Q 01/05

Which Anglican clergyman created Thomas and The Railway Series?

A) Wilbert Awdry

B) Teddy Boston

C) Christopher Awdry

D) Brian Sibley

Answer · why

A) Wilbert Awdry

He first told the stories in 1943 to his son Christopher, who was in bed with measles.

Q 02/05

On which fictional island does Thomas run?

A) Lundy

B) Anglesey

C) Sodor

D) Mersea

Answer · why

C) Sodor

It lies in the Irish Sea between Cumbria and the Isle of Man.

Q 03/05

Which real locomotive class is Thomas based on?

A) LMS Jinty

B) LB&SCR E2

C) LNER J50

D) GWR 14xx

Answer · why

B) LB&SCR E2

Illustrator Reginald Payne chose the Billinton-designed 0-6-0T; all the real E2s were scrapped between 1961 and 1963.

Q 04/05

Thomas debuted in which year's Railway Series book?

A) 1950

B) 1948

C) 1947

D) 1946

Answer · why

D) 1946

It was the second book; The Three Railway Engines came first in 1945.

Q 05/05

What was the first book in Awdry's series called?

A) James the Red Engine

B) Troublesome Engines

C) Tank Engine Thomas Again

D) The Three Railway Engines

Answer · why

D) The Three Railway Engines

Its release was delayed by wartime paper shortages.