Other NWR locomotives

In episodes set on Sodor, **other locomotives of the North Western Railway/North West Railway** (NWR) appear. Many of these engines were second-hand engines while others were rebuilt by the NWR's Crovan's Gate works.

## Indomitable

### Designer

Sir William Arthur Stanier FRS

**Indomitable** is a heavy goods locomotive that worked for the NWR until the 1980s. He was the one who hauled the first Sudrian coal delivery for the MSR in 1987 and is now preserved.

### Bio

Indomitable was built by the North British Locomotive Company of Glasgow, Scotland, for the North Western Railway in 1935. As the NWR was not a part of British Rail, he survived the Modernisation Plan and became one of a few exceptions to the BR Steam Ban from 1968 to 1971 as the NWR relied on coal mostly shipped from the mainland's coal fields, which were being closed in the 1960s, until the discovery of coal northeast of Glennock.

By the 1980s, Indomitable's fellow NWR brothers were being withdrawn due to the new arrivals from the mainland, the US and Australia which have been saved from scrap, resulting in him being the last member of his class in proper operational service. In 1987, he arrived at the diesel depot with a intermodal container just to take on water after collecting his train in Southampton. After hearing about the problem with the Moorland Steam Railway's shrinking sources for steam locomotive coal, Indomitable decided to take some action and help the heritage railway as the MSR helped the NWR during the 1970s during a motive power crisis. A few days later, he returned with a large block train of coal hoppers with "Sudrian coal". It was revealed by Indomitable that it was his last train as he was being withdrawn as the last NWR Stanier 8F in service.

After this task, Indomitable was given to the Sudrian Preservation Society (SPS) and is now statically displayed at the Sudrian Museum of Rail Transportation at Crovan's Gate.

### Livery

Indomitable is painted in NWR Lined Regatta Blue.

### Basis or real locomotive

Indomitable is based off a LMS Stanier 8F 2-8-0.

### Trivia

Indomitable is named after an Illustrious-class aircraft carrier from WWII.

## Wantail

### Designer

Lawson Butzkopfski Billinton

**Wantail** is an old mixed traffic mogul that works on the NWR. He is the smallest mainline allocated mixed traffic engine on the railway in terms of power rating and also one of the oldest.

### Bio

Wantail was built at Brighton Works as the first member of the K class moguls in 1913 for mixed traffic duties across the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSCR) system. Known because of his red oxide with his brother, Wantail was repainted a few times before Nationalisation in 1948. In 1962, Wantail was withdrawn by BR for "bookkeeping" reasons but was put back into service (temperamentally) for snow clearing during the 1962/1963 Winter.

In 1963, Wantail was taken to Eastleigh scrapyard for disposal after his short return to service, but was bought by the NWR since the railway was in a motive power crisis. and was taken to Crovan's Gate works for an overhaul and repaint to NWR livery. Taking the number from an old Horwich mogul that had been renumbered, Wantail soon showed that his number wasn't unlucky since he had a reputation of being on time and hasn't failed. The only incident he's had was caused by a diesel shunter pushing him off towards some rocks so he could be scrapped.

From 1988 to 1996, Wantail under went an extensive overhaul to keep him operational since the other 2-6-0s were being retired with the Woolwichs going for scrap that decade (with the exception of MSR-preserved locomotive Sigrid) and the mainline fleet still needed a mixed traffic mogul, leading to his urgent overhaul. In 1996, he began load trials between Crovan's Gate and Knatford to see if he is fit for normal service before placing him back on the roster and passed with flying colours, certifying for another ten years of service before he needs another overhaul.

As of 2020, Wantail is still operational under the North West Railway.

### Personality

Wantail appears to be a quiet engine who tries to hide his real feelings and appears to be (mentally) suffering depression. To hide this, Wantail tries to show that his a caring engine who can be brave in times of need.

### Livery

Wantail is painted in NWR Lined Dark Green with white and black lining with his number and the letters 'NWR' painted in Gold Leaf. He also has a red running board, a copper-capped chimney and black cylinders with red banding. When he was undergoing his load trials, his smokebox, boiler, firebox, cylinders and cab roof are unpainted, revealing a gunmetal grey colour.

Originally in NWR service, Wantail was painted in a modified version of his BR Lined Black livery.

### Basis or real locomotive

Wantail is based off the real locomotive. It was the first of seventeen K class 2-6-0s built for the LBSCR in 1913 by L. B. Billinton for mixed traffic duties around the railway. Three more were partly completed but were later abandoned due to the Grouping Act in 1923. They served until 1962 when they were withdrawn by the Southern Region for "bookkeeping" instead of operational reasons from November and December of that year. One was resurrected for snow clearing duties during the 1962/1963 Winter but was once again retired. None were preserved but the Bluebell Railway did try to preserve one but proved too expensive.

No. 32337 (LBSCR 377) was built in 1913 and withdrawn on New Years Eve, 1962. It was scrapped at Norwich two years later.

### Trivia

Wantail's model is built from an ACE Products kit for OO gauge.

Wantail's name could refer to the nickname of the Harry Potter character Peter Pettigrew. When he transforms into a rat, he was given the nickname "Wormtail" by his friends (the Marauders).

* Wantail's first appearance with unpainted parts may also refer to Pettigrew's silver hand, which lead to his demise.

In the series itself, Wantail is the third Billinton family locomotive that hasn't been scrapped. The other two being Thomas and Birch Grove.

Wantail's number (13) came from a Horwich 2-6-0 used on Shane Sowter's model railway layout of the NWR during WWII. Since Wantail mentions that this engine was renumbered then later retired could mean that his layout is in canon with the series.

* His NWR also has two references because his LBSCR number (337) adds up to 13 and he was built in 1913.

Wantail has a Brighton accent, which is a reference to the city that built him and many other LBSCR locomotives.

It is revealed that Wantail had feelings for Sigrid and is shown that after she left for the Moorland Steam Railway, he never lost feelings for her.

* This is shown when he visits the MSR for his centenary in 2013.
* Previously, Wantail was in a strong relationship with another feamle locomotive before 1953, Victoria (Billinton D3 No. 32365). It is said that Wantail didn't forgive himself after November 26th 1942 when Victoria was attacked by a German fighter plane that night.

Wantail was involved in a derailment/collision at Wellsworth in 1974, when an axle on one of the coaches in his train snapped.

## Leicester City

### Designer

Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley

**Leicester City** is an ex-LNER/ex-BR express locomotive that works on the NWR. He handles most of the NWR's expresses from Knatford to Vicarstown but is able to perform goods work unlike one of his fellow NWR express locomotives.

### Bio

Leicester City was built by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns of Darlington in 1937 as a B17/4 and went to East Anglia to handle express trains out of Stratford station in London on ex-Great Eastern Railway (GER) mainlines. In 1949, he was rebuilt to B17/6 to improve his performance on these express trains but only twelve years later, he was withdrawn by BR and was sent to Doncaster from disposal. Fearing he was going to be scrapped, he accepted his fate but when a worker told him that someone had come to purchase a locomotive, he didn't think his day hadn't come. He was purchased by NWR and overhauled at Doncaster Works to have him (and some Gresley coaches) delivered under his own steam.

Under the NWR, he found his new life to not too boring and enjoyed his new life on Sodor. In 1993, Leicester City was overhauled get him back into service and to replace the two remaining Hatt class 4-6-0s that were built by North British in 1930. He fulfilled that purpose with the last Hatt scrapped in 1994 and along with Gordon and Ashley Manor, became one of the NWR's top-link express locomotives for long distance travel and the privilege of hauling the 'Wild Nor Wester' express from Knapford to Vicarstown. In 1996, he double-headed a goods train with MSR visitor Killarney and befriended the replica 4-4-0.

As of 2020, Leicester City is still operational under the North West Railway.

