List of characters in The Railway Series

Last updated

The Railway Series (1945-2011) is a series of British books by the Rev. Wilbert Awdry (Books 1-26) and Christopher Awdry (Books 27-42).

Contents

Unless otherwise said on this page, the technical notes come from actual notes laid out by Wilbert Awdry when he was developing the characters and setting for his stories; these notes are cited in his publication The Island of Sodor: Its People, History, and Railways. [1]

North Western Railway

The North Western Railway (NWR) is the main standard gauge rail network on the Island of Sodor. The railway's motto is "Nil Unquam Simile", which is Latin for "There's nothing quite like it". From nationalisation on January 1, 1948 until it privatised, the railway was the North Western Region of British Railways (BR). From 1925 onwards, it has been managed by three Fat Controllers.

“Please tell everyone that whatever happens elsewhere, Steam will still be at work here.We shall be glad to welcome all who want to see and travel behind, real engines.”

― Sir Charles Topham Hatt II/The Fat Controller, Little Western, Enterprising Engines

Steam engines

NameNumberDescriptionBased on
Thomas NWR 1A little blue 0-6-0 T engine, who lives and works on the Island of Sodor on the North Western Railway. He initially worked as the station pilot at Vicarstown. After helping to rescue James from a nasty accident, Thomas was permanently assigned to the Ffarquhar Branch Line with his two faithful coaches, Annie and Clarabel. LB&SCR E2 class
EdwardNWR 2A blue 4-4-0 mixed-traffic tender engine, who lives and works on the Island of Sodor on the North Western Railway. He runs his own branch line from Wellsworth to Brendam with BoCo and is one of the oldest engines on Sodor. Furness Railway K2 class
HenryNWR 3A green 4-6-0 mixed-traffic tender engine, who lives and works on the Island of Sodor on the North Western Railway. He was originally built as a dysfunctional prototype engine and needed special Welsh coal to operate properly. Following his accident when pulling the Flying Kipper, Henry underwent an extensive rebuild, giving him a new shape and better performance. LNER Gresley Class A1 (prototype; Henry I)
LMS Stanier "Black Five" (Henry II) [2] [3] [4]
GordonNWR 4A big blue 4-6-2 tender engine, who lives and works on the Island of Sodor on the North Western Railway. He is Flying Scotsman's only surviving brother. Gordon works on the Main Line and previously pulled the Wild Nor' Wester, until he was superseded by Pip and Emma in 2011. He now pulls other fast and stopping trains.LNER Gresley Class A1
JamesNWR 5A red 2-6-0 mixed-traffic tender engine, who lives and works on the Island of Sodor on the North Western Railway. He primarily works on the Main Line, pulling passenger and goods trains. L&YR Class 28
PercyNWR 6A little green 0-4-0 ST engine, who lives and works on the Island of Sodor on the North Western Railway. [5] He was first brought to Sodor to help run the railway while Gordon, James and Henry went on strike and later became station pilot at Tidmouth. [6] Following the Knapford Harbour Improvement Scheme in 1955, Percy was moved permanently to Thomas' Branch Line, where he now works as a goods engine. His favourite job is pulling the Mail Train and he is Thomas' best friend. GWR No. 1340 Trojan
Toby NWR 7/BR 68221/LNER 8221/7127A square 0-6-0 tram engine, who lives and works on the Island of Sodor on the North Western Railway. [7] Originally duller brown, he was repainted chocolate brown with blue sideplates. He used to work on a tramway in East Anglia, however was later brought to Sodor after his line closed down to run the tramroad to Ffarquhar Quarry. He has three coaches: Henrietta, the Quarryman's Coach, and Victoria, as well as a luggage van named Elsie. GER Class C53
DuckNWR 8/GWR/ BR 5741A green 0-6-0 PT engine, who lives and works on the Island of Sodor on the North Western Railway. One thing you might not know about Duck, is that his real name is Montague. Montague goes by "Duck" because some engines say he "waddles", but he doesn't really waddle. In fact, Duck likes his nickname better than Montague. He thinks that there are two ways of doing things, the Great Western way and the wrong way. He runs his own branch line with Oliver and his two autocoaches, Alice and Mirabel. GWR 5700 Class
Donald and Douglas (originally known as "57646 and 57647")NWR 9 and 10/BR 57646 and 57647A pair of blue (originally BR black) 0-6-0 goods engines from Glasgow, Scotland, who live and work on the Island of Sodor on the North Western Railway. The pair also work as utility engines wherever or whenever they are needed, primarily on the Main Line, the Brendam Branch Line, and the Little Western. Douglas has his own brake van, Toad. Caledonian Railway 812/652 Classes
OliverNWR 11/GWR/BR 1436A green 0-4-2 T engine, who lives and works on the Island of Sodor on the North Western Railway. After being saved from scrap by Douglas, he runs the Little Western with Duck and his two autocoaches, Isabel and Dulcie. GWR 1400 Class

