This was a fantastic video, Reg is certainly the missing chapter in Thomas' great legacy. Poor guy died so young too, it's such a tale of woe and misery...
I really love when you mentioned, "He's a character with enthusiastic, good-natured optimism and a character in love with life. He makes us sympathies with him in his failings and delight in his success. He is an inspired creation. While Wilbert was the one who wrote Thomas, it was Payne who brought him to life, portraying the character with features of a young child: anxious, alarmed, sorry, sad and in one pitch looking like a tired 5 year old. In other illustrations, Thomas is eager, innocent and wide awake. Payne had drawn Thomas to where children can look at him and relate with him."
I now have a deeper appreciation for Payne that I didn't have before What a fascinating history with a very unfortunate end Thank you for going the extra mile to find out about him and getting him this recognition
Him being my personal favorite illustrator, i honestly think its a huge insult that Dalby was allowed to redraw & edit Payne's Masterwork on Thomas the Tank Engine, when there was no inconsistency with Dalby's original work. And i find it even more unfair that he wasnt even credited as much as the other artists, especially that very little is known of him. I want him to be remembered for creating Thomas' true shape. That was a very interesting Video, and i would love to see yoh make a video on William Middleton.
I'll try and remember Payne as best as I can. We may not know his face or forget his name, but it was his initial imagery that shaped the iconography of Thomas. Young me staring that the characters was seeing them in the style of Payne, even if I didn't know it. We owe him a lot.
This was super interesting, great detective work. I live less then 20 minutes from the church where Payne is layed to rest, I may try find his grave and pay my respects.
Amazing video! It is sad to hear of Payne's early death, but he is responsible for bringing one of the most iconic characters to life and he definitely deserves to be remembered for that.
In the drive, I actually did not notice payne’s signature on the Mauretania painting despite me seeing that one piece many times Very interesting video!
Payne illustration "Boy's Own" is really stunning especially can feel like your in the action would personally like to collect them in the future. Very sad to learn of his passing at failry young age of 38! Hope more people will learn about Payne and his contribution to creating one of the most famous tank engine named Thomas.
(stands and applauds) This is amazing work, and it's great to finally learn more about Payne, the man who gave Thomas his iconic shape and smile, and who codified the shapes of Gordon, James and Edward going forward... to learn that his disappearance was due to an untimely and early death is heartbreaking, and one can only imagine how things might have gone had he lived to continue drawing for the books.
The fact that Payne's work satisfied Awdry *enough* is amazing in of itself. His life is no less fascinating. Although the speculation on why Thomas is an E2 can be (possibly) brought to light via a little illustration industry inside baseball: artists will tend to bring samples of their work to a demo, as well as if it's in person have a sketch book on hand to draw up quick ideas in order to seal the deal faster. It's quite possible (and this is experience based conjecture on my part) while meeting with the agent it's likely that Payne made a quick sketch of what Thomas or the other engines looked like. And having lived in the southern region and thus being familiar with E2s, and probably having just seen some shunting at the station yards, that was likely the first engine to come to mind, and being freshly seen its probable that it was the fastest to sketch. With the agent liking it enough to approve the idea without even bothering to consult the Reverend. Conversely it's also possible the agent l, being familiar with the station, suggested the engine type herself and Payne did a quick sketch (again to seal the deal) and that also sealed the deal, without consulting the Reverend. However I'm of the opinion that the former is more likely than the latter. Also Payne's history as an illustrator of planes, boats, and trains is likely what led to Awdry accepting his work, if not straight up approving of the artist- especially given how fickle Awdry was with later artists. (However given the time the book was made, it's highly unlikely that Awdry had much say at all, at least until the RWS became famous)
I never realised there wasn't much info on Reginald Payne, but wow, what great research you've done there! Indeed, his legacy should be kept alive, knowing he did the first ever official pictures of Thomas! 😃 And they're pretty great too!
It's such a shame that we didn't get to see more of Reginald Payne's illustrations in the RWS. Granted, his illustrations will never be as good as later illustrators drew them to be, but he will always be remembered as the one who truly started it all, the one who gave Thomas his signature E2 look and the one who laid the foundations for future illustrations of the characters in the RWS. It's also a shame that he never got much credit at all and that he never lived to see the little credit he got in the RWS, but he will always be well remembered by the fandom. Rest in peace, Alexander Reginald Payne.
