This article lists the standard gauge Railway Engine characters of the Television Series Thomas and Friends (formerly Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends). These are the characters that run on the Fat Controller's railway.
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The "Steam Team" was introduced in Season 8. It is the name given to the group of core characters on The Fat Controller's railway as featured in the later seasons: Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, and Emily. There is no such corresponding group in The Railway Series books.
Thomas (voiced by Ben Small) can be described as a cheeky, fussy little engine. He often gets into scrapes, usually by being over-eager to do things best left to bigger and more sensible engines. But clouds never last long in Thomas's world and he's soon bustling about again, playing his part in the yard and on his very own branch line, of which he is extremely proud. He is a 0-6-0 blue tank engine. He has become the title 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 the Rev. W. Awdry.
Thomas's 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 is very fond of his two coaches, Annie and Clarabel. He has the number 1 painted on both the side tanks. Thomas is the main protagonist in the series and the first five movies but the deuteragonist in Day of the Diesels
Edward (voiced by Keith Wickham) was the first character to appear in The Railway Series by the Rev. W. Awdry, and is part of the central group of characters in the TV Series. He is a blue 4-4-0 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 engine in the core fleet, and other engines often find themselves indebted to his knowledge and sharp skills. His personality however underwent a change in season 10. Edward is more cheeky and just a bit less kind.
Henry (voiced by Keith Wickham) is a 4-6-0 engine, one of the first engines to appear in The Railway Series books. Henry is engine number 3 on the railway, and is painted green with red stripes. In the first season, Henry looked much like Gordon and often suffered from boiler trouble due to design flaws. He then had an accident when pulling The Flying Kipper caused by ice and snow, after which he underwent extensive reconstruction, giving him a new shape, which he has had ever since. Henry often takes the goods train or the express.[1]
Henry's character can be difficult to pinpoint. Sometimes, he is somewhat pompous like Gordon, at other times he is sensitive, other times he is somewhat depressed. But overall, he is very intelligent. 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.
Gordon (voiced by Keith Wickham) was the second engine to appear in The Railway Series. He is locomotive number 4, a 4-6-2 tender engine, painted blue with red stripes.
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. However, he usually learns his lesson, realizing that all engines have their place in the team.[1]
James (voiced by Keith Wickham) is a tender engine, numbered 5 and coloured red with gold stripes & dome. He is a 2-6-0 mixed-traffic engine, which means he can pull coaches and trucks equally well.
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' (wheels). He often brags about his red paint, as though this makes him superior to other engines, a notion which is usually dispelled quickly enough.[1]
James is the deuteragonist in the series and a supporting protagonist in the movies
Percy (voiced by Keith Wickham) is a green 0-4-0 saddle tank engine with red stripes, and has been given the number 6.
He is the youngest engine of the whole fleet. 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.[1]
Percy is the tritagonist in the series, a supporting protagonist in TATMR, CAE, TGD, HOTR and MIR and the main protagonist in Day of the Diesels
Toby (voiced by Ben Small) is a tram engine who works on the same branch line as Thomas. He has a cowcatcher, and side plates covering his wheels. His main job is taking stone wagons to and from the quarry with his coach Henrietta, but he also helps with other jobs. He is painted brown and grey, 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.[1]
Emily (voiced by Teresa Gallagher) is a "Stirling Single" engine. She is painted dark green with gold stripes. She speaks with a Scottish accent.
She caused Thomas to be upset when she accidentally "stole" Annie and Clarabel, but after saving Oliver from an accident, she was rewarded a pair of coaches of her own.[1]
Emily first appeared in Season 7, and from Season 8, she has been a part of the core group of characters, known as the Steam Team.
Duck is a character in The Railway Series by the Rev. W. Awdry, as well as the TV Series Thomas and Friends. Although his real name is Montague, he was given the nickname "Duck", by which he is universally known. 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.
Duck first appeared in Season 2, and had appeared in Seasons 3-7 and 12.
Donald and Douglas are twin Scottish 0-6-0 tender engines who feature in both the TV Series and the Railway Series books. They came together from Scotland and, although The Fat Controller was only expecting one engine, he decided to keep both engines in his fleet, giving them the numbers 9 (Donald) and 10 (Douglas) 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.
Bill & Ben are twin tank engines who work for the Sodor China Clay Company. They are painted amber, have four black wheels each and have their names attached to their sides on brown nameplates. Apart from their nameplates, they are identical – which can be confusing to engines who don't know them well. They are smaller than the other engines they work with. They have "SCC" written on both sides and "Brendam Bay" on the front above their faces.
