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. Sir Topham Hatt and his family live here their mansion, Topham Hall, located in the outskirts of the town. Crocks Scrap Yard is located here.

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.

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.

Appearances
Railway Series= {{Scroll box|

The Railway Series

 * The Three Railway Engines - Edward and Gordon
 * Thomas the Tank Engine - Thomas and the Trucks and Thomas and the Breakdown Train
 * James the Red Engine - James and the Top Hat
 * Troublesome Engines - Trouble in the Shed and Percy Runs Away
 * Henry the Green Engine - Coal and Gordon's Whistle
 * Toby the Tram Engine - Dirty Objects
 * Edward the Blue Engine - Bertie's Chase, Saved from Scrap and Old Iron
 * Duck and the Diesel Engine - Dirty Work and A Close Shave
 * The Twin Engines - Break Van and The Deputation
 * Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine - Stepney's Special and Bowled Out
 * Really Useful Engines - Fish and Triple-Header
 * Gordon the High-Speed Engine - Smokescreen and Fire Escape
 * Henry and the Express - Out of Puff and Henry Sees Red
 * Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines - Edward and the Cabbages
 * Thomas and Victoria - Toby's Vintage Train

Companion Volumes
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 * 1976 - Famous Engines
 * 1986 - Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree

Trivia

 * Wellsworth is named after Elsworth, where the Rev. W. Awdry was Rector between 1946-53. In merchandising, it is occasionally misspelt as "Ellsworth".
 * Wellsworth Drive in Columbus, Ohio, is named after the town.