Merlin

Merlin is an experimental engine who believes himself he’s invisible

Biography

click Hear for Merlin coverage

## Personality

Merlin sees himself as a hero. He is proud and confident of his abilities and in particular his special skill - the ability to make himself invisible. All he has to do is say "Invisibility on!" and shut his eyes and he is convinced that nobody can see him. He knows he was specially designed in order to be hard to see and his three funnels - which were intended to disperse his smoke and steam - are there to prove it. What Merlin does not know is that his experiment does not work. Merlin wants to be able to prove himself and show everyone all the things he can do. He honestly believes anyone can do anything they set their mind to or at the very least, they can try! Merlin is fun and funny and wants to be a good friend, but his lack of judgement and sense of his own limitations can create its own challenges.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Merlin is based on a London and South Western Railway (LSWR) N15 Class, referred to as the "King Arthur" class by the Southern Railway, specifically No. 783 *Sir Gillemere*. In 1940, Sir Gillemere was fitted with three stovepipe chimneys by Oliver Bulleid as a wartime experiment. The way the smoke was spread out was meant to make the trains less visible to bombers overhead. The experiment was not a success, and the engine was quickly converted back to normal. No. 783 became No. 30783 under British Railways after nationalisation in 1948 and was withdrawn in March 1961.

Merlin's name is likely taken from another King Arthur engine, No. 740 *Merlin*. A single King Arthur is preserved as part of the National Collection, No. 777 *Sir Lamiel*, and is based at the Great Central Railway, currently awaiting overhaul.

Merlin's basis

### Livery

Merlin is painted silver with a red running board and wheels, and black smoke deflectors. He has red and gold nameplates on his sides. His number (783) is also painted white on his front buffer beam, the sides of his cab and tender.

## Appearances

* Television Series
* Other Media

#### Music Videos

* **Journey Beyond Sodor** - We Can't Do Anything and The Most Important Thing is Being Friends

## Trivia

* Merlin's whistle sound is Spencer's basis, an LNER A4 Pacific 3-chime.
* Merlin's tender is a modified version of Bert's.
* Merlin is the second character to have his basis named in the television series, with BoCo being the first.
* Merlin along with Beresford are the only characters introduced in *Journey Beyond Sodor* to appear in an episode.
* Merlin's TrackMaster toy depicts him very metallic, unlike how he appears in the show.
* Merlin's eccentric rods are not animated properly as they do not complete a full rotation around his larger connecting rods.
* Merlin, Hurricane and Frankie are the first engines in the television series to have their numbers written on their front buffer beams. Prior to this, the feature was exclusive to *The Railway Series*.

## Quotes

*“I'm invisible! Or can't you see?* Who said that? *You ask. It's only me! You look surprised, but have no fear! It's just a little trick to make myself disappear!”*
―Merlin's solo in 'We Can't Do Anything'
*“We can't do anything!""But we can try! We can give anything a try! We will give anything a try! Isn't that right?”*
―Merlin responding positively to Lexi and Theo, Journey Beyond Sodor
*“This is my first time on the Island of Sonar, my friend Thomas works here.""Do you mean Sodor?”*
―Merlin and Cranky, Seeing is Believing
## Merchandise

* Wood
* Adventures (*discontinued*)
* Push Along
* TrackMaster (*discontinued*)
* Motor Road and Rail
* Motorized
* Motorized Railway
* Capsule Plarail
* Tomica