[RiderSkyward]

There are the more recent Thomas the Tank engine movies that feature people too, so they'd definitely count.

As for the old TV show its more the special effects then live action aspect you have to consider, its not a cartoon and uses real life effects, like explosions on thunderbirds and the occasional rockslide (if i'm remembering correctly) on Thomas the Tank Engine. That and stop motion is usually considered a special effect.

A brief snippet from wikipedia:
The illusions used in the film, television, theatre, videogame, or simulator industries to simulate the imagined events in a story or virtual world are traditionally called special effects.

Special effects are traditionally divided into the categories of optical effects and mechanical effects. With the emergence of digital film-making tools a greater distinction between special effects and visual effects has been recognized, with "visual effects" referring to digital post-production and "special effects" referring to on-set mechanical effects and in-camera optical effects.

Mechanical effects (also called practical or physical effects), are usually accomplished during the live-action shooting. This includes the use of mechanized props, scenery, scale models, pyrotechnics and Atmospheric Effects: creating physical wind, rain, fog, snow, clouds etc. Making a car appear to drive by itself, or blowing up a building are examples of mechanical effects. Mechanical effects are often incorporated into set design and makeup. For example, a set may be built with break-away doors or walls to enhance a fight scene, or prosthetic makeup can be used to make an actor look like a monster.

Visual special effects techniques:
Bullet time
Computer-generated imagery
Digital compositing
Dolly zoom
Miniature effects
Morphing
Motion control photography
Optical effects
Practical effects
Prosthetic makeup effects
Stop motion

=)