Dikten är ofta mer verklighetsbaserad än vi tror.
Bara för att vi inte har sett någon i Sverige med det utseendet så behöver inte leksakstelefonens eller leksakslokets utseende vara långt ifrån verkligheten.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_the_Tank_EngineWikipedia skrev: Thomas the Tank Engine is a small fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and is the titular character in the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas & Friends.
Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue with red lining, and displays the running number one.
All of the locomotives in The Railway Series were based on prototypical engines;
Thomas has origins in the E2 Class designed by Lawson Billinton in 1913.
London, Brighton and South Coast Railway
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LB%26SCR_E2_class
/Curt