### Livery

Leicester City is painted in NWR (ex-BR) Brunswick Green with his number and the letters 'NWR' painted in white Gill Sans font. He also has 'Tidmouth' and 'B17/6' painted in white on his lower edge of his front bufferbeam.

### Basis or real locomotive

Leicester City is based off the real locomotive. It was one of 73 B17s built by Robert Stephenson & Company, Darlington Works and the North British Locomotive Company built from 1928 to 1937 for express duties on the former GER mainlines, replacing the older B12s (GER S69) that date back to 1911. From 1943 to 1958, all but sixteen of the class were rebuilt into the B17/6 class which improved the performance of the locomotive, while ten were rebuilt into Thompson B2s with the 100A boiler. Withdrawals began in 1952 and the last one was retired in 1960. All have been scrapped but two new-builds, one which is a replica, are under construction. Both are expected to be completed sometime in the mid-to-late 2020s.

No. 61665/2865 'Leicester City' was one of the RSH locomotives, being built in 1937 as a B17/4. It was rebuilt into a B17/6 in 1949 and was withdrawn in April 1959 and scrapped that same month.

### Trivia

Leicester City is named after an English football/soccer team.

Leicester City's model is a renumbered and recrested Hornby model.

Leicester City is the only NWR locomotive that hasn't had his livery changed to a livery his class has never worn in the past.

Leicester City has a Cockney accent, which doesn't fit in with the service area of his class.

Leicester City is normally the main locomotive on 'The King Godred' but is also the backup engine for the 'Wild Nor Wester' if Gordon is unavailable to haul for either overhauls, visits to heritage railways, mainline tours on the mainland or repairs.

Leicester City was involved in a derailment/collision at Wellsworth in 1974, when an axle on one of the coaches in Wantail's train snapped and blocked his and Westlin's path, which Westlin took the brunt of the collision and was written off.

Leicester City's number is not sitting centre on his cab. This is because of his design.

Leicester City's theme is Gordon's theme from Thomas & Friends Seasons 8 to 12.

## Ashley Manor

### Designer

Charles Benjamin Collett

**Ashley Manor** (formerly named **Torquay Manor** until 1961) is a light express locomotive that works on the NWR. She handles most of the express services operating on lighter routes where Gordon and Leicester City can't go and is the pioneer of her class.

### Bio

Torquay Manor was built in 1938 by Swindon from the parts of the 4300 class as a prototype for a new express locomotive. She proved what her new design could do and resulted in 29 being built by both the GWR and BR. In late 1957, Torquay Manor was sent to Sodor to assist in the purpose she was built for but due to BR's modernisation scheme, she feared being scrapped unless she can prove her worth for the NWR to purchase.

Her gamble almost failed when she derailed outside of the future site of Kellsthorpe Road station in early 1958. BR declared her a write off due to the damage suffered in the derailment but was saved from being scrapped by the NWR because she was still repairable (according to records by the NWR, BR wasn't bothered with any sort of repair work to Torquay Manor and the NWR decided to show that she was repairable). She was fully repaired and properly entered the NWR with the name she was supposed to be built with, 'Ashley Manor', in 1961. In 1996, Ashley Manor was still in service with a different livery than the one she entered service for the NWR in 1961. She allowed visiting locomotives Killarney and Raven to handle some of her passenger services while she handled their work.

As of 2020, Ashley Manor is still operational under the North West Railway.

### Personality

Ashley Manor is a tender-hearted express locomotive who is always able to give another engine a go at something else, but can get quite cross when her old name is mentioned.

### Livery

Ashley Manor is painted in a NWR hybrid livery of BR Express Blue in the style of 1912-1930s GWR liveries with the letters 'NWR' painted in white Gill Sans lettering on her tender and her number painted on her front bufferbeam and plated on her cabsides.

During her visit to the MSR 2013, her livery on the tender was changed and features the 'NW' and the railway's crest between the initals.

### Basis or real locomotive

Ashley Manor is based of the real locomotive with its planned name. It was the first of 30 7800 class 4-6-0 built by the GWR ( batch of 20) from 1938 to 1939 for express passenger duties on branchlines where the Castles, Kings and Granges can't go. In 1950, British Railways built an additional ten locomotives and another ten were planned, but were later cancelled due to the introduction of the BR Standards a year later. Withdrawals began in April 1963 and the final locomotive, No. 7808 'Cookham Manor', was withdrawn from service in December 1965. Nine, including Cookham Manor, have been preserved.

No. 7800 'Torquay Manor' (planned name: 'Ashley Manor') was built in 1938 as the first locomotive of the class and was withdrawn from service in August 1964. It was scrapped at Cashmores two months later.

### Trivia

The reason that Torquay Manor/Ashley Manor was chosen was because the originally planned name is a unisex version of the feminine name "Ashleigh", mostly to make sure than not all NWR express engines are males.

* This makes Ashley Manor the only female express locomotive on the NWR.

Ashley Manor's model is an old Bachmann model that has been renamed, renumbered and repainted.

Ashley Manor is Shane Sowter's replacement of the characters Emily, Roise and Rebecca in Thomas & Friends.

Ashley Manor's derailment and return to service could be inspired on the XPT derailment on the passing loop at Wallan, Victoria in February 2020 and the Camp Mountain rail accident in the state of Queensland on May 5th, 1947. Both locomotives involved in both derailments were repaired and still exist while both accidents happened in the eastern states of Australia.

Ashley Manor is the first character introduced into the series which has carried two names.

The reason that Ashley Manor wears a GWR livery with the colours of BR Express Blue is because the latter livery is Shane Sowter's favourite livery, which the main colour being his favourite colour.

* Another reason for the unusual livery is to fit in with the NWR not having a standard primary passenger livery.

Ashley Manor's main expresses are named 'The Sudrian' and 'The King Godred' but occasionally hauls the 'Wild Nor Wester' if either Gordon or Leicester City are unavailable.

Despite being Great Western in origin, Ashley Manor has a Sudric accent.

* It is revealed she did have a Cornish accent before coming to Sodor.

## Roger

### Designer

American Locomotive Company

**Roger** is a large tender engine that works on the NWR. He works around Knapford Harbour shunting trains for the larger locomotives but does haul occasional goods trains on the mainline.

### Bio

Roger was built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) for shunting ("switching") duties on an unknown railroad in the United States but some point in his career, he was sold to the New York Central railroad and worked there until 1953 when he was bought by the NWR as a replacement for an old ROD 2-8-0 (No. 12) which was destroyed in World War Two but upon arrival, he showed to have many flaws other than his design on the British loading gauge.

In 1954, Roger was modified to UK standards in order for him to operate with British rolling stock and suddenly found that hauling trains wasn't his thing and was later put on branchline work, but it too was unsuccessful and found his only good use was as a shunter because of his short wheelbase. Allocated to Knapford Harbour sheds, Roger proved his worth and became the main shunting locomotive of the harbour itself because of his large amount of power and ability to fit in tight spaces. Being a tender engine would could shunt, he took a heap of abuse from Henry, Gordon and James since "tender engines don't shunt" and proved them wrong with his strength when he shunted a large train through a tight curve and up slopes where the others would struggle. Since then, the three have never said a word about tender engines not shunting ever again around him.

### Personality

Roger is normally a rough engine who tries to prove a point.

### Livery

Roger is painted in NWR Lined Black with his number and the letters 'NWR' painted in yellow.

### Basis or real locomotive

Roger is based on a USRA 0-6-0. These were built for shunting during World War One but were used on US railroads around yards across their systems. 255 originals and copies were built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) from 1918 to 1919 with the class serving under 22 railroads with 17 other classifications. The class served up until replaced by diesels in the 1960s and appears none have been preserved, but similar locomotives still exist.

No. 221 was one of 14 USRA 0-6-0s sent to the New York Central and worked at Chicago Junction. Under the NYC, it was classified as a "B-62".

### Trivia

Roger is the only NWR engine with a six-chime whistle.

* His whistle is done from recordings of a NYC six-chime whistle manufactured by Rizzoli Locomotive Works.

