ThomasHistoryPg1

THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE

Thomas, an 0-6-0 tank engine, first came to Sodoron loan from a line in the South of England. The Fat Controller took a special interest in Thomas, and once he had proved himself to be a really useful engine he gave him a branch line of his own. Thomas has worked there happily ever since. His journey runs from Tidmouth to Ffarquhar where he lives. He has two coaches called Annie and Clarabell.

PERCY THE SMALL ENGINE

No one, not even the Fat Controller, knows where Percy really came from. He's an 0-4-0 saddle-tank engine who has spent much of his time on Sodor keeping Henry and Gordon in their places. He has worked hard and the Fat Controller rewarded him by asking him to help with the building of the new harbour at Knapford. Now he helps Thomas with the goods traffic on the branch line and in the yard at Ffarquhar.

TOBY THE TRAM ENGINE

Toby, an 0-6-0 tank engine was built for work in harbours and on roadside tramways, which accounts for his unusual shape, his sideplates and cowcatchers. He keeps the roadside tramway running properly and helps Percy with goods trains too. He has a coach called Henrietta.

JAMES THE RED ENGINE

James is a 2-6-0 mixed traffic engine. He can pull trucks or coaches. He came to the Island of Sodor as an 0-4-0, but the Fat Controller had another pair of wheels added in front and replaced his wooden brakeblocks which caught fire on Gordon's Hill when James first arrived. James lives at Tidmouth. He is inclined to grumble but has many times proved himself to be a valuable member of the engine fleet.

GORDON THE BIG ENGINE

Gordon, a 4-6-2 engine, was built at Doncaster on the other railway as a test engine for a class of which The Flying Scotsman is the only one left. Gordon is a boastful engine, but he works well and the Fat Controller has been heard to remark that he wishes he had two of him. But he is careful not to let Gordon hear him say it!

EDWARD THE BLUE ENGINE

Edward, a 4-4-0 engine, has been on the island almost as long as Thomas. First he worked at Wellsworth and then at Vicarstown. The Fat Controller brought him back to Wellsworth and put him in charge of the branch line from there to Brendam. Edward works this line with the help of the other engines.

DIESEL

Diesel is a standard Class 08 shunter from the mainland. He came to the shed "on trial" but he quickly upset the other engines and was sent away in disgrace. Later on, when an emergency arose and the Fat Controller sent for a spare engine, he was not pleased when Diesel was the only one available. But Diesel's behaviour improved slightly on this visit and the bad feeling against him is now less strong than it was.

DUCK

Duck is an 0-6-0 pannier tank Western engine. Duck is his nickname his proper name is Montague, but he prefers Duck. The Fat Controller put him in charge of the branch line to Arlsburgh, which he runs with Oliver, another Western engine.

MAVIS

Mavis belongs to the Ffarquhar Quarry Company. She was bought to shunt in the sidings and was unreliable at first but after she had helped to save Toby from his tightrope, the Fat Controller and Quarry Manager decided to give her a chance and allowed her to go down the tramway to Ffarquhar Yard. Now she has become quite useful and she and Toby work the tramway very efficiently between them.

BILL AND BEN

Bill and Ben are identical twins. They are 0-4-0 saddle-tank engines and belong to the Sodor China Clay Company. They work between the china clay pits and the harbour at Brendam. Edward keeps them in order and Boco soon learned their ways as well. Then he was able to help when Gordon was sent down the wrong line by mistake!

HENRY THE GREEN ENGINE

The Fat Controller was angry with Henry when he first arrived. It wasn't poor Henry's fault - he couldn't make enough steam because his firebox was too small. Then Henry had an accident when he was pulling The Flying Kipper, and the Fat Controller sent him to Crewe to be rebuilt. He came back with a bigger firebox and a new shape and now enjoys his work. He is based at Tidmouth with Gordon. He is a 4-6-0 engine.

THE FAT CONTROLLER

The Fat Controller's proper name is Sir Topham Hatt. Many years ago he went to work on the Island of Sodor as an engineer to the company which was building a railway there. He was eventually made a director of the line he helped to build. When he became Chairman, the engines nicknamed him "The Fat Controller". He knows they call him this and he doesn't mind because he also knows they wouldn't do it to his face.