Timeline

This is a timeline chronicling the events of the Railway Series, the television series and the railways of Sodor:

=1806=
 * Plateway from Ward Fell to Balladswail built.
 * The Skarloey Railway is opened.
 * Neil is built.

=1853=
 * The Sodor and Mainland Railway is built.

=1864=
 * Skarloey is built.
 * Bertram is built.

=1865=
 * Skarloey arrives on Sodor.
 * Skarloey has trailing wheels added to improve stability, and has a cab installed.

=1866=
 * Rheneas is built and arrives on Sodor.
 * Bertram arrives on Sodor.

=1869=
 * Whiff is built.

=1870=
 * The Wellsworth-Suddery Railway is opened.
 * Emily is built.

=1875=
 * Stepney is built.

=1879=
 * Duke is built.

=1880=
 * The Mid Sodor Railway is opened.
 * Victoria is built.
 * Sir Topham Hatt I is born.
 * The Mines Engine is built.

=1881=
 * Petit is built.

=1883=
 * The Tidmouth, Knapford and Elsbridge Light Railway is opened.

=1886=
 * Whiff's side tanks are added.

=1887=
 * Tim is built.

=1892=
 * Whiff is rebuilt into a 4-2-2. The well tank is removed, the side tanks are expanded, and the two-cylinder Worsdell-von Borries compounding system is applied.

=1894=
 * Merlin is built.

=1895=
 * Godred is built.
 * Ernest is built.
 * Wilfred is built.

=1896=
 * Edward is built.
 * Godred arrives on Sodor.
 * Ernest arrives on Sodor.
 * Culdee is built and arrives on Sodor.
 * Shane Dooiney is built and arrives on Sodor.

=1897=
 * Construction on the Culdee Fell Railway begins.
 * Wilfred arrives on Sodor.
 * Percy is built.
 * Eagle is built.

=1898=
 * Jim is built.

=1899=
 * Donald and Douglas are built.
 * Lady is built.

=1900=
 * The Culdee Fell Railway is opened.
 * Godred dies, falls down the cliff and is taken out of service.

=1901=
 * The Culdee Fell Railway is re-opened after receiving further maintainance after the events of Godred's death.
 * Harvey is built.

=1902=
 * Whiff is rebuilt into a 2-2-4T.

=1903=
 * Toby is built.
 * Billy is built.
 * Falcon is built.
 * Proteus is built.
 * Albert is built.

=1904=
 * Molly is built.
 * Flora is built.

=1905=
 * Falcon is rebuilt with a rear pony truck.

=1906=
 * Fearless Freddie is built.

=1911=
 * The Reverend W. Awdry is born.

=1912=
 * Stepney is rebuilt.

=1913=
 * Thomas is built.

=1914=
 * The North Western Railway is formed from the Sodor and Mainland, the Tidmouth, Knapford and Elsbridge Light and the Wellsworth & Suddery railways.
 * Sir Topham Hatt II is born.
 * Hank is built.

=1915=
 * Thomas arrives on Sodor.
 * James is built.
 * The Ballahoo tunnel is built.
 * The workshops at Crovan's Gate are established.

=1916=
 * The Tidmouth-Arlesburgh branch is built.
 * Johnny Morris is born.

=1917=
 * Stanley is built.
 * Peel Godred E1-E4 are built and arrive on Sodor.
 * Petit is rebuilt into a 2-6-2 petrol engine.

=1918=
 * Duncan is built.

=1919=
 * Smudger is built.
 * Jerry is built.

=1920=
 * Edward arrives on Sodor.
 * Henry is built.
 * Trevor is built.
 * George is built.

=1922=
 * Eagle arrives on Sodor.
 * Gordon is built and arrives on Sodor.
 * 98462 and 87546 arrive on Sodor and are shortly sent packing.
 * Henry arrives on Sodor.
 * A second bore is cut for the Ballahoo tunnel after Henry stops in the original.
 * Lord Harry is built.

=1923=
 * Victoria arrives on Sodor and is made into a summerhouse at an Elsbridge orchard.
 * Alaric is built.
 * Eric is built.
 * Stuart is built.
 * Rex is built.

