Who was the first engine on sodor?

Question

just wondering

Answer 1

It depends what you mean.



When the first book in the series appeared (I thought it was 1948, not '45, but it doesn't really matter) there was no concept of an "Island of Sodor". Like many model railroaders, Rev Awdry developed a fictitional life situation to support his developing character set and story line. So it depends at what point in the development of the series your question refers to. But it also depends on whatever interpretation Christopher Awdry wants to put on his father's stories. (Did RW introduce Neil, or did Christopher? I can't remember). In addition, many of the later characters, especially the narrow-gauge ones, are based on entire existing lines. Some of the ones I can remember off the top of my head are the Ravenglass and Eskdale, Ffestiniog, Tallyllyn, and Snowdon Mountain. And sometimes there is no indication that the stories involving these characters are actually based on Sodor. And what if, at some future stage, Christopher Awdry introduces a storyline that says Neil did not actually arrive on Sodor until he was very much second-hand? That is, just because he's the oldest engine doesn't mean that he was actually the "first on Sodor".



I think the only person who can give a definitive answer to your question is Christopher Awdry himself. And having said that, he's quite at liberty to change things at any time in the future. He might decide to write a whole bunch of pre-quels!

Answer 2

I presume that you are talking about the fictional island of Sodor, where the "Thomas the Tank Engine" stories are set? This being the case, the stories first appeared in print in "The Three Railway Engines" in 1945. Thomas first appeared in the second book, a year later. Even then, there were other engines on the railway "in the background". The island of Sodor was not mentioned until later in the series.



The series of books continued to expand over the years until the TV series was made in 1984. Britt-Alcroft gained the rights to the marketing, and the brand became more-or-less global.



I note from Wikidepdia that a book on the The Island of Sodor - its People, History and Railways' was published in 1987 by the creator, the Rev. Awdry. I have not seen this, but it will probably provide you with an answer.

Answer 3

The oldest mentioned seems to be Neil (in "Very Old Engines"), one of three engines used by the earliest railway on the island, the Sodor & Mainland Railway. That was founded in 1853 but Neil is their No 2 engine, and is of a type dating from about 1860 - that makes him a few years older than Skarloey. There must have been a No1 engine on that line - but no name is mentioned.

Answer 4

It should Be Skarloey and Tallylyn. They were in Sodor 1864 or it should be neil

Answer 5

No 1 was "Mack."



Written out nearly immediately after one brief cameo appearance. He was deemed "too controversial" as, the "little engine that didn't give a ratz azz." Drank too much and smoked too much.

Answer 6

Hiro. you need to watch the new movie, "Hiro of the Rails"