1988: Rev W Awdry on THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE | Wogan | Writers and Wordsmiths | BBC Archive

Terry Wogan chats to Reverend W Awdry about his love of steam engines, and the phenomenal global success of Thomas the Tank Engine and his Railway Series of children's books.
Originally broadcast 30 March, 1988.
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[@hilaryepstein6013]

What a lovely man and the hero of generations of children. I hope he made lots of money out of Thomas.

[@TheJacobite]

No one's sure if he really did, he gave most of it I read to charities though, so Thomas' success did a lot of good all round, not just for heritage railways.

[@eliotreader8220]

I think he certainly lived a very interesting life. I loved reading my copy of the updated Thomas the tank engine man.

[@horsewoodtrains15]

He is Sodor’s god, you know

[@TrainmasterGT]

@@horsewoodtrains15 I thought he was canonically a clergyman on Sodor

[@craneproductions2714]

@@TrainmasterGT that is correct

[@tonysellen4340]

My now 3 year old Grandson is obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine, thanks to his sadly departed Gramps. And as a family we try to keep that legacy fresh. Thank you Rev. Awdry for this gift for generations to come.

[@spinballpac-man]

My sister’s three year old son watched the last few episodes of the CGI era during 2020 and 2021. Once my sister realised how much he was enjoying it,they showed him the original model series,which he adored! Since then,he’s been to three Thomas events at the Watercress Line (Our local vintage railway) and has tons of books and toys of it! It’s great to see my nephew brought up by one of my favourite franchises growing up and certainly hope he doesn’t grow out of it anytime soon

[@eliotreader8220]

@@spinballpac-man I helped to clean their own Thomas the tank engine back in 2011

[@West_Coast_Gang]

My little cousin likes Thomas, I always show him the model episodes

[@SirRamone]

That one bloke changed the lives of so many people and had no idea he was doing it, Just put in the research and gave trains characters to their real life copies. What a legend !

[@Who.Knew-The.Salt.MustFlow]

Beautiful man. A wonderful legacy he has left in perpetuity.

[@RatelHBadger]

Watching interviews with Awdry, its like watching my own grandfather (also a reverend). Same dry humour, love for wordplay and keen on spinning a vivid yarn. Always called people chap, that builder chap or that railway chap. He had The Flying Kipper on '72 which I played in his study on no doubt ENDLESS repeat. As well as printings of the first dozen or so railway books (the small hardback ones) which you cant get anymore. Its remarkable really.

[@DillianTrainzStudios]

Bless you, Wilbert Awdry for making me and the rest of our childhoods great.

[@Clasonnk684]

Amen

[@tomfitzpatrick7335]

Amen indeed

[@TheBerzerker666]

Wilbert has made a lot of kids appreciate the joys of steam trains and how great our railways were 😃🇬🇧

[@bobthestinkybum2199]

Hahaha, 'Were' Brooo, I can't xd

[@thattankengineguy]

A man that's done so much for so many people, all through use of telling stories with talking trains.

[@DasaniDragon]

"A steam engine is an extrovert" I love that. I was raised on the books, the model series (All be it the HIT era) and I still love it to this day

[@DanielNeedham2500]

The Rev W Awdry was a lovely man who brought joy to millions of children all over the world. I remember the early episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine narrated by Ringo Star and I admit, after he left the stories were never the same and the series today is a grim shadow of what it was.

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

I really miss watching this on TV when it was still the actual model trains, before they computer animated everything. Similar case with Bob the Builder.

[@eliotreader8220]

I can just about remember watching tv when they was still using models and using my imagination. Mattel doesn't know much about running steam trains at all. they have gotten rid of Thomas's well known branch line

[@WinterroSP]

Right now it’s an another of Mattel’s soulless shells, I hope the next owner will be competent enough to know what it is.

[@ShukakuTheCrazy1]

We all owe this man a great deal. Never let his name be diahonored

[@dainbramage3558]

Always loved thomas, and that in turn fueled a lifetime of loving steam trains

[@matthewdunn2443]

Thank you Reverend for the memories and hours of fun I had during my childhood because of your creation, RIP 🕊️❤

[@levidarling5107]

Oh Reverend, how I wish you were still alive keeping your creation true to its core and safe with you.

[@wwb16]

id love to see a biopic about this man

[@missmanxee]

Thank you Rev W Awdry for introducing me to the world of steam trains 🚂 through your wonderful series of stories about Thomas the Tank Engine and all his many friends that continues to inspire and delight both children and adults unlike the current pointless reboot that Mattel has made I will continue to read the original stories written by yourself as well as your son Christopher and watch the classic model tv series made by the brilliant Britt Allcroft and told by the legendary narrator’s Ringo Starr and the late Michel Angelis 👍❤️

[@JewelKnightJess]

As a kid in the 80s Thomas was my obsession. I adored it so much. Although I barely recognise the modern version of the franchise it makes me happy to know it's still bringing joy to children four decades on.

