Edwin Boston facts for kids
Edwin Richard Boston (died 1 April 1986), known to many as Teddy Boston, was a special kind of Church of England priest and author. He loved trains so much that he built his very own narrow gauge railway in the garden of his home in Cadeby, Leicestershire. He became famous to children everywhere as the "Fat Clergyman" in The Railway Series books, written by the Rev. W. Awdry, who created Thomas the Tank Engine.
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Early Life and Training
Teddy Boston went to school at Gresham's School in Holt. Later, he studied at Jesus College, Cambridge. After his college studies, he trained to become a priest for the Church of England at Lincoln Theological College.
His Work as a Priest
In 1949, Teddy Boston started his work as a priest in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. In 1960, he moved to Cadeby and Sutton Cheney in Leicestershire. He served as the main priest for these villages until he passed away in 1986.
A Passion for Steam Trains
Teddy Boston was incredibly passionate about steam trains. He even built his own railway!
The Cadeby Light Railway
The story of the Cadeby Light Railway is all about Teddy Boston. In May 1962, he bought a steam engine named 'Pixie'. It was a Bagnall saddle tank locomotive. He then started building a small railway line in his Rectory garden at Cadeby.
The railway was U-shaped and about 110 yards long. It officially opened on April 7, 1963. Just a month later, it carried its first passengers.
In 1967, Teddy bought another narrow gauge engine, number 1695. He had seen this engine working when he was a boy. After being unused for 27 years, it was moved to Cadeby. He renamed it 'The Terror'. This name came from a Bible verse, "The Terror that walketh in darkness." It was called this because the engine was so difficult to start that it could be dark before it finally got going!
Model Railways and Other Hobbies
Inside a large wooden shed at Cadeby, Teddy Boston had a huge OO gauge model railway. It showed the Great Western Railway from before World War II. He also had a smaller narrow gauge model railway. This one was based on the Isle of Man Railway.
Later, Teddy also owned a canal narrowboat. This boat even had an N gauge model railway on board! His wife, Audrey, was very interested in narrowboats.
Friendship with Rev. W. Awdry
Teddy Boston was a close friend of the Rev. W. V. Awdry. Awdry was the person who created Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. They shared a love for railways and often went on train-themed holidays together.
In Awdry's book Small Railway Engines (1967), he wrote about a trip they took to the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. In the book, Teddy Boston appears as 'the Fat Clergyman'. Awdry himself appears as 'the Thin Clergyman'.
'The Fat Clergyman' was later made into a computer-animated character for the Thomas and Friends TV show. He appeared in the twentieth series in 2017. He and 'the Thin Clergyman' were in the episode Tit for Tat. They also appeared in Series 21's Confused Coaches. 'The Fat Clergyman' even made quick appearances in the movies The Great Race and Big World! Big Adventures!.
Awdry once wrote about visiting Cadeby:
We would go on shopping expeditions to Market Bosworth, using a steam-roller or traction-engine by way of transport, parking, as a matter of course, in the town centre.
Teddy Boston's love for railways and his amazing collection of steam engines are celebrated in a book called Collecting: The Passionate Pastime.
Market Bosworth Steam Rally
Teddy Boston loved going to steam rallies. But it was very expensive to move his heavy equipment. So, in 1963, he decided to start his own annual event. He called it the 'Market Bosworth Steam Rally'.
He explained his idea:
The idea then sprang to mind that if we could not get to a rally, why could a rally not come to us? Therefore in 1963 the Market Bosworth Steam Engine Rally was conceived and born, becoming a regular two-day annual event held at Cadeby in August. This has proved a great success and also a considerable help with parish funds.
This rally became a big success. It was held every August and also helped raise money for his church.
Life at Home
People described Teddy Boston as a "short, round, jolly man." He had a great sense of humor. Even though he loved trains, he was always a priest first. His strong faith was clear to everyone.
His home, the Rectory, was filled with his railway collections. Model trains and rolling stock were on shelves everywhere. The collection even went up the stairs! He also had many railway films.
When Teddy Boston passed away, he left behind his wife, Audrey. She shared his love for steam trains. For many years, she continued to help organize the Market Bosworth Steam Rally.
Images for kids
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Boston's Bagnall steam engine Pixie in 1981.
