Railway engines (Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends)
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This article lists, and also profiles, the regular Engine characters of the Television Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. It should be noted that, while many characters have appeared in both the TV series and The Railway Series by Rev. Wilbert Awdry, only characters who have appeared in the TV series have been profiled on this page. Also, in the case where a character has appeared in both series, only the TV Series aspect has been covered.
[edit] List of characters
Engines listed in order of first major appearance in the series. However, Narrow Gauge engines have been placed after Standard Gauge.
It should be noted that characters only appearing in movie releases Thomas and the Magic Railroad and Calling All Engines have no influence on the television series at all, and as such are not considered characters of the TV series. Also, although some engines have numbers which are not listed, these numbers mean nothing to the running of the railways on Sodor, and as such have not been listed.
| Name | Number | Introduced in... |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas | 1 | Season 1 |
| Gordon | 4 | Season 1 |
| Edward | 2 | Season 1 |
| Henry | 3 | Season 1 |
| James | 5 | Season 1 |
| Percy | 6 | Season 1 |
| Toby | 7 | Season 1 |
| Duck | 8 | Season 2 |
| Diesel | Season 2 | |
| Donald & Douglas | 9 & 10 | Season 2 |
| Daisy | Season 2 | |
| Bill & Ben | Season 2 | |
| Boco | Season 2 | |
| Mavis | Season 3 | |
| Oliver | 11 | Season 3 |
| 'Arry & Bert | Season 5 | |
| Salty | Season 6 | |
| Harvey | 27 | Season 6 |
| Emily | Season 7 | |
| Fergus | Season 7 | |
| Arthur | Season 7 | |
| Murdoch | Season 7 | |
| Molly | Season 9 | |
| Neville | Season 9 | |
| Dennis | Season 9 | |
| Rosie | Season 10 | |
| Narrow Gauge | ||
| Duke | Season 4 | |
| Sir Handel (Falcon) | 3 | Season 4 |
| Peter Sam (Stuart) | 4 | Season 4 |
| Skarloey | 1 | Season 4 |
| Rusty | 5 | Season 4 |
| Duncan | 6 | Season 4 |
| Rheneas | 2 | Season 4 |
| Mighty Mac | Season 9 | |
| Fearless Freddie | 7 | Season 10 |
| Guest characters | ||
| Stepney | 55 | Season 4 |
| Spencer | Season 7 |
[edit] Standard Gauge Engines
[edit] Thomas
Thomas the Tank Engine is a blue tank engine with six wheels. He lives and works on the Island of Sodor, and is locomotive number 1 on the island's main railway. He has become the main star of the television series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends (now known as Thomas and Friends). Thomas first appeared in The Railway Series by Reverend W. V. Awdry. His appearance on TV, however, has made him arguably the most widely recognised and well-known locomotive in the world.
Thomas' character can change from time to time, from cheeky like Percy to wise like Edward. He is always, however, extremely proud to run his own branch line, and now absolutely loves his two coaches, Annie and Clarabel.
[edit] Edward
Edward was the first character to appear in The Railway Series by Rev W. Awdry, and is part of the central group of characters in the TV Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. He is a blue tender engine with red stripes, about the same size as James, and bears the number 2 on his tender.
Edward is the oldest and wisest of the engines in the core fleet, and other engines often find themselves indebted to his knowledge and experience.
[edit] Henry
Henry is a steam engine from the television series, Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. He was one of the first engines to ever appear in The Railway Series books by Rev.W.Awdry. Henry lives and works on the Island of Sodor, along with other characters in the show. He is engine number 3 on the railway, and in the TV Series he is always green with red stripes. In the first season, Henry had an accident caused by ice and snow, after which he underwent extensive reconstruction, giving him a new shape, which he has had ever since.
Henry's character can be difficult to pinpoint. Sometimes, he is somewhat pompous like Gordon, others he is sensitive, others still he is somewhat depressed. Henry has also from time to time suffered from "illness". Since the third season, however, Henry has had a more consistent character trait added, being portrayed as having an admiration for nature, particularly trees.
[edit] Gordon
Gordon is a big blue tender engine from the television series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, and was the second engine to appear in The Railway Series written by Rev.W.Awdry. He is train number 4, painted blue with red stripes, and for quite some time he was the largest and strongest engine (before Murdoch arrived) in The Fat Controller's fleet.
