Edgar Hodges

Edgar Hodges (born 1928), was the illustrator of the first two annuals written by the Reverend W. Awdry in 1979 and 1980 and the 'Rev.W.Awdry Famous Engines' coloring, sticker and activity book.

Hodges was born in Bolton, Lancashire. He took his first art exam at the age of 13 passing easily due to an interest in drawing and painting from a very early age.

He was involved in illustrating in the two first Annuals and the activity books of Thomas the Tank Engine because of his interest in steam trains as he would go off into the countryside at any opportunity to photograph them, prowl around the engine sheds or going off into the moors to record the sounds in the distance.

He reworked some of the illustrations from the Railway Series book for the activities, games etc. that were illustrated by C. Reginald Dalby, John T. Kenney and Gunvor and Peter Edwards. He left the company, World Distributors in 1980, and went to Italy and then returned to Manchester. While at World Distributors, he worked on other annuals such as, Dad's Army, Postman Pat, The Wombles and Doctor Who. In the 1970's, he illustrated steam locomotives from Britain for puzzles for a company called Whitmans.