Sodor

Sodor is a fictional island created for The Railway Series by Reverend Wilbert Awdry in the 1940s and later developed in the television program Thomas & Friends. It serves as the setting for most stories about anthropomorphic locomotives and their railway operations, presenting a children’s fiction universe focused on trains, work, and everyday challenges.

Geographically, Sodor is depicted as an island with a varied landscape that includes rural areas, industrial sites, harbors, and towns connected by an integrated rail network. The setting features several well-known places, including the towns of Tidmouth, Knapford, Wellsworth, and Brendam, as well as facilities such as Tidmouth Sheds and Brendam Docks. The fictional map and locations are recurring elements in the stories, used to frame railway routes, scheduling, and accidents or repairs.

The railway on Sodor is overseen by the Fat Controller, later known as Sir Topham Hatt, who manages operations, safety, and the well-being of railway staff and engines. The stories revolve around a recurring cast of locomotive and carriage characters, such as Thomas, Percy, Gordon, James, and Henry, who learn lessons about cooperation, responsibility, and problem solving through their adventures.

Sodor has become a enduring element of the Thomas franchise, appearing in books, television episodes, and related media. It has influenced children’s media through its depictions of teamwork, planning, and safety, and remains a central setting for new stories and adaptations within the franchise.