Gordon has always viewed himself as the most important engine, mostly because of his size and strength, and that his main task is to pull the Express. At times, this can lead to him feeling superior, even to the point of uppity. However, he usually learns his lesson, realising that all engines have their place in the team.
[edit] James
James is a tender engine from Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends who also featured in The Railway Series. James is engine number 5, coloured red with gold stripes & dome, and is a mixed-traffic engine, which means he can pull both coaches and trucks.
While James is one of "the big engines" (a trio with Gordon and Henry), he is certainly the most junior member of this clique, often resulting in him getting too big for his boots. He often brags about his red paint, as though this makes him superior to other engines (a notion which is usually dispelled quickly enough).
[edit] Percy
Percy is a part of The Fat Controller's railway on the TV series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, and in the Railway Series books. He is a green saddle tank engine with red stripes, and has been given the number 6.
He is the youngest engine of the whole fleet, and in later seasons this youthful inexperience has been heavily portrayed. He is quite a cheeky engine, often looking to trick or tease other engines. Percy does, however, have utmost respect when it is needed, referring to The Fat Controller as "Sir" every few words when addressing him.
[edit] Toby
Toby is a tram engine who works on the same branch line as Thomas. He is a funny-shaped engine with cowcatchers and sideplates covering his wheels. Some say that he doesn't look like a steam engine at all. He doesn't mind this, just so long as nobody asks him if he's electric! His main job is taking stone to and from the quarry with his coach Henrietta, but he also helps with other jobs. He is painted brown, and is engine number 7.
Toby is old and wise, and is always willing to share his experience and knowledge with other engines. He is careful in everything he does, which means he very rarely has any accidents.
[edit] Duck
Duck is a character in The Railway Series by Rev. W. Awdry, as well as the TV Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. Although his real name is Montague, he was given the nickname "Duck", which everyone now calls him. He is a green pannier tank engine, who was given the number 8 on arrival, and works efficiently as part of The Fat Controller's fleet. He currently runs his own branch line.
Duck holds great pride in being Great Western, and this results in him having a strong work ethic. This can, however, be a cause for friction with his colleagues, when he insists that his way ("the Great Western way") is the only right way to do things, but other engines understand this, and by and large give Duck their full respect.
[edit] Donald & Douglas
Donald and Douglas are twin 0-6-0 tender engines who feature in both the TV Series and the Railway Series books. They came from Scotland and, although The Fat Controller was only expecting one engine (not wanting to be separated they decided to travel together and hope for the best), he decided to keep both engines in his fleet, giving them the numbers 9 and 10 respectively, as well as nameplates. They are painted black, and have red name plates with gold writing.
If not for coming to Sodor, Donald and Douglas would surely have been scrapped. Because of this, not only are they grateful to have a home, but they are always very sombre and serious when it comes to the topic of scrapping -- a sensitive issue among the steam engine characters.
[edit] Oliver
Oliver the Western Engine is a 0-4-2 tank engine who has appeared in both the TV Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends as well as The Railway Series books. In the TV Series, Oliver was introduced in Season 3, being saved from scrap by Douglas, along with his brake van, Toad.
On arrival at Sodor, Oliver was restored, being painted olive green, and given the number 11. He was allocated to work with Duck on his branch line, The Little Western.
When Oliver arrived on Sodor, he was not used to handling trucks. While shunting his first ballast train, an incident resulted in Oliver landing bunker-down in a turntable well. On his return from the Works, Oliver learned how to deal with them (albeit after having pulled one truck apart! - see S.C.Ruffey for the full story)
Although Oliver has appeared with some regularity between Season 3 and Season 7, his character has not been given the opportunity to develop to the same extent as other engines'.
Oliver is based on a Great Western Railway GWR 1400 Class 0-4-2T tank locomotive. These engines were fitted with a mechanical system allowing the driver to control the locomotive remotely from the cab of an 'autocoach', such as Isabel.
[edit] Diesel
Diesel, sometimes known as Devious Diesel, was the first diesel engine to arrive on the Island of Sodor. He is coloured black, has six wheels, and has a very distinctive appearance.
