History

Rev W. Awdry 1911-97 (Jottings made from a reading of The Thomas the Tank Engine Man Brian Sibley The Story of the Reverend W. Awdry and his Really Useful Engines 1995) In the Beginning was the Word, But there was also a tunnel at Box, Where a young child christened Wilbert Lay awake in his bedroom, dreaming Of steam-coal railway conversations Between sleek express and workaday tank engines. Twenty-odd years later, in wartime, Wilbert reprised this conceit With stories to Christopher, His measles-stricken son, in 1943; Stories jotted down on odd bits of paper, With a devoted father’s drawings too – A format that Margaret thought worthy Of seeking some sort of publication, But relentless wartime austerity, And a national shortage of paper, Resulted in a series of rejections, Until a new format was decided upon: Four tales per book with the Reverend Also providing draft illustrations As a guide for the eventual artist: “We should require eight illustrations, oblong in shape, with appropriate text matter of about 80-90 words for each of the drawings.” And so, Edward, Gordon and Henry were born: The book sold well and then along came Thomas, Not just in text and illustration, But also at home in the Awdry household: A bit of a broomstick and metal tube, A paper-fastener, too, of course, Finished off with some carpet pins and screws: Lo and behold! Thomas the Tank Engine! Meanwhile, over in the real world, The Railway Gazette proved invaluable – Providing inspiration for further stories, A branch line to Wilbert’s imagination; But relationships with the artist, Clarence...