[@mrdiamond365_]

This man has saved me from a lot of difficult times with his creations. For that I am forever thankful for him

[@MATT2productions]

God Bless the Rev. W. Awdry for making Thomas the Tank Engine come into childhoods and making it Generational for everyone. True Icon and great writer and Creator

[@thomasrailfan5774]

I'd say he was the best children's author because he enjoyed what he did, and was highly invested in it. I think he enjoyed it even more than the fans of the books, and had a whole fictional world thought up for it, and recreated it in model form. The Island of Sodor was clearly his passion.

[@LazyOldFusspot_3428]

He might be a bit of a critical perfectionist at times, but in the end he was a guy who knew that kids were smart.

[@gwrgamer3606]

A remarkable man with an even more remarkable legacy that has inspired so many. (myself included) Although Thomas & Friends isn't what it used to be, Wilbert's legacy lives on not only in the many people who grew up with the books and TV show but also the many content creators making and adapting both original and existing stories online.

[@RoseSupreme]

What a legend... this man made my childhood. And I still cling on to the franchise to this day thanks to the talented fandom, and not the corrupt cretins that own the IP.

[@tomfitzpatrick7335]

I never even knew this interview existed until now, but I'm glad I do now

[@flyinggordonproductions4875]

Amazing For 78 years this man made amazing memories for kids Im not into the show like i used to be but even when I’m old I’m going to remember the memories i had of this

[@Its_PacFan]

While Thomas may not be the classic interpretation from the Model and CGI series now, at least there will always be a Thomas for every generation to enjoy thanks to Awdry

[@Levenstone132]

I saw the man himself in 1973.Model railway exhibition.Westminster Hall? Long time ago...

[@robyn051]

He's such a delightful man when he's actually asked real questions in a good interview

[@TheJacobite]

Lovely interview, I'm glad to now see it in full.

[@theamazinggamer111]

Im so glad the old interviews surface from time to time. Just reminds me why I love the world of Sodor so much…

[@Richardsrailway]

Also not forgetting the Rev Teddy Boston who was a close friend and fellow railway enthusiast.

[@DieselD7101]

I’ve always loved Thomas since as long as I could remember. Thank you, Wilbert Awdry, for making our lives so wonderful. God bless your soul.

[@ronaldsmith6829]

I'll have you know, Reverend Awdry, I enjoyed the books as much as my son. Likewise the videos. They made for many hours of fun shared with my sons.

[@PositiveTigerGamer]

An amazing Reverend and children book writer. He probably still proud of what he has accomplished after Wibert died. Let's all continue to honor Wilbert's Legacy and make him around. Out of all the Railway Series book, one of my favorite is #38 Wilbert the Forest Engine that was written by his son Christopher. ❤

[@giantreddevil]

Thank you Rev W. Awdry for making my childhood.

[@fireflowerfilms2010]

When I heard about his house being sold younger me was afraid that the models were still in his home and would go with it thanks to the unlucky tug I know they’re currently housed at the tally clyn railway. Rest in peace you wonderful man thanks for making my childhood happy with that wonderful blue engine.

[@ThatRetroGuy2005]

This is before the HiT Entertainment Area

[@skinner219]

Before Mattel

[@BlackFiveStudios]

he seemed so nice.

[@johnsurrey7426]

He was my wife’s father’s cousin, and there is a very definite resemblance! There were many clergy in the family, including George Moberly, bishop of Salisbury and headmaster of Winchester.

[@strafrag1]

Great story and a lovely man. Thanks for posting this video.

[@theJamesexpress]

I love thomas and friends since i was little, but now i wonder where did my childhood go with the state thomas is in. It's so nice too see that the rev.w.awdrey's model trains are persevered. R.I.P rev.w.awdrey

[@BriceGum138]

That was a wonderful interview from 1988.

[@terrytopliss9506]

The love of my childhood reading the books written by this wonderful gentleman.

[@Jude-72]

That thumbnail I thought It was an unseen model of Gordon made by the reverend!

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

Thomas, we love you.

[@andresrios9855]

He has my support from here in the States 🇺🇸. My brother and I were introduced to Thomas the Tank Engine in the 90's, almost a decade since their release into television.