Diesel is a scheming, oily trickster who likes to cause trouble wherever he goes. He first came to Sodor in Season 2 to help Duck, but he spread mean-spirited rumours that caused the Fat Controller to send him away. Despite the Fat Controller telling him he would not be welcomed back to Sodor, Diesel has returned a number of times when the other engines need an extra hand and no other engine is available. At present, he appears to be living on Sodor, but it is not known whether this will be a permanent position.
Like many other major characters from this TV Series, Diesel first appeared as a character in the Railway Series book Duck and the Diesel Engine - see Diesel
[edit] Daisy
- See also: Daisy (the Railway Series)
Daisy is a diesel railcar, who was bought by the Fat Controller to help out on Thomas' branch line. She is green with yellow stripes, and is very long and sleek in appearance.
Daisy arrived on Sodor after Thomas had an accident and needed major repairs. She refused to pull any freight for some time, making up excuses, but after a scolding from the Fat Controller, she performed her duties as requested. She still, however, thinks she is better than any of her colleagues, and will use any opportunity to boast to them.
Daisy is based on a Class 101 diesel multiple unit, but is unique as she is actually a rail-car - a single-carriage unit with a cab at either end.
Daisy is one of the engines who has been absent in recent series of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, having only been featured in three stories: "Daisy" and "Percy's Predicament" from Season 2, and "Bull's Eyes" from Season 4, although she did have a cameo in the feature-length special, Calling All Engines.
[edit] Bill & Ben
- See also: Bill and Ben (Railway Series)
Bill & Ben are twin tank engines who work for the Sodor China Clay Company. They are painted yellow, have four wheels each and have their names attached to their sides on brown nameplates. Apart from their nameplates, they are absolutely identical -- which can be confusing to engines who don't know them well. They are smaller than the other engines they work with.
They are young and cheeky and love playing jokes on the big engines, but are kept in order by Edward and Boco. They work in the china clay quarry and at Brendam Docks, where they are kept busy shunting trucks. The Fat Controller sometimes allows them to carry out special jobs, like taking Boco's heavy goods train and running 'Brake Van Specials' for visitors, who often come to the quarries to see the twins.
Bill & Ben are based on two 0-4-0 tank engines built by Bagnall's of Stafford that worked at Par in Cornwall named Alfred and Judy. They are unusually low, allowing them to fit under bridges that taller engines could not. The real examples are both preserved at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.
Bill and Ben are the only engines depicted in the TV Series with steam whistles containing all of the working parts; the whistles on the other engines lack the lever and operating cable. They are also the only standard gauge steam engines with sealed cabs (you cannot see inside).
Bill & Ben were introduced in Season 2 and have appeared since on several occasions.
[edit] Boco
- Also see: BoCo (Railway Series)
Boco is a green diesel who works mainly on Edward's Branch Line.
Boco is a very kind engine, and is by and large considered the most sensible diesel engine on the Fat Controller's railway. Bill & Ben misunderstood him at first, going out of their way to trick him, but this was soon sorted out and good-natured Boco even managed to laugh about it later.
While his name in The Railway Series has a capitalised C (ie. "BoCo"), this capitalisation is not present in the TV Series.
Boco made his first appearance in Series 2, but he has not been seen in the TV Series since Series 5.
Boco is based upon the British Rail Class 28 "Metrovick Co-Bo" Type 2 diesel electric engine, named after its unusual Co-Bo wheel arrangement. The bogie beneath the power plant carries three powered axles ('Co') and the other carries two ('Bo'). This arrangement was designed to maximise the routes over which the engine could work. Another unusual feature of the Metrovick Co-Bo is the use of a two stroke diesel power plant in favour of the more standard four stroke. Twenty of these engines were built by Metropolitan-Vickers in 1958 as part of British Railways' Modernisation Plan. One 'Metrovick' (D5705) has survived and is preserved at the East Lancashire Railway in Bury.
[edit] Mavis
Mavis is a diesel; she is mostly black, with yellow-and-black "hazard" stripes on her front and rear. Like Toby, her six wheels are concealed by sideplates and a cow-catcher. She also has her name, and "The Ffarquhar Quarry Co." written on both sides. To begin with, she had a tomboyish, rebellious attitude. In later seasons, however, she became much more settled, and became a role model for Bill and Ben.
