David Mitton

from Edinburgh - Scotland - UK

Artwork for An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine

Biography

David Mitton (David Nelson Godfrey Mitton) (born in Edinburgh, Scotland, 13th July 1938 - died London, England, 28th May 2008) is the creator of the TUGS series. He first began his career as a special effects technician for Gerry Anderson's Supermarionation shows such asThunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Joe 90. Then he became friends with Robert D. Cardona, and they established their own company called Clearwater Features. In 1984, Mitton began his work as director, writer and producer on Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends alongside Britt Allcroft. Later in 1988, Mitton and Cardona decided to create a show about two tug fleets called the Star Tugs and the Z-Stacks, giving the series its name, TUGS. David wrote six episodes of the series and directed nine of them. When TUGS was cancelled and Clearwater Features closed down, he continued to direct Thomas until his retirement in 2003. In 2007, he and producer David Lane launched a company of their own called Pineapple Squared Entertainment Ltd, and were working on a CGI show called Adventures on Orsum Island. Sadly, David Mitton died of a heart attack on 28th May 2008, at the age of 69. Many Thomas and TUGS fans were greatly saddened by this news. Adventures on Orsum Island was cancelled, and only a handful of clips exist.

Timeline

2026Aged 88

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Classic Stories

    Director

  • Poster for Target: Captain Black!

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds 4K Double Bill - Atlantic Inferno / Attack of the Alligators!

    Special Effects

2025Aged 87

  • Poster for Thunderbirds 60th Anniversary Double Bill - Trapped in the Sky / Terror in New York City

    Special Effects

2023Aged 85

  • Poster for An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine

    Self (archive footage)

  • Poster for TUGS: A Bigg Retrospective

    Original Concept

2022Aged 84

  • Poster for Project Tiger Moth:

    Original Series Design

2015Aged 77

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: 1st Class Stories

    Producer

2014Aged 76

  • Poster for This Is Supermarionation

    Special Effects

2013Aged 75

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Edward and Gordon

    Writer

2012Aged 74

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Best of Percy

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Best of James

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Engine Friends

    Producer

2011Aged 73

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My First Thomas with Diesel

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My First Thomas with the Twin Engines

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My First Thomas with The Fat Controller

    Writer

2010Aged 72

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Best of Thomas

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Greatest Stories

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My First Thomas with Bertie and Harold

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My First Thomas with Henry and Gordon

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My First Thomas with Toby and Edward

    Producer

2009Aged 71

  • Poster for はじめましてトーマスシリーズ いつもなかよしふたごのきかんしゃ

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Best of Thomas & Friends, Volume 1

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas and Friends: Thomas and Gordon and Other Adventures

    Director

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My First Thomas with Thomas

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My First Thomas with Percy

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My First Thomas with James

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Holiday Express

    Writer

2008Aged 70

  • Poster for Thomas e Seus Amigos: Aprendendo com Thomas

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Percy Takes the Plunge

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Mud Glorious Mud

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Henry and the Elephant

    Writer

2007Aged 69

  • Poster for Thomas e Seus Amigos: Ajudando os Amigos

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Rusty Saves The Day

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Ultimate Christmas

    Producer

2006Aged 68

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas and the Really Brave Engines and Other Adventures

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas de Stoomlocomotief: Rock 'n Roll

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas de Stoomlocomotief: Thomas en de Speciale Brief

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas' Halloween Adventures

    Writer

2005Aged 67

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Hooray for Thomas and Other Adventures

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas de Stoomlocomotief: De spooktrein

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Quarry Adventures on Sodor

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Bumper Party Collection!

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Percy Saves the Day and Other Adventures

    Director

  • Poster for Thomas de Stoomlocomotief: Vertrouw maar op Thomas

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas de Stoomlocomotief: Vrolijk Kerstfeest!

    Writer

2004Aged 66

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Engines to the Rescue

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas de Stoomlocomotief: De grote race!

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas de Stoomlocomotief: …bij de neus genomen!

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & seine Freunde: Helden auf Schienen

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & seine Freunde: Freunde helfen Freunden

    Director

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: New Friends for Thomas and Other Adventures

    Director

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas and the Jet Engine and Other Adventures

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Pulling Together!

