ERTL Thomas Toys: A Short Nostalgic History

If you were a Thomas-obsessed child of the 80s, 90s, or early 2000s then you probably have some recollection of the die-cast toys by ERTL. In this video I give a condensed history of the ERTL Thomas toys and even show off my own modest collection!

[@NWRGreen5Productions]

I was born after the eartl line ended, but we would always find them at yard sales and thrift stores. Sadly, though, a lot of them got broken, so I am now left with only 13 or so. Some of the best toys ever though.

[@FortheloveofThomas84]

In fact I have never been to a flea market in years

[@Splendid_Studios]

Fantastic video and now I know some ERTL Thomas lore and what!!! you found an ERTL Bear for a pound??? Lucky!

[@TheYardLimit]

These were my introduction to the Railway Series in a way. I think right around the time the Complete Collection Hardback with all the Wilbert stories came out, I got an ERTL model of Sixteen at a Railroad Museum when I was 5 yrs old. I had no idea who he was for years. This was also my first time seeing a working Thomas Replica and even more exciting for me an actual full sized steam locomotive in steam, which I found much more interesting. Here I am 26 years later buying the things on eBay lol

[@Duckthechad]

I don’t really have memories with the (since I was born in 2012) but wen I watched videos of ertl Thomas toys i wanted one and now I have three a Boco a Daisy and a 1984 thomas

[@puzzledzimbo]

Brings back memories. We had a collection of these. The range was so successful we could even buy them in Zimbabwe where we lived! We also used to use the shrink wrapped plastic from the packaging as jelly moulds.

[@aidandunn1009]

I've got a big collection of Ertl figures and I'm still collecting them now. I'm looking 4 ones like Jock and Neil at the moment.

[@ChandlersFordStation]

I still have my Childhood collection and now as an adult I have a mint in box collection. Emily, Jock and Spencer are the final Three I need. Just very expensive. Also you have to be careful as a lot of people on eBay over hype the price, so it pays to look around as you say.
Great video, Thanks for sharing.

[@TheYardLimit]

I have been filling out my childhood collection with used models on Ebay. I picked up a handful of sealed models to display as well.

[@Kidsmtvslvback]

I played with ERTL toys and collected them until either the 2000 or 2001. After that they were very rare to come by until they were discontinued in 2003. Whenever I watched Thomas I was always re-enacting the stories with them.

[@thomasTheTrainAnimations]

I love Thomas ertl trains.

[@TheTrainspotterFromTauranga]

I never had ERTL toys as a kid, but I've gotten to like the range after I started collecting them in 2018. I remember taking my Thomas model on a real train ride on the Waitara Branch here in New Zealand.
And as much as I like the inclusion of RWS-exclusive characters like Godred and Culdee, I don't like the weird and inconsistent scales of the models. For example, Toby and Diesel tower over Boco and Gordon, and that just looks ridiculous.
Some the highlights in my collection are Percy (with a paper face), Godred, Culdee, City of Truro, Thomas and Sir Handel.

[@Apples800]

I agree about the scale problem. Putting Oliver and Toad together looks so weird with ERTL. Since Toad towers over Oliver, even though they are meant to be the same height.

[@harrisonallen651]

Ertl got discontinued right around when the hit era kicked off, however we were robbed by getting the narrow gauge coaches and Mike etc.

[@shaunminto26]

Had virtually all of them as a kid sadly had a fall out with family so won’t be able to get them back for my kids

[@JangoFett220]

I managed to snipe a shiny Rheneas on EBay back in June for £6, that was a steal

[@blue-ribbon-sparkler]

i have an 1987 ertl james and a 1994 (i think?) skarloey. two of my favourite characters. i love your videos keep it up :)

[@percyhenryenginefan99]

The felt driver is for a fuzzy, felt board

[@TheGingerEngine]

Great video and collection my friend. Got my own collection as well and did a video on it as well. Enjoy my friend and well done ☺️🚂🚃

[@anthonyfisher-7090]

Tbh I feel like the 2003-2004 models were abit better sizing wise. Especially Spencer and Murdoch

[@kingfisher1487]

I got most of them. Ertl did do a rare Henry mk1 in his old shape

[@blueraccoon1088]

I gotta get an ertl for my forge day, especially the rare holiday one. I'm sorry for saying this but I had some wooden railway and loved the 3 pack I remember having a paint chipped james

[@blueraccoon1088]

2:42 why not print some?

[@Pepperknight341]

I stole an ERTL Percy from pre school.

[@ScarfNJam2]

And I almost ate an ertl miniature duck in my school

[@giantfightingroboto]

Did they put something in the metal to make kids unhinged!?

[@ScarfNJam2]

@@giantfightingroboto it’s not my fault he looks so colourful, green, and scrumptious, hell, i think I threw a minature Edward at someone before as well

[@ExequielArellano-sz4sq]

There is no diesel 10

[@giantfightingroboto]

What?

[@rockyfanatic6846]

Ertl did diesel 10

[@ethan_playzroblox4265]

yes there is?
they made one to coincide with the release of TATMR…