List of fictional locations in Thomas & Friends

The television series Thomas & Friends is mostly set on the fictional Island of Sodor. The children's books the series is based on, The Railway Series by Rev. W. Awdry and his son Christopher, feature a slightly different set of locations.

Island of Sodor

Main article: Sodor (fictional island)

The fictional island of Sodor is located off the west coast of England, not far from the Isle of Man which inspired it. The location was chosen for isolation to allow freedom in creating the setting while still retaining some familiarity for a primarily British audience.

Settlements

This lists each and every town and local village located across the Island of Sodor, served by the standard-gauge North Western Railway (NWR), the narrow-gauge Skarloey and the 15-inch gauge Arlesdale Railways.

Abbey

Abbey Station is located on the Peel Godred Branch Line.

Arlesburgh

Arlesburgh is an ancient seaside town, located upon both sides of River Arle Estuary on the west coast of Sodor, along Duck's branch line – The Little Western, between Bluff's Cove and Harwick.

Arlesburgh Goods Yard is located north of the seaside town. A shed was built here to accommodate Ryan and Daisy, who run the Harwick extension of the Little Western. The Goods Yard was introduced in Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure, and later appeared in season 20.

Arlesburgh Harbour is located adjacent to the seaside town. It first appeared in season 3 and later in Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure and in season 20. The Little Western passes through this harbour en route to Harwick.

The Harbour is also one of the most prominent ports in Sodor's Industry, and is also home to various boats and barges, including The Pirate Ship and Skiff the Rail-Boat.

Arlesburgh Maritime Museum is located adjacent to the quay and lighthouse near the harbour. The museum is served by a halt. It made its first appearance in season 20.

Arlesburgh West, a.k.a. Arlesburgh Junction, is a through station on Duck's branch line – the Little Western, which passes through to the seaside town itself. It is where the line interchanges with the 15-inch gauge Arlesdale Railway.

Arlesdale

Arlesdale is a village in the valley of the River Arle. It is the top station of the 15-inch gauge Arlesdale Railway. It first appeared in season 20.

Arlesdale End

Arlesdale End was the end of Toby's old tramway. His shed and a turntable were just beyond the station, and many visitors came to the station the day his line closed down.

The station has a new track that extends beyond past Toby's shed.

Balladrine

The village of Balladrine is served by a station on the Main Line, sharing a similar structure with Dryaw Station on Thomas' branch line.

Ballahoo

Ballahoo is a dormitory town, located northeast of Crovan's Gate and southwest of Vicarstown, serviced by a station on Arthur's branch line.

Bluff's Cove

Bluff's Cove is a seaside village, located between Haultrough and Arlesburgh, on Duck's branch line.

Brendam

Brendam is a town at the end of a peninsula, served by a station. It is shown in seasons 2 and 3. It is the top station of Edward's branch line. Brendam Docks is located a few yards away.

Upper Brendam is another station, located between Brendam and Lower Suddery.

Brendam Docks (introduced by name in season 5) is one of the busiest and most important dockyard harbours in the island's industry.

Cabalnoo

Cabalnoo is a village located northwest of Kirk Ronan. A railway station is located here on the Main Line Loop Route.

Callan

Callan is a town served by a station. The station has a platform on either side of three tracks – two of those tracks pass under a bridge, while the third leads to a single shed. Behind one of the platforms is an adjacent shunting yard, which at one point featured an open shed.

Callan is located east of the town of Peel, and its name comes from the river of the same name on the Reverend Awdry's maps of Sodor.

Cronk

Cronk is a historic country town, located upon a curiously rocky outcrop, close to the centre of Sodor. It is between Maron and Killdane and is at the halfway point along the Main Line.

Crosby

Crosby is a seaside town, between Knapford and Wellsworth on the Main Line. It is also the junction for the Loop Line (via Elsbridge and Callandale) to Tidmouth.

Cros-ny-Cuirn

Cros-ny-Cuirn is a village located between Crovan's Gate and Glennock, along the narrow-gauge Skarloey Railway.

Crovan's Gate

Crovan's Gate is the terminus of the Skarloey Railway and a station on the main line of the North Western Railway (NWR), serving the town of the same name.

Although The Works from the books were mentioned, they were never specifically seen at Crovan's Gate, and over time different locations have been used for the maintenance of engines.

The station appeared in season 4 and returned in the season 18 episode "Duncan and the Grumpy Passenger".

Dryaw

The village of Dryaw is located on Thomas' branch line, between Knapford and Toryreck. The station serving it is next to a small airfield and Harold, Tiger Moth, and the red balloon are frequently seen there. Certain episodes feature the station on Thomas' branch line, while in others, Main Line trains pass through.

A small footbridge crosses over the rails to connect the platforms on either side. Dryaw also has a small picket fence running at the edge of the platform, separating the platform from the airfield. The town's name is an anagram of the name "Awdry".

Elsbridge

The countryside village of Elsbridge is served by a station, which is (or was) the original junction station on Thomas' branch line, as well as the Loop Line between Crosby and Tidmouth. Known as the station by/near the river, it consists of two island platforms, linked with a footbridge, station structure and canopies, and adjacent signalling. An adjacent yard and sheds accommodated coaching stock, goods trains, and railway engines.

Other fellow stations have occasionally served as junctions for Thomas' branch line.

According to the TV series map, Elsbridge is also the junction on the Loop Line running from Tidmouth (via Callandale and Elsbridge) to "just east" of Crosby.

Ffarquhar

The town of Ffarquhar is located east of Hackenbeck and serves as the terminus of Thomas' branch line. Its top station is an island-platform station with tracks on opposite sides of the building structure. Although this station is considered to be the terminus, the line actually continues along a tramway-style section to Anopha Quarry (a.k.a. Ffarquhar Quarry). An adjacent shunting yard was located just beside the station.

Glennock

Glennock is a village, located adjacent to the Skarloey Railway. It is presumably located midway between Crovan's Gate and Skarloey Top Station.

Great Waterton

Great Waterton was once the largest railway town on Sodor, but was abandoned as industry spread to new towns. When Thomas later discovered the town on an old, overgrown branch line, the industries of Sodor worked to restore it as a major attraction. Edward delivered a large water wheel to be put on display by the station.