Roger is the largest shunting engine on the NWR, since he has a large bogie tender.

Unlike his basis, Roger had to be modified in order to work on British railway lines. These include:

* Removal of the front and tender steps.
* Removal of the AAR coupling.
* Removal of the bell.
* Addition of bufferbeams, buffers and vacuum brake pipes.

Roger is one of two American locomotives operating on the NWR, the other being Mehano.

## Reo and Rao

### Built for

Tidmouth, Knapford and Eldsbridge Light Railway

### Designer

George Jackson Churchward

**Reo and Rao** are twin industrial saddle tank sisters that work on the NWR. They were both built to a Great Western design but were built for a railway on Sodor.

### Bio

Reo and Rao were built by Robert Stephenson & Company in Newcastle just before the outbreak for shunting duties around the quarry outside Ffarquhar, which was operated by the TK&E (Tidmouth, Knapford and Elsbridge Light Railway) in those days. In 1915, both were passed into NWR ownership and gained the numbers '20' and '21' respectively.

By 1996, both Reo and Rao became renowned for not being seen outside of the Ffarquhar branchline and for working at Anopha Quarry, which is located north of Ffarquhar.

### Personality

Rao is a rough engine around other locomotives that operate outside of their "home" but changes her attitude when her sister Reo is around.

Reo is a tender-hearted engine who is free to help out.

### Livery

Rao is painted in plain ruby with yellow letters on her saddle tank and numbers on her cab.

Reo has a similar livery only difference is that she is painted teal blue instead of ruby.

Originally, both were painted in TK&E lined blue with red lining, black borders along with the letters 'TK&E' and their numbers painted in yellow on their cab and bunker respectively.

### Basis or real locomotive

Reo and Rao are based on the GWR 1361 class saddle tanks. Six were built by Swindon in 1910 for dockyard shunting purposes. Outdated by the GWR's 1910 design practice, they were the last saddle tanks built by the GWR, which later switched to producing their familiar pannier tanks (like Murphy). A further batch of six were built in 1934 as the 1366 class and were fitted with pannier tanks as standard. The class was withdrawn from service between 1961 and 1962 with No. 1363 being preserved by the Great Western Society at Didcot Railway Centre. According to sources, this locomotive is undergoing an overhaul.

### Trivia

Reo and Rao's names, personalities and liveries were inspired by the Re: Zero characters Rem and Ram. Both are twin oni (demon) sisters who survived an attack on their village by the witch cult and serve under Roswaal L Mathers as maids at the Roswaal Mansion.

* Their attitude around the main character Subaru Natsuki is exactly the same attitude with Reo and Rao have around other locomotives, especially visitors to their "home".
* Because of this, Reo and Rao are the second and third locomotives introduced to series with an anime-related name. The first being Erika.

Reo and Rao's models are created by using two Heljan 1361 class 0-6-0STs. Both have been repainted and modified.

Reo and Rao are the first and second TK&E locomotives introduced into the series, albeit that they are first mentioned.

Unlike their basis, both Reo and Rao's models have a Westinghouse air pump (as standard for TK&E engines) on the right side of their smokeboxes.

Both Reo and Rao are commonly mistaken by enthusiasts as "two ex-GWR 1361s". They aren't really that exact class but they built as copies built under licence.

Reo and Rao's build date is unknown, but they have been built sometime between 1910 and 1914.

Reo and Rao call Anopha Quarry their home, but they have been known to work at Dryaw Lead Mines in the past.

* Both Reo and Rao are rarely seen outside of the Ffarquhar branchline.

## Jackson

**Jackson** is an old Manning Wardle saddle tank loaned to the NWR in 1940 following the air raid on Tidmouth in 1940. He is owned by Sowter Industries, a shoe-maker located near Brendam.

### Bio

Not much is known about Jackson's life prior to coming to Sodor but it's known that he was built by Manning Wardle & Co. of Leeds, Yorkshire, in 1867 for a private contractor and was involved in the construction of the Tidmouth & Knapford Light Railway (T&K) in 1885. After that, he appears to have vanished before returning to Manning Wardle for a refit with a new cab in the 1920s and sold to Sowter Industries of Brendam that same decade.

In 1940, Jackson (and Tatiana) was sent to Tidmouth following an air raid by the Germans that damaged the city's railway yard and the NWR's own fleet couldn't handle the workload. It's presumed that he was given back after this duty was fulfilled. He was retired in the 1950s and sold to the Sudrian Preservation Society (SPS) and is now plinthed in Brendam Harbour, while his co-worker Tatiana operates as a tour locomotive.

### Livery

Jackson is painted in Sowter Industries blue with red frames and rods. His name is painted in white on the cabsides.

### Basis or real locomotive

Jackson is based off a Manning Wardle H class contractor's locomotive. Several of these small 0-4-0STs were built by Manning Wardle & Co. from 1857 and 1926 for various railway contracting firms or industrial facilities across the United Kingdom and for export. Few were used by actual railway companies (e.g. the two owned by the LNER as the "Y2" class). A few H class locomotives of all eras have been preserved in the UK with one in Australia.

### Trivia

In terms of appearance, Jackson is the second Manning Wardle locomotive introduced into the franchise. The first being ex-Lynton & Barnstable Railway 2-6-2T Mitch.

## Tatiana

**Tatiana** is an Andrew Barclay saddle tank loaned to the NWR in 1940 following the air raid on Tidmouth in 1940. She is owned by Sowter Industries, a shoe-maker located near Brendam.

### Bio

Little is known about Tatiana prior to WWII other than she was built by Andrew Barclay & Sons of Kilmarnock in 1925 for Sowter Industries in Brendam. Named after the manager's wife, Tatiana became the workers of Sowter Industries' favourite locomotive due to her careful handling of fragile materials, something "the boys" struggle with.

In 1940, Tatiana (and Jackson) was sent to Tidmouth following an air raid by the Germans that damaged the city's railway yard and the NWR's own fleet couldn't handle the workload. It's presumed that she was given back after this duty was fulfilled. She was retired in the 1970s and sold to the Sodor Preservation Society (SPS) and is now operational as a tour locomotive in Brendam Harbour, while her co-worker Jackson is plinthed outside the harbour.

### Livery

Tatiana is painted in Sowter Industries blue with red frames and rods. Her name is painted in white on the cabsides.

### Basis or real locomotive

Tatiana is based off an Andrew Barclay 16in "standard" 0-4-0ST. They were based off a smaller version of the standard 0-4-0ST built by Andrew Barclay & Sons, Kilmarnock, with variants featuring 14" or 16" cylinders. The class was produced up into the 1950s when the company began building diesel locomotives. Several were used until the 1980s with many examples preserved across the UK.

### Trivia

Tatiana is named after a girl Shane Sowter had a huge interest for in 2020.

## Mehano

### Designer

Unknown Russian designers

**Mehano** is a large heavy goods locomotive that is owned by the NWR. He was original supposed to be used in Russia but due to world events, became an American is the largest locomotive in the NWR's fleet.

### Bio

Mehano was built Baldwin Locomotive Works for a railway in Russia but due to a Communist Revolution happening in that country in 1917, was left stranded in the United States. Modified to USRA standards, Mehano entered service for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N) and found himself on heavy goods trains. He, along with the others of his design, were nicknamed "Russian Decapods" due to their Russian design but Mehano proved to be as reliable as the large American locomotives, and even called the US "home".

In 1948, Mehano was purchased by the NWR as a replacement for an ROD 2-8-0 lost in a collision during WWII and took the number of this lost locomotive. In 1953, Mehano took over from Erin for the alumina traffic from Tidmouth Harbour to the steel mill at Peel Godred since they was now a need for a more powerful locomotive to operate that line on those trains. Mehano proved to be more than capable of hauling the alumina hoppers, both the originals and their replacements from the 1970s, beyond expectation and was allocated to these trains four times a week to improve the service's overall efficiency. In the 1980s, the NWR's first large diesel locomotive started to prove a threat to his service on the NWR since he saw dieselisation happen fast in the US, which mostly retired steam locomotives by the early 1960s, but found out that the diesel was an unwanted prototype that was going to be scrapped by British Rail and the two split the alumina runs between them.

