Knapford
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Knapford is the name of fictional town on the equally fictional Island of Sodor which was created by the Rev W Awdry as a setting for his and his son Christopher's childrens books The Railway Series. The name was also used for a location in the TV series based on the books called Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.
Knapford in the Railway Series
On the maps of Sodor produced to accompany the Railway Series books Knapford is a small town at the estuary of the River Els just south of Tidmouth.
Knapford Station is the junction for the North Western Railway's main line and Thomas the Tank Engine's branch line there is also a goods only station at Knapford Harbour where Percy the Small Engine works.
Some maps of the island show the main line terminating at the junction though tie in books by the Awdry's state that the terminus or big station is Tidmouth. Also on some maps Knapford does look the larger town whereas the Rev Awdry stated in the book The Island of Sodor - its People, History and Railways that it is a smaller dormitory town of Tidmouth.
According to the Rev Awdry's "research" into Sodor's history there have been 2 previous stations at Knapford both south of the River Els whereas the present one is north of it.
Early books in the series stated that the Express Train pulled by Gordon the Big Engine did not stop at Knapford but this is contradicted in some later ones by Christopher Awdry.
Knapford on TV
In the children's television series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Knapford is the main town and the big train station on the Island of Sodor.
The station has four platforms, a glass roof, and about 8 trains a day. It contains The Fat Controller's office, and is the station where HM The Queen visited The Fat Controller. Gordon also pulls his Express out from there every day.
Other engines seen at this station include James, Duck the Great Western Engine, Donald and Douglas, Henry the Green Engine, Thomas and Percy.
Knapford was introduced in Season 1 and has been in all seasons but Season 5.
Origins
The name "Knapford" first appeared on a sketch map drawn by Rev. W. Awdry to illustrate the story in which Thomas the Tank Engine and Bertie the Bus have a race. The name comes from the parish of Knapwell, where Awdry was vicar.
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