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The Canadian Wonderland Tour 1980 Diary
Over 46 years ago Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his brother George, along with six friends embarked on what at the time was called 'The VIA Ffestiniog Canadian Wonderland Tour'.
This was a nineteen day excursion that would see them travelling the length and breadth of Canada exclusively by rail, enjoying the sights and sounds and history of both the age of steam and at that time, more modern engines.
Both George and Wilbert had kept detailed written daily accounts of the tour, but Wilbert also documented the trip in a large collection of photographs.
When they returned to the UK they collaborated and collated both diaries with Wilbert taking these 'hastily handwritten scrawls' (as he'd lovingly called them) from his brother and edited them together.
He placed them alongside his own photographs and memories with a view to sharing these with their fellow travellers, a comprehensive record of that great trip.
The Diary and it's photos have never been published or seen outside of the family before, having only been briefly referenced in Brian Sibley's 'Thomas the Tank Engine Man', until now...
This is the first book to have been written between the brothers and coincidentally will also be the last to have ever been published.
Full-Steam-Ahead are delighted to present the Diary in it's entirety to you, so you can go back to a golden age of travel, and enjoy the trip with them.
We hope you enjoy this very special journey...
This was a nineteen day excursion that would see them travelling the length and breadth of Canada exclusively by rail, enjoying the sights and sounds and history of both the age of steam and at that time, more modern engines.
Both George and Wilbert had kept detailed written daily accounts of the tour, but Wilbert also documented the trip in a large collection of photographs.
When they returned to the UK they collaborated and collated both diaries with Wilbert taking these 'hastily handwritten scrawls' (as he'd lovingly called them) from his brother and edited them together.
He placed them alongside his own photographs and memories with a view to sharing these with their fellow travellers, a comprehensive record of that great trip.
The Diary and it's photos have never been published or seen outside of the family before, having only been briefly referenced in Brian Sibley's 'Thomas the Tank Engine Man', until now...
This is the first book to have been written between the brothers and coincidentally will also be the last to have ever been published.
Full-Steam-Ahead are delighted to present the Diary in it's entirety to you, so you can go back to a golden age of travel, and enjoy the trip with them.
We hope you enjoy this very special journey...
208 pages, Hardcover
Published September 14, 2026
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October 20, 2026
I remember going over Brian Sibley’s “The Thomas the tank engine Man” a decade or so ago. There were pictures of a trip to Canada being made by the Rev. W. Awdry & his brother, George Awdry. Some pictures here and there, a mention or two of the trip in itself. It always fascinated me and intrigued me. “What did the Reverend, a man whose work has followed me and shaped me my whole life, get up to on his trip here?”.
I’m very glad to say that thanks to the kind folks at “Full Steam Ahead” & Christopher Awdry, we are now able to get the full insight in that wonderful journey done by the Awdry Brothers and their friends. This was a very delightful read. One where I found myself unable to put the book down. A well documented account of their nearly three week trek across Canada. Their journey is accompanied by a splendid assortment of photos from their time in Canada.
A very pleasant read. I’m glad to finally know more about this trip.
I’m very glad to say that thanks to the kind folks at “Full Steam Ahead” & Christopher Awdry, we are now able to get the full insight in that wonderful journey done by the Awdry Brothers and their friends. This was a very delightful read. One where I found myself unable to put the book down. A well documented account of their nearly three week trek across Canada. Their journey is accompanied by a splendid assortment of photos from their time in Canada.
A very pleasant read. I’m glad to finally know more about this trip.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review