In 1998, Mehano was heading an alumina train with 40 loaded hoppers but derailed at the mainline connection of Kildane, which was the same location Henry had his accident with the Flying Kipper in 1935, due to excessive speed and was damaged badly. He revealed that his regular's "cotter"/ split pin had come out when he tried to shove it back in (by moving his regular back and forth, which has worked before), which lead to him running out of control and his brakes couldn't slow him down. After this incident, all alumina traffic was suspended since the aluminium works at Peel Godred was already dealing with recycling aluminium.

As of 2020, Mehano is still operated by the NWR and mostly handles heavy intermodal container trains from Tidmouth to Barrow-in-Furness before transfer to Network Rail metals and GBRf motive power.

### Livery

Mehano is painted in a special version of NWR lined black with his number and 'NWR' painted in yellow Gill Sans font.

### Basis or real locomotive

Mehano is based on a Russian Decapod 2-10-0 steam locomotive. These locomotives were built to the design of the Russian Ye and 200 were built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1917 but because of the Bolshevik Revolution that year, those 200 engines became stranded in the US. The locomotives were soon modified to suit American locomotive standards and were given to many railroads in the USA. They were nicknamed "Russian Decapods" because of they were originally meant for Russia instead of the US. Five Russian Decapods have been preserved in the US.

### Trivia

Mehano is named after a Slovenian toy and model company which does cover US locomotives, but his model was made by Bachmann USA.

Mehano is one of two American locomotives on the NWR, the other being Roger.

Unlike his basis, Mehano had to be modified in order to work on British railway lines. These include:

* Removal of the cowcatcher on the front.
* Removal of the bell.
* Removal of the AAR coupling.
* Addition of bufferbeams, buffers and vacuum brake pipes.

Due to his American origins, Mehano has no nose. Instead, his headlamp replaces his nose.

Mehano is the second NWR character carries the number of another locomotive of the same railway, the first being Donald.

Mehano's regular failure was based on a similar sequence seen in the animated Christmas movie 'The Polar Express'.

Despite being built for Russia, Mehano has a (Southern) American accent.

Like Morris, Mehano does not believe in the Jim Crow Laws during his days on the L&N.

## Guinevere

### Built for

Tidmouth, Knapford and Elsbridge Light Railway

### Designer

George Robson

**Guinevere** was a small side tank engine that worked for the NWR until her accident in 1942. She was one of the few former TK&E engines to become members of the NWR in 1915.

### Bio

Guinevere was built in Great Britain around 1904 for the Tidmouth, Knapford & Elsbridge Light Railway (TK&E) and became the railway's No. 9. She normally handled trains out of the zinc mine outside Dryaw but mostly handled passenger trains to Elsbridge. When the Elsbridge line was being extended to Ffarquhar from 1914 to 1925, Guinevere was used by the works crew to construct the line and became the first locomotive to Ffarquhar.

In 1915, when the NWR was formed, Guinevere kept her number but was repainted into red to match the NWR's colours. In 1932, she was reserved for shunting work and departmental duties like track maintenance and track laying. Her service life was cut short on a rainy night in September 1942, when she was tasked to perform track maintenance on the section near Arlesburgh West, north of Tidmouth. She left Knapford at around with a single coach, two flatbeds, a ballast hopper and a brake van bound for Arlesburgh West but at Tidmouth, she crossed onto the wrong line and was collided by No. 12. Both locomotives were killed on impact and the rails were severed. Both Guinevere and No. 12 were written off and their remains were scrapped two months later.

Since then, ghost sightings of her were reported and soon died down when Donald took her number. In 1996, she appeared in a photograph when a female photographer was photographing the visiting MSR locomotive Killarney on the foot of Wellsworth Bank. Days after the photograph was taken, the photographer was killed when Argus' train of ballast uncoupled from him and ran away back down the bank. Guinevere even appeared in front of Argus following a temperamental withdrawal for an investigation into the incident.

### Personality

Due to this character been deceased before the series took place, Guinevere's personality is unknown but she appears to have been a supremacist for smaller locomotives not needing help from larger locomotives thanks to her infamous tractive effort.

### Livery

Guinevere is painted in TK&E blue with red lining and black borders.

During NWR service, Guinevere was painted in NWR Wartime Maroon with gold letters and numbers.

### Basis or real locomotive

Guinevere is based on the Type D tank engine. These industrial tank engines were designed by George Robson, locomotive superintendent at Guest, Keen & Nettleford's Dowlais Works and were built from 1907. Two were named 'King George V' and 'Queen Mary' to honour the current monarchs at the time when King George V visited Dowlais Works in 1912. The class proved so well that they were sold to private and industrial railways across the UK. Five were built and it appears none were preserved.

### Trivia

Guinevere's (and No. 12's) death was nearly covered up by the British Government, but was published by the NWR since it was the worst rail disaster in Sudrian history at the time.

Guinevere's increased ghost sightings spiked in 1952 until the Marion Disaster that year, the worst in Sudrian history (203 killed and 1,234 injured which two locomotives written off).

* It's believed that Guinevere's ghost serves as a warning for the worst is coming. Mostly, her warnings are ignored and the results are normally disastrous.

Guinevere's models are repainted and rebuilt Hornby Railroad D class 0-4-0T models.

From 1934 until her death in 1942, she, Reo and Rao were the last TK&E engines left, and was the only pre-NWR era locomotive to keep her number.

* She's also the first locomotive introduced that had its number reused on another locomotive. The second NWR No. 9 is ex-CR 812 class 0-6-0 goods engine Donald.

Guinevere is the third TK&E locomotive introduced into the series (first and second being Reo and Rao) and the first to make a physical appearance.

## "No. 12"

### Designer

John Robinson

**"No. 12"** was a large goods engine that worked on the NWR from 1919 to his accident in 1942. He was one of the most powerful locomotives the NWR had before the outbreak of World War Two in 1939.

### Bio

No. 12 was built during WWI and was one of many ROD 2-8-0s sold to the NWR following the conflict. In the 1920s, he was one of the lucky five that stayed on the railway while the others were sold for scrap and the parts reused such a tenders on the Woolwich moguls and two chassis being used to create the Garratt 'Revenge'. During this time and before WWII, No. 12 handled the alumina trains from Tidmouth and Peel Godred without mishap or delays to the service.

In 1942, No. 12 was heading a evacuation train from Arlesburgh West towards the Peel Godred line but collided with 0-4-0T No. 9 Guinevere, which heading in the opposite direction but crossed onto the wrong line, at Tidmouth. Both locomotives were killed on impact and the rails were severed. Both No.12 and Guinevere were written off and their remains were scrapped two months later, but No. 12's tender was salvaged. The tender was intended for usage as a spare for the Woolwich moguls but in 1982, the 40th anniversary of the second worst rail disaster in Sodor's history, it was placed near the site as a memorial in the same colours No. 12 wore during WWII, which it was carrying at the time of the collision.

No. 12 was never named.

### Personality

Due to this character been deceased before the series took place, No. 12's personality is unknown but it appears he was a hard worker due to him being a heavy goods locomotive.

### Livery

No. 12 was painted in NWR Wartime Blue with gold letters and numbers.

### Basis or real locomotive

No. 12 is based on an ROD 2-8-0. These were built as copies of the Great Central Railway (GCR) Robinson 8K 2-8-0 from 1911 and 521 were built from 1917 to 1918. After WWI, they were sold off to railways across the UK and overseas with them being recalled into the War Department during WWII. The last British ROD was withdrawn in 1966, the Middle East in 1961 and the final Australian ROD (J & A Brown No. 23, ex-ROD No. 2004) in 1973. Three have been preserved in Australia with none preserved in either the UK or the Middle East. Argus is also member of this class which was sold to the GWR.

