Thomas the Tank Engine
Swindon's connection to the children's classic
Swindon is one of the few real places mentioned by name in the Rev W Awdry's Railway Series of children's books starring Thomas The Tank Engine, which are set on the fictional island of Sodor.
"Domeless Engines" from book no 13 in the series (originally published in 1958) centres around "City of Truro" - the real engine built in Swindon - and "Duck" - one of Thomas's friends.
Duck (see picture) has transferred to The Fat Controller's railway from the GWR. Being a GWR locomotive, Duck would have been built at Swindon, and he is very proud of his roots:
Duck found "City of Truro" at the coaling stage... "May
I talk to you?" he asked shyly.
"Of course," smiled the famous engine, "I see you are
one of Us."
"I try to teach them Our ways," said Duck modestly.
"All ship-shape and Swindon fashion. That's right."
"Please, could you tell me how you beat the South
Western?"
So "City of Truro" told Duck all about his famous run
from Plymouth to Bristol more than fifty years ago.
They were soon firm friends, and talked "Great Western"
till late at night.
City of Truro achieved a notable first in 1903 when it became the first locomotive in the world to travel in excess of 100 miles per hour.
Swindon Connection - more
