Legendary record producer and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman attended a special ceremony to pay tribute to Reverend Wilbert Awdry, the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, celebrating a story that began in a modest home and became a worldwide phenomenon.
In a packed Rodborough Avenue this morning, Historic England unveiled a national blue plaque to children’s book author and creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, at his former home in Stroud.
The plaque was unveiled by Rev Awdry’s daughter, Veronica Chambers, in a ceremony presided over by the Fat Controller. Children from nearby Rodborough Community Primary School also joined in the celebration.
Watch Pete Waterman discuss the impact The Reverend Wilbert Awdry had on his childhood
“This is one of those fabulous moments when we recognise somebody who lived in an ordinary house, but they become a world phenomenon,” said Waterman. “The Reverend Wilbert Awdry wrote Thomas the Tank Engine. He probably didn’t realise when he did that just how big it would be.”
Waterman, who credits the stories with inspiring a lifelong passion for model railways, reflected on his personal connection: “We all grew up loving Thomas the Tank Engine. For me, as a child, it was a book that every night my dad read to me before I went to sleep. You know, it’s been a thing that stayed with me all my life, model railways, thanks to the Reverend Awdry.”
Waterman is a legendary British record producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. As part of the iconic Stock Aitken Waterman trio, he produced a string of global hits for artists including Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley, and Bananarama, shaping the sound of pop music for decades. Beyond his music career, Waterman is a lifelong railway enthusiast, with a particular love for model railways and railway preservation—a passion sparked, in part, by childhood favourites like Thomas the Tank Engine.
Reverend Awdry’s creation continues to captivate generations, imparting lessons of friendship, responsibility, and adventure while inspiring fans around the world. From books to television, toys, and model railways, Thomas the Tank Engine remains a cultural icon more than 75 years after its creation.
