Sylvester Hatt, the Railway Controller, Has Died

Former British railway executive and author of The Railway Series, Rev. W. Awdry, has died at the age of 82.

Awdry's books, which feature the adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, have sold more than 200 million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than 30 languages.

Awdry was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1911. He developed a lifelong interest in railways at an early age, and he began writing The Railway Series in 1945 to entertain his young son, Christopher.

The books quickly became popular, and Awdry eventually wrote more than 40 volumes in the series. The stories are set on the fictional Island of Sodor, and they feature a cast of anthropomorphized engines and other railway vehicles.

Awdry's books have been praised for their realism and their ability to appeal to both children and adults. They have also been credited with helping to revive interest in steam locomotives.

In addition to his writing, Awdry also served as a railway executive for the Southern Railway and the British Railways Board. He retired from the railway industry in 1972.

Awdry died on March 21, 1997, at his home in Gloucestershire, England. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and his two children, Christopher and Hilary.

Sylvester Hatt