Rev W Awdry

Thomas the Tank Engine is the star of a phenomenally successful series of books, has his own television show and hit film and graces the front of everything from pencil cases and clothing to bedspreads.

As a child, his creator Reverend Wilbert Awdry, was fascinated by the steam trains puffing up the hill near his home and would imagine they were talking to one another.

He and his Reverend father - known locally as Railwayman Parson - shared a love of railways and were well known to the railway men in the village.

Eventually Awdry - who was born in Romsey - passed this passion for locomotives to his own son Christopher, creating stories about steam engines to keep him amused during a bout of measles.

The adventures of Henry, Gordon and Edward were told and retold until Awdry decided to write them down for family use.

It was his wife Margaret who finally persuaded Awdry to approach a publisher and his first book The Three Engines was published in 1945.

That Christmas when Awdry made his son a simple wooden steam engine and christened it Thomas, everyone's favourite train was born.

Following the first Thomas book in 1946 a new Thomas story was published every year until 1972.

Eleven years later Christopher Awdry followed in his father's footsteps, publishing the first of 14 more books in the series.

Meanwhile, in 1984 the loveable blue steam engine was made into an animated television show which is still going strong and has entertained millions of children - and their parents - across the world.

Thomas creator Wilbert Awdry passed away in 1997 but Thomas lives on.

Young fans can even meet the famous engine during Day Out with Thomas events held at local heritage railway sites including the Mid Hampshire Railway (The Watercress Line) in Alresford and the Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway.

Name: Reverend W. Awdry Occupation: Thomas the Tank Engine author Date of Birth: 15 June, 1911 local link: Born in Romsey