The model railway set specialist last produced "Thomas The Tank Engine" products in 2013 but has agreed a new licence with HIT, the pre-school entertainment company which has control over the usage of the iconic "Thomas and Friends" brand.
The popular children's TV series, once narrated by ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, recently had a makeover with CGI cartoon shows aired regularly in the UK on Nickelodeon UK's top-performing preschool channel, Nick Jr. UK and Ireland, and as part of Channel 5's Milkshake! programming strand.
Jim Procter-Blain, marketing director at Hornby, told Sky News the new range would have nostalgia appeal so would be manufactured to last beyond the toy-room years.
Thomas' creator, Reverend Wilbert Awdry, inspects a setup for the Thomas TV series in 1981. Britt Allcroft, who created the show, is at right.
He said: "In terms of quality, our Thomas range is made to the same exacting quality as the rest of the Hornby range of model trains – paying absolute attention to detail and assembling every item by hand.
"We're very excited to see children playing with Thomas model trains again - but at the same time we want these products to stand the test of time - and to be passed down from generation to generation."
Richard Ames, Hornby chief executive, said of the new agreement: "Hornby has a strategy to develop licences with strong brands.
"We are delighted to be celebrating another agreement with Thomas & Friends.
"We have been consistently asked by our consumers about our plans and we are pleased to confirm the product line will be in the market in 2015."
In the UK market, "Thomas & Friends" is the number one pre-school character with total sales of merchandise related to the brand up 18% year to date, according to research from NPD data.
Thomas, James, Henry, Percy and Edward train figures will be available at retail from December 2015, ahead of the crucial Christmas season.
Hornby also announced Steve Cook as its new finance director, replacing the incumbent Nick Stone in the summer.
In additional "Thomas the Tank Engine" news, following speculation, Britt Allcroft, the creator of the hit children's television series "Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends", has revealed what drives the Isle of Sodor's Economy!:
"I do have the skinny on this, you know," says Allcroft. "Sodor Railways is a cooperative. It is owned by the passengers and the railway staff and — very importantly — all the engines." Sir Topham Hatt, Allcroft posits, is an official appointed by the cooperative. "He has a contract that's renewed on performance," and that's why he can be so gruff. "He needs to keep his job," she says.
Sources: Sky News, Proactive Investor UK.
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