Reading the stories
When the Thomas stories first came out, they were in books. But before then, they were told again and again as bedtime stories so unlike most books they were meant to be read out loud. After the rush of the day, a parent would sit on or next to the bed and read a story which would take five minutes or so.
Each page has coloured pictures and looking at the pictures is part of the fun and often there are just a few really long difficult words which puts us in an "Awkward Predicament" as Percy says. That's part of the fun.
Then came the videos. If you're watching on television, there isn't time to rush and get the book, but you can if you're watching on video. Usually the stories are shorter provoking squeals of "You missed a bit", and details change.
Nowhere in the written stories is there a windmill or a watermill, but there is in the video and we'ed be poorer without it.
Thomas stories have a moral or a message but as, either in books or on video, they are going to be read again and again there is no need for this to be emphasised. If you are a parent,let your children work it out for themselves.
Most of the stories are based on real events and could and did happen. But enough of me - you've just enough time to go and read one more story.