The rails at Waterton station branch off in several directions, with some tracks elevated above the Main Line. One branch leads to a disused mine in the mountains.

Hackenbeck

The village of Hackenbeck is located west of the town of Ffarquhar on Thomas' branch line.

Harwick

Harwick is a seaside town and fishing port on northern Sodor. The town has the top station of the newly constructed Harwick extension of the Little Western, which runs up the coast through nearby Arlesburgh Harbour.

It was mentioned in Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure and first seen in season 20.

Haultraugh

Haultraugh is a seaside village between Tidmouth and Bluff's Cove on Duck's branch line – The Little Western. The station has an island platform with tracks on opposite sides.

Kellaby

Kellaby is a village, served by a station located between Kellsthorpe and Balladrine on the Main Line.

Kellsthorpe Road

Kellesthorpe Road is a large train station on the Main Line (introduced in season 8). Thomas helped to carry the workmen to and from the construction site when it first opened. There was a sharp, difficult bend just before the station, so Annie and Clarabel would help Thomas to pass it easily. When the coaches had to go to the shop for maintenance, Thomas was nervous and came off the track at the bend. Later, some runaway trucks came down the Main Line towards the construction site. Thomas remembered the coaches' advice and made it to the station to warn the signalman about the trucks.

Killaban

Killaban is a village located south of Cronk and southwest of Killdane.

Killdane

Killdane is a town located near Cronk. It is on the Main Line, and serves as the starting point of the Peel Godred Branch Line and as the junction to the Killdane Branch Line.

Kirk Ronan

Kirk Ronan is a town served by a large terminus. When Gordon first visited, he was disappointed at the blank wall in front of the buffers as he arrived. At the station's official opening, Gordon crashed through the wall, hanging several feet above the ground. When the station reopened, part of the hole made by the crash remained, with a plaque reading "Gordon's View".

Kirk Ronan functioned in the role usually reserved for Knapford. Although Main Line engines travelled to the station in the TV series, in the books it only featured historically as the terminus of the Sodor & Mainland Railway, the first standard-gauge line on the island.

Knapford

Knapford is one of the two main towns on Sodor, the other being Tidmouth.

Knapford Station has six platforms and a large glass roof. It contains the Fat Controller's office, and is the station where HM The Queen visited the Fat Controller. Gordon also pulls his Express from here every day.

Knapford Junction is located adjacent to the station, with the junction formed of the crossovers in-between.

Knapford Sheds are where engines and coaches are sometimes stored. The main shed has five parallel tracks running into it, and a yard just outside. Engines sometimes come here for repairs.

Knapford Yard (located north of the town itself), is where shunting often takes place; some repair sheds are also located here.

Knapford was introduced in season 1 and has been in nearly every season. It was briefly a terminus station early in the first season, and a harbor yard could sometimes be seen through it. A new model was built for Thomas and the Magic Railroad and later seasons. In the newer model, track extends beyond the station and turns away.

In the season 1 episode "Thomas and Gordon", what becomes Tidmouth sheds is present and named as Knapford sheds as shown on the signal box carrying a "Knapford" nameboard instead.

Knapford is currently described as the junction to Thomas's branch line. The name comes from the parish of Knapwell, where Awdry was vicar.

Knapford Station Yard is a large shunting area added adjacent to the station, consisting of sidings, sheds and a coal hopper, and signal gantries and crossovers. It was introduced in Thomas & Friends: The Adventure Begins.

Knapford Harbour is a dockyard harbour to the west of the station.

Lakeside

Lakeside is a village at the northern limit of the Skarloey Railway. A blue drawbridge permits boats to enter or exit its harbour. A loop of the Skarloey Railway runs around the village and lake.

Maithwaite

The village of Maithwaite has a small station with service to the Main Line and Thomas' branch line. Percy once helped the station win a "Best-Dressed Station" contest. Maithwaite is located between Elsbridge and Hackenbeck.

Maron

Maron is a local village located on the summit and eastern end of Gordon's Hill. In the TV series, its station has appeared with two different designs. Maron is on the Main Line and serves as a junction for the Ulfstead Branch Line to the north and for the Sodor Search & Rescue Centre to the south.

Norramby

The resort of Norramby is located on the east coast, and the top station of Arthur's branch line.

Peel

Peel, a.k.a. Peel Godred, is a station on the Peel Godred Branch Line. It has four platforms, two being on an island platform between the centre tracks. Near the station is a town hall and a bakery.

Rheneas

Rheneas is a village between Glennock and Skarloey on the Skarloey Railway. Rheneas Viaduct, Bridge and Tunnel are located nearby.

Ruth's Workshop

Ruth's Workshop is Ruth's home located somewhere along Thomas' Branchline by the old Gate.

Skarloey

Skarloey is a village and the top station of the Skarloey Railway. It is located between Rheneas Village and Lakeside.

Suddery

Suddery is the capital of Sodor, located mid-way along the island's peninsula. It is served by two train stations, both located on Edward's branch line.

Lower Suddery station was seen early in the show's run, and is (or was) on Edward the Blue Engine's branch line, between Wellsworth and Upper Brendam.

Tidmouth

Tidmouth is one of the two main towns on Sodor, the other being Knapford. The town is also the largest railway centre and is the headquarters of the North Western Railway.

In the original books, Tidmouth is the main settlement and largest station and engine shed on Sodor. In the TV series, Knapford is largest, while a number of different locations have used the name Tidmouth, making the town of Tidmouth, the second largest and co-main settlement.

Tidmouth Station is (or perhaps was) a station with a glass roof and a row of three lines passing through. There was a group of engine sheds where the engines on Thomas's branch line lived from time to time. There was also a coal depot in the yards nearby. The engines on Duck's branch line primarily worked here for another period, and the station was at one point referred to as "The Works".

Lower Tidmouth station is located midway between Tidmouth and Knapford, and was sometimes seen as the junction for Thomas's branch line.