Diesel engines

NameNumberDescriptionBased on
DaisyNWR D1A green diesel railcar who came to work on the Ffarquhar Branch Line after Thomas crashed into the Stationmaster's house. British Rail Class 101
BoCoNWR D2/BR D5702A green mixed-traffic diesel engine who primarily works on Edward's Branch Line and occasionally on the Main Line. He, along with Edward, is a mentor to Bill and Ben. British Rail Class 28
Bear/(originally known as "D7101")NWR D3/BR D7101A green (originally blue) mixed-traffic diesel engine who works on the Main Line. He first came to Sodor in 1967, and was accompanied by another diesel engine, D199, who talked about taking over the railway, which 7101 didn't like. After 7101 suffered from a leaked brake ejector and was helped by Henry along with 199 and their trains, he befriended him. After 199 was sent back home, the Fat Controller decided to give 7101 another chance to stay and work on the North Western Railway. 7101 was given another name "Bear", a new number 'D3', and a new coat of paint. Nowadays, Bear pulls the 'Limited', the semi-fast passenger train, and the Wild Nor' Wester whenever the big engines are busy or unavailable. British Rail Class 35
Pip and EmmaTwo diesel-electric engines which make up an InterCity 125 trainset. They had experienced problems with their cooling systems, and came to Sodor in 1986 when Gordon was deputizing for an excursion train to Carlisie. In 2011, following Privatization, the Fat Controller purchased them in order to run a faster express service to London. [8] They brought Prince Charles to Tidmouth to unveil a statue of the Thin Clergyman to celebrate his 100th birthday. British Rail Class 43 High Speed Train

Rolling stock

NameDescription
Annie and ClarabelThomas' faithful coaches who he loves dearly on his branch line.
HenriettaA tram coach that travels with Toby, Elsie, Victoria and the Quarryman's Coach.
Isabel, Dulcie, Alice and MirabelFour ex-Great Western Railway autocoaches who are pulled by Oliver (Isabel and Dulcie) and Duck (Alice and Mirabel) on the Little Western. Isabel joined Oliver and Toad when they escaped from the Other Railway. Afterwards, the Fat Controller was able to rescue Dulcie, Alice and Mirabel in order to handle the passenger traffic.
ToadA 20-ton Great Western brake van who lives and works on the North Western Railway. He escaped from scrap along with Oliver and Isabel, and is now Douglas' loyal brake van.
Troublesome TrucksPieces of open wagons which they carry goods and materials. They are nicknamed because they can be very troublesome and play tricks on the engines. They can be open wagons, vans, or tankers, depending on any type.
VictoriaA vintage four-wheeled coach originating from the Furness Railway. She was built in 1882 and worked on the Lakeside branch line with Albert and Helena. After being out of service, Victoria was moved to Sodor and was turned into a summer house in a garden close to Elsbridge. In Thomas and Victoria, after being discovered, it was a decision Victoria could be restored and used on the line to Ffarquhar Quarry to help Toby and Henrietta.

Skarloey Railway

The Skarloey Railway (SR) is a 2'3" narrow gauge railway, which runs from the North Western Railway's station Crovan's Gate to Skarloey. Beyond Skarloey, the line continues to a former slate quarry, now used as ammunition dumps. The railway is owned by Sir Handel Brown, who serves as its chairman and is run by Mr. Roger Sam, son of the previous controller, Mr. Peter Sam. The locomotives are all based on their Talyllyn Railway counterparts.

