Norman

**Norman** is a vermillion-red diesel shunter with a unibrow. He is often seen working around Vicarstown. He is Dennis' twin.

## Biography

Norman's shape resembles that of his twin Dennis, but he is a diesel engine who is much kinder and more willing to work. He wants to be liked by all the engines, whether they be steam or diesel engines. So he does his part at the Sodor Dieselworks and follows all of his orders; in fact Norman is so efficient, Sir Bertram Topham Hatt holds him in high regard.

However, poor Norman often breaks down and he does not like that. Unlike Dennis (who is lazy), if Norman were fixed properly he would show what a Really Useful Engine he can be. He is also willing to help another engine in trouble.

Before coming to Sodor, Norman worked at a busy marshalling yard on the Mainland, but kept breaking down due to faults in his design. He was only able to shunt a few wagons at a time, which led the yard manager to believe Norman was simply lazy. He was later transferred to Sodor along with Paxton and Sidney, where he was delighted to find his twin, Dennis.

In December 1966, Norman told Percy that Sidney had been on his hoist for two months and was there when he was given his new wheels. He also offered Thomas and Gordon a place to sleep at Vicarstown Dieselworks when the turntable at Tidmouth Sheds was frozen.

Norman was at the Dieselworks when Paxton returned after looking for him, Diesel, Sidney, Den and Dart.

When the Great Railway Show was being held, Norman was one of the engines who were hoping to be picked to compete but was not. Norman was later involved in an accident with Thomas at Knapford, resulting in the tank engine initially being unable to compete in the Great Railway Show.

## Basis

Norman is based on British Railways (BR) No. 11001, a prototype diesel built at Ashford Works, England in 1949. It was designed by Oliver Bulleid during his time working for the Southern Railway (SR), but the locomotive was completed after the SR had become part of BR. The Southern Railway experimented with various designs of diesel shunters, and amongst these, 11001 had a larger engine and a higher top speed to enable it to perform pick-up goods duties in addition to shunting. It was not a particularly successful design, and the locomotive was scrapped in 1959. 11001 had numerous distinctive features, such as large connecting rods, a long bonnet with the fuel tank in front, and a domed roof.

Norman's twin Dennis is also based on BR 11001. While the two co-exist, in the real world only one engine of this type was ever built, which Dennis bears the number of.

## Livery

Norman is painted vermilion with two yellow stripes and red wheels with grey rims. He has a dark grey front, roof, toolboxes and footsteps. His running board and bufferbeams are red. His paint and number 45 are chipped in places and shows signs of weathering.

In his initial appearances, Norman had a red jackshaft, however since the eleventh season it has been painted black.

## Appearances

### Season 13

* Den and Dart (cameo)
* Diesel's Ghostly Christmas (cameo)

### Season 14

* Sidney Sings
* Engine of the Future (cameo)

### Season 15

* The Great Race
* Confused Coaches (does not speak)