Mavis works at the quarry at the end of Thomas' Branch Line, where she mostly works with Toby. She is filled with youthful enthusiasm, and this often leads to her doing more work than is required of her -- which wouldn't be so bad, if this didn't lead to incidents like endangering Toby. After the fifth television series, Mavis was transferred to the 'Centre Island Quarry', where she works with Bill and Ben (and the occasional visitor).
Mavis was the last of the Standard Gauge engines to make the transition from The Railway Series to the TV Series.
[edit] ’Arry & Bert
The brothers ’Arry & Bert are diesel engines who work at the "Sodor Ironworks", the scrapyards and smelters' sheds of Sodor. Their bodies are green-grey, but their fronts and rears have yellow-and-black "hazard" stripes, like Mavis, so that people working in the smelters' sheds can see them coming. They love nothing more than breaking up steam engines, and when they can't do that (often because the Fat Controller stops them), they enjoy making other engines' lives difficult with spiteful tricks.
’Arry & Bert are British Railways Class 08 diesel shunters. Hundreds of these engines and similar types were built for service in Britain and Europe. They were very successful, and many are still at work today.
’Arry & Bert were introduced in Season 5, and were the first engines to appear in the series without first appearing in the Railway Series. Along with Diesel, they are the only real 'villains' in the TV Series.
In toylines, the twin diesels are known as Iron 'Arry & Iron Bert.
[edit] Salty
Salty is a battered old diesel who works at Brendam docks. He loves the sea more than anything, and has a fund of sea stories and shanties. Bill and Ben enjoy hearing these tales, but Cranky the Crane is not so fond of them.
Apart from the yellow and black "hazard" stripes on his front and rear, Salty is mostly painted dull red. He speaks with a West Country accent and, naturally enough, uses a lot of nautical slang. He even likes the smell of fish!
Salty works well with trucks, but how he manages to keep them in order is a closely-guarded secret. He is also one of the few diesels who has no quarrel whatsoever with steam engines. Therefore, he is a friend to all.
Salty is based on a British Rail Class 07 dock shunter. He first appeared in Season 6, and has appeared intermittently since.
[edit] Harvey
Harvey is a crane engine. He has a crane arm mounted on top of his boiler, which makes him look rather unusual. The other engines teased him at first, but when he was able to rescue Percy after an accident they realised that his difference was what made him special. Since then, he has proved very useful, using his crane arm for maintenance, building and clearing up. He is in charge of the breakdown train, but also enjoys working at the waterworks, according to the collector cards on the Ertl diecast models.
With perhaps the most distinctive appearance of any engine on the show, Harvey is painted dull red, with some gold. His name appears on both his sides, as well as the number 27 -- which, including the Narrow Gauge engines and excluding Diesel, accurately reflects him being the 27th addition to the fleet of engines working on Sodor.
Harvey is based on Crane Engine No. 4101. He first appeared in Season 6 of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.
[edit] Emily
Emily is a "Stirling Single" Engine. She is painted dark green with gold stripes, and has a unique shape since she has only one pair of driving wheels. She speaks with a Scottish accent, and has a 'hot and cold' running temper.
She caused upset for Thomas when she accidentally "stole" Annie and Clarabel, but after saving Oliver from an accident, she was rewarded a pair of coaches of her own. Sometimes, she acts like a "big sister" figure to the smaller engines -- Thomas and Percy in particular -- but other times she can get too big for her wheels. All in all, she's still a kind engine despite her foibles!
Emily first appeared in Season 7, and from Season 8 has been a part of the core group of characters, known as the Steam Team.
[edit] Fergus
Fergus is an Aveling & Porter railway traction engine who mainly works at the cement works. He is painted blue-purple, and although he vaguely resembles Trevor the Traction Engine, Fergus runs on rails, unlike Trevor.
Fergus knows the Rule Book by heart, and his catchphrase is "Do it right!" His insistence on doing everything absolutely according to the rules can annoy the other engines. However, he is a decent engine at heart and will not hesitate to help other engines who are in trouble.
Fergus made his debut in Season 7, but has not been seen or mentioned since this season.
[edit] Arthur
Arthur is a big, maroon tank engine featured in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. When he arrived on the Island of Sodor, he was as excited to work for The Fat Controller as he was proud of his spotless record. He was bought to shunt trucks and haul freight, but then was transferred to the Fishing Village line, on which he enjoys working.