Steam engines

NameNumberDescriptionBased on
SkarloeySR 1A red 0-4-2 ST (originally an 0-4-0 ST ) engine. He is the oldest engine on the Skarloey Railway. Talyllyn, from the Talyllyn Railway, is his twin and Rheneas is his brother. Talyllyn
RheneasSR 2A red 0-4-0 WT (but also has a back tank) engine. Rheneas has the nickname "Gallant Old Engine", after saving the railway from closure. Dolgoch, from the Talyllyn Railway is his twin, and Skarloey is his brother. Dolgoch
Sir Handel (originally known as "Falcon")SR/MSR 3A red (originally blue) 0-4-2 ST (originally 0-4-0 ST ) engine, and is named after Sir Handel Brown, the first manager. Sir Haydn
Peter Sam (originally known as "Stuart")SR/MSR 4A red (originally green) 0-4-2 ST engine who lives and works on the Skarloey Railway, and is named after the previous controller. Following an accident with some slate trucks in 1958, Peter Sam lost his old funnel and was fitted with a Giesl ejector in 1961. Edward Thomas
DuncanSR 6A grumpy Scottish 0-4-0 WT engine who came to the Skarloey Railway as a spare engine after Peter Sam's accident with some slate trucks. [9] Douglas
Ivo HughSR 7A young 0-4-2 T engine. He is named in honor of the former Chief Mechanical Engineer, Mr. Ivo Hugh. Ivo Hugh was built in 1996 at Crovan's Gate Works by the Engineering Department in New Little Engine. Ivo Hugh is unique in the engine roster due to being a side-tank engine and he is powerful enough to handle the heaviest work. Tom Rolt
DukeSR 8/MSR 1An orange-brown 0-4-0ST+T engine, who is widely respected and considered a hero amongst all the engines. He initially worked on the Mid Sodor Railway from its opening until its closure in 1947, he was left in the abandoned sheds for the next 22 years before being found and rescued in 1969, and he was moved to the Skarloey Railway where we works today.Prince

Diesel engines

NameNumberDescriptionBased on
RustySR 5A little black 4w DM engine who carries out maintenance work and odd jobs around the Skarloey Railway. [9] Midlander
FredSR 9A diesel engine who works on the Skarloey Railway. He is the railway's second diesel engine. He is mentioned in New Little Engine. According to Sodor: Reading Between the Lines, Fred entered service in 1989, having been acquired from the National Coal Board (NCB). Alf

Rolling stock

NameNumberDescription
Agnes, Ruth, Jemina, Lucy and BeatriceSR 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5The oldest coaches on the Skarloey Railway, whilst Beatrice is the guard's van. On Market Days, the coaches were sometimes very full that third-class passengers were allowed to ride in Agnes, to the latter's anger. In 1952, Sir Handel made fun of the coaches by calling them "cattle trucks", which resulted in them holding him back on the hill.
Ada, Jane and MabelSR 6, 7, and 8Three open-topped carriages who were acquired at one point prior to 1958, while Skarloey and Rheneas were away being overhauled. They were originally used for transporting quarry workmen, but are later used for tourist traffic during sunny days. When some BBC television producers visited Sodor to film a documentary about the Skarloey Railway, Ada, Jane and Mabel had the honour of transporting the television equipment and cameras for them, as part of the "Television Train".
CoraSR 9A tool van, and also occasionally a guard's van, who works on the Skarloey Railway. Cora was built by the Falcon Works for the Mid Sodor Railway, where she was a tool van, however she served as Stuart's guards van for one time. She was accepted for sale following the closure in 1947. Cora was used as a guard's van whenever Beatrice was not available, then she returned to her original use after Millicent's arrival in 1955.

Culdee Fell Railway

The Culdee Fell Railway (CFR) is Sodor's only rack railway. It climbs to the top of Sodor's highest mountain, which shares the railway's name. It is based on the Snowdon Mountain Railway in North Wales, was opened in 1900 and for many years was operated under the direction of Mr. Walter Richards, the General Manager. The railway was only featured in Mountain Engines. The locomotives on the line are all 0-4-2 RT s.

