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!

Christopher heard these little diddys so often he started to dig deeper. Asking Rev. Audry where the train station was and can they see the trains some day?

Rev. Audry had to be creative to pull this one off. He explained to His son that the trains and their station is located on the Island of Sodor in the Irish Sea between the Isle of Mann and the British Isles. There is where the tales are told.

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 become more detailed, Rev. Audry invented a fleet of locomotives to traverse the rails of their tiny island. Percy, Thomas, James, Smudger and many more trains joined the team, each with their own attributes and pitfalls.

In 1945 the first of the children's books was published and in 1984 Great Britain Introduced the popular book in a television series that has taken off to enjoy world wide fame with tots! The books are still in publication and in 1972 Christopher took over the honers of story telling and allowed his father Wilbert (1911-1997) to retire.

In 1996 Christopher Audry wrote his final tale before passing the long loved train tales in the capable hands of a wonderful group of writers who carry the Audry torch proudly. Christopher admits to still enjoying the stories his beloved father warmed him with so many years ago.

For more information on scale model locomotives visit Daryl's BLOG surrounding model trains, you may also stop in to read thomas the wooden toy train reviews.

categories: Thomas the Tank Engine,Thomas and Friends,Wooden Toy Trains,Toy Trains,Toys,Models Trains,Wooden Trains,Toys,Games,Children Television Programs,British Television

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