They are young and cheeky and love playing jokes on the big engines, but are kept in order by Edward and BoCo (and, since season six, Mavis or other engines). 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 sometimes 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 & Ben were introduced in Season 2 and have appeared since on several occasions.
Recently, pictures of the Bill/Ben models during the production of season 2 were found, in which they bore numbers above their faces in similar fashion to the Railway Series. For reasons unknown, they were removed and have not been seen in any episodes or canon photos.
Oliver is an 0-4-2 tank engine. 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, painted 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 with the help of Toad.
Oliver is 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
Stepney is a tank engine who once lay derelict on a siding on The Other Railway. When the Bluebell line needed an engine, Rusty travelled to the Other Railway to find a steam engine, and brought Stepney back to the line.[2] Stepney enjoys working again, but his line is short, and he appreciates visits to The Fat Controller's railway. He loves long runs[3] and even pulling trucks.[4] [5] This enthusiastic attitude, together with his friendliness, make him a welcome visitor on the Fat Controller's railway.
On his first visit, Stepney took a special that forced Thomas to be shunted.[3] He was chased by Caroline and a group of cricketers when he accidentally stole their ball.[4] Finally, when a new diesel broke down, Stepney and Duck upstaged him by bringing his train in early. Stepney was given a fond farewell from The Fat Controller's engines and asked to come back.[6] Stepney has visited the railway again, helping out at the quarry and having a close call while stranded at the scrapyard.[5] After a while, Stepney was treated as a regular resident of the railway,[7][8][9] and The Fat Controller was eager to have him run the new loop line.[10]
Stepney is based on the real engine of the same name, an LB&SCR A1 Class 'Terrier' 0-6-0T tank locomotive. He was written into The Railway Series to introduce the preservation movement and The Bluebell Railway. He wears the gold livery ("Improved Engine Green") of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, and carries the number 55 on his sides.
Harvey the crane engine is involved in repair and recovery jobs on The Fat Controller's railway.[1] His queer-looking crane arm, which bears the number 27, gained some negative attention from the other engines at first. After clearing an accident and impressing the railway board, Harvey gained the others' admiration.[11] Harvey quickly became a fixture of the breakdown crew, pulling the railway's cranes and work coaches.[12][13][14][15] Recently, a large rolling crane called Rocky was brought to Sodor. When a job is too large for Harvey, Rocky can be brought in to do the job quickly. Both now share duties in the breakdown crew.[16]
Harvey has been known to stay at Knapford Sheds with Salty and Murdoch. Harvey was hurt when Murdoch snapped at them for being chatty, but he soon came to appreciate their company.[17]
Harvey is painted brownish-red with gold lining, and has large, square wooden buffers. He is based on a real crane engine, No. 4101.
Fergus is a royal blue railway traction engine with red wheels. He is known as "The Pride of the Cement Works," for his years of work at the Sodor Cement Works.[18] Fergus is mindful of rules and regulations, and often snaps at others, "Do it right!"
Some engines become indignant to his authority. When Fergus was sent to the quarry, he scorned Bill and Ben's carelessness, and they decided to disobey him deliberately. They accidentally caused a rock slide, and Fergus was buried while forcing them clear. Bill and Ben thankfully worked hard to free him and clean up the mess.[18][19] Diesel's apathy for regulations created a mess at the Cement Works. When Fergus tried to correct him, Diesel made up an order from The Fat Controller to work at the smelters. Fergus was so frightened of the smelters that he and his driver ran away. The Fat Controller sent Thomas to find Fergus and sort out the matter, and Fergus was soon back to work at the Cement Works.[18]
His flywheel can be hooked up to machinery. Once during a storm, a lighthouse's generator broke. Salty had been guiding Fergus and his driver down the line, and suggested using Fergus's flywheel to power the generator until dawn. This act saved a cargo ship from disaster.[18][20]
Fergus has only appeared in Season 7. He is based on an Aveling & Porter 2-2-0WT "Blue Circle", currently preserved and operating on the Battlefield Line Railway in Leicestershire.
Arthur is a maroon tank engine with gold stripes. The Fat Controller brought him to the railway for his spotless record.
