We're Coming To Shildon!

You may be forgiven for thinking that we had no intention of making appearances after that at the Shoeburyness Model Show last November. But fear not - we've just been looking for the right events (and for clear spaces in our calendars!) to book - and now we have!

We're delighted to confirm that we'll be making our official debut - with the full collection of items - at the National Railway Museum Shildon's 'Model Mania' event, taking place on August 1st and 2nd 2015. We'll be there alongside a whole host of other model trains, planes and automobiles for what looks set to be a great and interesting weekend of the world in miniature.

If you come along during the weekend, be sure to say hi - and see if you can spot one or two new pieces to the collection...

HOW TO GET THERE

We're looking for model planes, trains, automobiles and more to go on display at our MODEL MANIA event on Saturday...

Posted by Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon on Tuesday, 9 June 2015

Becoming Top Props

You may have noticed, or had it pointed out to you, that our name has now changed to "Top Props."

As many will know, the term "Sodor" is part of the "Thomas & Friends" franchise, and as such, would come under the brand's copyright when used in a way related to Thomas. Some research into the word brings up:

• Old Norse for the phrase Southern Isles
• Sodor and Man being the official name for the Anglican diocese of the Isle of Man since 1684.

To use the word and try to claim either of these as our meaning could perhaps be classed as cheap and desperate. Therefore, we have both decided that we shall play things safe and have changed to "Top Props."

We would also like to make it clear that we have attempted to change the page name on Facebook. However, Facebook does not allow this unless the page has fewer than 200 likes. Some geographical locations are offered a name-change request form, however, it seems the United Kingdom is not one of these. We shall continue to chase this up to bring all our platforms in line with one another.

Some may have picked up on the URLs being "TopPropsCO" for Facebook, Twitter and the blog. Both 'TopProp' and 'TopProps' addresses were taken on all platforms. The 'CO' in this instance does not mean 'Company' (which is usually designated by 'Co.'), but is instead an initial from each of our first name. For all intents and purposes, we are "Top Props."

We thank you for your understanding, and look forward to announcing new acquisitions and bookings throughout the year.

Harvey Face Moulds

Well, we're now into 2015 and it has already started impressively. We can announce we have now acquired a set of face moulds from the character "Harvey The Crane Engine."

Despite being of the same expression, the moulds are of slightly different stages of construction. For more information, please look at the collections page.

Happy New Year!

Studio-Related Props

We are delighted to once again further our collection with a selection of items that would have belonged to crew members of the studio.

Our first arrival is a set of no less than TEN storyboards from series seven.
Original artworks would have been scanned after completion and distributed amongst the whole creative department so that the shots that were planned could be replicated visually. Sadly, almost all of this original artwork is binned. The storyboards we possess are not originals, but copies that would have belonged to one of the crew. They are, however, very detailed and interesting pieces.

Next, we have two items that were gifts to the crew after production ceased on series six in 2002.
The body warmer is a particularly interesting piece, being embroidered with the images of Thomas himself and Jack the front loader - one of series six's newcomers.

Additionally, we also have a "Gullane" yo-yo, that accompanied the body warmer. Decorated with a classic Thomas image on one side, and the series logo on the other, the yo-yo was presented in a very special Gullane casing to protect the item.

We expect these items to be our last acquisitions for 2014.

COMPETITION TIME! [Updated]

To celebrate reaching 100 Facebook likes, we're running a special competition, where one lucky person can win a special series seven-related prize - your own copy of TWO series seven storyboards!

We'd like to know what your favourite episode from series seven is, and why it's your favourite. Tell us before 11:59PM (GMT) on Monday January 12 2015 to be in with a chance of being our winner!

T&C'S

• Strictly ONE Entry per person. Entries made through our Facebook page (facebook.com/SodorProps) must be posted to our wall and set to public. Twitter (twitter.com/SodorProps) entries must include #SodorPropsComp. Entries must be received by 11:59PM (GMT) on Sunday January 12 2015. Multiple entries WILL be disqualified.
• Strictly ONE episode to be nominated per entry. There is no character limit - be as detailed as you want in your explanation, but be convincing.
• Competition is open to all followers of Sodor Props on Facebook and Twitter, from any country. You MUST follow at least one of these pages to hold a valid entry.
• The winner will be selected at random from all valid entries, and the winner notified by January 31 2015. Delivery time and method of the prize will vary dependant on geographical location.

Latest Acquisitions

We are delighted to extend our collection (again!) with some further miniatures used in the television show. The figures include a dock worker with apron (below left) and a member of railway staff (below right.) Both of these are made from solid lead, with poseable arms and heads.

Welcome

First off, welcome.

You've probably come to this blog to find out more about who we are, what we have and where we're going. Hopefully this will all be covered here for you.

But not at this very moment - we're still working hard to build this, all behind the scenes of course. Please bear with us and we'll have things going smoothly soon!