Steam engines

NameNumberDescriptionBased on
GodredCFR 1A mounting-climbing engine who works on the Culdee Fell Railway. He was the original engine on the railway and is named after one of Sodor's historical rulers. Culdee tells a made-up story about Godred in Mountain Engines: [10] Shortly after the railway opened, he lost contact with the rack rail at a loosened rail joint and plunged sideways over a cliff. Fortunately, no one was injured. Godred, however, was so badly damaged that he was scrapped, with his parts being used to repair the other engines. This incident is based directly upon the Snowdon Mountain Railway's opening day accident when their No. 1 L.A.D.A.S suffered a similar accident.L.A.D.A.S.
CuldeeCFR 4A mountain-climbing engine who works on the Culdee Fell Railway. He is the principal engine on the Culdee Fell Railway. When introduced in Mountain Engines, he had been overhauled in Switzerland between 1962 and 1963 and was on the last stage of his journey home. Culdee has great respect for dangers found on the line and relies on his coach, Catherine, to help him travel safety.Snowdon
Lord HarryCFR 6A mountain-climbing engine who works on the Culdee Fell Railway. He arrived in 1962 and was named after the manager. When he was new, Lord Harry was reckless and scared his coaches by taking risks. After he derailed and disgraced himself, Lord Harry got punished by having his name taken away. He asked for a second chance and was given a job of doing lowly shunting. But he was fittingly renamed "Patrick" in honor of the climber who risked his life to help the others.Padarn

Other engines

NameNumberDescription
Ernest, Wilfred and Shane DooineyCFR 2, 3 and 5Arrived on Sodor with Godred and Culdee in time in March 1900. Following Godred's accident shortly after opening, the engines worked the line successfully for 60 years. They were gently maintained and sent back, in rotation, to the builders in Switzerland for overhaul.

Rolling stock

NameDescription
CatherineA mountain coach who works with Culdee on the Culdee Fell Railway. Unlike most coaches, Catherine is actually coupled in front of Culdee and is responsible for warning him of dangers ahead on the tracks.

Arlesdale Railway

The Arlesdale Railway is Sodor's smallest railway. It is based on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway in Cumbria. The railway is run by Fergus Duncan (The Small Controller). Five engines appear in the books. The diesel locomotives are mentioned in the companion books: Sigrid of Arlesdale, Blister I and Blister II.

Steam engines

NameDescriptionBased on
MikeA small strong grumpy red 2-8-2 tender engine who prefers goods trains to passengers. He works on the Arlesdale Railway.River Mite
RexA small green 2-8-2 tender engine who works on the Arlesdale Railway. He enjoys nothing more than teasing Mike. He is a hard worker, but sometimes has a problem with traction.River Esk
BertA small blue 0-8-2 tender engine who is the quietest of the Arlesdale Railway engines.River Irt
JockA yellow 2-6-2 built by the Arlesburgh Works between 1972 and 1976 to cover a shortage of power. Jock was built in the workshop at Ravenglass in 1976, then to the design of chief engineer, Ian Smith.Northern Rock

Diesel engine(s)

NameDescriptionBased on
FrankA grumpy but kind 0-4-4 DH who works on the Arlesdale Railway. He has a tendency to get uptight and moody which gets him into trouble by causing minor bumps and accidents. Unlike Perkins, Frank has added round buffers.Perkins

Privately owned/Other Sudrian railways

NameNumberDescriptionBased on
NeilS&M 2A dark green 0-4-0 tank engine with an unusual box shape and a heavy Scottish accent, originating from the Sodor and Mainland Railway (S&M). In a flashback in Very Old Engines, he helped to transport Skarloey from Kirk Ronan Harbour to his new home at Crovan's Gate. He warned Skarloey about V-tipper wagons and they became friends. It is mentioned by Christopher Awdry in Sodor: Reading Between the Lines that Neil is still around but is unknown of his whereabouts. [8]
Bill and BenSCC 1 and 2A pair of dark yellow 0-4-0 ST engine twins belonging to the Sodor China Clay Co (SCC). They both work in the china clay pits, and at Brendam Docks, where they shunt trucks. Alfred and Judy
MavisFQC 1A privately owned 0-6-0 DM diesel shunter who works for the Ffarquhar Quarry Co (FQC), mainly rearranging trucks in different sidings. [11] [12] [ citation needed ] British Rail Class 04

British Railways/Visitors

Various engines from British Railways (BR; also known as "the Other Railway"), and some from preserved/private railways and museums have visited the North Western Railway, both on regular trains to-and-from the Mainland, for special events, or under a lease agreement.