Arthur had something of a rocky friendship with Thomas from the start. When he arrived on the railway with his record intact, Arthur did not want to be forceful with the trucks like Thomas or Percy. Thomas decided to trick Arthur, telling him The Fat Controller did not want the trucks to sing. The trucks sang all through Arthur's journey, and he became angry and rough with the trucks, leading to an accident. Thomas confessed to causing the accident, and he and Arthur decided to mend their friendship.[14]
Arthur hoped to have his own branch line when Thomas was assigned to the fishing village run. For taking over Thomas's train after an accident, The Fat Controller offered Arthur the line for himself.[19] Thomas had to work at the fishing village again, but was determined to get away from the smell of fish quickly. He ignored Arthur's advice to take five trucks at a time, and had an accident himself, making the job last even longer.[21]
Arthur is an LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T tank engine designed for use on the London Midland & Scottish Railway. He retains the "LMS" lettering on his tanks.
Murdoch is a large, strong tender engine and is among the bigger steam engines on the lsland. He is somewhat shy,[22] and prefers the quiet countryside to the constant noise of industry.[17]
When he was brought in to help with goods work, Murdoch was annoyed with all the noise around him and rudely dismissed anyone who tried to talk to him. When he finally reached the country, his quiet was interrupted by a stray flock of sheep. After the noise of that event, he was glad to share a shed with Salty and Harvey.[17] When the engines were decorated for May Day, Murdoch was bashful about appearing dressed up.[22] He is later seen laughing at Emily being with Whiff. When Emily got stuck in mud another time, Murdoch helped pull her out. He also helped shunt Rocky when Thomas and Stanley went recollecting lost stones for the Sodor River Bridge.
Murdoch often hauls heavy loads[23] and equipment, like Rocky the crane.[24] He is based on the BR Standard Class 9F goods engines; the last steam engines to be built for British Railways from the mid 1950s to 1960.
Spencer (voiced by Matt Wilkinson) is a sleek, fast engine who frequently visits The Fat Controller's railway. He is the private engine of the wealthy Duke and Duchess of Boxford. The other engines were initially very impressed with him,[25] but over time came to resent his arrogance.[26]
Spencer's pride is often his downfall. On his first visit, he ran out of water on the hill when he failed to heed Gordon's advice.[25] Later, he lost a race to Edward when he thought the old blue engine was too slow to catch up.[27] Spencer taunted Thomas for being too slow, and when the Duke needed to make an urgent trip, Spencer's boiler would take too long to heat properly.[26] Spencer was the antagonist in the movie Hero of the Rails. He tried to have Hiro scrapped, but while racing Thomas a bridge collapsed beneath him, dropping him into a marsh, ironically being rescued by Hiro himself later.
Spencer is based on the London and North Eastern A4 class, one of which (Mallard) holds the record for the fastest steam engine. Spencer was originally painted light grey, but later became a metallic silver color, the same as the 'Silver Jubilee' service.
Spencer is a recurring character in the series, the reformed antagonist in HOTR and a minor character in MIR
Molly is a yellow engine with four large driving wheels. Molly was sensitive when she arrived to the railway, and disappointed with the job of pulling empty trucks. Thomas tried to make her feel important by decorating the empties and telling the engines she had an important job. This backfired when a tarpaulin flew off, and the trucks were seen empty. Molly learned the importance of her job, however, when the engines at the coal depot needed her empty trucks for their trains.[28]
Molly is based on a Great Eastern Railway 'Claud Hamilton' 4-4-0 tender engine.
Neville is a black tender engine with an unusually square boiler. When he was new to the line, the steam engines held him in suspicion (they thought he was a diesel). Thomas thought he saw Neville laughing with 'Arry and Bert, but as the story spread, Neville earned the reputation of a troublemaker who wanted to bump into steam engines. Neville did not understand the hostility directed at him, and it was not until he was headed for an accident that the others found out the mistake they had made. Thomas came to Neville's aid and apologised for the misunderstanding.[29]
Neville is based on a Bulleid "Q1" Engine; his number, 33010, matches to that of an identical locomotive, cut up at Swansea East Dock, August 1964. Neville has reappeared infrequently since his debut.[30][31]
Rosie (voiced by Teresa Gallagher) is a new tank engine to the Island of Sodor. She is mostly orchid, with light grey sides and red wheels. Her face is dotted with freckles.
Rosie can be headstrong at times. She has tried to help Thomas when he told her not to,[32] and once tried to take Emily's train to the funfair, not realizing that her trucks were breaking away.[9]
She often works alongside Thomas[32][33] and has come to idolize him, although he's annoyed at her attempts to copy him. During a storm he tried to avoid Rosie while travelling to High Farm. Rosie, who followed him closely, came to take the train when Thomas was caught in a landslide, and he appreciated the help. Rosie later came to help Thomas when Hector was being disruptive at the coal depot. Hector's shouting ran Rosie from the yard, and Thomas angrily forced Hector off the rails in retaliation.[33] Some time after, Rosie rescued Thomas when he had splashed into a puddle and put out his fire. Thomas asked Rosie to take his special for him, and she willingly obliged.[34]
Rosie debuted in Season 10 and has appeared in every season since, as well as making cameos in every full-length special since. She is based on a USA class 0-6-0 "Dock Tank" engine.
