Christopher Awdry is the son of Reverend Wilbert Awdry. Reverend Awdry originally made up the first three stories from The Three Railway Engines when Christopher was sick with the measles. Christopher was very entertained by the stories, and this was one reason that led Reverend Awdry to publish the stories.
As an adult, Christopher penned all of the Railway Series volumes beginning with the twenty-seventh book, Really Useful Engines. His latest addition to the series is Thomas and Victoria, due to be released in autumn of 2007, ending the series' eleven-year hiatus.