=1924=
 * The Reverend Teddy Boston is born.

=1926=
 * Fergus is built.

=1927=
 * Annie and Clarabel are built.
 * Merlin is renamed "Bert".
 * Bert is rebuilt into a 0-8-2 tender engine.

=1928=
 * Petit's remains are left lying.

=1929=
 * Duck is built.
 * The spiteful breakvan is built.
 * Peter is built.

=1931=
 * Peter is given a rear stabilising bogie and a body of mock-steam outline.
 * Elizabeth is built.
 * Tim dies in a fall into a ravine. The death of the ghost engine

=1932=
 * Oliver is built.
 * Blister I and Blister II are built.
 * Stanley is built.

=1934=
 * Terence is built.

=1935=
 * Spencer is built.

=1937=
 * George Carlin is born.
 * Willie Rushton is born.

=1938=
 * David Mitton is born.

=1939=
 * Gordon is overhauled.
 * Gordon is rebuilt with Stanier parts and a Fowler tender.
 * Colin is built.

=1940=
 * Christopher Awdry is born.
 * Bulgy is built.
 * Toad is built.
 * Ringo Starr is born.
 * Death of Edward's ghost engine

=1941=
 * Sir Topham Hatt III (Stephen Hatt) is born.

=1942=
 * Rosie is built.
 * Neville is built.

=1944=
 * Sixteen is built.

=1945=
 * Michael Brandon is born.
 * Rocky is built.
 * Rosie arrives on Sodor.
 * Elizabeth arrives on Sodor.
 * The Three Railway Engines is published.

=1946=
 * James arrives on Sodor.
 * Thomas is given his branch line.
 * James is rebuilt into a 2-6-0 with the removal of front sandbox and proper brakes.
 * Arthur is built.
 * Stanley/Smudger breaks down and is scrapped.
 * Elizabeth is abandoned in a shed.
 * Thomas the Tank Engine is published.

=1947=
 * The Mid Sodor Railway and the Tidmouth-Arlesburgh branches are closed.
 * Duke is sheeted and abandoned in shed.
 * Falcon and Stuart are purchased by the aluminium works at Peel Godred for an expansion project.

=1948=
 * The North Western Railway becomes officially known as the "North Western Region of British Railways".
 * Bertie is built and arrives on Sodor.
 * Terence arrives on Sodor.
 * James the Red Engine is published.

=1949=
 * Henry, Gordon and James go on strike.
 * Percy arrives on Sodor.
 * Harold is built.
 * Hector is built.
 * Tank Engine Thomas Again is published.

=1950=
 * Henry is overhauled.
 * Rheneas is overhauled.
 * Falcon and Stuart are sheeted.
 * Henry is rebuilt into an LMS Stanier Class 5 following his crash when pulling the Flying Kipper.
 * Fred is built.
 * Troublesome Engines is published.

=1951=
 * Thomas has a brush with the law after he is booked for travelling from Anopha Quarry without cowcatchers or sideplates.
 * Toby arrives on Sodor.
 * Stuart and Falcon are purchased by the Skarloey Railway and renamed Peter Sam and Sir Handel respectively.
 * Henry the Green Engine is published.

=1952=
 * Michael Angelis is born.
 * Mavis is built.
 * The abandonment of Great Waterton and Sodor Tramways.
 * Trevor is scrapped and saved by Edward.
 * Toby the Tram Engine is published.

=1953=
 * Pierce Brosnan is born.
 * Bill and Ben are built.
 * Splatter and Dodge are built.
 * Diesel is built.
 * Arry and Bert are built
 * Wilbert is built.
 * Kevin is built.
 * Barry is built.
 * Gordon the Big Engine is published.

=1954=
 * Rusty is built.
 * Edward the Blue Engine is published.

=1955=
 * Duck arrives on Sodor.
 * Mark V is built and arrives on Sodor.
 * Four Little Engines is published.

=1956=
 * Sir Topham Hatt I dies.
 * Daisy is built.
 * Ted Robbins is born.
 * Percy the Small Engine is published.

=1957=
 * City of Truro pays a visit to Sodor.
 * Diesel arrives on Sodor, but is sent packing shortly after.
 * The Eight Famous Engines is published.