The 'Other Railway' Engines

NameNumberDescriptionBased on
87546 and 98462Two blue tender engines who once visited the North Western Railway on trial from a railway on the Mainland. They stayed at Vicarstown Sheds with the other engines, and notably made fun of Edward for being too old and weak to work. For their rude and nasty behavior, the Fat Director decided to send 87546 and 98462 away. It is unknown what happened to them since the end of steam, but it's most likely that they were scrapped.
Percy's Workshop FriendsMany unnamed engines appeared at the Workshop, where Percy originally lived before coming to Sodor. Some engines, old and new, were built, repaired and stored until they could be purchased by railways or other industrial workshops. When things were not going well on Sodor, the Fat Controller went on a visit to the Workshop, where they showed him all of the engines they had. Some of the engines were happy, sad, and anxious hoping the Fat Controller would choose them. He finally chose a little green saddle tank engine and named him Percy. Later on, Percy mentioned to Edward, that the engines would have to wheesh loudly to make themselves heard.
Big City EngineAn express 4-6-0 tender engine who worked for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and later British Railways. Once, he had gotten into an argument with Gordon and Duck about what was the name of the big station in London: King's Cross, Euston, Paddington, and St. Pancras. However, none of the engines realized that London had several major stations, not just one. LMS "Patriot" Class
Jinty and PugTwo ex-LMS tank engines who once visited the North Western Railway on loan from British Railways, while the Fat Controller and his engines went to be on display in London. Both are friends of Percy. LMS Fowler Class 3F (Jinty)
LMS Kitson 0F (Pug)
DieselA black 0-6-0 diesel engine, who originates from the Other Railway and is the first known standard gauge diesel engine to ever visit Sodor, and also, the first diesel locomotive created by the Rev. W. Awdry. British Rail Class 08
City of TruroGWR 3440A famous 4-4-0 tender engine from the Great Western Railway. He once visited Sodor in 1957 on a railtour and stayed for one night. City of Truro befriended Duck, as the two were both Great Western engines and talked all night, much to Gordon's annoyance. Gordon tried to beat City of Truro's speed record, but only to have his dome blown off on the Viaduct. He normally resides at the STEAM Museum in Swindon, Wiltshire. GWR 3700 Class 3440 City of Truro
StepneyLBSCR 55A 0-6-0 T engine, named after a district in London, from the Bluebell Railway. In The Railway Series, his friendly, enthusiastic attitude makes him a welcome visitor on the Fat Controller's railway. LB&SCR A1X class
Class 40BR D4711A big green diesel engine who once visited the North Western Railway on loan from British Railways. He was brought to Sodor to help the other engines. Class 40 intentionally sucked in an inspector's bowler hat through his air intake, which lead to his engine failing. Afterwards, Class 40 was sent away in disgrace, leaving behind "a rather nasty smell, and a battered bowler hat". British Rail Class 40
Flying ScotsmanLNER 4472/BR 60103An LNER Class A3 Pacific, formerly an LNER Class A1 Pacific. Flying Scotsman holds the record for being the first engine to officially run at over 100 mph. In addition, Flying Scotsman is described as the 'world's most famous steam locomotive'. Flying Scotsman, is named after a service that runs from London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley. In The Railway Series, he is the last of Gordon's brothers. LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman
Diesel 199BR D199A diesel engine who once visited the North Western Railway on trial from British Railways. He soon made himself an enemy of the steam engines. The next day, 199 failed while pulling a train of fuel and oil tankers at a signal box in Kellsthorpe Road. After Henry came to help, the signalman called 199 "Spamcan" as an insult. After 7101 fails with the Limited, Henry helps both diesels and their trains to the next station. The Fat Controller wasn't pleased with 199 and soon sent him back for offending his engines. British Rail Class 46
Wilbert (originally named "G.B. Keeling")DFR 3806A dark blue 0-6-0 ST engine after the Thin Clergyman (Wilbert Awdry), who was a one-time president of the Dean Forest Railway. In Wilbert the Forest Engine, the Fat Controller arranged for Wilbert to come help on his railway. During his visit, Wilbert tells Thomas and Toby the story of his brother, Sixteen, accidentally filled up with milk instead of water, and used a coil of wire to couple it up to his damaged ballast truck. Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST
AlbertA red 2-4-2 T engine who worked on the Furness Railway with his two coaches, Victoria and Helena. Albert was once buried at a tunnel by an avalanche when he lets off too much steam starting from the station, one day after boasting about the snow.Furness Railway Class J1

