Started in 1945 and concluded in 2011, The Railway Series is a series of 42 British books written by the Rev. Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher Awdry. This is a list of all characters who appeared in the book series. Unless otherwise said on this page, the technical notes come from actual notes laid out by Awdry when he was developing the characters and setting for his stories; these notes are cited in his publication The Island of Sodor: Its People, History, and Railways.

North Western Railway

The North Western Railway (NWR) is the main standard gauge rail network on the Island of Sodor. The railway's motto is "Nil Unquam Simile", which is Latin for "There's nothing quite like it". From nationalisation on January 1, 1948 until it was privatised, the railway was the North Western Region of British Railways (BR). From 1925 onwards, it has been managed by three Fat Controllers. "'Please tell everyone that whatever happens elsewhere, steam will still be at work here. We shall be glad to welcome all who want to see and travel behind, real engines.'"

Steam engines

Diesel engines

Rolling stock

Skarloey Railway

The Skarloey Railway (SR) is a gauge railway, which runs from the North Western Railway's Crovan's Gate stayion to Skarloey station. Beyond Skarloey, the line continues to a former slate quarry, later used as ammunition dumps. The railway is owned by Sir Handel Brown, who serves as its chairman, and is run by Mr. Roger Sam, the son of the previous controller, Mr. Peter Sam.

Steam engines

Diesel engines

Rolling stock

Culdee Fell Railway

The Culdee Fell Railway (CFR) is Sodor's only rack railway. It climbs to the top of Sodor's highest mountain, which shares the railway's name. It is based on the Snowdon Mountain Railway in North Wales, was opened in 1900 and for many years was operated under the direction of Mr. Walter Richards, the General Manager. The railway was only featured in Mountain Engines. The engines on the line are all s.

Steam engines

Other engines

Rolling stock

Arlesdale Railway

The Arlesdale Railway is Sodor's only miniature railway. It is based on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway in Cumbria. The railway is run by Fergus Duncan (The Small Controller). Its five engines appear in the books. The diesel engines are mentioned in the companion books: Sigrid of Arlesdale, Blister I and Blister II.

Steam engines

Diesel engine

Privately owned/other Sudrian railways

British Railways/Visitors

Various engines from British Railways (BR; also known as "the Other Railway"), and some from preserved/private railways and museums have visited the North Western Railway, both on regular trains to-and-from the mainland, for special events, or under a lease agreement.

The 'Other Railway' Engines

Non-rail vehicles