### Trivia

No. 12 is the second locomotive introduced that had its number reused on another locomotive. The second NWR No. 12 is the Russian Decapod 2-10-0 Mehano.

No. 12's model is a repainted Bachmann ex-GCR 8K/LNER O4 2-8-0 that is featured on Shane Sowter's NWR WWII-themed layout.

Like the engine his number is now carried on, No. 12 did haul alumina trains from Tidmouth to Peel Godred.

No. 12's (and Guinevere's) death was nearly covered up by the British Government, but was published by the NWR since it was the worst rail disaster in Sudrian history at the time.

## Windcombe

### Other number

W&S 20, NWR 29/ Departmental 4, Vicarstown Recycling Co. 1

### Designer

Sharp Steward & Company, Glasgow

**Windcombe**, known under the NWR roster as **Departmental No. 4**, is a modified tank engine that works at Vicarstown Recycling Co. at Vicarstown, Sodor. He is, despite his design, one of the most modern locomotives on Sodor.

### Bio

Windcombe was built in 1891 by the Sharp Steward & Co. in Scotland to a Furness Railway design with some design modifications which were only minor. He was delivered to the Wellsworth & Suddery Railway (W&S) that year and began regular passenger service. Little is known about his time on the W&S other than in 1915, became a part of the newly formed North Western Railway (NWR) but didn't get his NWR number until 1921, since the workshops at Crovan's Gate didn't get round to him yet. Before his numbering, he helped Guinevere, an ex-TK&E engine, on the extension of the Elsbridge branch to Ffarquhar.

In 1984, Windcombe was withdrawn from service due to boiler failure and sold to Vicarstown Recycling Co. that same day. Believing he was was to scrapped, he was surprised that he was actually bought to become their shunting locomotive along with a Sentinel 0-4-0DH that was ordered and wouldn't arrive until the next year. When the "advanced steam" movement came to Sodor the same time, Windcombe was rebuilt at Crovan's Gate with a Gas Producer Combustion System (GPCS) from a withdrawn Hunslet Austerity and this improved this efficiency in operation. In 1996, Windcombe was still working there and has shown himself to be superior to any other 2-4-2T built thanks to his modern fittings including Automatic Warning System (AWS) and the instalment of air braking for bringing in modern stock.

As of 2020, Windcombe is still based at Vicarstown Recycling Co.

### Livery

Windcombe is painted in Vicarstown Recycling Co. red with wasp stripes and red coupling rods. From 1891 to 1921, he wore W&S Maroon with gold lining with 'WELLSWORTH & SUDDERY' written in gold on the water tanks with black drivings and red and silver coupling rods.

### Basis or real locomotive

Windcombe is based of a Furness Railway (FR) J1 class 2-4-2T. These were rebuilt from seven 1 class "E1" 2-4-0Ts in 1891 for suburban duties around the FR system. Withdrawals began under the FR in 1914 and the last one was by the London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) retired in 1924, replaced by newer Baltic tanks and Fowler tanks. None have been preserved.

### Trivia

Windcombe's name is made from the locations 'Windermere' and the common location name 'Combe'.

* His name was inspired by the location in 'The Dark Railway Series', Merecombe.

Despite his age, Windcombe is the most modern locomotive on the NWR thanks to his GPCS modification.

* It's unknown how the GPCS from a Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST could be fitted to a J1 2-4-2T without any major modifications, but it appears it works.

Windcombe's model is a kit bought on Shapeways.

Windcombe originally helped in the construction of the Elsbridge-Ffarquhar extension, covering for Guinevere.

Windcombe's role as scrapyard shunter could be inspired by ex-GWR 8750 class 0-6-0PT No. 9642, the first 5700/8750 class to be preserved. It was withdrawn in 1964 and sold to Hayes Scrapyard, Bridgend, but was used as the yard's shunter until 1968, when it was going to be scrapped but was saved last minute by preservationists.

* Windcombe's role could also be inspired by the Hunslet diesel shunter at C. F. Booths or possibly by Andrew Barcley 0-4-0ST 'Henry' (1823 of 1924) when it worked at Crossleys in the 1980s.

Windcombe appears not to like rude diesels owned by British Rail and threatens them with scrapping when they say that he should be scrapped.

Unlike his basis, Windcombe is fitted with a Westinghouse air pump/compressor, which was fitted by Vicarstown Recycling Co. in order to move air braked stock from British Rail for disposal.

* Windcombe still features his original vacuum brakes for NWR stock.

Windcombe is of three surviving locomotives from the Wellsworth & Suddery Railway. The others being a G class 2-2-2 called Gwen and A1X 0-6-0T Worthington.

Windcombe carries a spark arrester over his actual funnel for safety reasons over concerns of sparks flying out of his funnel could cause a fire from oil from road vehicles scrapped there. This is a reference to why steam locomotives normally never operated in hot areas or due to the scrapyard fires in the past, even the 1991 Vic Berry Scrapyard fire.

* The design of Windcombe's spark arrester is based on the design used by the GWR on various pannier tanks where the risk of sparks causing a fire was high. The spark arrester has been increased in height to cope with Windcombe's tall funnel.

## Jacob

### Designer

Vulcan Foundry/Victorian Railways

**Jacob** is a heavy goods locomotive that works on the NWR. He originally came from Victoria, Australia, until replaced by diesels and is the only oil-fired locomotive on the NWR.

### Bio

Jacob was built by the Vulcan Foundry at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, in 1954 for the broad gauge Victorian Railways (VR) since WWII had left that state's railway on its knees. Based on the already successful K class locomotives from 1922, Jacob's class proved to be equal and better than the engine they were based of and in late-1950s, was converted from coal to oil-firing to reduce operating costs. Unfortunately, his new life was cut short because of the spread of new diesels across VR and he was withdrawn in the 1960s.

Jacob was bought by the NWR in 1969 and entered operational service for the railway after a lengthy overhaul, restoration and modification from 5' 3" (Irish) to 4' 8 1/2" (Standard) gauge in 1976. Originally, he thought that what happened in Victoria would happen on Sodor, but was told by Edward that the NWR's management has no plans to withdraw and scrap its historical steam fleet, other than the locomotives that were financially beyond usage or no longer required. Jacob made friends with Mehano when the Russian Decapod broke down to a jammed valve and showed how powerful he was.

### Livery

Jacob is painted black with a red running board, rods and German-style smoke deflectors. He does not carry the NWR's initials on his tender.

### Basis or real locomotive

Jacob is based on the real locomotive. It was one of 60 J class locomotive ordered from the Vuclan Foundry in 1954 for Victorian Railways for branch line goods work. They were built as part of Operation Phoenix, a program run by VR that ran from 1950 to help rebuild the railway following WWII. Some were converted to oil firing to improve their overall efficiency. Their service life was cut short because of the introduction of diesel locomotives included in the Operation Phoenix program, withdrawals taking place between the mid-1960s and 1972. 11 have been preserved.

No. J544 was built in September 1954 and was withdrawn from service in May 1968. It was scrapped in August 1969.

### Trivia

Jacob is named after a person that Shane Sowter knows in his high school's red house and because of the class itself, the J class.

Jacob is the only NWR locomotive to be an oil burner.

Jacob' model is an Ixion HO scale model.

Jacob's name was originally going to be used on a J11 owned by the Strategic Steam Reserve (SSR), which was later renamed 'Vampire'.

Jacob is one of two ex-VR steam locomotives and one of four ex-VR locomotives owned by the NWR.

Jacob is the only NWR locomotive to feature SCOA-P (**S**teel **C**ompany **o**f **A**ustralia Ltd-**P**aynter) pattern wheels and German-style smoke deflectors.

Unlike his basis, Jacob runs on Standard Gauge instead of Irish/Broad Gauge.

