Sodor (fictional island) facts for kids
Sodor is a make-believe island located in the Irish Sea. It is famous for being the home of The Railway Series books by the Rev. W. Awdry. Later, it became the setting for the popular Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends television show. This island is a busy place with many railways and friendly talking trains.
Contents
What is Sodor?
Sodor is a fictional island, meaning it's not real. It was created by the Rev. W. Awdry for his stories about talking trains. He started writing these stories in 1945 to entertain his son, Christopher. The island is a mix of real-life places and imagination.
Where is Sodor Located?
The island of Sodor is imagined to be in the Irish Sea. It sits between the real island of Man and the coast of England. You can think of it as a hidden gem in the sea, full of adventures.
How Was Sodor Created?
The Rev. W. Awdry and his brother, George, worked together to create Sodor. They wanted to make a believable world for their train stories. They even made up a history, geography, and even a language for the island. This made Sodor feel very real to readers.
Geography of Sodor
Sodor is a diverse island with different types of land. It has mountains, valleys, rivers, and a long coastline.
Main Areas and Towns
The island has several important towns and areas. These include:
- Tidmouth: A major town and a busy railway hub.
- Knapford: Another important station where many trains start their journeys.
- Gordon's Hill: A famous steep hill that challenges the engines.
- Ulstead: A coastal town.
Natural Features
Sodor also has interesting natural features:
- The Culdee Fell Mountains: A mountain range with a special mountain railway.
- Lakes and Rivers: Several bodies of water that trains cross or run alongside.
- Coastline: Beaches and harbors where ships arrive and depart.
The Railways of Sodor
The railways are the heart of Sodor. They connect all parts of the island and are home to the famous talking engines.
The North Western Railway
The main railway on Sodor is the North Western Railway. It is run by Sir Topham Hatt, also known as the Fat Controller. This railway has many different engines, each with their own personality. They work hard to transport passengers and goods across the island.
Other Railways
Besides the main line, Sodor has several smaller railways:
- The Skarloey Railway: A narrow-gauge railway that goes through the mountains. Its engines are smaller but very strong.
- The Arlesdale Railway: Another narrow-gauge line, known for carrying ballast from quarries.
- The Culdee Fell Mountain Railway: A unique railway that climbs up the steep Culdee Fell mountain.
Life on Sodor
Life on Sodor is busy and full of activity. The engines are like a big family, working together and sometimes getting into mischief.
The Engines and Their Jobs
Each engine on Sodor has a specific job. For example:
- Thomas: A small tank engine, usually pulling passengers on his branch line.
- Gordon: A big express engine, known for pulling the fastest trains.
- James: A mixed-traffic engine, pulling both passenger and goods trains.
- Percy: A cheeky saddle tank engine, often working in the shunting yards.
They learn important lessons about teamwork, friendship, and being useful.
People of Sodor
The people of Sodor work alongside the engines. They are railway workers, station masters, farmers, and townspeople. They rely on the trains for travel and transport, and they often interact with the engines. Sir Topham Hatt is the most well-known human character, making sure the railway runs smoothly.
Sodor in Books and TV
Sodor first appeared in The Railway Series books. These stories were loved by children and adults alike.
The Railway Series
The books were written by the Rev. W. Awdry and later by his son, Christopher Awdry. They describe the adventures of the engines in detail. The stories often teach moral lessons about hard work, honesty, and kindness.
Thomas & Friends
The television series Thomas & Friends brought Sodor to life for millions of viewers. It started in 1984 and used models of the engines and sets. Later, it switched to computer animation. The show made Thomas and his friends famous all over the world.
Images for kids
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The Island of Sodor Railway system in the style of Harry Beck (click to enlarge).
