Wellsworth (RWS)

Wellsworth is a town with a population of 550, located near Sodor's south-west coast, at the far northern end of the Brendam peninsula. As it is the start of Edward's Branch Line, the station is commonly referred to as Edward's Station.

History

The name is most likely derived from a well, now dry, in the grounds of the Old Nunnery. Legend has it that St. Tibba (or Saint Ebba), in the seventh century, dug a well to collect water which yielded remarkable cures. A Nunnery was later established here in 1160. The Poor Clares, an Order of Catholic Nuns, settled there sometime after 1286 and built their hospital around the well. Though King Henry VIII nominally suppressed the Order in 1534, the Sudrian interpretation of the Act secured that St. Tibba's Hospital remained and expanded as need arose. Shortly before 1987, it was rebuilt on a new site and has deservedly the highest reputation of any hospital on the Island.

Wellsworth is a pleasant seaside village. The air here is reputedly pure and bracing. There is a Convalescent Home and many doctors recommend a period spent here to patients suffering from respiratory ailments.^[1] Sir Topham Hatt and his family live here their mansion, Topham Hall, located in the outskirts of the town.

The line from Wellsworth to Brendam is one of Sodor's oldest and was built in 1870 as part of the Wellsworth and Suddery Railway, which was later extended to Knapford in 1912 to connect with the Tidmouth, Knapford and Elsbridge Light Railway before becoming part of the North Western Railway in 1915. Wellsworth became a station on the Main Line, while the line to Brendam was downgraded to a branch line, with the junction located slightly east of the station.^[2]

A goods yard, commonly known as Edward's Yard, is located here. It consists of several sidings, a turntable and a two-berth engine shed, with a coal hopper nearby. A breakdown train is kept here. As Wellsworth is some 280ft below Maron, engines based here serve as bankers for trains going up Gordon's Hill.

Landmarks

• Wellsworth Station - the main station for the town of Wellsworth.
• Wellsworth Yards - a large shunting yard adjacent to the station.
  • Wellsworth Sheds - a small engine shed within the shunting yard at Wellsworth.
• Suddery Junction - the junction for Edward's Branch Line, located slightly east of the station.
• Crocks Scrap Yard - a scrap yard near the town of Wellsworth, which is where Trevor was saved from scrap.
• Wellsworth Vicarage Orchard - a lineside orchard surrounding the Church of Wellsworth, owned by the Vicar.
  • Trevor's Shed - a shed at the bottom of the orchard where Trevor usually sleeps.
• St. Tibba's Hospital - a medical facility built in 1286 by the Poor Clares; later rebuilt on a new site shortly before 1987.
• St. Tibba's Nunnery - a small nunnery nearby the hospital, established in 1160.
• Topham Hall - a mansion on the outskirts of the town, home to the Hatt family.

Appearances

Trivia

• The name of the town is likely an amalgamation of the parish of Knapwell and Elsworth, where the Rev. W. Awdry worked as a Rector between 1946 and 1953.
• Wellsworth Drive in Columbus, Ohio, is named after the town.

Station Guide

References