Today (Friday 17th October) Historic England unveils a national blue plaque to children’s book author and creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, Reverend Wilbert Awdry (1911-1997), at his former home in Stroud, Gloucestershire.
Marking 80 years since the publication of the first book “The Three Railway Engines”, the blue plaque will be unveiled by Historic England Chief Executive Duncan Wilson and daughter of Reverend Awdry, Veronica Chambers (with grandchildren Claire Chambers, Mark Chambers and Richard Awdry also in attendance, alongside further members of the Awdry family).
The inscription on the plaque reads: “The Reverend Wilbert Awdry / 1911 –1997 / Children’s Author / who created / Thomas the Tank Engine / lived here”.
Duncan Wilson, Historic England Chief Executive, said: “Loved around the world, it’s an honour to remember Reverend Awdry and the happiness he brought to so many childhoods. The early books, which would become The Railway Series, laid the foundation for a global phenomenon, based on the magic of the steam train which has appealed to all ages down the generations.”
La baronessa Twycross, ministra del patrimonio, ha affermato: “Children across the country have grown up dreaming of a train ride with Thomas, Gordon, Percy and friends.
“Our railways are a vital part of our national heritage, and Reverend Awdry’s books are an excellent example of how they can spark creativity and imagination. I’m thrilled that Reverend Awdry is being commemorated with a Blue Plaque at the perfect time during the Railway 200 celebrations.”
Veronica Chambers, Reverend Awdry’s daughter said: “On behalf of the Awdry family, I am delighted that my father has been honoured with a national blue plaque from Historic England. Alongside his role as a parish priest, he was a lifelong, dedicated railway enthusiast and by creating Thomas the Tank Engine and friends, he invented a magical, fictional world that has enchanted generations of children and adults across the world. It’s wonderful that the national blue plaque has been installed at 30 Rodborough Avenue, his home for so many years after he retired as a parish priest.”
Ian McCue, Creative Producer, Thomas & Friends, Mattel, said: “The Reverend Awdry’s stories have delighted generations of children and families around the world, and it is wonderful to see his legacy honoured here in Stroud. For 80 years, the Thomas & Friends brand has carried forward his spirit of adventure, friendship, and discovery. Today’s unveiling not only celebrates his remarkable creativity but also reminds us of the timeless joy and imagination that Thomas & Friends continue to inspire.”
Emma Roberts, Programme Manager, Railway 200, said: “This is a fantastic contribution to the 200th anniversary of the modern railway and wonderful recognition of an author who inspired children all over the world to fall in love with trains.”
MP for Stroud Dr Simon Opher said: “This recognition is long overdue. The Rev W Awdry was a gifted storyteller who worked hard to hone and refine his art. Part of his genius was his use of the world of Sodor, a world that was both recognisable but fantastical. Originally written for his son, his dedication to his craft left us with a collection of finely written, multi-layered, inter-generational stories that still speak to us today.
“I was recently reminded of the ability of the stories to reach new audiences when I watched the film ‘Bullet Train’ (with Brad Pitt), recently: one character’s whole moral universe is based on Thomas the Tank Engine characters played out for comic effect.
“There is a wonderful line attributed to the Rev Awdry: ‘Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones we can only dream about’. On Sodor, in his wonderful small format books, and in our hearts, he left us with some of the best adventures. I am delighted that Historic England is commemorating Awdry with a blue plaque today.”
Cllr. Nigel Prenter, Stroud District Council, said: “The Rev. Awdry’s wonderful Railway Series has captured the hearts of children across the world for decades. One of my Californian grandchildren has all twenty-six books in the series and sleeps with one under his pillow every night. Just this week my wife, Joanne, showed three Japanese visitors the Thomas the Tank Engine stained-glass window in St Magdalene’s Church in Rodborough, which they had come specifically to see. The Rev. Awdry’s time in Rodborough is a source of great pride and has helped to put Rodborough on the map. This blue plaque honours and commemorates it for the future.”
Tim Dunn, broadcaster and railway historian, said: “The legacy of Wilbert Awdry is happiness: on a truly global scale. The stories which began in an English home have played out across the world, giving joy to millions of children and adults, life to genuine railway history, and impetus to the railway preservation movement. Today, countless thousands of fans are bonded by friendship forged through a love of his stories and model-making; and dozens of heritage railways run because volunteers and visitors have been motivated by the clever, kind tales set upon Sodor. Turns out that Wilbert Awdry was a really useful engine, too.”
Reverend Wilbert Awdry
The Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry, born 15 June 1911, was an English clergyman, railway enthusiast, and children’s author. Best known as the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, Awdry was a pioneering children’s author, whose imagination inspired generations of young readers. Through the stories of Thomas and his friends, Awdry combined a love of railways with simple but meaningful lessons about kindness and friendship.
Born in the small village of Ampfield in Hampshire, where his father was Vicar, Awdry developed a fascination with railways from a young age. As a toddler in Ampfield, he had watched his father build a handmade model railway which sparked an interest that grew as his family moved to Box, Wiltshire. Here, their family home was just 200 yards from Box Tunnel. At night, Awdry could hear freight trains and whistle signals, which his imagination translated into conversations. This would set in motion an idea that would later become Thomas the Tank Engine.
As a young man he decided to follow his father’s footsteps and enter the Church. Ordained in 1936, he served in several parishes before moving in 1940 to King’s Norton, Birmingham.
In later life, Awdry retired from the Church and settled in Stroud, Gloucestershire, where he devoted himself to his railway interests, building and exhibiting model lines, editing railway histories, and chronicling Thomas and his home on the fictional Island of Sodor. He died in Rodborough on 21 March 1997, aged 85, the year after he received an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List.