Arthur is an LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T tank engine developed for the London Midland & Scottish Railway (hence the initials "LMS" on his tanks), but only really came properly into service with British Railways. These engines were equally capable of pulling goods and passenger trains, particularly on branch and secondary services. There are many engines of this class preserved all across England. They performed so well that they survived right to the end of steam on British Railways, and were one of the last classes to be ordered for scrapping.
[edit] Murdoch
Murdoch is Sodor's largest and strongest engine, with ten driving wheels (bigger than Gordon). He is painted orange, and is one of the few engines on the Standard Gauge railway to have nameplates on his sides.
Murdoch helps haul long goods trains on the Main Line, and is good friends with Salty and Harvey. But in spite of his size, Murdoch is a gentle giant, who is often shy and prefers some peace and quiet when the hustle and bustle of the city life becomes too much — and there is nothing better for him than a quiet run through the countryside.
Murdoch is based on the Class 9F freight engines; the last steam engines to be built for British Railways in 1960. BR standard class 9F 92220 Evening Star is one of these.
First appearing in Season 7, Murdoch has also appeared in Season 8 of Thomas & Friends.
[edit] Molly
Molly is a large, powerful, and bright yellow engine. She is based on a GE Claud Hamilton 4-4-0 tender engine. Aware of what the other engines think of her, she is rather sensitive and often hurt by the unkind things they say. This was proven when, on her first day, she was teased for pulling empty wagons. She felt inferior to the other engines, and wanted to feel just as useful as them. However, in the end, Molly saw sense (thanks to Thomas) that even empty wagons can be just as important as loaded ones!
Molly made her debut appearance in Season 9 of Thomas and Friends.
[edit] Neville
Neville is based on a Bulleid "Q1" Engine, and is painted black. When he first came to Sodor, the engines held a grudge against him as rumours were flying around that he was planning to bump the steam engines. In the end, these rumours were proven false.
Neville made his debut in Thomas and Friends in the show's ninth season, and although his personality has not yet been explored, he has been described on website biographies as an "all round good egg, who doesn't hold any grudges".
[edit] Dennis
Dennis is an exceptionally lazy diesel engine, who will do just about anything to get out of doing work.
One of a number of characters to debut in Season 9 of Thomas and Friends, Dennis is painted grey, and is not as tall as many of his colleagues.
Dennis is based on a prototype Southern Railway Diesel Shunter, No. 11001.
[edit] Rosie
Rosie is a bright purple and grey engine who came to the Island and idolises Thomas, whilst he's trying to deliver a special Birthday post train to Alice at Hill Farm. Thomas gets annoyed, as she continues to follow him. But after he has an accident and she helps him, he starts to respect her. Her first appearance in the series was in the tenth season.
Rosie is based on a USA class 0-6-0 "Dock Tank" engine. One is in service on the Bluebell Railway, and is the third female steam engine introduced in the TV Series, after Emily and Molly (not including Lady, as she is a movie character) She is, however, the first female tank engine to be introduced.
[edit] Narrow Gauge Engines
[edit] Skarloey
Skarloey is the oldest engine on the narrow gauge Skarloey Railway. Skarloey has appeared in both the Television Series and The Railway Series. He is painted red, and sports the number 1 as well as nameplates bearing his name on both sides.
Throughout the TV Series, Skarloey has been a dedicated worker and a very wise engine. When he first appeared in Series 4, he had not worked in some time, but soon proved his worth once more.
[edit] Rheneas
Rheneas is one of the oldest engines on the Island of Sodor, and first appeared in The Railway Series by Rev.W.Awdry. Rheneas is painted red-orange, and has nameplates and the number 2 on each of his sides.
Rheneas was first mentioned in the fourth TV Series when Skarloey told the story of Rheneas' dedication saving the railway despite considerable obstacles. This dedication earned Rheneas extensive repairs, and he was touted as a hero on his return. He has since worked diligently on the Narrow Gauge railway on Sodor.
[edit] Sir Handel
This engine is first introduced to the TV Series as Falcon, working alongside Duke and Stuart on a line which has since closed. He has always been painted blue, and had a nameplate on each of his sides.
