character.
Honestly, the best way to satisfy the "Thomas the Train plane" itch is to look for the "TrackMaster" sets. They offer the most movement. They feel the most "active."
It is also worth noting that Jeremy was actually written out of the show for a while. He didn't appear in the later CGI seasons as much, which makes his merchandise a bit more "niche" than Harold’s. If you see a Jeremy in a thrift store, grab it.
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How to find a genuine Jeremy or Harold
Avoid the generic knock-offs on discount sites. They often use lead-based paints or have small parts that break off. Not great.
Instead, look for these specific brands:
- Fisher-Price (TrackMaster/Wood)
- Bachmann (HO Scale for serious hobbyists)
- Tomy (The original blue track system)
If you're looking for the HO Scale Jeremy, good luck. He’s a bit of a white whale for modelers. Most people end up kit-bashing their own version using a standard airplane model and some clever decal work.
The nuance here is that "Thomas the Train plane" is a search term born out of a misunderstanding of the show's cast, but it has led to a genuine market for these characters. It shows how much the brand has permeated our brains. We see a face on a vehicle, and we immediately think "Thomas."
Actionable steps for your Sodor collection
If you are looking to add an aerial element to a train set, start with the Harold the Helicopter with the magnetic lift. It actually interacts with the cargo crates on the trains. It’s functional play.
For those dead-set on a Jeremy the Jet Plane, check secondary markets like Mercari or specialized train forums. Don't overpay—he’s cool, but he shouldn't cost as much as a vintage brass engine.
Lastly, if you're feeling adventurous, look into the custom Thomas modding community. There are tons of tutorials on how to add "flight" wings to standard engines using nothing more than balsa wood and some blue acrylic paint. It’s a fun weekend project and, honestly, it’s exactly what the "Thomas the Train plane" searchers are actually looking for: a way to make the tracks feel a little less permanent.
Check the bottom of the toy for the "Gullane (Thomas) Limited" copyright to ensure it's an official product before you buy. Fake models often have "off" faces that look slightly creepy. You'll know it when you see it. Stick to the official stuff to make sure the wheels actually fit the tracks you already have at home.