## "No. 11"

### Designer

Sir William Arthur Stanier FRS

"**No. 11"** was a mixed traffic locomotive that worked on the NWR from 1936 until his accident in 1952. He normally worked on the Tidmouth-Barrow runs with Henry until he was destroyed in the 1952 Vicartown Disaster.

### Bio

No. 11 was built by Armstrong Whitworth in 1936 as member of the infamous Black Five class designed by William Stanier but ordered by the NWR following the need of another locomotive of Henry's new shape. The new locomotive proved itself capable of any form of train given and a supply of new boilers, which were used in the rebuilds of three of the ROD 2-8-0s and used as spares for either Henry or No. 11. In 1940, No. 11 was fitted with one of the spare "domed" boilers in place of his "domeless" boiler he was built with during an overhaul. Around this time, he also had his cab windows removed because of wartime restrictions placed on locomotive design.

Following the war, No. 11 was allocated to hauling mineral trains to help rebuild Sodor's economy since WWII had not just scarred the island physically, but also financially, leading for the NWR to rebuild the island's economy. No. 11 proved helpful in rebuilding the economy and was appalled with the idea of the NWR being Nationalised by the Government. Luckly, the NWR was spared and No. 11 continued with his regular duties but four years after BR was formed, and exactly a decade after two locomotives were destroyed in a collision at Tidmouth, the locomotive was written off while heading a passenger train and collided with a goods train from Barrow-in-Furness being headed by a much older locomotive from BR.

No. 11 was never named and remains a reminder of resilience during dark times on the NWR. His tender, which was damaged, was repaired and kept as a spare for Henry when needed while No. 11's remains were scrapped at Crewe.

### Personality

Due to this character been deceased before the series took place, No. 11's personality is unknown but it appears he was a hard worker due to him being a mixed traffic locomotive and opposes any form of government intervention on private railway companies like the NWR.

### Livery

No. 11 is painted in NWR Post-WWII lined black with the letters 'NWR' and his number in white on the tender and no number on the cabsides.

### Basis or real locomotive

No.11 is based on a LMS Stanier Class 5 "Black Five" 4-6-0 of 1935. 842 were built by various builders from 1935 to 1951, and being built with little or no modifications by Stanier's successors, Charles Edward Fairburn (Kate's designer) and Henry George Ivatt (Jenny's designer). All were retired by August 1968 and 18 have been preserved.

### Trivia

According to Shane Sowter, No. 11 was built with a "domeless" boiler but was modified with a "domed" to match Henry's design. In reality, this was not carried out on any Black Five.

* A domeless model of No. 11 will be made from No. 45025's model but never used on screen.

No. 11's disaster in 1952 happened exactly 10 years after both Guinevere and No. 12 were destroyed in similar fashion during WWII.

## Melbourne

### Designer

Robert Arthur Riddles

**Melbourne**, formerly named **Majestic** until 1955, is a modified WD 2-8-0 that is owned by the NWR.

### Bio

Melbourne was originally built by the Ministry of Supply during WWII and was built by Vulcan Foundry in 1943. After WWII, he was sold to the NWR and was named 'Majestic' after an aircraft carrier under construction at Barrow-in-Furness. In late-1955, he was renamed 'Melbourne' as a public relations exercise and to acknowledge the name change of the ship he was named after.

In 1998, Melbourne was the last NWR redesigned WD 2-8-0 left in service since his brothers were scrapped at Crovan's Gate works due to their condition. He explained to visiting MSR locomotive Raven that despite being the last WD 2-8-0 left in proper British service, no interest in preserving had materialised and he would go quietly like the others.

### Personality

Melbourne is a quiet engine which likes to keep certain things to himself.

### Livery

Melbourne is painted NWR Lined Regatta Blue. He also displays the coat of arms of the City of Melbourne, Australia, on both sides of his cab.

### Basis or real locomotive

Melbourne is based on a WD Austerity 2-8-0. 935 were built by the Vulcan Foundry and the North British Locomotive Company (NBL) during WWII. They were used to transport munitions, artillery and troops across the UK and later in other countries following D-Day in June 1944 and were sold off following the war. 735 were kept in the UK since the need for more modern, powerful and cheap heavy freight locomotives and 733 were used by British Railways, while the remaining two were owned by the Longmoor Military Railway (LMR).

### Trivia

Melbourne is named after the Majestic-class aircraft carrier of the same name. It was ordered in 1943 as 'HMS Majestic (R77)' and was launched in 1945. It was bought by the Australian Government in 1947 who christened the ship 'HMAS Majestic' but was commissioned as 'HMAS Melbourne (R21)' two days later. The ship became infamous after it rammed and sunk (by accident) the destroyer HMAS Voyager (D04) off Jervis Bay on 10th February 1964. It later had a similar incident in 1969 when it collided with USS Frank E. Evans. It was decommissioned in 1982 and sold for scrap in 1985 in China, but was mostly delayed and lead to the first Chinese carrier in 2012.

Melbourne's model is a repainted Bachmann model.

Sharon and Major-General McMullen are his younger siblings.

By 1998, Melbourne was the last WD in service in the UK to not be imported.

## "No. 8"

### Designer

Unknown

**"No. 8"** was a small tender locomotive that once worked for the TK&E and the NWR until he was scrapped in 1934. He was normally seen performing shunting due to his small size.

### Bio

No. 8 was built sometime in the early years of Queen Victoria's reign because of his design. It's unknown who designed him, who was he built for or what class was built to but it's known that he was bought second-hand from a mysterious private railway in the UK by the Tidmouth, Knapford & Elsbridge Light Railway (T&KE) in 1890.

Much of his past is unknown including much of his service but is remembered by those who worked with him as a rather rude engine. He was scrapped at Crovan's Gate works in 1934.

### Personality

No. 8 appeared to have been a rather rude engine but that is known of his personality.

### Livery

No. 8 is seen (in an old photograph) painted in TK&E lined blue with red lining, black borders along with the letters 'TK&E' and their numbers painted in yellow on his cab and tender respectively.

As for his NWR livery, No. 8's NWR livery remains unknown but it's said it was a "lined blue" livery.

### Basis or real locomotive

No. 8 is a freelance design and isn't based on any particular locomotive but he does slightly resemble and was inspired by the Furness Railway (FR) 17/A5 class, built by Sharp Steward & Co. in 1863-1866. Eight were built for goods duties and were replaced by much larger designs and some of them were rebuilt as saddle tanks. The class started being withdrawn in 1870 and 1918. No. 20 is preserved in original condition while No. 25 is preserved as a saddle tank.

No. 8's cab appears to be based on the standard cab seen on locomotives of the late-Victorian period to the end of World War One.

### Trivia

No. 8 is the smallest tender locomotive seen in the series with the modern steam locomotive design practice, being an 0-4-0.

No. 8 could possibly the oldest locomotive in the series despite having no physical appearance.

No. 8's face is Hurricane's from the 2017 Thomas movie 'Journey Beyond Sodor'.

No. 8 does have a model used to create the photograph, which is a body and tender bought on Shapeways with the inside-cylinder Hornby Railroad 0-4-0T chassis with added guard irons at the front and tender (for safety reasons and standard TK&E practice).

After No. 8 was scrapped in 1934, Guinevere, Reo and Rao are the last TK&E locomotives left until 1942, when Guinevere was destroyed in a collision with No.12 at Tidmouth.

No. 8 appears to have been modified from his original design, since he has a more modern-style cab which appears to have been added are 1905-1910 (his photograph was taken c.1911).

One of his tenders was originally TK&E No. 12's after the engine's destruction in France during WWI. It was later used as a sludge tender and is now owned by the Sudrian Preservation Society.

While the FR A5 class is his closest basis, No. 8 has a stronger resemblance to the two Wheatley 0-4-0s (LNER Y10) built by the North British Railway in 1868. They were rebuilt by Mathew Holmes in 1902 and William Reid in 1911. NBR No. 1010 was withdrawn in 1921 while No. 1011 survived into LNER ownership until its withdrawal in 1925.

