Thomas The Tank Engine's Classic Music

Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends has been a popular icon for nearly 70 years in books, but has also been adored over 20 years on television. What really made the Thomas TV Series immensely renowned, other than the memorable characters, soothing narrations and charming storylines, was the music.

From 1984 to 2003, the soundtrack was written, composed and arranged by partners Mike ODonnell and Junior Campbell, the latter who was a member of the band group "Marmalade" from the 1960s and 70s. Every character and incidental theme was composed on classic synthesisers, which were updated in each new series to sound more modern but still keep the charm and familiar tunes in tact. Many nostalgic fans have remembered their themes as they grew up with Thomas and can instantly remember which tune belonged to which character, which they cant help but hum along to. From dramatic build ups to accidents, to sweet bouncy themes that stroll along with the engines as they puff happily along the lines in every scene.

Sadly, after 7 Seasons and nearly 19 years, the classic music we loved to hear, including the unforgettable title theme tune, had been retired and replaced with new music by Robert Hartshorne since HIT bought the rights to the series and wanted to give it a rebirth. While Hartshornes music does justice for the newer episodes with his own original scores, older fans of Thomas know he would never be as good as ODonnell and Campbell.

My whole reason into starting this petition is to get ODonnell and Campbells classic music themes out on CD and available for listening. If you should ever wander into any HMV store, you will see a wide range of musical themes from classic programmes of years gone by - Doctor Who, Bod, The Clangers, Postman Pat, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet - shows like these that are over 40 years old and are selling their soundtracks to fans who remember them, yet I find it a great disappointment that Thomas has yet to do that.

If you are reading this, HIT, we would be ever so grateful if you would hear me out. I know youre selling the Thomas Brand for the younger audience now, but try to think of the older generation; the ones who remembered Thomas for who he once was and the fantastic music it had between Series 1 right to Series 7. Weve done so much for our childhood hero over the years and wed be thankful if you could please release the classic music that gave Thomas its charm and delightful feel to every episode. Undoubtedly, Mike ODonnell and Junior Campbell were part of the glue that made us love Thomas almost as much as the characters and stories.

So please, if you do love Thomas and its classic synthesised music, sign this petition so we can get these themes released on Soundtrack Albums for us to buy and listen to over and over again and to relive our childhood memories of music gone but never forgotten.