THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE – A Lesson in Economics

We’ve always loved this little show, not merely because it was brought to TV by an old friend of LB’s (Rick Sigglekow: Hi, Rick!) but also because of the important life lessons it teaches. Including this one about – cronyism?

Thomas the Tank Engine

The Baffling Economics of the Island of Sodor
by Alex Knapp

Being the father of a toddler, I spend a lot of time watching Thomas the Tank Engine. As a writer for a business magazine, my mind can’t help but be puzzled by how the economy of the Island of Sodor actually functions. It seems to me to be dreadfully inefficient, and for the life of me I can’t figure out how anyone on the Island turns a profit – especially the railways. Here’s just a few questions I’ve had while watching the show: read article