Thomas The Wooden Tank Engine And The Island Of Sodor
A young man by the name of Christopher Audry fell ill with the dreadful measles in 1943. His loving father Rev. Wilbert Audry tended his needs and bathed him in comfort during his time of need. By the end of this paternal bonding a great book series was birthed. Thomas the Tank Engine Books where first published in 1945 by Rev. Audry.
As the story is told, Christopher was recovering from that horrible bout of measles and Father Wilbert, told quick little nursery rhymes to keep young Chris in top spirits! One of the little diddys went something 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!
Little Chris heard the tiny tunes so often he began to ask Rev. Audry questions about the tunes. Can I see these trains father. Where is there station… Papa?
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.
A great many individuals are under the impression that Thomas was the original train that drove these stories from tale to tale and adventure to adventure. Not true as it was Edward that Rev. Audry Describes to his son Christopher during his bout with measles.
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.
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.
