| 1 | [[quoteright:150:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rolt_ltc_rolt.jpg]] |
| 2 | [[caption-width-right:150:Rolt with the locomotive ''Dolgoch'' on the Talyllyn Railway]] |
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| 4 | Lionel Thomas Caswall Rolt (February 11, 1910 - May 9, 1974) was a British engineer, automobile racer, historian and author; famous for his contributions to railway and canal boat preservation. His largest claim to fame was his role as one of the founding members of the [[https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/about/history/ Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society]] the world's very first volunteer ran historic railway. His 1953 book on the railway's first few years of preservation ''Literature/RailwayAdventure'' would be partially adapted in Literature/TheRailwaySeries in "Gallant Old Engine" which would later in turn be adapted in WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends in an episode of the same name (Thomas the Tank Engine's creator Rev. Wilbert Awdry was also a member of the Talyllyn Railway and associate of Rolt's). Within The Railway Series itself, The Thin Controller and Mr. Ivo Hugh both take influence from Rolt alongside other people involved in the Talyllyn Railway (notably Hugh Jones and John Bate). In addition news of Rolt and the Talyllyn Railway's early years in preservation would serve as the inspiration for [[Creator/EalingStudios Ealing Studios']] Film/TheTitfieldThunderbolt. |
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| 6 | But... don't dismiss Rolt immediately as ''just'' an inspiration for talking train children's stories. The man was an accomplished writer, putting out books on history, engineering, biographies and [[GenreShift even dabbling]] in {{horror}} in his 1948 anthology collection ''Literature/SleepNoMore.'' In addition he helped establish the Prescott Speed Hill Climb event, and had also worked at the production line in Crewe building Merlin engines for the Spitfire & Mustang airplanes during WWII. |
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| 8 | Rolt's personal life highlighted his love of history and preservation, including his first marriage to Angela Orred who was his partner in canal boating. After their separation Rolt married another canal boat enthusiast [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Rolt Sonia]] who supported his writing aspirations; and after his death Sonia Rolt continued to maintain a leadership role in Britain's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inland_Waterways_Association Inland Waterways Association]] ultimately leading to her being admitted as on Officer to the [[UsefulNotes/BritishHonours Order of the British Empire]]. |
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