She discovered the character in a series of 1940s children’s books and thought Ringo Starr would make a great Mr. Conductor on television.
The first Thomas the Tank Engine theme park opened in Japan in 1998 ... It was her own decision, however, to make female characters more prominent than in the books. “We are now getting letters ...
She wanted to create an unconventional show that would enchant children. And she knew she found her perfect narrator in Ringo Starr.