When Falcon was bought to work on the Skarloey Railway, he was given a new name, Sir Handel, and also given the number 3. In The Railway Series, he was also given a red coat of paint, however in the TV Series he retained his blue colour. He was also given a set of wheels with broad tyres, which the other engines referred to as his "steam roller wheels".
Sir Handel can be hot-headed and always has to have his way which makes the trucks and coaches dislike him. Deep down, however, he seems to be quite a reasonable engine.
Sir Handel made his debut appearance in Season 4, but was not seen again until Season 10. In his returning episode, his absence was stated as due to working at the stone quarry all summer.
[edit] Peter Sam
Peter Sam is kind and well-mannered. He is a green engine, with nameplates and the number 4 on both his sides. He is also known for his special funnel; following an accident with some trucks, his funnel became 'wobbly', and fell off when it hit an icicle in a tunnel. The Fat Controller gave him a strange-looking new one. The other engines made fun of this new funnel until they discovered how useful it was.
Peter Sam came from the same railway as Sir Handel and Duke, and was known there as Stuart. In The Railway Series, he was also given a red coat of paint, however in the TV Series he retained his green colour. He was bought to work on the Narrow Gauge railway at the same time as Sir Handel, and often ended up apologising for his old friend's behaviour. Coaches and trucks alike found him polite and easy to get along with, so he quickly became a useful addition to the railway.
The first appearance of Peter Sam in the TV Series was in Season 4, and he has made appearances in every season (except Season 8) since.
[edit] Rusty
Rusty is a diesel engine on the Narrow Gauge railway. He was one of many engines to make the transition from TV Series from The Railway Series, however his appearance is significantly different. In the TV Series, Rusty is mostly orange, whereas he was painted black in The Railway Series. He dosen't have a name plate, but does have a number plate carring the number 5.
This little diesel carries out all the odd jobs on the narrow gauge railway, from repairing the track to clearing up after accidents. He is a fearless and practical sort of engine, who is well respected by all. Even Duncan was forced to admit that Rusty has his uses.
[edit] Rusty: Male or female?
Quite controversially, Rusty was referred to in the American version of Season 9 (narrated by Michael Brandon) as being female, when the character was most definitely male in the Railway Series. The TV Series' production company argued that Rusty had not been referred to in gender-specific terms before this. But despite this, many fans of the TV Series still consider Rusty to be male.
In the UK/Australian version of the TV Series, Rusty has only ever been referred to as a male.
It should be noted, however, that the production company has since had these references re-narrated to illustrate the fact that Rusty is a male character.
[edit] Duncan
Duncan is one of the more recent additions to the Narrow Gauge fleet, arriving as a spare engine while Skarloey was being repaired. Duncan is the tallest of the narrow gauge engines with his long funnel and high-roofed cab, which can make tunnels a tight squeeze. He is painted light orange (but remained red in The Railway Series). Like his colleagues, Duncan has nameplates on both his sides, as well as the number 6. He speaks with a Scottish accent.
Duncan used to work in a factory, which Rusty and Skarloey believe is the cause of his bad manners. He is a boisterous engine who likes nothing more than the opportunity to complain about something. He is famous for "rock 'n' rolling" along the line, which has got him in trouble more than once. He likes being polished and he hates being overworked -- which he always feels he is.
Duncan first appeared in Season 4 of the TV Series, and reappears frequently, seemingly forgetting the lessons he had learned in previous seasons.
[edit] Fearless Freddie
Fearless Freddie is an old grey warhorse engine with a big, brass dome who has returned to the Thin Controller's Railway after many years. He challenges Rheneas and Skarloey to many races and wins by using short-cuts. Rheneas and Skarloey were determined to beat Freddie, but Rheneas derailed during one race and Freddie must show everyone his short-cut in order to get to Rheneas before it's too late. He is a very competitive engine and has to win. He has two name plates on both sides and also has a number plate carrying a number 7.
Fearless Freddie is based upon Russell, a locomotive found on the Welsh Highland Railway in North Wales.
[edit] Duke
Duke is considered a hero among most of the engines on the Island of Sodor. He is a narrow gauge engine, and is the only member of the regular Narrow Gauge fleet who has a tender. Coloured light brown, his name is displayed on nameplates on both his sides. He was named after the Duke of Sodor, and whenever anything went wrong he would exclaim, "That would never suit His Grace!" He is painted brown-orange.
