Sixteen

**Sixteen** was a troublesome industrial Austerity saddle tank engine who used to work at a steelworks on the Mainland.

## Contents

* 1Biography
	+ 1.1The Railway Series
* 2Personality
* 3Technical Details
	+ 3.1Basis
	+ 3.2Livery
* 4Appearances
* 5Official Description
* 6Merchandise
* 7Gallery
	+ 7.1The Railway Series
		- 7.1.1Main Series
		- 7.1.2Miscellaneous
	+ 7.2Merchandise
* 8References

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## Biography

### *The Railway Series*

Sixteen lived at a steelworks on the Mainland, with several other engines. He spent all day shunting trucks to a place called the "tip". Engines were not allowed to travel along the track on the tip itself, as it was not firm enough to take their weight. Sixteen thought he knew better and often tried to pass the "danger" board without success.[1]

One day, however, Sixteen took advantage of damp conditions and told the trucks to slide him past the warning notice. His fireman was told to reverse him, but before he could do so, the rails gave way and Sixteen tipped off the rails and rolled over onto the ground. He was eventually rescued but not repaired and sent to the sheds in disgrace where he remained in storage.

According to Wilbert, Sixteen "*got better than he deserved*" and was bought by a preservation society in the Midlands. Wilbert later told Sixteen's story to Thomas and Toby, while he was visiting Sodor.[1]

## Personality

Sixteen was a naughty, careless, arrogant and awkward engine. He refused to take anyone's advice and it is also implied that he grew bored of his surroundings and was curious about the outside. After his accident, Wilbert has said that he hopes Sixteen has learned his lesson after being restored and given a fresh start in preservation.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Sixteen is based on a Hunslet Austerity WD 0-6-0ST. Wilbert is another member of this class. Some other class members were featured in *Thomas and the U.K. Trip* and the *Down at the Station* segments.

Sixteen's basis

It is currently unknown what specific locomotive Sixteen is meant to be, if any at all. While not confirmed, it is possible Sixteen was meant to be The Austerity Engine, as Christopher Awdry has confirmed that the engine was intended to be one of the many Austerity 0-6-0STs awaiting restoration around England.

It is also possible that Sixteen could be based on the Wemyss Private Railway's No. 16. The engine has the basis, wears a similar (albeit not identical) livery to him and while there is no record of a steelworks on the railway, this engine had replaced another engine (ironically carrying the same number) that had an accident similar to Sixteen's. Hornby has created a model of this engine.

Wemyss Private Railway's No. 16

### Livery

Sixteen is painted maroon with yellow lining. His number (16) that he is named after is painted on the sides of his saddle tank in brown with a yellow border. His buffer beams are painted with yellow and black hazard stripes and his buffers are painted silver. His paint is chipped in places.

Sixteen's livery bears a striking resemblance to a member of this class, 3823 "Warrior" which worked at the National Coal Board.

3823 "Warrior"

### *The Railway Series*

* **Wilbert the Forest Engine** - Cab Over Wheels

#### Companion volumes

* **2005** - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines (*mentioned*)
* **2007** - Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection

## Official Description

* 1998-2004

**From Official Media**[1]

**Historical Note**: Sixteen is a saddle-tank locomotive, based on a design by the Hunslet Engineering Company of Leeds for use in industry, built in 1941, and taken out of service in the 60s and 70s.