## Worthington

### Class

LBSCR A1 "Terrier" (as built)LBSCR A1X "Terrier" (current form)

### Designer

William Stroudley

**Worthington** is an old tank engine that used to work for the Wellsworth & Suddery Railway, North Western Railway and the National Coal Board. He is currently preserved by the Sudrian Preservation Society at the Sodor Museum of Rail Transportation, Crovan's Gate.

### Bio

Worthington was built at Brighton Works in May 1873 after the twinning of the Wellsworth & Suddery Railway (W&S) and the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSCR) the month before. He arrived with three other A (later A1) "Terriers" named Emily, Rex and Bert and all were placed on passenger duties. In 1911, Worthington was reboilered to extend his service life into A1X specifications (LBSCR version) at Crovan's Gate Works and emerged in a different form to his original shape as built in 1873.

In 1934, Worthington was withdrawn by the NWR but was sold into industrial ownership by Ryhope Colliery where he would work as a shunter. He was passed into National Coal Board (NCB) ownership in 1946 and served until 1984, when he was withdrawn due to a broken valve. By that time, he was the longest serving Terrier after a service life of 111 years of operations. Worthington was brought back to Sodor in 1986 by the Sudrian Preservation Society (SPS) and taken to Crovan's Gate. Reunited with Gwen, who was the last W&S tender locomotive in service, Worthington was shunted in for restoration into operational condition but by his request, he would keep his NCB Ryhope Colliery colours.

By 1998, Worthington was operational again but wasn't allowed to operate on the mainline due to his age and range. He met Raven while the Q6 was topping up on water couldn't believe that the Terrier had served 111 years which most of that was in industrial ownership.

### Personality

Worthington, because of his age, is a wise engine whose 111 years of service has given heaps of wisdom.

### Livery

Worthington is painted in the livery used by Ryhope Colliery by the National Coal Board.

In a flashback, Worthington is painted in W&S maroon with gold lining and the words 'WELLSWORTH & SUDDERY' on the water tanks. He had black wheels with red and silver rods, a white roof and a copper-capped chimney.

### Basis or real locomotive

Worthington is based on both the LBSCR A1 and A1X 0-6-0Ts, both commonly nicknamed "Terriers". They were introduced in 1872 and designed by William Stroudley, who based the design on the "Lochgrom" tanks he designed for the Highland Railway (HR) in 1869. They were designed for suburban trains in London and named after suburbs, most which they never got to visit. Originally, they were fitted with a "donkey pump" which worked off the motion but was later replaced by steam injectors for safety reasons. 50 were built at Brighton Works from 1872 to 1880 and were slowly replaced by more modern Billinton designs and 17 were reboilered to become the A1X (see below) while the others were either sold or scrapped.

The 17 A1X class were reboilered versions of the A1 "Terriers" with new superheated boilers and a redesigned front end. The Terriers were kept on small branchline like the Hayling Island line, which would be the cause of their long life. A few became celebraties such as Stepney and Fenchurch and further withdrawals of the class begining in the 1940s after WWII but the last one wasn't retired until 1963, thanks to the Hayling Island line's weak wooden trestle bridge that linked the island with the UK mainland. In both forms, 10 have been preserved with one being in the United States and another converted back to A1 from A1X (No. 672 'Fenchurch') in 2001.

### Trivia

Worthington was originally created for the 5-part audio series created by Shane Sowter titled 'Rails through Suddery' that was originally not going to be in canon with the events of 'The Midlander'. This was changed when Shane included the Sudrian Museum of Rail Transportation at Crovan's Gate and allowed him to build his models.

Worthington's models are repainted Hornby (2019) A1 and A1X "Terriers".

* The two models were to represent his two forms over his 111-year-career.

Despite being Brighton-built, Worthington is a pure Sudrian due to him being built for a Sudrian railway.

Worthington is one of three surviving Wellsworth & Suddery Railway locomotives. The others are J1 2-4-2T Windcombe (now owned by Vicarstown Recycling Co.) and G classs 2-2-2 Gwen.

Martello, Cowes and Brighton are his younger brothers.

## Gwen

### Designer

William Stroudley

**Gwen** is an old tender that used to work on the Wellsworth & Suddery Railway. She is the sole surviving tender locomotive from the W&S and is a popular excursion locomotive by the NWR and the Sudrian Preservation Society.

### Bio

Gwen was built at Brighton Works in 1874 as part of the twinning of the Wellsworth & Suddery Railway (W&S) and the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSCR) that year for express service. She was slowly replaced on the W&S and placed on suburban trains, which phased out the suburban tanks of around her age to be placed on shunting duties. She was inherited by the NWR in December 1915 and was withdrawn from service in 1942, making her both the oldest in NWR service to be withdrawn after No. 8 and the last ex-W&S tender locomotive in service on Sodor. As a result, she was saved by the newly-formed Sudrian G class Locomotive Group (SGcLG) due to her historical significance.

Gwen was placed on static display at Wellsworth station until the opening of the Sudrian Museum of Rail Transportation was opened by the SGcLG, now renamed the "Sudrian Preservation Society" (SPS) and became the museum's star attraction.

### Personality

Gwen is a wise locomotive who likes to tell tales and is always able to have a chat with others.

### Livery

Gwen is painted in W&S maroon with gold lining and the words 'WELLSWORTH & SUDDERY' on her tender. She had black wheels, a white roof and a copper-capped chimney.

### Basis or real locomotive

Gwen is based on a LBSCR G class 2-2-2. They were the last 2-2-2s developed for a major railway company for express trains and were designed by William Stroudley in 1874. The prototype, 151 'Grosvenor', entered service in December 1874 and a second, No. 325 'Abergavenny', entering service in January 1877. Production G class locomotives were built between 1880 and 1882 but were made redundant on the Porthsmouth line following the introduction of the B2 class 4-4-0s by Robert J. Billinton in 1895 and several were reallocated to the Tunbridge Wells. Withdrawals happened between 1905 and 1911 with none being preserved, other than a model for No. 331 'Fairlight' that is on display in a museum Sheffield Park on the Bluebell Railway.

### Trivia

Gwen is the main character and storyteller in the 5-part audio series created by Shane Sowter titled 'Rails through Suddery' that was originally not going to be in canon with the events of 'The Midlander'. This was changed when Shane included the Sudrian Museum of Rail Transportation at Crovan's Gate and allowed him to build her model.

Gwen's model is built from an EB Models kit and was not operational by the time because it didn't have its motor at the time it appeared on screen. This is excused as she was a static display and wasn't able to be steamed.

Gwen is in fact named after the class itself, along with the rest of the W&S G class locomotives, which all feature names beginning with the letter 'G'.

Gwen is a paradox because the G class didn't enter service until December 1874 while Gwen was built in October of that same year.

## TK&E No. 12

### Other number

T&K/TK&E 12, ROD 112

**TK&E No. 12** was an old 0-4-0 built for the Tidmouth, Knapford & Eldsbridge Light Railway (TK&E) in the 1880s. He was the second locomotive in the UK fitted with Walschaerts valve gear and the first fitted with said valve gear on Sodor.

### Bio

TK&E No. 12 was proposed by the management of the Tidmouth & Knapford Light Railway (T&K) after looking for a newer and more modern locomotive design without making it too large. After hearing about the unique Swindon, Marlborough and Andover Railway (SM&AR) Fairlie tank which was fitted with Walschaerts valve gear, the designer gained a brainwave and designed a new 0-4-0 tender locomotive with Walschaerts valve gear fitted. In 1885, No. 12 was built and became the first locomotive on Sodor fitted with Walschaerts valve gear.

