Thomas & Friends (originally known as Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends in its early seasons) is a British children’s television series. The logo for the early seasons, beginning in 1984, uses Beton.
Based on The Railway Series of books by Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher, English writer and producer Britt Allcroft arranged a deal to bring the stories to life as the TV series. In the United Kingdom, it had its first broadcast on the ITV network on October 1984. In the United States, it had its first broadcast on Shining Time Station in 1989.
The specific version of Beton is probably Letraset’s adaptation, in caps from the Extra Bold and Bold Condensed styles. It has the K and R with curved legs. These were included in the original foundry design, alongside alternate forms with straight legs. Joffre LeFevre’s Hunter is the only revival to retain these shapes. Vernon Adams’s Bevan is similar in these details.
Letraset sheet for 48pt Beton Extra Bold. Image by CraftyTransfers.Letraset sheet for 48pt Beton Bold Condensed. Image by CraftyTransfers.
1 Comment on “Thomas & Friends TV series logo”
The specific version of Beton is probably Letraset’s adaptation, in caps from the Extra Bold and Bold Condensed styles. It has the K and R with curved legs. These were included in the original foundry design, alongside alternate forms with straight legs. Joffre LeFevre’s Hunter is the only revival to retain these shapes. Vernon Adams’s Bevan is similar in these details.