Tidmouth Halt is a station located on the west coast of Sodor, on Duck's branch line, between Tidmouth and Haultrough. Toby, Duck, and Donald helped to build the engine sheds there. Sometimes Main Line engines or engines from Thomas's branch line have been seen passing through, as the station is also the junction for a separate line to Callandale (on the Loop Line towards Elsbridge).

Tidmouth Tunnel, a.k.a. the Caste Tunnel, is located between Tidmouth and Tidmouth Hault on Duck's branch line – the Little Western. A picturesque lake is adjacent to the tunnel.

Tidmouth Town Square is north of Tidmouth Station itself, co-serving the town.

Tidmouth Sheds are the main engine sheds near Tidmouth Station, housing Thomas, Nia (since Big World! Big Adventures!), Rebecca (since Series 22), Gordon, James, Percy and Emily (since Calling All Engines!). Toby and Spencer occasionally stay at Tidmouth Sheds. Edward and Henry used to live there before moving to Wellsworth and Vicarstown respectively. Other engines have also been know to stay here including Stanley in The Great Discovery and Flynn the Fire Engine in Day of the Diesels.

Duck, Donald, Douglas and Oliver formerly lived at Tidmouth Sheds. Duck stayed in the sheds in the season 18 episode, "Duck And The Slip Coaches", where he helped with the increasing passenger service and holiday traffic.

Tidmouth Harbour, a.k.a. Tidmouth Docks, is a busy dockyard harbour with an extensive railway system connecting with The Main Line. The Flying Kipper usually begins its journeys from here to other parts of the island.

Toryreck

Toryreck is a village between Dryaw and Elsbridge on Thomas' branch line. It is served by a country station with a single platform, and a siding and shed on the opposite end.

Toryreck is close to the junctions of goods-only branch lines to Knapford Harbour and to the Lead Mines.

Ulfstead

The town of Ulfstead is located north of Maron on the Main Line, and east of Ffarquhar on Thomas's branch line.

The well-known Ulfstead Castle overlooks the town, and is at the end of the Ulfstead branch line from Maron. It is the seat of the Earls (popularly called Dukes) of Sodor.

Vicarstown

Vicarstown is located on the eastern coast of Sodor, served by a station on the Main Line, and is also the location of the Dieselworks. It first appeared in Thomas & Friends: The Great Race.

Wellsworth

Wellsworth is a town located at the northern end of a peninsula, towards the Sudrian Capital of Suddery, and onto the coast of Brendam. It is served by a station between Crosby and Maron on the Main Line. The station has a junction connecting to Edward's branch line, and is sometimes known as Edward's station. There is also another branch line running northeast to a coaling yard. There is a yard behind the station that has changed from time to time.

The vicar of Wellsworth is the Rev Charles Laxey. The Vicarage Orchard is the home of Trevor the Traction Engine.

Harbours and ports

Along the coast of Sodor are numerous dockyard harbours and ports, busy with ships, boats and barges. The standard-gauge North Western Railway (NWR) provides rail service through its interchanges as described below.

Arlesburgh Harbour

Located in Arlesburgh on Duck's branch line – The Little Western. It is where Percy, Duck and some of the other engines have worked. The harbour is one of the most prominent ports on Sodor.

The harbour is also home to Skiff and various boats and barges, including The Pirate Ship. There is also a harbour warehouse, quay and lighthouse.

Brendam Docks

The port at Brendam is at the end of Edward's branch line. The large port has a Sodor Shipping Company warehouse. Steam trampers and ocean liners frequently pass through. The port features the characters Cranky the crane; Salty, a diesel shunter; and since series 17 Porter, a dockside tank engine. Bill and Ben sometimes work or spend the night here.

Christopher Awdry often criticises the design of this version of the harbour, as it is far too large for the volume of traffic an island like Sodor would require. Many building, ship and crane models actually originate from Tugs, a series set in a large port serving a major American city, which explains the size of Brendam Docks. The harbour sets were rarely consistent before season 5 introduced Brendam by name, and different seasons featured different-looking sets.

Knapford Harbour

Knapford Harbour is located west of Knapford, on a goods-only branch which joins Thomas' branch line at a junction south of Toryreck. Percy and some of the other engines helped with the construction of the harbour, and the Main Line crosses a nearby bridge, spanning above the harbour station.

The Fishing Village

The Fishing Village is a harbour located between Ballahoo and Norramby on Arthur's branch line. Fish is collected and loaded into salt wagons bound for other parts of Sodor. The smell of fish is almost everywhere across the area. Arthur works here and runs the branch line to Norramby.

The Wharf

The Wharf is a port, located northeast of Crovan's Gate, across the bay from Norramby. This is where the NWR and the Skarloey Railway meet.

Tidmouth Harbour

Located close to the end of the Main Line, Tidmouth Harbour (a.k.a. Tidmouth Docks) is one of the busiest industrial ports on Sodor. It is where The Flying Kipper usually collects fish to deliver along the Main Line.

Mines, pits and quarries

Stone quarries and mining pits have been shown and mentioned throughout the television series.

Anopha Quarry

The Anopha Quarry (also known as the Centre Island Quarry (seasons 6–11) or Ffarquhar Quarry (since season 17)), is a stone quarry at the end of Thomas' branch line. Mavis works here, shunting and arranging trucks. Toby and Henrietta carry workers to and from the quarry. Percy also helps "from time to time" and collects stone trucks bound for the harbour. Bill and Ben have also helped here. Other engines, such as, Thomas, Stepney (during another of his visits to Sodor), Fergus, Stanley, Diesel, 'Arry, and Bert have also helped out at the quarry. Salty helped at Ffarquhar Quarry, before relocating to Brendam Docks. Den once helped out at the Quarry while for Mavis was being repaired at the Dieselworks.

Blue Mountain Quarry

The Blue Mountain Quarry (BMQ) is a large slate quarry on a narrow-gauge line of the Skarloey Railway. It is also served by a standard-gauge branch of the Peel Godred branch line. It first appeared in Blue Mountain Mystery.

The narrow-gauge engines Skarloey, Rheneas, Sir Handel, Peter Sam, Rusty, and Luke work here, and Paxton often takes stone from the quarry to other destinations. Other engines such as, Thomas, Henry, Toby and Samson have also helped at the BMQ, and Spencer once collected a large delivery of stone during the rebuilding of Ulfstead Castle. Merrick and Owen are stationed here.