Whiff (voiced by Keith Wickham) is a dark green rubbish-collecting tank engine who wears glasses and has a distinct two-tone whistle. Whiff is rather naive to others' thoughts about him, his job and his smell, but he is still very friendly.[30][35]
When Whiff was new to the railway, Emily was quickly teased for working with him. She avoided him until the rubbish trucks, they were responsible for blocked Spencer's line. She decided then to co-operate with him to help move the train.[30] He also had a major role in Misty Island Rescue as the one engine who knew the Misty Island Tunnel. Whiff also works at the Waste Dump with Scruff the Scruncher.
Whiff is based on North Eastern Railway's No. 66, Aerolite, in its present shape at the National Railway Museum. He wears the number 66 on his sides, as Aerolite does.
Whiff was introduced in Season 11 and is featured in Seasons 12, 14, and 15 including Misty Island Rescue.
Stanley (voiced by Matt Wilkinson) is a strong silver tank engine with a white coat, silver smokebox, red stripes and red wheels. He was brought to The Fat Controller's railway to help with the preparations for an annual Sodor Day celebration. Other engines took to him because of his willingness to help out, or to find an engine who could.[36]
Thomas became jealous of Stanley's popularity and planned to make him look foolish, shunting a heavy train that Stanley couldn't pull uphill from Great Waterton. When the train broke away and rolled into the construction site, the other engines became angry with Thomas. Stanley, however, glimpsed Thomas upset with his abandonment. When Thomas went missing, Stanley was eager to help him, and after being rescued, Thomas apologized for their feud.[37]
Stanley is introduced in the film The Great Discovery, and has roles in Seasons 12, 15[24][38][39] and Day of the Diesels as well as cameos in Misty Island Rescue and Season 14.
Stanley is based on a generic 0-6-0T industrial tank locomotive design, and includes components distinctive to several manufacturers.
Stanley is the deuteragonist in TGD, a cameo character in MIR and a supporting protagonist in DOTD
Hiro (voiced by Togo Igawa) is an old Oliver Island (Japanese style) tender engine. Hiro was supposedly the first Japanese steam engine on the Island of Sodor (but is really much younger than most of the narrow gauge engines), and was nicknamed "The Master of the Railway." After many good years of service and earning himself a fine reputation on both Oliver Island and Sodor, Hiro started to break down. The mechanics did not have parts for him at the works, and he had to wait for parts from Oliver Island. In the meantime, he was put into a disused siding. More engines came, and he was quietly forgotten. After many years alone, Thomas discovered him by accident after his brakes failed. Hiro was in a sad state. He was almost broken and rusty beyond repair, and insecure of his ability to be useful any more. Thomas decided to try and help Hiro himself, but wouldn't tell The Fat Controller for fear Hiro would be scrapped.[40][41][42] Thomas, with the help of his friends, reassembled Hiro with various fitting parts from the Sodor Steamworks. However Spencer became suspicious of Thomas, and spied on him. He eventually scared Thomas out of Hiro's forest with the old engine rattling as fast as he could behind him. This caused Hiro to fall apart again, and he lost nearly all his new parts, save for his rebuilt boiler. Soon afterward, Thomas told The Fat Controller what happened, and Hiro was sent to the Sodor Steamworks, where Victor oversaw his restoration. After Hiro was mended, he worked with Thomas and Spencer for a short time, but became homesick. Several days later, he was sent back to Oliver Island, after a glorious farewell celebration at the docks. In Season 13, he returns for a visit. During that time Thomas tried to find Hiro a present, but failed. He also gave Thomas advice on the transportation of bees, which Thomas promptly ignored.
