In The Railway Series children's books by the Rev. W. Awdry, as well as its television adaptation Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, the character Gordon the Big Engine is loosely based on an A1. Built-in 1922, he was sold to the Fat Controller in 1923, once testing was complete. Following problems with the conjugated valve gear, Gordon was substantially rebuilt in 1939 on a two-cylinder chassis designed by the Fat Controller (which explains why he did not look exactly like an A1 in the books; Gordon also has a Fowler tender).