Wilbert Awdry was a British clergyman and author whose lifelong passion for railways inspired one of the most beloved children’s series of all time.
Vital Stats
1911-1997. Born Wilbert Vere Awdry in Ampfield, Hampshire, England.
Inspiration
Awdry’s love of trains began in childhood when he lived near the Great Western Railway. The sound of steam engines struggling up a nearby hill inspired his imagination and later shaped his storytelling.
Family Ties
He invented the first railway stories in 1942 to entertain his son Christopher, who was bedridden with measles. These stories would become the foundation of The Railway Series.
Engine #2
Although Thomas is the most famous character, he didn’t appear in the first book. The first engine was Edward, introduced in The Three Railway Engines (1945). Thomas debuted in the second book in 1946.
Religious Influences
Awdry was a Church of England vicar, and his values of kindness, respect, and order are reflected in the moral tone of his stories.
Railfan Realism
Awdry was a stickler for technical realism. He based his engines and settings on real railway practices, ensuring that even fictional stories followed railway logic.
Legacy
After Wilbert stopped writing the series in 1972, his son Christopher continued the work, adding new stories and characters that stayed true to the original spirit of the series.
Literary Honouree
In 1996, Awdry was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to children’s literature.