=1958=
 * Alec Baldwin is born.
 * BoCo is built.
 * Rusty arrives on Sodor.
 * Duncan arrives on Sodor.
 * Skarloey returns from being mended and mentions his twin Talyllyn.
 * Cora, Ada, Jane and Mabel, Gertrude and Millicent are purchased for the Skarloey Railway.
 * Freddie's departure from the Skarloey Railway.
 * Duck and the Diesel Engine is published.

=1959=
 * Donald and Douglas arrive on Sodor.
 * The spiteful breakvan gets crushed by Douglas.
 * The Little Old Engine is published.

=1960=
 * D199 is built.
 * The Diesel is built.
 * Old Stuck-Up is built.
 * Stepney is rescued by Rusty and arrives on Sodor.
 * Murdoch is built.
 * The formation of the Sodor Construction Company.
 * Petit is renamed CoBoCo.
 * The Twin Engines is published.

=1961=
 * Diesel 10 is built.
 * Daisy arrives on Sodor.
 * D7101 is built.
 * Peel Godred Electric Multiple Units are built and arrive on Sodor.
 * Branch Line Engines is published.

=1962=
 * Mavis arrives on Sodor, and used as a shunting engine at Anopha Quarry.
 * Peter Sam gets a Gisel funnel.
 * Sir Handel gets "steamroller" wheels.
 * Rheneas returns to the Skarloey Railway.
 * Lord Harry arrives on Sodor.
 * Alaric arrives on Sodor.
 * Eric arrives on Sodor.
 * Salty is built.
 * Derek is built.
 * Gallant Old Engine is published.

=1963=
 * Stepney visits on Sodor.
 * Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine is published.

=1964=
 * The Tidmouth-Arlesburgh branch is re-opened, to be serviced by Duck.
 * Culdee returns to Culdee Fell Railway.
 * Lord Harry is renamed "Patrick".
 * Wendell is built.
 * Mountain Engines is published.

=1965=
 * Skarloey Railway is celebrated.
 * BoCo arrives on Sodor.
 * Barry is scrapped, however in 1994, he got rescued, therefore he either died and was brought back to life or survived when he was scrapped.
 * Very Old Engines is published.

=1966=
 * Bill and Ben arrive on Sodor.
 * Mike is built.
 * Main Line Engines is published.

=1967=
 * Bert, Mike and Rex arrive on Sodor, to service the Arlesdale Railway.
 * Small Railway Engines is published.

=1968=
 * Diesels D199 and D7101 arrive on Sodor.
 * D7101 is renamed "Bear", whilst D199 is sent away.
 * Oliver, Isabel and Toad are rescued by Douglas and arrive on Sodor.
 * Dulcie, Alice and Mirabel are saved from scrap for service with Oliver and Duck.
 * Scruffey gets pulled apart by Oliver and is scrapped.
 * Enterprising Engines is published.

=1969=
 * Bulgy arrived on Sodor and is turned into a henhouse.
 * Duke is discovered by Mr. Fergus Duncan, the Reverend W. Awdry and the Reverend Teddy Boston.

=1972=
 * Bert is rebuilt into a narrow gauge outline with a taller chimney, dome and cab.

=1973=
 * Peel Godred Goods Engines are built and arrive on Sodor.

=1975=
 * Petit/CoBoCo's Fordson petrol engine is replaced with a Perkins P6 diesel engine.

=1976=
 * Jock is built.
 * Bert is rebuilt with a larger boiler.
 * Pip and Emma are built.

=1980=
 * Thomas is overhauled.
 * Thomas is rebuilt with longer extended side tanks and dipped running-plates at both front and rear.
 * Diesel 10 arrives on Sodor.
 * Splatter and Dodge arrive on Sodor.
 * The Magic Railroad is discovered.
 * Lady arrives on Sodor.
 * Wendell arrives on Sodor.

=1984=
 * Duke is fully restored.
 * Sir Handel visits the Talyllyn Railway.
 * Annie and Clarabel are rebuilt.
 * Peter is rebuilt again, and a modern diesel outline replaced the fake steam body.
 * Peter is renamed "Frank".