It’s sad that Payne’s work has almost been lost to time but I call him the man who gave us the Thomas design we all know and love and may he RIP.. plus Reigate is quite nearby to me and the areas station retains its Victorian feel with a level crossing, signal box and original building- and to think Thomas’ origins can be related to that area makes it all the more wonderful
Thanks for digging and giving this artist the credit deserved. As you said, he gave the main character of this series the body, shape and character that was copies over several reincarnations of the series
Fascinating seeing his other works, in particular the Ocean Liners portrayed at 14:36, these being the SS Normandie of the French Line and the RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard White Star Line, each going into service in 1935 and 1936 respectively. Thank you for paying such wonderful tribute to an unsung figure in the Railway Series history. Rest in peace A.R Payne.
My goodness! Even I thought there wasn't going to be a clear answer to all the loose ends, and this comes from someone who usually invests his time in wrapping loose ends up. Your effort in tracking the fate of Payne is remarkable; well done. Regards and you've started a happy new year on a great note. Samuel Farris.
Well done! This is an important piece of work; a fascinating story well told. You have rescued Reginald Payne from oblivion. I will share your video with as many friends as I can.
Massive kudos to all the effort you have gone to here, an incredible achievement. Such a shame to hear of his early demise and very indicative of the time that his death is reported in such a way. It puts me in mind of the story of Driver Percy Stacey who was seriously mentally affected by his part (and partially unfair blame) in the Norton Fitzwarren accident in 1940, his death a year later was reported as "for no apparent medical reason" which implies he tragically took his own life I believe.
Let me ask this, anyone here agree that they should re-release the Payne illustrated version of the Thomas the Tank Engine book? (No Dalby edits, the very first edition)
I think it would be better for the 7th illustration of Thomas And Gordon (where Thomas is pulled behind the express) to be re-illustrated for Thomas facing us while being pulled by the back. Because in Payne's illustration of Thomas bringing the coaches in shows Thomas bulling them by the back and when being pulled away, his bunker is facing us which isn't correct. Thomas needs to be painted in a way so his face is shown while pulled backwards on the express
Sometimes I think that, since we have a R.E.V Awdry compilation book and a Chris Awdry one too, I think that the next collection book should be an 'everything else' that includes all of the other stories in-canon with the Railway Series (like Thomas and the Evil Diesel for example). The first couple of pages would be 'Thomas the Tank Engine', but appropriately with the original Payne Illustrations.
Or the more practical solution would be to restore the Payne illustrations in future reprints/compilations. Though it does make me wonder what happened to the original paintings in the first place?
I believe that, by giving Thomas a maturing arc, Britt Allcroft was building upon what Payne may have envisioned for Thomas when he made the illustrations for Thomas’s debut book.
What a great video. I love the way you've shared those little sideways searches. Not stopping when one thing found but searching around that hit. BTW REIGATE rhymes with HIGHgate.
I wanted to buy the collection for his drawings but now I don't know which books have his original illustrations without being repainted by Dalby :( if anyone knows please tell me
R.I.P. Payne. You may not have been the best artist, but you helped create the most famous character in the whole series.
Yeah. And yet, nobody knew him too well.
J50 Thomas feels wierd
This was a fantastic video, Reg is certainly the missing chapter in Thomas' great legacy. Poor guy died so young too, it's such a tale of woe and misery...
I really love when you mentioned, "He's a character with enthusiastic, good-natured optimism and a character in love with life. He makes us sympathies with him in his failings and delight in his success. He is an inspired creation. While Wilbert was the one who wrote Thomas, it was Payne who brought him to life, portraying the character with features of a young child: anxious, alarmed, sorry, sad and in one pitch looking like a tired 5 year old. In other illustrations, Thomas is eager, innocent and wide awake. Payne had drawn Thomas to where children can look at him and relate with him."
I now have a deeper appreciation for Payne that I didn't have before
What a fascinating history with a very unfortunate end
Thank you for going the extra mile to find out about him and getting him this recognition
Him being my personal favorite illustrator, i honestly think its a huge insult that Dalby was allowed to redraw & edit Payne's Masterwork on Thomas the Tank Engine, when there was no inconsistency with Dalby's original work. And i find it even more unfair that he wasnt even credited as much as the other artists, especially that very little is known of him.
