Thomas & Tugs: are they in the same universe?

Well that's the question that has occupied my mind since I first saw Tugs. Now I take detailed look at both Tugs and Thomas & Friends with hopes of finally answering what is arguably the greatest question in the history of either franchise.

Introduction: 00:06
Intro sequences: 01:34
The characters: 05:51
The settings: 15:23
The stories: 18:29
Behind the scenes: 23:07
The evidence: 27:04
Conclusion: 29:11

Previous video:    • ♫ S.R.T. No. 05: James the Red Engine...  

Watch the full Series of Tugs:    • Tugs (In chronological order)  

The stories of Sodor, Series 1:    • The Stories of Sodor: Season One  
Victor Tanzig's channel:    / @victortanzig1  

The Railway Series: Created by Wilbert, George & Christopher Awdry.
Thomas & Friends: Created by Britt Allcroft
Property of: Mattel

Tugs: Created by Robert Cardona & David Mitten

Music by: Mike O'Donnel & Junior Campbell; Hummie Mann; Ed Welch; Graham Shaw; Marcus Warner, MKtheinstrumentalist; Sudrian Afro; Mavis M; Roll Along Thomas; MarioSonic2010; UpsideNow & SilverDragonTV