=1985=
 * Madge arrives on Sodor.
 * Blister I and Blister II arrive on Sodor.

=1986=
 * The Reverend Teddy Boston dies.
 * CoBoCo is renamed "Sigrid of Arlesdale" and arrives on Sodor.

=1987=
 * Mavis is involved in a collision with a lorry.
 * Bulstrode is turned into a children's playground on a beach.

=1990=
 * After Privatisation, the name "North Western Railway" becomes official.
 * Thomas is invited to a railway show in York.

=1991=
 * A forest is pulverized by a storm and Henry rescues it.

=1992=
 * Mighty Mac is built.

=1993=
 * Donald and Douglas need help from Wilbert, but as Percy is away, Wilbert is redirected to Thomas' branch.

=1994=
 * Barry is rescued by Donald and Douglas and arrives on Sodor.

=1995=
 * The Golden Jubilee of the Railway Series is celebrated.
 * Pip and Emma are purchased by the North Western Railway.
 * Scruffey is rebuilt and purchased by the Sodor Mines.

=1996=
 * Ivo Hugh is built.
 * Willie Rushton dies.

=1997=
 * The Reverend W. Awdry dies.
 * Sir Topham Hatt II dies.

=1998=
 * Cranky arrives on Sodor.
 * Scruffey apparently gets buried by a landslide.
 * Derek arrives on Sodor.
 * Splatter and Dodge are purchased by the Sodor Ironworks and renamed 'Arry and Bert respectively.
 * Toby discovers Bertram.
 * Thomas and Percy save Old Slow Coach from being scrapped.
 * Tiger Moth arrives at Dryaw Airfield and is grounded for reckless flying.
 * Duncan gets a fright
 * Thumper is bought to drill rock from a new quarry.
 * Three Horrid Lorries are brought to service on Sodor, but removed shortly after due to difficulties.

=2000=
 * Thomas and the Magic Railroad is released on July 26.

=2001=
 * Billy is overhauled.

=2002=
 * Percy sees spooky things happen at the quarry on the branch line to Maithwaite.
 * Cyril gets replaced by a foghorn, but an accident gets reinstated.
 * Cranky gets ticked off at Salty and drops the pipes, knocking over the shed
 * Duncan falls into a muddy pond after getting angry at Rusty, Skarloey and Rheneas
 * Harold falls into a haystack while carrying sacks of mail.
 * Toby comes to the rescue of lambs;
 * Salty arrives on Sodor.
 * Harvey arrives on Sodor.
 * Elizabeth is re-discovered and restored to her original beauty.
 * Jack arrives on Sodor and joins the Sodor Construction Company.
 * Duncan's whistle is replaced with an organ for a little while.

=2003=
 * Emily arrives on Sodor.
 * Fergus arrives on Sodor.
 * Arthur arrives on Sodor.
 * Murdoch arrives on Sodor.
 * Spencer visits Sodor with the Duke and Duchess of Boxford.
 * Bulgy is reinstated to service and is converted to be a Vegetable Bus.
 * Victor is built

=2005=
 * Sodor Airport is built.
 * Diesel 10 is returned to service.
 * Mighty Mac arrives on Sodor.
 * Molly arrives on Sodor.
 * Neville arrives on Sodor.
 * Dennis arrives on Sodor.

=2006=
 * The manager of Anopha Quarry is visited by the police after Henrietta is booked for allowing workmen to ride on her balconies.
 * Rocky arrives on Sodor.
 * Freddie returns to Skarloey Railway.
 * Jeremy arrives on Sodor.

=2007=
 * Victoria is returned to service.
 * Whiff arrives on Sodor.
 * Hector arrives on Sodor.
 * Billy arrives on Sodor.
 * Great Waterton is rediscovered.
 * Stanley arrives on Sodor.
 * Hiro is built

=2008=
 * David Mitton dies.
 * George Carlin dies.
 * Hank arrives on Sodor.
 * Sodor Tramways is rediscovered.
 * Flora arrives on Sodor.

=2009=
 * Hiro arrives on Sodor.
 * Kevin arrives on Sodor.
 * Victor arrives on Sodor.