Maithwaite Quarry Mine

Maithwaite Quarry Mine, commonly known as the Abandoned Mine, is an old mothballed quarry. It is located between Elsbridge and Maithwaite on Thomas's branch line.

Skarloey Slate Mines

The Skarloey Slate Mines, commonly known as the Skarloey Railway Slate Quarry, are a large slate-mining quarry south of the top station of the Skarloey Railway. Most of the narrow-gauge engines usually worked here, and it was also here that Peter Sam had an accident with some trucks.

The line has a winch at the top of a slope called an incline with a cable wrapped around. Either end of the cable is coupled to the end of a line of trucks. Trucks loaded with slate roll down one side of the incline, and this motion pulls the empty trucks up to the top.

Sodor China Clay Company

The Sodor China Clay Company, commonly known as the China Clay Pits, are both a quarry and a mine. They are located at the very end of Edward's branch line, near Brendam Docks.

Bill and Ben, along with Timothy and Marion work here. Their duties are shunting and arranging China Clay trucks into place, while Marion "The Steam Shovel" has the job of digging and loading China Clay into trucks, bound for other destinations across Sodor.

Sodor Slate Quarry

The Sodor Slate Quarry is located on the Quarry Branch Line south of the Blue Mountain Quarry, on the north slope of the Sudrian mountain Shane Dooiney.

Ulfstead Mine

Ulfstead Mine is an old and abandoned (later operational) mine, located below Ulfstead Castle. The mine was first seen in King of the Railway, and later appeared in seasons 18 and 21.

It was here that Stephen found and discovered King Godred's Crown and Percy bravely entered the mine to rescue some Troublesome Trucks. The mine was later made operational again, as Philip worked down the mine and Edward briefly slept here, only to be disturbed by dynamite blasts.

The Coal Mine

The Coal Mine was a mine located northeast of Wellsworth, along a branch line that passed a local village and ascended a steep hill before arriving at the coaling yard.

Although coal wasn't a major resource on Sodor in the books, the Coal Mine had been used in the television series. The mine collapsed when runaway trucks crashed into a support beam. This mine had a canvas barrier along the tracks outside. Percy and his crew, managed to survive an avalanche by hiding under the canvas as the track was buried.

Another mine was also on a narrow-gauge line of the Skarloey Railway, built on an incline similar to the Skarloey slate mines.

The Lead Mines

The Lead Mines are located near Toryreck on Thomas's branch line, accessed via the goods-only line (towards Knapford Harbour). Lead ores were exhausted in 1930; since then the mines have mainly produced uranium.

Thomas once passed a danger sign here and fell down a mine, as the track was unstable. The ground is stable enough for trucks but cannot hold the weight of railway engines.

Farms

Around four farms on Thomas's branch line have shown to be served by rail, contracting for produce and animals to be transported by rail.

Crowe's Farm

Crowe's Farm is a small farm located between Knapford and Dryaw. A level crossing is located nearby, where Percy once crashed into a cart of lime.

McColl's Farm

McColl's Farm is a large farm located between Toryreck and Elsbridge. Trevor, who resides at the local vicarage orchard, helps here.

Trotter's Farm

Trotter's Farm is a pig farm located between Elsbridge and Maithwaite.

Finney's Farm

Finney's Farm is located near Hackenbeck. Terence lives and works here.

High Farm

High Farm is located on the Ulfstead Branch Line between Hiro's Hideout and the Earl's Estate (Ulfstead Castle).

Other industries

In addition to the harbours, quarries and farms, there are other types of industry found on Sodor, listed below.

Aluminium Works

The Sodor Aluminium Works, north of Peel, processes aluminum from Tidmouth for sale to the mainland.

Crock's Scrap Yard

Crock's Scrap Yard is a small scrapyard, located between Wellsworth and Suddery on Edward's branch line. Old machinery and other disused iron is dismantled here before being taken to the Sodor Ironworks to be melted down and recycled.

Trevor the Traction Engine was rescued from the scrap by Edward, his footplate crew and The Vicar. Reg is stationed here.

Mr Jolly's Chocolate Factory

Mr. Jolly's Chocolate Factory, a.k.a. the Sodor Chocolate Factory, is located on the Peel Godred branch line, north of Abbey station. The chocolate and other products are transported by rail to local shops across the island.

It was originally located at the bottom of a hill along the line, but was moved following Percy's accident.

Sodor Dieselworks

The Sodor Dieselworks, a.k.a. Vicarstown Dieselworks, is the diesel-electric equivalent of the Sodor Steamworks, where diesel engines are repainted, repaired and overhauled. It has a shed with five berths for diesel engines, a repair shed with elevating turntable, Diesel 10's shed, a back shed and smelter. It is the main fuelling hub of the diesel engines on the North Western Railway. It is located on the outskirts of Vicarstown and first appeared in Day of the Diesels.

Den and Dart live and work here, along with a crane named "Happy Hook". Diesel 10, Norman, Paxton and Sidney, and Devious Diesel are also allocated here.

Sodor Ironworks

The Sodor Ironworks, a.k.a. the Sodor Steelworks and the Smelters Yard, is the where 'Arry and Bert usually work, shunting and hauling trucks of scrap to the smelters shed and nearby adjacent yard. The Ironworks are located south of Killdane.

Many fellow railway engines often dread working there. Some of the tracks are lined with old rusted engines. Inside the sheds, sparks fly and a large crane arm lifts material to be smelted.

Stepney was once left without his crew on a foggy night and the diesels took him to the smelters. He was saved by The Fat Controller, who was inspecting the yards that evening.

There is also Crock's Scrap Yard, located alongside Edward's branch line. Engines on the Other Railway await scrapping in large yards.

Sodor Steamworks

The Sodor Steamworks are a large repairing yard and workshops, and the main fueling hub for the steam engines of the North Western Railway. Most railway engines are overhauled and repaired here, including diesels before the Dieselworks was restored. It is located in Crovan's Gate, adjacent to the Main Line, and first appeared in Hero of the Rails.

