Hodges was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom. He took his first art exam at the age of 13 passing easily due to an interest in drawing and painting from a very early age. He was involved in illustrating in the two first annuals and the activity books of Thomas the Tank Engine because of his interest in steam trains as he would go off into the countryside at any opportunity to photograph them, prowl around the engine sheds, or go off into the moors to record the sounds in the distance.