Non-rail vehicles

NameDescriptionBased on
TerenceAn orange caterpillar tractor who usually works near Thomas' Branch Line, and is driven by Farmer Finney. When Thomas first met Terence, he insulted him for having 'ugly' caterpillar tracks, but later regretted it and befriended Terence after he pulled him out of a snowdrift.Caterpillar Model 70
BertieA little red bus who also works alongside Thomas' Branch Line. Bertie had a race with Thomas to Ffarquhar after claiming he was the faster of the two, but lost after having to stop at a traffic light. Leyland Tiger
TrevorA traction engine who resides at the Wellsworth Vicarage Orchard and driven by Jem Cole. He was due to be broken up before he was saved by the Vicar of Wellsworth. William Foster & Co. Traction Engine No. 1459
HaroldA white and red helicopter belonging to the Coastguard Service who patrols the skies of Sodor, searching for emergencies. When Percy and Harold met, he insulted the railways as being "slow and old-fashioned". Percy, who was cross at this when taking some trucks, decided to race Harold to Knapford Harbour. Sikorsky S-55
GeorgeA grumpy green steamroller whose interactions with engines generally lead to trouble. Whenever he is flattening a road, he is seen rebelling by saying "Railways are no good! Pull 'em up! Turn them into roads!"
CarolineAn elderly car owned by a cricketer from the Elsbridge Cricket Club. She tends to overheat when traveling at high speeds.
BulgyA bad-tempered double-decker bus with an ideological opposition to railways. His catchphrase is "Free the roads. Free the roads from Railway Tyranny!" AEC Regent III that served many of London's bus routes in the 1940s and 1950s

Humans

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway</span> Heritage railway in Cumbria, England

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is a 15 in minimum gauge heritage railway in Cumbria, England. The 7-mile (11.3 km) line runs from Ravenglass to Dalegarth Station near Boot in the valley of Eskdale, in the Lake District. At Ravenglass the line ends at Ravenglass railway station on the Cumbrian Coast Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilbert Awdry</span> British author and vicar (1911–1997)

Wilbert Vere Awdry, often credited as Rev. W. Awdry, was an English Anglican minister, railway enthusiast, and children's author. He is best remembered as the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine and several other characters who appeared in his Railway Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christopher Awdry</span> British writer (born 1940)

Christopher Vere Awdry is an English author. He is best known for his contributions to The Railway Series of books featuring Thomas the Tank Engine, which was started by his late father, Wilbert Awdry (1911–1997). He also produced children's books based on a number of other railways, as well as non-fiction articles and books on heritage railways. He was born at Devizes, the family moving to Kings Norton, Birmingham, when he was aged five months. Awdry was educated at Worksop College, a public school in North Nottinghamshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fat Controller</span> Fictional character

The Fat Controller is a fictional character in The Railway Series books written by Reverend W. Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry. In the first two books in the series he is known as The Fat Director, and as of the third book he becomes The Fat Controller, as the railway has been nationalised. In the foreword to the 1951 book Henry the Green Engine, his real name is revealed to be Sir Topham Hatt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James the Red Engine</span> Fictional steam locomotive

James the Red Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic red tender locomotive from The Railway Series children's books by the Reverend Awdry and the TV series adaptation Thomas & Friends. He has a 2-6-0 ("Mogul") wheel arrangement and is engine number 5 on the North Western Railway, the Fat Controller's railway on the Island of Sodor.

<i>The Railway Series</i> British fictional book series about trains and railways

The Railway Series is a series of British books about a railway known as the North Western Railway, located on the fictional Island of Sodor. There are 42 books in the series, the first published in May 1945 by the Rev. Wilbert Awdry. Twenty-six books were written by Awdry, the final one being written in October 1972. Sixteen more were written by his son, Christopher Awdry, between September 1983 and July 2011. The series features many anthropomorphic vehicles, including Thomas the Tank Engine. Thomas became the most popular and famous character in the series and the titular character of the television series Thomas & Friends from 1984 to 2021. The children's television series originated as adaptations of these stories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toby the Tram Engine</span> Fictional antronomorphic tram

Toby the Tram Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic tram locomotive in The Railway Series by the Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry and his son, Christopher; he also appears in the television series adaptation Thomas & Friends and its reboot, Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go. Toby has cowcatchers and sideplates, and is the North Western Railway's number 7. He works on the same Ffarquhar branch line as Thomas the Tank Engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodor (fictional island)</span> Fictional island in The Railway Series books

The Island of Sodor is a fictional island that is the setting for The Railway Series books by the Rev. Wilbert Awdry. It is also the setting of the Thomas & Friends television series, though it is significantly different from the island in the books. Sodor lies in the Irish Sea between Cumbria and the Isle of Man.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> series 4 Season of television series

Thomas & Friends is a children's television series about the engines and other characters working on the railways of the Island of Sodor, and is based on The Railway Series books written by the Reverend W. Awdry.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> series 9 Season of television series

Thomas & Friends is a children's television series about the engines and other characters working on the railways of the Island of Sodor, and is based on The Railway Series books written by the Reverend W. Awdry.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> series 10 Season of television series

Thomas & Friends is a children's television series about the engines and other characters working on the railways of the Island of Sodor, and is based on The Railway Series books written by the Reverend W. Awdry. The 10th Series of this show was first broadcast in 2006. This series was narrated by Michael Angelis for the UK audiences, and Michael Brandon in the US. Most episodes in this series had different titles in UK and the US.