Victor and Kevin live and work there. The Skarloey Railway also has a narrow-gauge line that starts behind the Steamworks.

Sodor Search and Rescue Centre

The Sodor Search and Rescue Centre is the base of emergencies and operations, located south of Maron, southeast of Wellsworth, east of Sudderly and west of Killaban. It consists of a Shed for Belle, Flynn and Rocky, a spare shed for Butch, a helipad for Harold, and an adjacent dock for Captain. It was introduced in Misty Island Rescue.

The Dairy

There are two dairies located on Sodor, both serviced by the North Western Railway. One is located near Toryreck, on Thomas's branch line; the other is located west of Crosby along the Main Line (where an adjacent field of cows may be seen).

The Ice Cream Factory

The Ice Cream Factory is located near Killdane, along the Main Line. The NWR transports its products by rail.

The Lumber Mill and Timber Yard

The Lumber Mill and Timber Yard is where trees and logs are sent by rail for processing. They are located north of Crovan's Gate (and close to Henry's Forest) on the Main Line.

The Power Station

The Sodor Power Station produces electricity for the island. It is located near the Aluminium Works, further north past Peel along the Peel Godred Branch Line.

Wellsworth Scrap Yards

The Wellsworth Scrap Yards are located to the west of Wellsworth, just off the main line, after a level crossing. It is where Trevor the Traction Engine was left to be scrapped, and it is the line that leads to the harbour.

Whiff's Waste Dump

Whiff's Waste Dump is where most of Sodor's rubbish and refuse is taken for disposal. The waste dump is equipped with a row of cranes and crushers. Whiff and Scruff work here. It is located between Hawin Lake and Kirk Machan on the Peel Godred Branch Line, close to the junction for the branch line to the Blue Mountain Quarry. It first appeared in Misty Island Rescue.

Other rail-served industries

The following is a list of the other rail-served industries that have a direct bearing on the plotlines in various episodes of the TV series:

• Bakeries: There are bakeries located across Sodor, including one west of Kirk Ronan, using flour from the Sodor Flour Mill.
• Fireworks factory
• Flour Mill
• Pudding Factory: It is located on the Kirk Ronan Branch Line.
• Toy Factory: It is located on the Kirk Ronan Branch Line.

Rail shunting yards

• Arlesburgh Goods Yard: located north of the seaside town of Arlesburgh; some goods trains are sometimes arranged here
• Crosby: located adjacent to Crosby station on the Main Line
• Elsbridge: located adjacent to Elsbridge Junction, on both the Loop Line towards Crosby and on Thomas's branch line towards Ffarquhar
• Ffarquhar: located adjacent to the top station of Thomas's branch line
• Knapford (North): located north of Knapford station on the Main Line
• Knapford Station Yard: located adjacent to Knapford Station
• Lower Suddery: located a few yards from the nearby station on Edward's branch line
• Maron Yard: located alongside the station of the same name, though not actually a shunting yard
• Tidmouth: this shunting yard is located adjacent to Tidmouth Station, at the end of the Main Line
• Wellsworth: located adjacent to Wellsworth (Edward's Station); this is where trains are sometimes arranged

Transfer Yards

The Transfer Yards are another exact place where the standard-gauge North Western Railway meets the narrow-gauge Skarloey Railway, providing an interchange.

Landmarks

In both the books and the TV series (as well as the magazines), there are various landmarks across the Island of Sodor.

Callan Castle

Callan Castle, a.k.a. "The Scottish Castle" and "Lord Castle's Castle", is a landmark serviced by a halt on the standard-gauge branch line, near Black Loch. The halt is a small platform with a stairway leading up a hill to the castle. Lord Callan flies the Scottish flag on occasional days of ceremony.

Black Loch

Black Loch "Clouds not in the Sky" (2nd clue Thomas and the Treasure) is a picturesque lake, located near Callan Castle. The country surrounding it is considered reminiscent of Scotland, and Donald and Douglas feel at home there. Popular legend states that a monster lives in the lake. An old causeway branches off of the track leading to Lord Callan's Castle, but only light engines and stock can cross it safely.

Misty Valley

Misty Valley is a very misty valley prone to falling rocks. Cyril the Fogman works here, putting detonators on the tracks to warn of rockfalls. In "The Fogman" he is replaced by a fog horn, but this was so loud that it caused a large rockfall.

The valley is located northeast of Callan, towards Callan Castle, on the Misty Valley Branch Line.

Culdee Fell Hill

Culdee Fell Hill is a mountain through which a section of the narrow-gauge railway travels.

Dryaw Airfield

Dryaw Airfield is adjacent to the nearby Dryaw station, on Thomas's branch line. Tiger Moth and the Red Balloon are found here. Harold originally resided here, before relocating to the Sodor Search & Rescue Centre.

Gordon's Hill

Gordon's Hill is a steep hill located between Wellsworth station and Maron station. It was named after Gordon got stuck pulling a goods train and Edward had to push from behind. It is a place where a banker engine is often required to help trains up the hill, and Edward frequently filled this role.

Many trains have faced difficulty on the hill since Gordon's original incident.

Henry's Tunnel

Henry the Green Engine once stopped in a tunnel (near Ballahoo) and refused to come out. As it was impossible to move him, the Fat Controller decided to wall him in, and engines would only pass through the parallel tunnel. Henry was eventually removed, and the tunnel was put back into service.

Norramby Beach

Arthur's branch line runs a small distance by Norramby Beach.

Rumblin Bridge

Rumblin Bridge is served by a station on one of the narrow-gauge lines of the Skarloey Railway. A stone bridge visible from the station passes over an adjacent river.

Sodor Airport

Sodor Airport is south of Maron, along the Main Line loop. Jeremy the Jet Plane lives here.

Sodor Suspension Bridge

The Sodor Suspension Bridge carries the Main Line across the valley of the River Reagh. It is located between Crosby and Wellsworth.

The Viaduct

The Viaduct, a.k.a. Cronk Viaduct, or perhaps Maron Viaduct, carries the Main Line across the valley of the Hawin Ab. It is located between Maron and Cronk.

