Although I never got a Lionel Thomas the Tank Engine, Thomas is 100% responsible for my love of trains a model trains today. The older series when I was a kid was made with models, someday along the line, I received a TM Books "I Love Toys Trains" VHS tape and that year I asked Santa to bring me a Santa Fe Super Chief Set.
Many people my age, early 20s, and late teens, owe it to Thomas and Friends for our modeling addictions today. Hopefully, the new format of the show does not push more kids away from it and trains.