Wellsworth (T&F)/Behind the Scenes

Background Information
Wellsworth is a fictional town near the south-west coast of the Island of Sodor, north of the Brendam penninsula, created by the Rev. W. Awdry. It serves as the junction between the Brendam Branch Line and The Main Line.

The town's name was derived from the parish of Elsworth, where Awdry was Rector between 1946 and 1953.

The station first appeared in the first series episode Thomas and Gordon, which first aired in 1984. Its last appearance was in the twenty-fourth series episode Kenji on the Rails Again, which was released in 2021.

Gauge 1 model
Wellsworth was first modelled in the first series of the television series. According to concept art from this series, the station building was made referencing the second and third illustrations from Gordon's Whistle, while the bridge behind the station was made referencing the fourth illustration of the bridge at Knapford Junction from Percy Runs Away.

Wellsworth station and its surroundings have undergone numerous changes throughout the television series:
 * Series 1-11:
 * The shunting yard's size and layout constantly changed.
 * Series 2:
 * The banker siding is removed.
 * A red brick road bridge was added near the station.
 * The station window frames, doors and canopies become green.
 * Series 4:
 * The extra large shunting yard is removed.
 * The banker siding returns.
 * The track leading up to the red brick road bridge is curved.
 * Series 5:
 * The banker siding is removed again.
 * The track leading up to the red brick road bridge returns to being straight.

Close-up model
Close-up models of some areas of Wellsworth station were built to be used for scenes involving the close-up scale figures.

CGI model
In 2009, the series introduced Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) as a replacement for the show's long-standing live-action models. Wellsworth was recreated from scratch in CGI by Nitrogen Studios for the 2011 film, Day of the Diesels. The model was "hand-sculpted" in Maya, a 3D animation and modelling software.

According to Greg Tiernan, the CGI models are subjected to many rounds of review before they are submitted to HiT Entertainment for final input and approval.

Wellsworth has had modifications throughout the CGI era. These include:
 * Day of the Diesels:
 * The green metal bridge nearby became larger and received a new design.
 * The shunting yard layout became one single siding with three ends with no more turntables.
 * A large warehouse was added nearby.
 * The tracks entering the station changed from straight to curved.
 * The road bridge now has rails running across it.
 * Series 17-18:
 * The asphalt in the yard was occasionally replaced with grass before becoming consistent within the following series.
 * Series 21:
 * The three ended shunting siding became a two ended siding and gained a two berth shed on it.