Stephen

**Stephen the "Rocket"** is a supporting character in the Seventyverse and is the second engine of the Ulfstead Estate Railway.

## Backstory

Stephen was one of the first engines built and competed against four other engines in a series of races called the Rainhall Trials, which he won. He used to work in mines and at harbours, but was withdrawn as newer and faster engines were built. He was eventually discovered by Sir Robert Norramby who brought him to Sodor, where he was restored at the Steamworks. The Earl had Stephen restored he could take tourists around the castle grounds; however, Stephen was not aware and travelled around Sodor, looking for jobs that he could do after being told by Thomas that the Earl had a surprise job for him. Sadly, Stephen discovered he was too weak and slow for most of the jobs. Then, whilst, at an abandoned mine near the castle, he heard some runaway trucks coming and raced into the mine to avoid being hit, becoming trapped in the process after his funnel causes the entrance to cave in. It was whilst in the mine that Stephen discovered King Godred's long lost crown and Thomas soon rescued him. Stephen was given a new funnel and attended the grand opening of Ulfstead Castle where he has been giving tours to this day, alongside Millie and Glynn.

## Relationships

### Glynn

At first, Stephen was jealous of Glynn and when plans for a railway museum at the Earl came about, Stephen challenged Glynn to a race with the losing becoming an exhibit at the museum. Of course, neither engine could go fast and they end up delaying Gordon and James on the mainline, but this gave the chance to have a deep conversation about railways' part in history and by the time the two reached Knapford, the two engines had become friends.

## Personality

Stephen is a jovial old engine with a positive attitude and a good sense of humour. He is good-hearted and quick-witted and will not take any nonsense from engines like Spencer or Diesel. Some of the smaller engines look up to him for advice and he is always willing to get the job done.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Stephen is based on Stephenson's Rocket. Though his design is based on a combination of the Rocket as originally built (such as angled cylinders) and its post-Rainhill modifications (such as a smokebox), Stephen has identified himself as the original Rocket, describing the Rainhill trials and his subsequent working years.

The real Rocket is preserved at the Science Museum in London, although it is currently on display at the National Railway Museum at York. Several replicas also exist, one of which is part of the National Collection.

### Livery

Stephen is painted bright yellow and black. He carries gold nameplates reading "Rocket" on each side of his boiler and his domes, whistle, exhaust pipes and boiler bands are painted bronze. During his early years and after his overhaul, Stephen had a plain black funnel, but after he was rescued from the mine, his funnel was painted white with a gold finial.

Prior to being overhauled, Stephen had unpainted woodwork with black wheels. Due to being abandoned for so long, he was covered in patches of rust, and his wood was rotting.

## Trivia

* Stephen in this series is not the actual Rocket, but one that was made a few decades after the Railhill trials were completed to recreate it.
	+ This is done to preserve the fact the real Rocket is preserved in the National Railway Museum.