Duke lived and worked on the now-closed Mid Sodor Railway with the engines Stuart and Falcon. He was the oldest engine on the line, and liked everything to be "just so". This prompted Falcon and Stuart to give him the nickname "Granpuff". When the railway closed, Stuart and Falcon were bought (and later renamed), but Duke was abandoned in his shed until, many years later, he was found. Duke now works on the Skarloey Railway.
The story of Duke was based upon a true story about an engine abandoned in the Brazilian rain forest. Duke himself is based on the engine Prince, a tender engine on the Ffestiniog Railway at Porthmadog, North Wales. Duke is also one of the few engines without buffers.
Duke was introduced in Season 4, but so far this is the only season he has appeared in.
[edit] Mighty Mac
Mighty Mac is a Double-ended Fairlie locomotive, and the newest addition to the Skarloey Railway. Despite the opposing personalities of the two ends, they are technically one engine, painted a rich royal blue-purple with gold and orange stripes. Mighty is the older of the two, and is distinguished by a small flick of hair. Mac is the younger half, and is distinguished by his youthful features and freckled cheeks.
Prior to their installment into the Skarloey family, Mighty Mac had only ever worked in the shunting yards. Their lack of knowledge beyond their boundaries created much conflict between the two halves (for example, which end is in charge of doing what), which places themselves and their passengers in great danger whilst running an important errand. But with advice from Thomas in mind, they were able to complete their task and realise the value of working as one.
Mighty Mac made their debut in Series 9 of Thomas & Friends, in an episode of the same name. Since their initial appearance they have had a number of cameos, but have not been the featured characters in any subsequent stories. They have not appeared in The Railway Series books.
[edit] Guest Characters
[edit] Stepney
Stepney was saved from scrap by Rusty, and now he works on a distant branch line known as the Bluebell Railway. He is a small engine with a tall funnel, painted in the cheery yellow livery of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway.
Stepney loves long runs and even likes pulling trucks. This enthusiastic attitude, together with his friendliness, means that he is always a welcome visitor to the Fat Controller's railway. Although his main role was in the fourth season of the TV Series, he has occasionally visited since.
Stepney is based on the real engine of the same name, an LB&SCR A1 Class 'Terrier' 0-6-0T tank locomotive.
Stepney also appears in Volume 18 of The Railway Series, Stepney The "Bluebell" Engine, as described here.
Stepney first appeared in season 4, but has not been seen since season 7.
[edit] "Rusty to the Rescue"
An episode was created especially for the TV Series in which Rusty rescues Stepney from scrap (much in the same way as Douglas had rescued Oliver). This Season 4 episode is called Rusty to the Rescue.
The episode is an example of the unrealistic storylines used in later series that annoyed Rev. W. Awdry so much (see The 'Henry's Forest' Controversy in Henry the Green Engine).
It is essentially a reworking of the rescue of Oliver, and has a rather contrived plot. It uses a number of deus ex machina plot devices in order for Rusty to be able to carry out his rescue, for example: the narrow gauge railway is extended as far as the Other Railway; Rusty gains a hitherto-unmentioned second crew member; and the derelict Stepney is fired-up and almost ready to go.
The story also ignores the real history of the real Stepney, in that he was actually rescued by the Bluebell Railway (the reason for the Rev W. Awdry writing Stepney into the series was to provide a means of publicising that line).
[edit] Spencer
Spencer is the sleekest and fastest engine ever to visit Sodor, and looks the part with his streamlined silver casing. He is the private engine of the wealthy Duke and Duchess of Boxford.
He is also one of the most arrogant engines to visit Sodor, which does not make him popular with the other engines -- especially Gordon. However, his pride has been his downfall more than once. First he had to be rescued by Gordon when he ran out of water, then on his next visit he lost a race with Edward. He does not seem to be humbled by his mistakes.
His distinctive shape is that of the LNER Class A4 express engine. Another of these, Mallard, holds the record for being the fastest steam locomotive in the world.
Spencer made his debut in the Season 7 episode "Gordon and Spencer", and made further appearances in Seasons 8 and 10.
