The Origin Of Thomas The Wooden Tank Engine And The Island Of Sodor

By Daryl Clayton Kennedy

The year was 1945 and devout christian Rev. Wilbert Audry gave the world it's first read of soon to be iconic children's ferry tale, Thomas the Tank Engine. Reverend Audry was inspired by his earlier ordeal with son and a life threatening bout of the measles 2 years prior. Rev Audry stayed at his son Christopher's call, assisting him and providing his every need.

The story goes, while Chris was recovering, Wilbert would tell simple little short stories and nursery rhymes in order to ease his sons discomforts. On of the rhymes went like this...

Early in the Morning Down at the Station all the Engines Standing in a Row. Along Comes the Driver Pulls the Lever, Puff, Puff! Chuff, Chuff Off we GO!

After hearing this diddy many times during his ailment, little Chris began to ask his father questions about the rhyme. Where is the train going, Does it have a name?

To answer these typical youthful queries, Wilbert needed to think quick... Aha - he says, I'll call the island sodor. It will be located in the Irish Sea between the British Isles and the Isle of Mann. This is how the adventure began.

Most individuals believe that Thomas was the first engine in the series, but that's not true. Edward, is the oldest and most liked engine on sodor for a good reason. He is the original engine that Rev. Audry described to Christopher so many year ago. We suppose that's why everyone likes him.

As the stories continued and the adventures became more detailed, Thomas came along, followed by a slew of others. Percy, Henry, Lady, Smudger, James all have their own stories and capers.

1945 brought about the first publication of the now famed children's books. In 1984 a television series was launched that propelled the little choo-choo even higher.The Books are still in publication, though the original writers, Rev. Wilbert Audry and his son Christopher whom inherited the honor in 1972. Rev Audry passed in 1997, he lived a rich vibrant 86 years.

In 1996 Christopher published his last book before handing over the series to professional children's book publishers. Wilbert soon passed at the rich age of 86. Chris still enjoys his fathers stories and shares the tales with the rest of the world!

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