The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways

Railway Series #0.5

by W. Awdry, George Awdry

The authors created the make-believe island of Sodor and its railway service to serve as an authentic background to the Railway Series of books about Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends.

Genres: Trains

154 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1987

About the author

Wilbert Vere Awdry, OBE, better known as the Rev. W. Awdry, was an English clergyman, railway enthusiast and children's author, and creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, who starred in Awdry's acclaimed Railway Series.

The characters that would make Awdry famous, and the first stories featuring them, were invented in 1943 to amuse his son Christopher during a bout of measles. The first book (The Three Railway Engines) was published in 1945, and by the time Awdry stopped writing in 1972, The Railway Series numbered 26 books. Christopher subsequently added further books to the series.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellently written and engaging fictional history of the Island of Sodor as featured in the Railway Series books by the Rev W Awdry and Christopher Awdry. This book gives background into the locations, railways, engines and people who make up the Island of Sodor.

I plan to reread the Railway Series and as a result of reading this book, I believe I will have a better understanding and enjoyment of the experience.

[Beau Manglass]

Mhmm, yeah, it's Otto who's into trains...losing my mind at the existence this fictional reference book about the Island of Sodor and its conlang among other things, oh my god!

[Joanne]

Hi
I’m in desperate need of this book. Anyone wanting to sell or can recommend where I could buy a copy please?
Thank you
Jo

[Callum Booth-Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Silmarillion of Thomas the Tank Engine. Genuinely pretty amazing. Did you know they make their money from uranium mining now?

[Rob Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't your typical Railway Series Book. If you're expecting to see Thomas and friends, you'll be disappointed. This is more of a history/anthropological look at the Island of Sodor from the early days to the (at time of publishing) present. This is an in-depth look at the people, places, and attitudes of the Island of Sodor, and includes some sketches and maps to help readers.

This is a fantastic book, and it's a shame that the publishers at Egmont won't reprint the book, or any of the others in the series. All I can say is thank God for Internet Archive. All we can do is pray that someone at the publisher's office will wise up one day and decide to give these books the reprint they deserve.

[Olek · Rating 4 out of 5]

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