Hank

**Hank the Pennsylvanian Engine** is a minor character in the Seventyverse and comes from Pennsylvania in the United States.

## Backstory

Hank brought in Porter, Henney and Kirke to work at the Bigg City Dock Railway.

When Canada hosted the Great Railway Show in 2009, Hank represented the United States in the Strength Competition, competing with Flying Thistle of Canada, Shane of Australia, Frieda of Germany and Gustavo of Brazil. Hank finished fourth with Gustavo coming first.

## Personality

Hank is large, and bold. While he may come across as brash in his cheery confidence and enthusiasm, Hank is used to being easily seen or heard. In his jolliness, he may seem a little goofy and kooky, especially with so many bells and whistles and a cowcatcher, but Hank has a big heart and is more than happy to lend a helping hand. Using his might, strength, and power to assist others is something that only comes all too naturally to him and he takes it in his stride, without second thought. Hank can become concerned about his friends though, as he gladly keeps an eye out for the other little engines. The only trouble with being Hank is that virtually every engine is smaller than him.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Hank is based on a Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) K4s Class Pacific. Two K4s are preserved: No. 1361 is currently undergoing another attempt at a restoration to operational condition as of January 30, 2022 following a catastrophic failure sometime after a previous restoration to operation in 1987, and No. 3750 is on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania near the Strasburg Railroad, and are recognized as the Official State Steam Locomotives of Pennsylvania. Hank was most likely based on the PRR K4s' post-war shape, more specifically that of #1361 as it appeared when it was returned to operation in 1987. A streamlined version of this class, more specifically K4s No. 3768, nicknamed “The Torpedo”, would serve as inspiration for Gordon's streamlined casing in The Great Race. Coincidentally, Hank's basis was the inspiration design of Gordon's basis.

In reality, Hank would be too large for the British loading gauge. However, he has been re-scaled to avoid technical issues, although Hank is only partly modified to work on Sodor. His running plate has been altered, he is missing a headlamp, and he has buffers on his tender and screwlink couplings, yet he retains his cowcatcher (which has a lone front coupling without a chain).

### Livery

Hank is painted ultramarine blue with red wheels, lining and a cowcatcher in front. This livery represents the colours/colors of the flag of the United States of America. His smokebox and cab roof are painted dark grey.

## Differences between the episodes and the series

* In his sole episode, *Heave Ho, Thomas*, Hank was a new engine to Sodor. In this series, Hank never came to Sodor and remains in Pennsylvania.

## Trivia

* The preferred voice actor for Hank is Cory Doran who voices Ultratrain in *All Engines Go*.
* Hank's number is PRR No. 612, which is a reference to *Heave Ho, Thomas* being the sixth episode of *Season 12.*
	+ This was a real engine built in 1917, and had a modification to be converted with 15" piston valves, higher steam domes and circulators, and front-end throttles, and was re-classed as a K4sa. It was scrapped at an unknown point between 1949-1958.