Hiro is a central character in the special Hero of the Rails. While built to the standard gauge of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8.5in) in Thomas and Friends, Hiro is based on a JNR Class D51 2-8-2 Mikado type 2 from 1936 to 1951, which was built to a 1,067 mm (3 ft 6in) gauge. He is most likely based on D51 #22, which served in the Soviet Union. This engine left native Japan for Russia, just as Hiro did for Sodor, although the complete history of this engine is yet to be recognised. This engine sports the same headlamp, handrails, detailing, and nearly identical livery to Hiro's. Many other D51 types did not have these features like #22 did, as the detailing and craftsmanship varied depending on the needs of the owner.[43] Hiro bears a black livery of Soviet Railway and Orient Express colours. D51 #498 sports the Orient Express livery, consisting of gold heater bands, tender stripes, and various other gold fittings like Hiro does.[44] His tender bears the number "51" in reference to his class. He also has added buffers, knuckle coupler (which would have made him an operational impossibility), re-gauged wheels and pistons as mentioned, and other minor modifications.
Charlie (voiced by Matt Wilkinson) is a purple engine with white trim and a black dome. He wears the number 14. Charlie was the controller's favorite on the mainland railway that he came from. Despite his size, he is well known for being fun and ready for adventure. Charlie rarely takes things seriously; everything is fun and games to him. This can be a negative effect on the engines around him. Charlie appears to be based on a design similar to, but not identical to the Manning Wardle L Class 0-6-0ST, of which Billy is based upon. Charlie was introduced in Season 13. In his debut story, "Play Time", Charlie challenged Thomas to races around the island when Thomas needed to be doing his job.[45][45] In another episode, Charlie enjoyed Thomas' game, "Splish, Splash, Splosh", which encouraged Thomas to try it on others - with bad results.[34][46] Later Charlie helped Thomas in the search for a runaway kite.[34][47]
Bash and Dash (voiced by Matt Wilkinson and Keith Wickham) are small twin engines who like to finish each other's sentences. They used to work the railway on the mainland, but they caused too much trouble and were sent to the railway on Misty Island, where they became "Logging Locos" along with Ferdinand. They are the third pair of engine twins (excluding 'Arry and Bert, who were never specified as "twins", just "brothers"). Bash and Dash are based on a type of geared engine known as a "Gypsy," built and operated in California. These engines were used in the logging industry for yarding. While a real Gypsy's gears are mounted in front of the smokebox,[48] Bash and Dash's gears are mounted in the rear of their bunkers. Bash and Dash are both coloured amber and slate grey.[49]
Ferdinand (voiced by Ben Small) is a large, slow steam engine. One of Misty Island's "Logging Locos," his whistles can create a booming sound.
Ferdinand is painted teal with grey lining.[49] He is based on Climax Locomotive Works' Class C, a geared steam engine built for logging and intended more for traction with heavy loads than for speed. His usual catchphrase is "That's right!" Ferdinand has been slightly modified to work on the fat controllers railway.
Scruff "the Scruncher" (voiced by Matt Wilkinson) is a boxy steam engine who appears in Series 14. Scruff works at Whiff's Waste Dump and hates being cleaned. He is painted lime with deep green stripes and has gold nameplates.
Scruff is based on "No.9369 - Musketeer", a Sentinel 100 HP "BE Type" chain-driven vertical-boilered 'industrial' shunting locomotive built in 1946.[50]
Belle (voiced by Teresa Gallagher) is a large dark blue tank engine (the largest tank engine on Sodor) built for firefighting. She has fire hoses fixed on her side tanks, and a brass bell above her cab.
Belle first appears in Series 15 but officially in the 2011 special Day of the Diesels, and is based on a BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T locomotive.[51][52][53] Belle is painted regal blue with red and gold fittings and red and regal blue wheels and red hydro cannons. She has the number 6120 painted on her sides in gold.
Diesel (voiced by Kerry Shale) was the first diesel engine to arrive on the Island of Sodor. He is painted black and has six wheels. He first came to Sodor for a trial run, helping Duck. After an embarrassing mistake,[54] Diesel spread mean-spirited rumours about Duck,[55] but once The Fat Controller got to the bottom of the incident, he sent Diesel back.[56] From time to time, Diesel was brought in for help when no spare engines were available. Diesel would usually antagonize the steam engines,[57][58] and be sent away in disgrace for causing accidents.[59][60]
Diesel eventually became a permanent resident of the railway, and continued to feud with the steam engines.[18][61] However, his personality has begun to soften. He was silently thankful when Thomas replaced his water-contaminated oil,[61] and agreed to help the steam engines to complete an important job for The Fat Controller.[62] Diesel stole the special coaches commemorating Gordon's record express run, but later revealed it was only because his own shunting record had gone unnoticed. The Fat Controller and the engines felt sorry for him, and at Gordon's ceremony, they presented Diesel with a new motor to replace his faulty old one.[63] Once, Diesel rolled in front of Thomas in a billboard photo by mistake. Thomas failed to tell Diesel about the second shoot, and Diesel did the other engines' work while they were gathered for the photograph, making him late for his own jobs. When Thomas realized what happened, he decided to make amends by finishing Diesel's incomplete jobs.[64] Later, Diesel created trouble when he challenged Thomas to a race backwards around the quarry. This left a special unfinished, and Diesel willingly helped Thomas clear the mess and finish their job.[65]
Diesel is based on a British Rail Class 08 shunter.