The Watermill

The Watermill is an architectural structure in the countryside north of Elsbridge on Thomas's branch line. A stream flows by the wooden wheel-structure to a nearby lake below a railway bridge.

Town Square

The Town Square, a.k.a. Tidmouth Town Square, is where the Town Hall of Tidmouth is located. The station serving the square is located North of Tidmouth Station, on both the Loop Line and Duck's branch line. There is also a library located at the Town Hall.

Ulfstead Castle

Ulfstead Castle is home to Sir Robert Norramby, Earl of Sodor. Norramby returned to Sodor to restore the Castle and grounds.

The Estate Railway is a dual-gauge railway centred within the castle and its grounds. Stephen, Glynn and Millie work on this railway.

The Dinosaur Park was opened by Norramby on his estate in season 18. It has models of four dinosaurs and a model of a volcano. The Estate Railway carries tourists around and through this park.

The Railway Museum was said in season 20 to be opening.

Vicarstown Rolling Bridge

The Vicarstown Bridge connects Sodor to the Mainland. It is a drawbridge structure, spanning the Walney Channel, which lifts upwards so that boats may pass under it.

Railway lines

There are various railway lines criss-crossing Sodor.

Most of these railways are operated by the North Western Railway Company, which is managed by Sir Topham Hatt (more commonly known as The Fat Controller). However, the Skarloey Railway, Culdee Fell Railway, and Arlesdale Railway are all managed by independent companies, and have their own controllers. These are Mr Peter Sam (more commonly known as The Thin Controller), Mr. Walter Richards, and Mr. Fergus Duncan (more commonly known as The Small Controller), respectively.

Some of the North Western Railway's routes were formerly owned by other companies, prior to the North Western Railway's creation. These companies were:

• The Sodor & Mainland Railway, which owned part of the Main Line and part of the Norramby branch line (Arthur's Branch Line).
• The Tidmouth, Wellsworth & Suddery Railway (TW&S), which owned part of the Main Line and part of Edward's branch line. The TW&S itself was a merger of two former companies, which were:
  • The Wellsworth & Suddery Railway, which owned part of the Brendam branch line.
  • The Tidmouth, Knapford & Elsbridge Railway, which owned part of the Main Line and part of Thomas' branch line.

Arlesdale Railway

Main article: Arlesdale Railway

The Arlesdale Railway (more commonly known as The Small Railway) is a 15-inch gauge railway which runs from Arlesburgh Junction (on Duck's branch line) to the village of Arlesdale.

Rex, Bert and Mike run this popular railway, doing daily jobs such as bringing ballast from the granite mine for positioning under tracks, wool for clothing and hauling passenger coaches.

The Arlesdale Railway also runs a line through Arlesburgh Harbour. This was once part of the Mid Sodor Railway, which closed in 1947.

The Arlesdale Railway is based on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, in Cumbria, England.

Norramby branch line

Main article: North Western Railway (fictional) § Norramby branch line

The Norramby branch line (Arthur's branch line) runs from both Crovan's Gate and Vicarstown, via Ballahoo, to the seaside resort of Norramby. It is operated by Arthur, who enjoys this job because the line runs past the fishing village.

Bluebell Branch Line

The Bluebell Branch Line (Stepney's branch line) is located in a small isolated part of Sodor known for its bluebells and blossoms. Both standard- and narrow-gauge lines make up the railway, but few engines would work there. Rusty once resolved to find a steam engine who could run the line regularly, and travelled to The Other Railway where he found Stepney, derelict in a siding. Stepney enjoyed being put back to work, but was disappointed that his line was then short and had no trucks. As such, he has occasionally arranged visits to The Fat Controller's Railway (the North Western Railway).

In the books, Stepney came from the real Bluebell Railway: a heritage railway in South-East England. Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine was written to promote this railway and the heritage railway preservation movement.

In later non-CGI episodes, a standard-gauge line is seen running beside the narrow-gauge tracks. It is likely that this is what became of the Bluebell Branch Line, however Stepney is absent.

Culdee Fell Railway

Main article: Culdee Fell Railway

This does not feature in the TV series, but plays a major role in the book Mountain Engines, in The Railway Series. It is a Rack Railway which runs from Kirk Machan, an interchange station with the Peel Godred branch line, to the summit of the Culdee Fell mountain.

The Culdee Fell Railway is based on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, in Gwynedd, Wales.

Brendam branch line

Main article: North Western Railway (fictional) § Brendam branch line

The Brendam branch line (Edward's branch line) runs along the peninsula of the island, from Wellsworth on the Main Line to the town of Brendam via Suddery. It is run by Edward, with assistance from BoCo and a few other engines (especially Donald and Douglas).

The line passes the Local Vicarage Orchard (where Trevor the Traction Engine resides), Crock's Scrap Yard (where Reg is stationed), the Sodor Animal Park, the Docks (where Porter, Salty and Cranky are stationed) and the China Clay Pits (where Bill and Ben, along with Timothy and Marion usually work).

Estate Railway

The Estate Railway is a dual-gauge tourism railway owned by Sir Robert Norramby on his estate at Ulfstead Castle. Stephen, Glynn, and Millie work on this railway.

Misty Valley Branch Line

The Misty Valley Branch Line runs from near Kirk Machan on the Peel Godred Branch Line, passing the town of Callan before descending to Callan Castle. There is also a loop which passes Black Loch, located near the castle.

Peel Godred Branch Line

Main article: North Western Railway (fictional) § Peel Godred branch

The Peel Godred Branch Line branches off at Killdane Junction on the Main Line and heads north to the town of Peel. It passes through Abbey, Hawin Lake and Kirk Machan, and has junctions with the lines to Callan and the Blue Mountain Quarry.

Skarloey Railway

Main article: Skarloey Railway

The Skarloey Railway is a narrow-gauge line which runs from Crovan's Gate (where it interchanges with the NWR Main Line), via Glennock to the villages of Rheneas and Skarloey. It also runs lines to the Sodor Steamworks and the Blue Mountain Quarry.

The Skarloey Railway is based on the Talyllyn Railway, in Gwynedd, Wales.

