news: Fisher-Price Gets Thomas Tank Engine Toy Deal

Way to go Fisher Price:

Mattel Inc.'s Fisher-Price brand signed a multi-year deal as the global toy licensee for HIT Entertainment's Thomas & Friends train product line, in a move to boost sales globally, the companies said Monday.

Financial terms of the deal, which covers multiple territories around the world, were not disclosed. The first products will be available in 2010, when the Thomas line celebrates its 65th anniversary, and offerings will expand as existing licensees' rights expire, the companies said.

News: Longest toy train track in the World

The longest toy train track-world record was set by a Thomas the Tank Engine track at Thomas Land at the Drayton Manor Theme Park in Tamworth UK.

The record breaking Thomas & Friends track was made up of the following elements:
5,500 straight pieces of track
3,125 curved pieces of track
10 flat end turn out with switch track (mix of left and right)
10 slope track curves
50 girders (level 1, 2 and 3)
20 bridges
10 Harold at the Hangar
10 Sodor Mountain mines
10 Cranky at the Docks
20 stations
15 Tidmouth sheds
50 Signal posts
1,700 customised supports
Total of 10,530 pieces