The Railway Stories are a series of audio adaptations of The Railway Series books by the Rev. W Awdry and his son Christopher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L&YR Class 28</span> Class of British 0-6-0 locomotives

The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Class 28 was a class of 0-6-0 steam locomotive, designed by George Hughes for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR). It was a rebuild of Aspinall's Class 27, with the addition of a Belpaire firebox and the extension of the footplate and front sandboxes. It was similar, but had larger cylinders and a superheater. It had 5-foot-1-inch (1.549 m) wheels.

Clive Spong is an English illustrator of The Railway Series books by the Rev. W. Awdry. He illustrated the books written by Christopher Awdry published since 1983.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> series 12 Season of television series

Thomas & Friends is a children's television series about the engines and other characters working on the railways of the Island of Sodor, and is based on The Railway Series books written by the Reverend W. Awdry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas the Tank Engine</span> Fictional steam locomotive

Thomas the Tank Engine is an anthropomorphised fictional tank locomotive in the British Railway Series books by Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher, published from 1945. He became the most popular and famous character in the series, and is the titular protagonist in the accompanying television adaptation series Thomas & Friends and its reboot Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.

<i>Thomas & Friends</i> (franchise) Media franchise about a tank engine

Thomas & Friends is a media franchise created by Rev. W. Awdry and Britt Allcroft. The franchise revolves around a railway, called the North Western Railway, located on the fictional Island of Sodor. The current title character of the franchise is Thomas the Tank Engine, an anthropomorphised steam locomotive, who works with other engines, including Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby and many others. The franchise began with stories told from Wilbert Awdry to his son. In 1984, it was turned into a television series, which spawned a reboot series, titled Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.

<i>Thomas & Friends: Sodors Legend of the Lost Treasure</i> 2015 British film

Thomas & Friends: Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure is a 2015 British animated fantasy adventure comedy film and the ninth feature-length special movie of the British television series, Thomas & Friends. The film is produced by HIT Entertainment and animated by Arc Productions.

References

  1. Awdry, Wilbert (1987). The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways. Kaye & Ward. ISBN   9780434927623.
  2. Awdry, Wilbert (1987). The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways. Kaye & Ward. p. 129. ISBN   9780434927623.
  3. "W. Awdry Dies". The Washington Post. The Washington Post. 23 March 1997. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  4. Sibley, Brian (1995). The Thomas the Tank Engine Man. London: Heinemann. pp. 272–5. ISBN   0-434-96909-5.
  5. Awdry, Wilbert (1965). Percy the small engine (3rd impression ed.). London: Kaye & Ward Limitd (published 1974). ISBN   0 7182 0010 1.
  6. Awdry, Wilbert (1989) [1950]. Toublesome Engines (1st ed.). London: William Heinemann Limited. pp. 40–46. ISBN   0 434 92782 1.
  7. Awdry, Wilbert (1982). Toby The Tram Engine (1st ed.). London: Heinemann. p. 46. ISBN   0434927848.
  8. 1 2 Awdry, Christopher (2005). Sodor, Reading Between the Lines. Sodor Enterprises. p. 9. ISBN   0-9549665-1-1.
  9. 1 2 Awdry, Christopher (2005). Sodor: Reading Between the Lines . Sodor Enterprises. p. 13. ISBN   0-9549665-1-1.
  10. Awdry, Wilbert (1982). Mountain Engines. The Railway Series No. 19. Kaye & Ward Ltd. p. 28. ISBN   0718200187.
  11. Awdry, Wilbert (1995). Tramway engines. Great Britain: Walter Heinemann Limited. p. 30. ISBN   0-434-92803-8.
  12. "The Wisbech and Upwell Tramway: Toby and Mavis". lner.info. LNER. Retrieved November 5, 2017.