Daisy is a diesel railcar who came to work on the branch line when Thomas needed repairs.[66][67] The Fat Controller decided to keep Daisy when she proved she could be useful.[68] Her face is decorated in make-up, including eyelashes, red lipstick, and purple eye-shadow.
Daisy complained of the working conditions when she arrived, and was rude to the older coaches. She refused to pull any freight for some time, making up excuses about a fitter who said pulling trains was "bad for [her] swerves."[67] This passed for a while, until Percy had an accident, leaving Daisy and Toby to run the branch line. The Fat Controller was cross with Daisy and told her that he sends lazy engines away. With her promise to work harder and a good word from Toby, Daisy was allowed to stay on the railway after Thomas and Percy were repaired.[68]
Since her arrival, Daisy has found out how hard shooing stray animals really can be,[69] and learned to co-operate with the steam engines again when important work needed to be finished.[62]
Daisy is based on a Class 101 diesel multiple unit, but is actually a rail-car – a single carriage unit with a cab at either end. She is green with yellow lining.
BoCo is a diesel who works on branch lines and the main line.
BoCo had an early misunderstanding with Bill and Ben when he took their trucks away. The twins played a trick on BoCo, making him think he was seeing double.[70] BoCo would often laugh about the trouble Bill and Ben caused, and with Edward's help, made sure the twins stayed out of trouble.[71][72][73][74]
Gordon initially disliked BoCo because he was privileged to pull Main Line trains, but turned around when BoCo "saved" him from Bill and Ben.[71] James didn't like taking advice from a diesel, and called BoCo names after the diesel warned him about bees.[72] BoCo gets along well with Edward,[73] and defended him when the other engines said he should be retired.[75]
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. His green livery is similar to that of British Railways in the 1960s. In the TV series he carries the number D5702 and his livery is green. His number in the television series is in the range of numbers assigned to the real "Metrovick" locomotives by British Railways.
Mavis (voiced by Teresa Gallagher) is an 0-6-0 diesel shunter painted black with yellow hazard stripes. Like Toby, her six wheels are concealed by side plates and a cow-catcher. She also has her name, and "The Ffarquhar Quarry Co. Ltd." written on both sides.
Mavis works at the quarry near Toby's line, and annoyed him by arranging the trucks in the way she thought best. She refused to listen to Toby's advice, which got her into trouble.[57] Mavis wanted to leave the quarry, and arranged a plan with the trucks to push her down Toby's line. The trucks ended up pushing Toby instead, onto a dangerous bridge. Mavis apologized to Toby for the accident, and The Fat Controller thanked her for rescuing Toby, promising that she could come down the line whenever her manager agreed.[1][76]
Mavis later began working with Bill and Ben at Centre Island Quarry, where they answered directly to The Fat Controller.[77] She often had to look after the twins and make sure they stayed out of trouble.[19][78] As time went on, the quarry was more often worked by Thomas, Diesel, or 'Arry and Bert,[61][65] while Mavis has remained in operation there. Mavis has been consistently amiable towards the steam engines, and Thomas turned to her when an important job required steam and diesel engines to work together.[62]
Mavis is based on a British Rail Class 04 shunter. Her TV series model is based on the second batch of engines, while The Railway Series illustrations are based on the first.
The brothers Iron 'Arry and Iron Bert (both, voiced by Kerry Shale) are diesel engines who work at the scrapyards and smelters of Sodor Ironworks. Their bodies are Grey-green with yellow and grey-green hazard stripes.
They feel superior to steam engines, and working at the scrap yards, they enjoy the chance to break up engines,[5] or at least make their lives more difficult.[79][80] They've earned a reputation on Sodor as "The Grim Messengers of Doom."[1][81] Despite their prejudices, the diesels have co-operated with steam engines on occasion,[62] and when they're in trouble, steam engines often come to the rescue.[61][65]
'Arry & Bert are British Rail Class 08 diesel-electric shunters.
