Gladys

**Gladys (née Old Slow Coach) the Victorian Coach** is Emily's third coach and one of the deuteragonists of the Seventyverse.

## Backstory

Old Slow Coach used to work with Tasha on the Wellsworth and Suddery Railway where they ran a branch line from Tidmouth to Arlesburgh. When the Mid Sodor Railway closed, Tasha took Old Slow Coach to pick Falcon and Stuart and take them up to the Aluminium Works. After that, Tasha took Old Slow Coach to Vicarstown and Burnett explained that the branch line was shutting down as well with plans to have Tasha and Old Slow Coach to sent away so Old Slow Coach was hidden at Vicarstown whilst Tasha was hidden near the old branch line. Unfortunately for Old Slow Coach, 87546 and 98462 would take Old Slow Coach to the scrapyards at Barrow in retaliation for being sent away. There, she stayed for years until Thomas and Percy rediscovered her one day and learnt she'd be broken up when the scrapyard find the time. The two tank engines were dismayed and they, along with Diesel, decided to try and help her. Meanwhile, the worman's hut near Tidmouth Hault burnt down and Percy had the idea of Old Slow Coach being used as a temporary hut until a new one was built and afterwards, she would join Duck and Oliver on the Little Western, which just so happened to the branch line Tasha ran. Old Slow Coach was soon restored to her former glory and after serving her time a workman's hut, she started running trains with Duck and Oliver for many years. She was even reunited with Tasha at one point. Unfortunately, when Duck was reunited with Alistair, Mirabel and Benjamin, both Duck and Oliver were caught up in the excitement and neglected Old Slow Coach in the process. Luckily for her, Emily needed another coach after she lost her temper with Martha and Julian, damaging them in the process so Emily took Old Slow Coach for the day. When Duck and Oliver found out she was missing, they were worried. After finding her with Emily, Old Slow Coach explained how she was feeling lonely and the two Western engines were apologetic. The next day, Old Slow Coach decided to work with Emily from now on but would run with Duck and Oliver once a week. She also decided to change her name to "Gladys". Since then, Gladys has kept Martha and Julian in line, much to Emily's relief.

## Relationships

### Thomas, Percy and Diesel

Gladys is grateful towards Thomas, Percy and Diesel for helping to save her from scrap.

### Duck and Oliver

Gladys enjoyed working on the Little Western with Duck and Oliver. When Duck and Oliver were caught up in the excitement of having the Slippies, Gladys felt lonely. Duck and Oliver were apologetic and although Gladys would become Emily's coach, she was more than happy to work with them once a week.

### Emily

When Gladys feel neglected from the excitement of the Slippies, Emily felt sorry for her, having had a similar experience from Duck sleeping in her berth at Tidmouth Sheds for a couple of nights. So, she decided to take Gladys out for the day whilst Martha and Julian were being mended. Gladys was so grateful that she decided to work with Emily from now on.

## Personality

After being saved from the scrapyard, Gladys was delighted to have a second chance in life and she has never taken it for granted. She is a happy railway coach with a polite spirit to all the engines. Gladys is very stern as she helps to keep Martha and Julian in line. She has a bit of an insecure side, which is shown when Duck and Oliver took the slippies over her for a few days.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Gladys is based on a Diagram E39 Falmouth Coupe TRI brake coach, built in 1893 for the Great Western Railway.

### Livery

Gladys is painted in the Great Western Railway's chocolate and cream coach livery.

## Differences between the episodes and the series

* In the episodes, Old Slow Coach only appeared in two episodes the fifth series, although, according to the *Writer's Bible*, she is now only used for special occasions. In this series, Old Slow Coach works with Duck and Oliver until Alistair, Mirabel and Benjamin's arrival; after which, she starts working with Emily.
* In this series, Old Slow Coach eventually renames herself Gladys.

## Trivia

* The preferred voice actress for Gladys is Su Douglas, who voices Dylis Price in *Fireman Sam*.