I want him to be remembered for creating Thomas' true shape.
That was a very interesting Video, and i would love to see yoh make a video on William Middleton.
13:29 got me roling , but seriosly Reginald Payne deserved more then he ever got rest in peace
It’s a real shame what happened to Payne, and it even sounds he got along better with Awdry than Dalby and Middleton did.
Payne deserved more. Crazy to think without him we wouldn't even have the same Thomas as we know today. R.I.P
I'll try and remember Payne as best as I can. We may not know his face or forget his name, but it was his initial imagery that shaped the iconography of Thomas. Young me staring that the characters was seeing them in the style of Payne, even if I didn't know it. We owe him a lot.
This was super interesting, great detective work. I live less then 20 minutes from the church where Payne is layed to rest, I may try find his grave and pay my respects.
Amazing video! It is sad to hear of Payne's early death, but he is responsible for bringing one of the most iconic characters to life and he definitely deserves to be remembered for that.
Music Used:
[0:13] HOME - New Machines
[1:51] A.L.I.S.O.N - Golden Dust
[7:41] HOME - Dusk
[12:12] HOME - Hold
In the drive, I actually did not notice payne’s signature on the Mauretania painting despite me seeing that one piece many times
Very interesting video!
It’s always the little things that slip by
An unsung hero.
Payne illustration "Boy's Own" is really stunning especially can feel like your in the action would personally like to collect them in the future. Very sad to learn of his passing at failry young age of 38! Hope more people will learn about Payne and his contribution to creating one of the most famous tank engine named Thomas.
(stands and applauds)
This is amazing work, and it's great to finally learn more about Payne, the man who gave Thomas his iconic shape and smile, and who codified the shapes of Gordon, James and Edward going forward... to learn that his disappearance was due to an untimely and early death is heartbreaking, and one can only imagine how things might have gone had he lived to continue drawing for the books.
I'll always will remember C. Reginald Payne (Dalby has always been my favourite)
The fact that Payne's work satisfied Awdry *enough* is amazing in of itself.
His life is no less fascinating.
Although the speculation on why Thomas is an E2 can be (possibly) brought to light via a little illustration industry inside baseball: artists will tend to bring samples of their work to a demo, as well as if it's in person have a sketch book on hand to draw up quick ideas in order to seal the deal faster.
It's quite possible (and this is experience based conjecture on my part) while meeting with the agent it's likely that Payne made a quick sketch of what Thomas or the other engines looked like.
And having lived in the southern region and thus being familiar with E2s, and probably having just seen some shunting at the station yards, that was likely the first engine to come to mind, and being freshly seen its probable that it was the fastest to sketch. With the agent liking it enough to approve the idea without even bothering to consult the Reverend.
Conversely it's also possible the agent l, being familiar with the station, suggested the engine type herself and Payne did a quick sketch (again to seal the deal) and that also sealed the deal, without consulting the Reverend.
However I'm of the opinion that the former is more likely than the latter.
Also Payne's history as an illustrator of planes, boats, and trains is likely what led to Awdry accepting his work, if not straight up approving of the artist- especially given how fickle Awdry was with later artists. (However given the time the book was made, it's highly unlikely that Awdry had much say at all, at least until the RWS became famous)
I never realised there wasn't much info on Reginald Payne, but wow, what great research you've done there! Indeed, his legacy should be kept alive, knowing he did the first ever official pictures of Thomas! 😃 And they're pretty great too!
And it’s pretty fascinating he has his signature on his other works
R.I.P. Mr. Payne.
I must admit, great job finding the information behind Mr. Payne.
That was So Interesting learning about one of the Very First Illustrators of Thomas. I'm sad that he died young.
It's such a shame that we didn't get to see more of Reginald Payne's illustrations in the RWS. Granted, his illustrations will never be as good as later illustrators drew them to be, but he will always be remembered as the one who truly started it all, the one who gave Thomas his signature E2 look and the one who laid the foundations for future illustrations of the characters in the RWS. It's also a shame that he never got much credit at all and that he never lived to see the little credit he got in the RWS, but he will always be well remembered by the fandom. Rest in peace, Alexander Reginald Payne.