    Director

  • Poster for Thomas de Stoomlocomotief: Een smerig geval

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas de Stoomlocomotief: Percy en Harold

    Writer

2003Aged 65

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Percy's Chocolate Crunch and Other Thomas Adventures

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Chocolate Crunch and Other Stories

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas and the Jet Engine

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Brave Little Engines

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Fun with Thomas

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: James and the Red Balloon and Other Thomas Adventures

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Best of Gordon

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Twin Trouble

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Happy Little Helpers

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas' Snowy Surprise and Other Adventures

    Producer

2002Aged 64

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My Little Thomas and Toby Adventures

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Very Best of Thomas & Friends

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Best of James

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My Little Thomas and the Royal Visitor

    Director

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Salty's Secret and Other Thomas Adventures

    Story

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Fogman and Other Stories

    Director

2001Aged 63

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas' Trackside Tunes and Other Thomas Adventures

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My Little Thomas and Percy Adventures

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Truck Loads of Fun

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Best of Percy

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My Little Thomas and Bertie Adventures

    Director

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Best of Thomas

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Seasonal Scrapes

    Writer

2000Aged 62

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Spills & Chills

    Producer

  • Poster for Spills and Chills & Other Thomas Thrills

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas and Friends: Singalong with Thomas

    Director

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Fun Time Favourites

    Director

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Happy Ever After

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas and the Magic Railroad

    Creative Consultant

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Make Someone Happy and Other Thomas Adventures

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas' Christmas Wonderland and Other Thomas Adventures

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Peep Peep Party

    Writer

1999Aged 61

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Cranky Bugs and Other Thomas Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Happy Holidays

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Races, Rescues & Runaways

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Races, Rescues and Runaways and Other Thomas Adventures

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: 10 Years of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Rescues on the Railways

    Writer

1998Aged 60

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas & His Friends Get Along

    Director

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas & His Friends Get Along & Other Thomas Adventures

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Biggest Party Video Ever!

    Director

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: A Big Day for Thomas

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas Comes To Breakfast & Other Thomas Adventures

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Spooks and Surprises

    Writer

1997Aged 59

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Sing-Along & Stories

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Playtime

    Director

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas Meets the Queen and Other Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Chases, Races and Runaways

    Writer

1996Aged 58

  • Poster for Lokomotivet Thomas og Vennene Hans: Spøkelsestoget

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas and His Friends Help Out

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Story and Song Collection

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My Little MiniVid

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My Little Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Gallant Old Engine and Other Thomas Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Biggest Ever Christmas Collection

    Director

1995Aged 57

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Rusty to the Rescue

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas' Train and 17 Other Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas and Stepney and Other Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas and the Special Letter and Other Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Your Favourite Story Collection

    Writer

1994Aged 56

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: James Goes Buzz Buzz and Other Thomas Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas Gets Bumped and 17 Other Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Percy's Ghostly Trick and Other Thomas Stories

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas' Christmas Party and Other Favorite Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas Comes to Breakfast and Other Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Rock 'n' Roll and Other Stories

    Writer

1993Aged 55

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas and Bertie's Great Race and Other Adventures

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas, Percy and the Dragon and Other Stories

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Daisy and Other Thomas Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas' Christmas Party and 17 Other Stories

    Writer

1992Aged 54

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Trust Thomas & Other Stories

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Down the Mine and Other Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas Gets Bumped and Other Stories

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Escape and Other Stories

    Writer

1991Aged 53

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Better Late Than Never and Other Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Best of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Time for Trouble and Other Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas and the U.K. Trip

    Director

1990Aged 52

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: James Learns a Lesson and Other Stories

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas Gets Tricked and Other Stories

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Bumper Special

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Tenders and Turntables and Other Stories

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas Breaks the Rules and Other Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Sad Story of Henry and Other Stories

    Writer

1988Aged 50

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Watch and Play

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas and the Breakdown Train and Other Stories

    Writer

1987Aged 49

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Thomas, Percy and the Coal and Other Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: The Deputation and Other Stories

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Percy and Harold and Other Stories

    Writer

1986Aged 48

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Coal and Other Stories

    Writer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Troublesome Trucks and Other Stories

    Writer

1985Aged 47

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends

    Producer

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: Further Adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends

    Writer

1983Aged 45

  • Poster for Down The Mine: The Pilot Episode

    Producer

1966Aged 28

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: City of Fire

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: The Imposters

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: The Man from MI.5

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Cry Wolf

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Danger at Ocean Deep

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Move - And You're Dead

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: The Duchess Assignment

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Brink of Disaster

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Attack of the Alligators!

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Martian Invasion

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: The Cham-Cham

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Security Hazard

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Path of Destruction

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Alias Mr. Hackenbacker

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Lord Parker's 'Oliday

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Give or Take a Million

    Special Effects

1965Aged 27

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Trapped in the Sky

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Pit of Peril

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: The Perils of Penelope

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Terror In New York City

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Edge of Impact

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Day of Disaster

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: 30 Minutes After Noon

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Desperate Intruder

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: End of The Road

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: The Uninvited

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Sun Probe

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Operation Crash-Dive

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: Vault of Death

    Special Effects

  • Poster for Thunderbirds: The Mighty Atom

    Special Effects

Year unknown

  • Poster for Thomas & Friends: My First Thomas with The Fat Controller

    Producer

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