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You are here: Home / Community / The Myth of Thomas The Tank Engine

The Myth of Thomas The Tank Engine

May 9, 2014 By Janet Williams 11 Comments

I met the Fat Controller Russell again in Chandler’s Ford.

Russell and his father Chris charmed the people who rode their steam train at the Fryern Funtasia last Monday.

I spent most of my afternoon at the steam train, observing people and watching the steam train puff out its smoke and steam as it chugged along its 100-foot-long track.

Russell (the Fat Controller) with his father Chris (left).
Russell (the Fat Controller) with his father Chris (left).

There was something unique about the steam train. The people who ran it from Winchester Model and Engineering Society were relaxed and happy. They told me quite a bit about the engine. They sat by the track drinking tea, and watching the steam train moving forward and backward 100 times.

Nigel Woodham again was composed driving the steam train.

I was quite moved by what I saw by the steam train. Father-and-son Chris and Russell formed a brilliant team. They checked the tickets, cracked some jokes, teased a few children, blew the whistles, and waved enthusiastically.

Enjoying the same hobby with your dad and spending time together – I think it defines happiness.

The Fat Controller Russell (at the back) and his father Chris.
The Fat Controller Russell (at the back) and his father Chris.

Thinking along the line of Chandler’s Ford history, someone recently knocked on my door and told me there could be a link between Thomas the Tank Engine and Chandler’s Ford. Could Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, have got his inspiration of trains in Chandler’s Ford while watching the steam train chugging along?

St. Boniface Church in Chandler’s Ford was built in 1904. According to Hantsphere, online local heritage resource:

“The church, built in Hursley Road on land given by Tankerville Chamberlayne of Cranbury Park, replaced an earlier corrugated iron church in Southampton Road. The dedication, on 4 October 1904, was by the Bishop of Winchester, and the first service was conducted by the Vicar of Ampfield, the Reverend Vere Awdry (the father of the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine).”

From Hantsphere, on St Boniface Church, Chandlers Ford, 1904

Reverend W Awdry was born at Ampfield vicarage near Romsey in 1911. His father was the Reverend Vere Awdry, the Anglican vicar of Ampfield.

Where did the inspiration for Thomas the Tank Engine come from? Chandler's Ford? Image by Alpha via Flickr.
Where did the inspiration for Thomas the Tank Engine come from? Chandler’s Ford?
Image by Alpha via Flickr.

Chandler’s Ford: Inspiration for Thomas the Tank Engine?

The person who discussed the possible link of Chandler’s Ford with Thomas the Tank Engine happens to be a politician, who told me that the young Awdry must have watched and smelt the train from Chandler’s Ford, as his father visited and preached at St. Boniface Church.

When I told him I write about Chandler’s Ford, the councillor canvassing for the local election on 22nd May 2014 swiftly changed social topics about verge parking, dog poo, and new toilet which should have been built at the Fryern Arcade. Instead, he had an animated discussion of Thomas the Tank Engine with me for 20 minutes. And I quite enjoyed that.

Where did Reverend W Awdry get his inspiration from for Thomas the Tank Engine?

Could it have been Chandler’s Ford of Eastleigh?

If it were Chandler’s Ford, could anyone prove it?

If the link could be proved, Chandler’s Ford could possibly be promoted as the ‘birthplace’ of Thomas the Tank Engine (instead of the capital of bank robberies). What do you think?

Steam trains are magical, their smell, dirt, smoke, the clickety-clack of the wheels, and the swaying of the carriages.

This beautiful poem and the video clip wrap up the magical steam train beautifully. I hope you enjoy it.

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Tags: Chandler's Ford, Christianity, community, culture, Fryern Funtasia, history, local interest, memory, religion, train station

About Janet Williams

I created Chandler's Ford Today. I use this website to share our passions and inspiring stories, to build a connected community. We inform, educate and enlighten. We share resources.

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Comments

  1. Sarah Guilder says

    May 11, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    Janet,

    Hope you are keeping well and wanted to let you know that I love reading your Chandler’s Ford Today when it comes up in my inbox as you know I love anything local.

    Just to say the that I used to live next door to Ampfield Vicarage and you can hear the trains at night and that is true about the Author.

    His son came to one of the Ampfield Church Fetes one year. It was some time in June.

    Reply
    • Janet says

      May 11, 2014 at 12:35 pm

      Dear Sarah,

      Thank you for this wonderful piece of information. Now we’re learning more about the myths of Thomas the Tank Engine with the local history.

      Please continue to share with us more local stories, especially the beautiful things you’ve been doing in your community store in Hiltingbury.

      Reply

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