Barbie maker Mattel to buy Thomas the Tank Engine owner

[gmat]

US toy maker Mattel has announced a deal to buy HIT Entertainment, owner of Thomas the Tank Engine and other popular children's brands.
I guess it won't affect N and HO trains:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15430842

Further info.
Mattel Buys A $680M Ticket For Thomas:
http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/mattel-buys-a-680m-ticket-for-thomas/

Wood and Die cast info.
Mattel buying Thomas the Tank Engine's parent:
http://hosted2.ap.org/ARLID/d0732c86f9b44a428fc30e935ef90fcf/Article_2011-10-24-Mattel-Thomas%20the%20Tank%20Engine/id-012ce4ce55dc4308960fa0bbcdca59d3


Best wishes,
Grant

[Bernard]

Does this mean they'll be issuing a "Malibu Thomas" train complete with his "Dream Roundhouse." 

[cteno4]

and barnie... wonder if barbie and barnie will have a fling?

jeff

[KenS]

No, no.  They're going to do Barbie and her freinds as a British Tetsudou Musume and take on Tomytec.  Ken will need to put on some weight to play Sir Topham Hatt though.

[bikkuri bahn]

Ken will need to put on some weight to play Sir Topham Hatt though.

It's interesting that due to PC concerns in the U.S., that character's name was changed from the original "fat controller".  I remember also then PM John Major being dubbed the "grey controller", around the time of BR privitisation.