Kirk Ronan Branch Line

Main article: North Western Railway (fictional) § Kirk Ronan Branch Line

The Kirk Ronan Branch Line was built by the Sodor & Mainland Railway. From a junction on the Main Line (located west of Kellsthorpe Road) it runs southwest towards the town of Kirk Ronan, via Rolf's Castle.

The station at the end of this branch line only appeared in season 5 of Thomas & Friends.

The Little Western

Main articles: North Western Railway (fictional) § The Little Western, and North Western Railway (fictional) § Arlesburgh-Harwick Branch Line

The Little Western (also known as the Arlesburgh Branch Line or Duck's Branch Line) runs along the west coast of Sodor, from Tidmouth to Harwick, via Haultrough, Bluff's Cove and Arlesburgh. The line's construction had halted at Arlesburgh due to lack of funding, but was later extended to the holiday town of Harwick during the events of Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure.

Duck, Oliver, Donald and Douglas run the Little Western, along with Ryan and Daisy who are mostly on the extension to Harwick.

Loop Line

The Loop Line runs from Crosby Junction, to the town of Tidmouth, via Elsbridge (where it meets Thomas's branch line) and through Callandale. Many engines have worked this line. It runs parallel to the Main Line and with connecting branches completes a loop, hence its name.

Main Line

Main article: North Western Railway (fictional) § The Main Line

The Main Line runs through most of southern Sodor, from Barrow (on the Mainland), across the Walney Channel via the [[#Vicarstown Bridge|]], and onto the Island of Sodor, ultimately reaching Tidmouth on the island's west coast.

Along the way, the Main Line passes through and serves various towns and villages: Crovan's Gate, Kellsthorpe, Killdane, Cronk, Maron, Wellsworth, Crosby, and Knapford.

Ffarquhar Branch Line

Main article: North Western Railway (fictional) § Ffarquhar branch line

The Ffarquhar Branch line (Thomas' Branch Line) runs from the town of Knapford on The Main Line, up the valley to Ffarquhar, via Elsbridge where it meets the Loop Line. It has stations in the villages of Dryaw, Toryreck, Elsbridge, Maithwaite and Hackenbeck, before reaching the top station at Ffarquhar. However, it continues through and beyond the town to Anopha Quarry.

Thomas runs this line, as he considers it the most important part of the whole of the North Western Railway. Percy, Toby, Daisy, Mavis and some other engines have also worked along this branch line.

Ulfstead Branch Line

Main article: North Western Railway (fictional) § Ulfstead branch

The Ulfstead Branch Line runs from a junction with The Main Line just west of Maron to Ulfstead Castle. It passes through some woods, past the Summerhouse and uphill to Ulfstead Castle, overlooking the town of Ulfstead.

Misty Island Railway

The Misty Island Railway is a logging railway located on Misty Island. It is run by the Logging Locos: Bash, Dash and Ferdinand.

Defunct Railways

Mid Sodor Railway

Main article: Mid Sodor Railway

The Mid-Sodor Railway (MSR) and was a narrow-guage railway running from Arlesburgh to Peel Godred. It was worked by various locomotives, the named ones being: Duke (No.1), Stanley (No.2; The Railway Series only; never actually named in Duke the Lost Engine), Stanley (No.2; Thomas & Friends only), Falcon (No.3), Stuart (No.4), and hBertram (unnumbered; Thomas & Friends only).

The MSR closed due to bankruptcy in 1947, and Falcon and Stuart were bought by the Skarloey Railway and were renamed Sir Handel and Peter Sam, respectively. Over 20 years later, Duke was discovered on the abandoned line was overgrown and unrecognizable. It is unknown what became of the other narrow-gauge engines since the MSR's closure.

At a mine near Ffarquhar Road, the locomotive Bertram worked and was left there following its closure. The Fat Controller became interested in restoring the railway connecting to the mine it after seeing on a map that his grandchildren discovered. Legend held that an "Old Warrior Engine" would light his fire at night and go hunting. "Old Warrior" turned out to be a little old tender engine called Bertram, who was put into use when a park was created at the site.

Part of the trackbed of the Mid-Sodor Railway (from Arlesburgh to Arlesdale Green) was later reused in as part of the Arlesdale Railway.

Harwick Railway

This never featured in the books or the TV series, but was marked on many maps of Sodor. It ran from east Harwick, through Deoghan-y-Claghan, to Gregwiz, then north-west to an unnamed quarry.

Train accommodation

This lists some of the engine shed accommodation, as located along the North Western Railway.

Tidmouth Sheds

Tidmouth Sheds are the home of Thomas, Gordon, James, Percy, Emily, Nia, and Rebecca.

Many other engines such as Toby, Duck, Oliver, Donald, Douglas, Arthur, Spencer, Stanley, and Flynn have known to have stayed at these engine sheds from time to time.

In season 21, James crashed into the back of the sheds, and this made changes to the Steam Team. Edward relocated to Wellsworth Sheds, and Henry eventually left to live at Vicarstown shed with Rosie.

Arlesburgh Yard Shed

Arlesburgh Yard Shed is an engine shed located on the west coast of Sodor. It was introduced during construction of the Harwick extension, and is the location of Ryan and Daisy, both of whom run this extension of the Little Western.

Dieselworks Roundhouse

At the Vicarstown Dieselworks, there is a five-berth diesel shed, mostly accommodating some of the diesel engines on the fat controller's railway.

Vicarstown Sheds

Vicarstown Sheds once accommodated several engines. They only appeared in the show's first season, it's currently unknown whatever became of them since the NWR headquarters relocated to Tidmouth. The shed was last shown in Season 22 and is where Henry (since Series 22) and Rosie sleep.

Wellsworth Shed(s)

Wellsworth Sheds consists of a two-berth shed adjacent to Wellsworth Station. The engine shed was introduced in season 21, and it is where Edward and Philip sleep.

Stations, halts and junctions

This is the list of each and every line of the North Western Railway, the "Narrow Gauge" Skarloey, "15-inch Gauge" Arlesdale and also the Culdee Fell Mountain Railway.