Salty (voiced by Keith Wickham) 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 did not want to hear his stories at first, but now they 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 crimson with light red stripes, and carries the number 2991. He speaks with a West Country accent and uses a lot of nautical slang. 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.[1]
Salty is based on a British Rail Class 07 dock shunter, no D2991 still in use at Eastleigh Works in Hampshire. He first appeared in Season 6, and has appeared intermittently since.
Diesel 10 (voiced by Matt Wilkinson) is a large and villainous grumpy (but aggressive) diesel engine with a claw attached to an arm on his roof. In Calling All Engines, he uses the claw to lift scrap metal and debris into trucks on The Fat Controller's railway. Thomas and Percy were frightened of him and made sure to avoid him whenever possible. Eventually, Thomas needed his help in order to clear a wreck at the airport, and to patch a feud between steam and diesel engines. He convinced Diesel 10 that helping the engines at the airport would make him the most useful engine of all. According to the narrator, "Diesel 10 was grumpy, but like all the engines, he likes to be Really Useful". So Diesel 10 agrees, and with his help to clear scrap, the airport opens on schedule.
Diesel 10 appeared briefly in a later special, The Great Discovery. He was one of a number of diesel engines waiting at the quarry when Thomas went missing. In Misty Island Rescue, Diesel 10 makes an appearance in full CGI for the first time, and has seemed to have reverted to his classic evil persona (as seen in Thomas and the Magic Railroad), promising disaster for the engines to come very soon while clamping his claw with an evil laugh (which was a cliffhanger to Day of the Disesls).
Diesel 10 returns officially in the 2011 special, Day of the Diesels, now described not only as villainous but as the most devious of all diesels, and the "master of mischief on Sodor. He likes trying to outwit the Steamies, often causing confusion and delay. When Diesel 10 is around...there will be trouble."[82]
Diesel 10 is based on a British Rail Class 42 with an olive/golden-coloured tan-stripe paint scheme.
Den (voiced by Keith Wickham) is a diesel who runs the Sodor Dieselworks...when Diesel 10 is not around. Den is slow-minded and thoughtful.[83]
Den is based on a Rolls-Royce Sentinel Diesel-Hydraulic 0-4-0. He has a skate grey and orange paint scheme and white lining and the Sodor Dieselworks logo on his sides.
Dart (voiced by Rupert Degas) is Den's fast and feisty assistant at the Dieselworks. Dart has worked with Den for so long...he can read Den's mind or engine. His catchphrase is "Dizzy Diesels!".[84]
Dart is based on a W. G. Bagnall 0-4-0 diesel-hydraulic locomotive. He is painted yellow and dark red, with white lining and the Sodor Dieselworks logo on the sides of his cab.
Norman, nicknamed Norm, (voiced by Keith Wickham) is a diesel who officially appeared in Day of the Diesels. Norman is a diesel engine who often breaks down. If he were fixed properly, he would show what a Really Useful Engine he is.[85]He is also Dennis' twin. He has a long Unibrow.
Norman is based on the British Rail 11001, like his own twin Dennis. Norman is painted orange with yellow lining and has a monobrow/unibrow.
Paxton, nicknamed Pax, (voiced by Matt Wilkinson) is a diesel who officially appeared in Day of the Diesels. Paxton is a young, gentle green diesel who likes the Steamies, especially Thomas ... and Percy. He can be a bit gullible, enabling other Diesels to take advantage of him.[86]
Like Diesel, 'Arry, and Bert, Paxton is based on a British Rail Class 08. He is painted dark green with lime lining.
One famous visitor (based on City of Truro) was featured in "Gordon and the Famous Visitor". He visits the sheds at Tidmouth, which is crowded with observers and photographers. Duck calls him a celebrity, and Thomas doubts he would care to talk to them, but the visitor spends the night talking to the other engines before leaving in the morning. Gordon becomes jealous that the engine traveled at a record 100 miles per hour before he was even thought of, and he goes out to prove he can go faster.
Another visitor (based on Flying Scotsman) appeared in "Tender Engines". The other engines admired his two tenders, which The Fat Controller said were due to distances between fuel depots on his own railway. After the engine's visit, Henry wanted more tenders of his own, leading Duck and Donald to trick him into accepting six old, sludge-filled tenders.
Both engines had speaking roles in the original Railway Series stories, but their lines were cut from the television adaptations.
Lady is a special engine who works on a distant railway. Thomas once visited this railway in a dream, and saw Lady working alongside Rusty. Lady told Thomas that she and Rusty finished their jobs by working together, which made Thomas determined to make the steam and diesel engines cooperate.
