Also signed up for the movie are heart-throb Alec Baldwin of The Hunt for Red October and 11-year-old Mara Wilson, who starred in Matilda and Mrs Doubtfire.

Grandpa role for Easy Rider star Peter Fonda

Fonda, who was Oscar-nominated for Ulee's Gold, will play the new character of Grandpa Burnett Stoone.

Baldwin, who is already known to Thomas fans in the US where he narrates the animated series, will play the role of the magical Mr Conductor.

Wilson takes on the role of Grandpa Stone's grand-daughter Lily.

Alec Baldwin already narrates the US series

The Americanisation of the children's favourite, created by the late Rev W. Awdry in 1945, continues with the film's title. The big screen version will be called Thomas & the Magic Railroad.

Filming begins on the Isle Of Man next month. It will then move to Toronto and Pennsylvania.

American accent

The film is set in the fantasy world of Mr Conductor's Universe with the island of Sodor - where the talking trains live - at one end and Shining Time, nestled deep in the heart of Indian Valley, at the other. They are connected by the magic railroad.

The voice of Thomas will be provided by John Bellis - a 35-year-old father of two and part-time fireman on the Isle of Man.

The rest of the cast has not been cast and The Fat Controller, Sir Topham Hat, is only expected to be seen in animated form.

Britt Allcroft, who created the animated TV series, said: "I am delighted that Alec, Peter and Mara will bring these special characters to life in our first Thomas feature film.

"Having had the pleasure of working with Alec before I am excited at what he will bring to the prime role of Mr Conductor.

Noddy is another UK export hit in America

"Regarding Peter, he is a fine actor and it is wonderful that he has decided to bring one of the central characters to the screen.

"As for Mara, I know she is going to bring tremendous intelligence and insight to the role of Lily."

The film has been in the sidings since 1996 when the project was first announced.

Other UK children's favourites already doing good business on US TV include Teletubbies and Noddy in Toyland. Teletubbies has been a cult favourite ever since the PBS network started showing it.