In 1915, No. 12 was acquisitioned by the Railway Operating Division (ROD) for service in WWI but was mainly used as a shunter. His fate is unknown but it's clear he never entered NWR service and was possibly destroyed between 1915 and 1918 possibly during a German attack or destroyed to prevent capture by the British. His tender was returned to Sodor and was paired behind NWR No. 8 (ex-TK&E No. 3) until he was scrapped in 1934 and ended up serving as a sludge tender until the 1970s. It is now owned by the Sudrian Preservation Society and has been restored to TK&E livery.

### Livery

TK&E No. 12 is only ever seen painted in ROD Khaki livery

Originally, TK&E No. 12 was painted in TK&E lined blue with red lining, black borders along with the letters 'TK&E' and their numbers painted in yellow on his cab and tender respectively.

### Basis or real locomotive

TK&E No. 12 is a freelance design and isn't based on any particular locomotive but he does slightly resemble and was inspired by the Furness Railway (FR) 17/A5 class, built by Sharp Steward & Co. in 1863-1866. Eight were built for goods duties and were replaced by much larger designs and some of them were rebuilt as saddle tanks. The class started being withdrawn in 1870 and 1918. No. 20 is preserved in original condition while No. 25 is preserved as a saddle tank.

His cylinders and valve gear appear to come off an unrecorded design but resemble those seen on a BR Peppercorn A1 class 4-6-2 'Pacific'.

### Trivia

TK&E No. 12 was inspired by the SM&AR (later M&SWJR) 0-4-4T No. 4, which is famed as being the first locomotive in the UK fitted with Walschaerts valve gear.

* Unlike the engine that inspired him, TK&E No. 12 was more successful because of training from European crews experienced with maintaining this valve gear, which was not carried out by the SM&AR.

TK&E No. 12 does have a model that appeared briefly on Stories from the Wars, which is a body and tender bought on Shapeways with a modified Hornby Railroad 0-4-0T chassis with added guard irons at the front and tender (for safety reasons and standard TK&E practice) and larger outside cylinders with motion added from another model that was scrapped which supposedly broke when he was younger.

It's unknown what TK&E No. 12's name was, but he was named.

## Dalby

### Designer

Charles Jones

**Dalby** is a large suburban (formerly express passenger) tank locomotive that works for the NWR. He is the only suburban steam locomotive operated on the Peel Godred branch line and the only steam locomotive allocated to the line.

### Bio

Dalby was built by Kerr Stuart & Company of Leeds in 1921 for the Metropolitan Railway in London for express services from Harrow (later Rickmansworth) to Aylesbury or Verney Junction. He was taken into LNER stock and renumbered from '110' to '6422' He was withdrawn from LNER service after working on ex-Great Central rails before Nationalisation and was placed into storage by Arthur Henry Peppercorn, CME of the LNER, on the promise he would see future service for another railway. Eventually, he was bought by the NWR for suburban work on the Killdane-Peel Godred and entered NWR service following a throughout overhaul carried out by the LNER's Doncaster Works in 1950.

During the 1970s, the Peel Godred line was electrified from Killdane to cut operational costs and reduce steam and diesel services on the line. As part of this plan, Dalby was involved with this electrification as he was going to still be allocated to the line for suburban duties on areas not electrified e.g. Sodor Aluminium Works north of Peel Godred. The first electric services began in 1973 and some services were suspended due to this change in motive power. By the 1990s, Dalby still worked on the Peel Godred branch despite being the only self-powered locomotive now allocated to the line, but still sees regular service. Dalby is sometimes loaned to heritage railways on the mainland due to his unique status in railway circles. He's yet to visit the Moorland Steam Railway.

### Personality

Dalby is hard working engine who normally looks out for anyone in trouble but most of the time, can be a bit impatient when a service is running late to Killdane.

### Livery

Dalby is painted in NWR Brunswick Green with his number and the letters 'NWR' painted in white Gill Sans font. He also has 'Killdane' and 'H2' painted in white on the lower edge of his front bufferbeam.

### Basis or real locomotive

Dalby is based off the real locomotive. It was one of 8 Metropolitan Railway H class 4-4-4Ts designed by Charles Jones. Following problems with six-coupled tank engines, eight were built at Kerr Stuart & Company of Leeds, Yorkshire, from 1920 to 1921 for express services from Harrow (later Rickmansworth), the connection for electrified London Metropolitan service, to Aylesbury or Verney Junction. They were reclassed as 'H2' by the LNER and were reallocated to ex-GCR territory during their final years of service. They were withdrawn from 1942 until 1947 and all eight have been scrapped. They were replaced by Robinson A5 4-6-2Ts which lead to their withdrawal.

No. 110 was built at Kerr Stuart & Company in 1921 as the final member of the class. It was withdrawn in sometime in 1947 and later scrapped that year as LNER 6422 without a 1946 number.

### Trivia

Dalby is named after Clarence Reginald Dalby, better known as "C. Reginald Dalby", who was an illustrator for The Railway Series from 1949 to 1956 and illustrated the first 11 books of series (including redos from Middleton and Payne in 1949 and 1950) and was fired by the Rev. W. Awdry following how he illustrated Percy as a "green caterpillar with red stripes" (according to the Reverend himself) and Duck as a GWR 6400, depsite being a 5700 class (like Murphy). He was replaced by John T. Kenney in 1957.

* Bertie's licence plate feature's Dalby's initals, **CRD** 54.
* Two figures seen at Ffarquhar station in 1940 are supposed to be Dalby himself and his daughter Kathryn, which were seen in the fifth illustration of the Railway Series story 'Tenders and Turntables' in the book 'Troublesome Engines'.

Dalby was originally going to be named Harrow, after the location where the real H class 4-4-4Ts connected with the Metropolitan Railway, later London Transport, electrified services.

* Dalby's originally proposed name could have also come from his class's desigination.

Dalby's NWR livery resembles BR Brunswick Green, which Leicester City also carries.

Dalby is the only standard gauge 4-4-4T left in the UK.

Dalby's number refers to the year his namesake redid the illustrations of the Railway Series book 'The Three Railway Engines' in 19**49**, which became his first book done for the Railway Series as its illustrator.

Dalby's model is a body bought on Shapeways and a scratchbuilt chassis.

## Ulfstead Castle

### Class

GWR 4000 'Star' (as built)GWR 4073 'Castle' (rebuilt)

### Designer

George Jackson Churchward (as built)Charles Benjamin Collett (rebuilt)

**Ulfstead Castle**, formerly known as **Shooting Star** and **Lloyds**, is an express locomotive that operates on the NWR.

### Bio

Much of Ulfstead Castle's bio is unknown built what is known about him is that he was built at Swindon Works as a 4000 'Star' class in 1907 as 'Shooting Star' and was withdrawn from service in 1925, resulting in him being rebuilt that same year as a more powerful Castle class. In 1936, Shooting Star was renamed 'Lloyds' and renumbered as '100 A1' and was a part of the oli-firing program run by the GWR following WWII.

Lloyds was withdrawn in 1950 by BR but instead of being scrapped, he was given to the NWR as a gift to 'Sir Charles Topham Hatt II' from his old mentor, C. B. Collett. It's unknown why he wasn't operating by the 1990s but he appears to be operational by 2013.

### Personality

Due to this character not appearing in the series, Ulfstead Castle's personality is unknown.

### Livery

Ulfstead Castle's livery is said to be similar to Ashley Manor's.

### Basis or real locomotive

Ulfstead Castle is based off the real locomotive.

### Trivia

Ulfstead Castle is the only locomotive in the series to have three names.

Ulfstead Castle is only mentioned by Ashley Manor during her visit to the MSR in 2013.

Ulfstead Castle is Shane Sowter's version of 'Sodor Castle' from The Extended Railway Series, created by members of Sodor Island Forums. The reason for the name change is because there is no 'Sodor Castle' mentioned in the book 'The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways' but instead, Ulfstead Castle is mentioned.

* Despite Ulfstead Castle appearing making its first appearance in the film 'King of the Railway', the name change for the character is to keep in continuity with themes and references to The Railway Series.