Together, this listing includes the names of stations, the halts, the junctions and local business trades, co-serving every town and village across the Island of Sodor, including its connection on (and to) the Mainland (UK)

Duck's branch line (The Little Western)

• Tidmouth
• Town Square
• Tidmouth Hault
• Haultraugh
• Bluff's Cove
• Arlesburgh West
• Arlesburgh Harbour
• Harwick

Edward's branch line

• Wellsworth
• Suddery
• Lower Suddery
• Sodor Animal Park (a.k.a. Sodor Wildlife Centre)
• Island Record's Office
• Upper Brendam
• Brendam (for nearby, Brendam Docks)

Kirk Ronan branch line

• Kellsthorpe Road
• Rolf's Castle
• Kirk Ronan

The Main Line

• Tidmouth
• Lower Tidmouth
• Knapford
• Sodor Dairy
• Crosby
• Wellsworth
• Maron
• Cronk
• Killdane
• Balladrine
• Kellaby
• Whispering Woods Halt
• Kellsthorpe Road
• Crovan's Gate
• Great Waterton (spur of the main line and ends Stepney's Branch line here).
• Vicarstown
• Barrow-in-Furness (on the Mainland)

The Main Line Loop

• Maron
• Sodor Airport
• Sodor Search and Rescue Centre
• Killaban
• Cabalnoo

Thomas's branch line

• Tidmouth
• Knapford
• Dryaw
• Toryreck
• McColl Farm
• Sports Field Halt
• Elsbridge
• Trotter Farm
• Maithwaite
• Finney Farm
• Hackenebeck
• Ffarquhar
• Anopha Quarry
• Sodor Biscuits Factory

Ulfstead Branch Line

• Maron
• Maron Football Club (Known as Maron FC)
• Boxford
• Ulfstead Castle

Norramby Branch Line

• Transfer Yards
• The Wharf
• Ballahoo
• The Fishing Village
• Norramby Church Station
• Norramby Seaside Station

Peel Godred Branch Line

• Killdane
• Abbey
• Hawin Lake
• Kirk Machan
• Peel Godred

Misty Valley Branch Line

• Kirk Machan
• Callan
• Callan Castle (a.k.a. The Scottish Castle)

Toby's branch line

• Bluff's Cove
• Tidmouth Bay
• Bertram's Mine
• Lower Arlesburgh
• Arlesdale End
• Ulfstead

Quarry Branch Line

• Sodor Slate Quarry
• Blue Mountain Quarry

Killdane Branch Line

• Brickworks/Warehouses
• A Fuel Depot
• Arlesdale Ballast Granite & Gravel Company (a.k.a. The Sodor Ballast, Granite & Gravel Company)
• Smelter's Yard (a.k.a. The Sodor Steelworks and Ironworks)

The Loop Line

• Tidmouth
• Callandale
• Elsbridge
• Crosby

Skarloey Railway

• Crovan's Gate
• Cross-ny-Curin
• The Depot
• Bluebell Valley
• Glennock
• Rheneas
• Lakeside
• Skarloey
• Tea Room
• Mountain Village
• Strawberry Grove
• Rumblin Bridge
• Elephant Park
• Ulfstead Castle
• Middle

Arlesdale Railway

• Arlesburgh West
• Arlesburgh Bridge Street
• Ffarquhar Road
• Marthwaite
• Arlesdale Green
• Arlesdale

Culdee Fell Railway

• Kirk Machan
• Shiloh
• Skarloey Road
• Devil's Back
• Culdee Fell Summit

The Culdee Fell railway is located on Sodor, and is most popular for its engines which have two faces. Culdee, one of the trains on the line, is named after the mountain. It has never been clarified if the engines can talk through both faces at once, or if they switch between them.

The Mainland

The Mainland, a.k.a. Great Britain, is where some certain railway engines are said to have come from. The Mainland is home to the modernizing and diesel-run Other Railway, which carried goods and passengers much further afield.

The TV series often suggests that a few steam engines, such as Charlie, Spencer and Samson still worked there, and the threat of diesels (and electrics) taking over is rarely mentioned.

However, since the 17th season (as well as King of the Railway), Connor and Caitlin work on the Mainland (presumably most likely closer to Barrow), and regularly visit Sodor, as do Spencer (who also visits Sodor), Hiro (modified to work along the Other Railway's Cumbrian Coast Line only), Gator, Samson, Flying Scotsman, Merlin, Theo, Lexi, Hurricane and Frankie.

Settlements

Barrow-in-Furness, a.k.a. Barrow, is a town, served by a railway station, located on the Cumbrian Coast of the Mainland. It is the starting point of the Main Line to Tidmouth on the Island of Sodor. It was mentioned in season 19, in the episode, Reds vs Blues.

Bridlington is a seaside town located on the Yorkshire Coast of the Mainland. A large shunting yard is (or was) located here in a fictional part of the seaside town, Bridlington Goods Yard only appeared in Journey Beyond Sodor.

Five Red Diesel Shunters (one of whom is named "Ulli") work in Bridlington. These diesel shunter-engines were seen arranging trucks for the foreign railway engine contestants during the Great Railway Show.

The real-world Bridlington railway station did have an adjacent shunting yard, though it has long closed.

Brighton is a seaside town located on the southern coast of the Mainland. Thomas originally worked here before arriving on Sodor, it was mentioned in The Adventure Begins.

Carlisle (although not named, let alone mentioned) is a City located in Cumbria on the Mainland. Another large yard is (or was) located here in a fictional part of said city, and it is where The Great Railway Show took place in The Great Race.

The Other Railway

The Other Railway conducts many diesel operations on the Mainland. Steam engines on this railway are either in hiding or awaiting scrap.

In the books, "The Other Railway" is often referred to as British Rail, but in the television series it was suggested to be a railway on Sodor itself. It is however located on the Mainland (Great Britain), and connects to Sodor via the Vicarstown Bridge.

The Steelworks is a faraway place of industry, located in the distant heart of the Mainland, most likely towards Bridlington. It is the workplace of Hurricane and Frankie (who live and work there) along with Merlin, Theo and Lexi.

References

This article "List of fictional locations in Thomas & Friends" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:List of fictional locations in Thomas & Friends. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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