Lady is painted in a violet paint scheme with gold stripes, smokebox, siderods and name.
The Calling All Engines DVD's Character Gallery calls Lady "a magical engine. When she works along the rails, she spreads gold dust along the rails. Lady has been known to help Thomas and his friends when there was no other engine to turn to."
Billy is a brilliant orange tank engine with yellow and green trim and buck teeth. Billy started on the railway refusing to listen to advice, accusing others of being "bossy." He ran away whenever Thomas tried to instruct him to take on coal and water, and all Billy's jobs were left unfinished. Finally, Thomas told Billy to do whatever he wanted to – Billy began to run off, but stopped because he ran out of coal and water. Finally, Billy accepted Thomas' help, and they finished the day's work.[87]
Billy is based on a Manning Wardle L Class 0-6-0ST.
Hank is a large, tall steam engine (notably the biggest engine on Sodor) from the United States of America, and has a dark blue coat and red stripes and a bright red cowcatcher and red wheels.
With "the enthusiasm of a cheer leader, the strength of a titan, and the chiseled good looks of a Hollywood Hero,"[88] Hank sought to impress the people and engines of Sodor on his arrival. Thomas was told to show Hank around on a day's work on the railway. Hank made the mistake of calling Thomas "little," which led Thomas to try to prove his strength by taking all of their trucks himself. Thomas strained while Hank greeted everyone they passed, and finally Thomas burst a pipe and had to stop. He asked for Hank's help to get the train to their destinations. To celebrate, they reached Knapford Station, where Hank was given a welcome party by the other engines.[89]
Hank is based on a Pennsylvania Railroad K4 Pacific.
Flora is a bright yellow steam tram who can travel on rails. Her big double-deck tram car is her pride and joy. Flora is youthful and naive, but also responsible and diligent. She is very happy to be one of the Sodor engines and delighted to be working with Toby and her own green tramcar. She made her first and only appearance in Season 12 in the episode "Tram Trouble" when she helps Toby with a parade at Great Waterton.
While Flora runs on standard gauge tracks, she is based on a narrow gauge Moseley Road Tramway steam tram with an 0-6-0 wheel arrangement, circa 1904.
The Diesel (D261) came to Sodor to help out whilst Stepney was on the railway. When he arrived he told the steam engines they should be scrapped and replaced by efficient diesel engines. Later he was to take a special train, but he broke down during an inspection when his air intake became blocked by an inspector's bowler hat. Duck and Stepney double-headed his train down the Main Line and arrived early. The Diesel left silently while Stepney was given a farewell.[6]
The Diesel only appeared in "Bowled Out," although his model appeared as a stock engine on The Other Railway in "Rusty to the Rescue." In The Railway Series, he had a yellow face to match his front, and the fictitious number "D4711." Diesel was based on a Class 40 diesel locomotive. The Diesel is number D261 in the TV series and is painted BR Green with a green stripe and yellow warning panels.
Derek is a diesel who was brought to Sodor to help Bill and Ben at the clay pits and quarries around Brendam Docks. Derek had teething troubles, his cooling system often failing. He stalled once while banking Bill and Ben's train up a hill, and the tank engines had to pull him up along with their train. Derek was sent to The Works, and Bill and Ben admitted that he was friendlier than they expected.[74]
Derek is a British Rail Class 17 Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotive; a type nicknamed "Claytons". He is painted in the dark green livery of the British Railway diesels with yellow warning panels.
Dennis is an exceptionally lazy diesel engine. When he was supposed to take a train of building materials, he repeatedly tried to make Thomas take the job. After that failed, Dennis abandoned his train and ran fast backwards, coming off the rails and sliding down a slope. The Fat Controller was very angry with Dennis, who promised to be useful from then on.[90]
Dennis is painted grey and based on a Southern Railway prototype shunter, No. 11001, the number of which he carries.
Sidney, nicknamed Sid, (voiced by Ben Small) is a blue diesel who first appears in Day of the Diesels. Sidney is so absent minded, he can be a bit of a forgetful engine. He starts his day at one location and ends up at another, not remembering how he got there! in the first place[91]
In Day of the Diesels, Sidney cameos as an engine in need of repair at the Dieselworks, So he may debut officially in later productions of the show.
Like Diesel, 'Arry, Bert, and Paxton, Sidney is based on a British Rail Class 08, and is painted cobalt blue with yellow lining and a warning (orange striped) panel underneath his face. However unlike the other diesels who mostly have square or rectangle shaped faces, the top of his face is round.