Elsbridge (T&F)/Behind the Scenes

Background Information
Elsbridge is a fictional town and station on the Island of Sodor, created by the Rev. W. Awdry.

The station first appeared in the first series episode Thomas and the Trucks, which first aired in 1984. Its last appearance was in the fourth series episode Special Attraction, which was released in 1995.

Whereas in The Railway Series Elsbridge is an intermediate station on Thomas' Branch Line, in the television series it is portrayed as a junction.

Gauge 1 model
Elsbridge was originally built for the first series. Its appearance was modelled after Knapford as it appears between in The Railway Series, thus making it the junction between the Ffarquhar Branch Line and The Main Line.

According to Series 1 concept art, the appearance of Elsbridge was referenced from two illustrations of Knapford Junction from Thomas and the Guard.

Close-up model
A close-up model of a small portion of Elsbridge station was built to be used for scenes involving the close-up scale figures.