In 1945 a devout christian by the name of Rev. Wilbert Audry published his first book in the Thomas the Tank Engine Book Series. Wilbert's creativity was assisted and driven by his son (Christopher), who at the young age of two developed measles. Wilbert being the loving father he was, spent much of his time beside Christopher in his hours of need.

History records as the Reverends son Christopher was fighting the measles, his loving father would chant out nursery rhymes. The tunes where intended to sooth the young chap while battling the deadly virus. Here's how one of the tiny tunes went...

Early in the Morning Down at the Station all the Engines Standing in a Row. Along Comes the Driver Pulls the Lever, Puff, Puff! Chuff, Chuff Off we GO!

Little Chris heard the tiny tunes so often he began to ask Rev. Audry questions about the tunes. Can I see these trains father. Where is there station... Papa?

Rev. Audry had to be creative to pull this one off. He explained to His son that the trains and their station is located on the Island of Sodor in the Irish Sea between the Isle of Mann and the British Isles. There is where the tales are told.

A great many individuals are under the impression that Thomas was the original train that drove these stories from tale to tale and adventure to adventure. Not true as it was Edward that Rev. Audry Describes to his son Christopher during his bout with measles.

As the stories continued and the adventures became more detailed, Thomas came along, followed by a slew of others. Percy, Henry, Lady, Smudger, James all have their own stories and capers.

In 1945 the first of the children's books was published and in 1984 Great Britain Introduced the popular book in a television series that has taken off to enjoy world wide fame with tots! The books are still in publication and in 1972 Christopher took over the honers of story telling and allowed his father Wilbert (1911-1997) to retire.

In 1996 Christopher published his last book before handing over the series to professional children's book publishers. Wilbert soon passed at the rich age of 86. Chris still enjoys his fathers stories and shares the tales with the rest of the world!

For more information on scale model locomotives visit Daryl's Website surrounding model trains, you may also stop in to read thomas the wooden toy train reviews.

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