How Old Are The Thomas Brothers

Ever wondered about the guys behind the iconic Thomas the Tank Engine? You know, the ones who've been keeping our little ones entertained for, well, ages! Let's dive into the fascinating world of the Thomas Brothers and find out just how old they are.

Meet the Brothers

First off, let's get to know our main characters. The Thomas Brothers are Wilbert Awdry and Christopher Awdry. Now, you might be thinking, "Hey, those names don't sound very... Thomasy." And you'd be right! The brothers actually wrote under the pen name Reverend W. Awdry, with the 'Reverend' bit coming from their dad, who was, you guessed it, a reverend.

Wilbert Awdry - The Original Storyteller

Now, let's talk about Wilbert, the older brother. Born in 1911, he's the one who first created Thomas and his friends. Wilbert was a vicar himself, and he started telling stories about Thomas to his son, Christopher, to help him fall asleep. Talk about a bedtime story that's stood the test of time, huh?

Wilbert's stories were first published in 1945, and they've been chugging along ever since. He wrote a total of 26 books, with the last one, The Christmas Tree on Trainset Island, coming out in 1972. So, if we do the math, that makes Wilbert's stories a cool 77 years old this year! That's like, what, a hundred in human years? Just kidding, just kidding.

Christopher Awdry - The Next Generation

Now, let's not forget about Christopher, the younger brother. Born in 1930, he's the one who kept the Thomas legacy going after his dad stepped down. Christopher started writing Thomas books in 1984, and he's been at it ever since, penning over 100 titles! That's like, what, a thousand stories? Okay, maybe not that many, but still, that's a lot of tracks to cover.

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Christopher's stories are a bit different from his dad's. They're more modern, with new characters and even some Thomas movies! His latest book, The Great Discovery, was published in 2019. So, if we add up all the Thomas stories from both brothers, we get a whopping 126 books! That's like having a whole library dedicated to one little blue engine and his friends.

Why Does It Matter?

So, why should we care about how old the Thomas Brothers are? Well, for starters, it's pretty amazing that a story started by a dad to help his son sleep has become a global phenomenon. It's like, the ultimate bedtime story success!

But more than that, the Thomas Brothers' stories have been a constant in kids' lives for generations. They've taught us about friendship, cooperation, and even how to deal with bullies (ahem, Diesel). They've been there for us when we were little, and now they're there for our kids. That's some serious staying power!

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Plus, it's just plain cool to know that something we loved as kids is still going strong. It's like finding out your favorite band is still making music, or that your favorite cartoon is still on TV. It's a little piece of nostalgia that keeps on giving.

So, How Old Are They?

Alright, alright, you're dying to know. As of 2022, Wilbert would have been 111 years old, and Christopher would have been 92. But remember, these are the ages they would have been if they were still with us. Both brothers have passed away - Wilbert in 1997 and Christopher in 2022. But their stories live on, just like Thomas and his friends chugging along the tracks.

So, the next time you see Thomas and his pals, remember you're looking at a piece of history. A piece of history that's been entertaining kids for over 75 years. That's something worth celebrating, don't you think?