[@bigmanfrank5708]

This was my childhood thank you for creating Thomas 🙏🏾🙂

[@utahrailroadsofamerica1991]

Rev W. Awdry Is A Genius 🧠 & Knew Ringo Starr ⭐ For Shining Time Station 🚂 Where Dreams Do Come Ture. Waitting There For You 📖

[@danielfennessey]

To think he created something that’s been popular for Sixty Years! Such a lasting legacy.

[@eliotreader8220]

I imagine he had a lovely time talking about the origins of Thomas and his friends

[@ThiccBrows]

I love that I imagined Sodor when he told his story

[@edward002gaming]

He may rest in peace Rew. W. Awdry

[@Thesuperdave894]

Oh my goodness, I just realized all those engines are hornby prototypes

[@jayjayb89]

My childhood in a respected man's words

[@alexis_ianf]

Well even appering you can appreciate the Rev sense of humor on TV

[@JintyandPugFan20]

We love you Wilbert

[@jamesmitchell8922]

I think a clip of the TV show was shown first before the interview. The background featured the Pet Shop Boys singing Heart earlier

[@ThatCoalSoul]

RIP to both of them.

[@johnylitalo4163]

Do you upload a 1953 pilot to the Railway Series, a sad story of Henry?

[@donaldscottishengine]

we still miss awdry

[@Thomasin_motion]

James original bbc model is in the backround

[@eliotreader8220]

my Dad got me a model of Gordon for Christmas 2005

[@homersimpson2873]

At 5:06 remember this line

[@Kashi-K]

would be great if they just randomly posted the Down the Mine pilot

[@WOLF-ZONE23]

He will mad see all engines go

[@ryanbarth6691]

All engines go

[@fishandjam5383]

3:20 Gordon in the episode Edward and Gordon

[@JayceonGraham-sm7lf]

Granpuff i drew ng scrapyard with petter sam duncan snd sir handle and ghost engine

[@you2square]

This was recorded 9 years before he died

[@TheAutisticCapricorn811]

Which was '88, I believe?

[@andylikesstuffchannel]

I stand by Thomas ❤ I used to read the books to my Son when he was little constantly. He learned so much about Numbers Colours he was even a Train Spotter for a month or 2 had all the Trains as well bloody expensive is a understatement 😂😂 he's now 16 and denys all knowledge 😂 😂 It's not cool

[@tigriller9727]

It is such a shame this man's creation has been ruined by the TV creator.

[@vikingsmb]

i wont let my nephew and niece watch the new thomas as its crap they love the old series 1984/1986 which I saw when i was their age. and my sister agrees with me

[@alexpatrick3333]

5:06

[@OlafProt]

I have all the little books, 1960s & 70s editions. Pored over them throughout my childhood in 70s. Now shut up Wogan and stop talking over the man.

[@csr2298]

He would be so disappointed in what his creation has become.

[@1982sparkie]

Thank you rev w audrey for all your work, I been making 6ft wooden version of Thomas and his friends for the garden or for children's toy boxes, 14 completed so far :) just finished hiro ❤

[@simracer1256]

Ive seen videos of him being nowty with kids for touching his model railway.

[@brandynbuckle5059]

I wish he could come back to stop what thomas has become today

[@NWR1991]

While I agree that AEG is not the Thomas you and I had grew up with, regardless of what era, but if Awdry were alive today I have very high doubts that he would do anything to stop it happening. He hadn't done anything towards Britt Allcroft's control during his life time and I really doubt his family would too since Mattel are a powerful company.

[@TheEerieMaster]

This guy is rolling in his grave at light speed right now 💀

[@Clasonnk684]

It sucks that Mattel made the awful AEG.

[@Triadians677]

This guy created my whole childhood except mattel sucks

[@swaneknoctic9555]

The word paed................Comes to mind.

[@alastair810]

Why?

[@swaneknoctic9555]

@@alastair810 religion and children that’s why.

[@alastair810]

​@@swaneknoctic9555 I don't understand, being a Reverend doesn't automatically make you a paedophile.

[@philipstokes2824]

​@@swaneknoctic9555he actually wrote the first stories to comfort his son Christopher who was ill in bed.

[@EpicFurbynerd76YO]

is that god?

[@johnnyworzel3741]

Thomas is banned in my house.

[@dainbramage3558]

Why?

[@CalCalFPS]

@@dainbramage3558 Got drunk on Christmas day, 2001. Punched Nan in the back of the head for taking the last stuffing ball.

[@dainbramage3558]

@@CalCalFPS rofl

[@buzzytrombone4353]

@@CalCalFPS LMFAO

[@RUSH2112RUSH]

I guess you could say Thomas went 'off the rails' then...sorry ☹️

[@M_ADAXsRailway]

Brilliant- wonderful- however- steam engines are female!!!!