Thomas

**Thomas** is the number 1 blue engine on the North Western Railway

## Basis:

Thomas is an experimental 0-6-0T Tank Engine, then was the basis idea for the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) E2 of 0-6-0 Tank Engines which he was modified to in 1913. They were the first locomotives designed by Lawson B. Billington, originally intended to replace the elderly E1 Class Tank Engines (Who were designed by his predecessor, William Stroudley) on light goods/freight work. 10 locomotives were built between 1913-1916 at the LBSCR's Brighton Works, Numbered 100-109. The E2's were built in 2 batches. The 1st batch (consisting of locomotives 100-104) had an inadequate water supply, so the 2nd batch of E2's (consisting of locomotives 105-109) were built with extended side tanks to compensate. Unfortunately, the E2's suffered from several problems, which included (but not limited to), mediocre brakes, and offset counterbalancing, and a few other issues. 1 of the most notable issues was the small size of the coal bunker, which meant that the locomotive couldn't pull trains at anything faster than walking pace. Most of them were used for heavier shunting and light goods work.

When the LBSCR became part of the Southern Railway (UK), following the Big 4 Grouping of 1923, the E2's numbers were increased by 2000, with the locomotives now bearing the numbers 2100-2109. This numbering scheme would remain until the the creation of British Railways in 1948, when the numbers of all former Southern Machines were increased by 30,000, with the final numbering for the E2's being 32100-32109, remaining that way until Withdrawal by BR. In the Mid-1950's, the class was used at Southampton Docks, alongside the USATC S-100 Class Tank Engines (Rosie's Basis), but the E2's longer, 16 foot wheelbase restricted them from making some of the tighter curves in the docks. The Class was withdrawn between 1961-1963, and sadly, none survived into preservation.

Thomas in particular is based the 2nd Batch of E2's with the extended side tanks, but Thomas himself has several differences in design compared to his basis, including the addition of Splashers, a shorter wheelbase, and the running board only being dipped in the front, as opposed to both sides. Grant, Ben, Cameron are also based off this!

### Original Design look

Original Basis lookThomas originally intended to be a J50 in the Railway Series!

## VA:

* Luke's Locos
* Luca Dollar (formerly)

## Timeline:

* 1889- Thomas is built!
* 1892- Thomas meets Lilly! After he saves her from a runaway! They get married!
* 1900- Thomas is sent to the NWR with Conrad, he is still painted in Red
* 1913- He is remodified into an LBSCR E2, where he is sent to Brighton, and repainted in LBSCR Green
* 1918- Thomas receives the Victorian Cross Medal by King George V
* 1923- Thomas becomes Station Pilot
* 1929- Thomas rescues James after his accident in a field and he earns his own branchline and is painted Blue
* 1930- Toby, Lilly and Colin help him on the branchline! The same year, Lady (his closest friend) goes missing!
* 1932- Percy arrives to the NWR and he and Thomas become BFF! Lady is found!

## Gallery:

LBSCR RedLBSCR GreenRWS/Thomas (NWR Adventures)AdventuresWR