Thumper/Behind the Scenes

Television Series
Thumper is a fictional heavy-duty quarry machine created by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

In 1998, Thumper was introduced in the fifth series of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. He only appeared in the episode, Rusty and the Boulder.

Gauge 1 Model
Thumper’s model was constructed out of plastic. It was painted using glossy car body paint and his name was placed on both sides using custom cut vinyl stickers. The wheels and caterpillar tracks were sourced from a KV-1C tank model made by Tamiya. The model was equipped with a motor to power the arms.

Three different facial expressions were sculpted for Thumper, although only one was used on-screen, two of which, his worried and cross faces were left unused. The faces were first sculpted in clay and from that resin casts were made of a silicone mould.

Present Day
After production of the model series wrapped in 2008, most of the models and sets would be put into storage, with some being put on display at Drayton Manor Theme Park. All other models would be logged and referenced in 2009 by HiT Entertainment, from this HiT would decide on which models were to enter storage once again, which would be given to crew members and which to be disposed off. Due to only having one model made in gauge 1 scale, Thumper's model would be kept and would stay under HiT and later Mattel's ownership.

From early 2020 till late 2022, Thumper’s model was on display at Drayton Manor Theme Park. It was removed and returned to storage after the exhibit closed and a new layout was constructed elsewhere in the park. Although during the new layout's construction one of his faces would be present.