It’s sad that Payne’s work has almost been lost to time but I call him the man who gave us the Thomas design we all know and love and may he RIP.. plus Reigate is quite nearby to me and the areas station retains its Victorian feel with a level crossing, signal box and original building- and to think Thomas’ origins can be related to that area makes it all the more wonderful
Thanks for digging and giving this artist the credit deserved. As you said, he gave the main character of this series the body, shape and character that was copies over several reincarnations of the series
Incredible research you made! Reginald really deserves to be credited as the OG creator of Thomas's design.
Fascinating seeing his other works, in particular the Ocean Liners portrayed at 14:36, these being the SS Normandie of the French Line and the RMS Queen Mary of the Cunard White Star Line, each going into service in 1935 and 1936 respectively. Thank you for paying such wonderful tribute to an unsung figure in the Railway Series history. Rest in peace A.R Payne.
Great video! About time Payne gets the recognition he deserves!
Very thorough research on a sadly overlooked and crucial part of the Railway Series' history. Well done.
Amazing video man, I had no idea Payne was such a mystery
This is actually incredibly well put together, researched and fascinating. Instant sub to the channel for sure.
Holy moly
My goodness! Even I thought there wasn't going to be a clear answer to all the loose ends, and this comes from someone who usually invests his time in wrapping loose ends up. Your effort in tracking the fate of Payne is remarkable; well done. Regards and you've started a happy new year on a great note. Samuel Farris.
I just think E2s are a lot cuter then what awdry had in mind.
* this was an absolutley wonderful video. stellar work!
Well done! This is an important piece of work; a fascinating story well told.
You have rescued Reginald Payne from oblivion. I will share your video with as many friends as I can.
Massive kudos to all the effort you have gone to here, an incredible achievement. Such a shame to hear of his early demise and very indicative of the time that his death is reported in such a way. It puts me in mind of the story of Driver Percy Stacey who was seriously mentally affected by his part (and partially unfair blame) in the Norton Fitzwarren accident in 1940, his death a year later was reported as "for no apparent medical reason" which implies he tragically took his own life I believe.
Let me ask this, anyone here agree that they should re-release the Payne illustrated version of the Thomas the Tank Engine book? (No Dalby edits, the very first edition)
I think at the very least the poor guy should get credit on the next release of the book. Dalby edits or not, that's still his work there.
I have to agree with you since Payne deserves to be remembered
I think it would be better for the 7th illustration of Thomas And Gordon (where Thomas is pulled behind the express) to be re-illustrated for Thomas facing us while being pulled by the back. Because in Payne's illustration of Thomas bringing the coaches in shows Thomas bulling them by the back and when being pulled away, his bunker is facing us which isn't correct. Thomas needs to be painted in a way so his face is shown while pulled backwards on the express
Wow this video was so informative, I feel like I learned ALOT. This video was great. Keep up the work!!!
I cannot believe you actually did this. Well that's Reginald Payne covered. Now we need to cover William Middleton.
Sometimes I think that, since we have a R.E.V Awdry compilation book and a Chris Awdry one too, I think that the next collection book should be an 'everything else' that includes all of the other stories in-canon with the Railway Series (like Thomas and the Evil Diesel for example).
The first couple of pages would be 'Thomas the Tank Engine', but appropriately with the original Payne Illustrations.
Or the more practical solution would be to restore the Payne illustrations in future reprints/compilations. Though it does make me wonder what happened to the original paintings in the first place?
11:53 to 11:55 I never thought that would’ve happened…RIP
6:25 Thomas and Stepney
I believe that, by giving Thomas a maturing arc, Britt Allcroft was building upon what Payne may have envisioned for Thomas when he made the illustrations for Thomas’s debut book.
What a great video. I love the way you've shared those little sideways searches. Not stopping when one thing found but searching around that hit. BTW REIGATE rhymes with HIGHgate.
R.I.P Reginald Payne,only if the war hasn't affected you...
so he's like the bill finger of thomas?
What a tragedy, the first artist Awdry genuinely liked, dies right after the first book
very nice video
Minor query: Anyone know the music list in this video?
AR Payne’s work with Thomas The Tank Engine is better then CR Dalby in my opinion
i think the font could've been better
I wanted to buy the collection for his drawings but now I don't know which books have his original illustrations without being repainted by Dalby :( if anyone knows please tell me
Dalby tweaked the drawings in 1950, so you'd have to look for any edition of the book from before then.
I Love Payne's work and too bad he had a short career