Alfred

"*Ah Gordon, there you are, I was about to dispatch a search party.*"
— Alfred, Passengers.

**Alfred** was an LNER B12 who worked on the Mainland. He would occasionally visit Sodor.

## Biography

Alfred worked on the Great Eastern Railway and later on London and North Eastern Railway as an express engine who would take passengers from the Gordon's express service to London from Barrow. He was clearly a very proud express engine with a low opinion on shunters, and he had a certain camaraderie with Gordon, especially when united against the Midis. In the spring of 1938, Mr. Star had Alfred temporarily assigned to Sodor so that Gordon could assist the rest of the Nor'easters with the goods work.

Alfred visited Sodor again in the early winter months of 1939, transporting Lord and Lady Whiteadder. Alfred was talking with James, a conversation that became increasingly unpleasant when he got impatient and grumpy that a shunter had not yet taken his coaches. James, annoyed, explained that usually Thomas or Percy serve as station pilots if they are not busy, leading Alfred to insult James for being mixed-traffic and not a "proper" engine for pulling trucks. James countered that Gordon has pulled trucks since Alfred's last visit. Then, when Toby came in, Alfred asked him to shunt his coaches, but Toby was too busy with coal trucks, and Alfred said the Island is a disgrace to the LNER.

Later, Alfred explained his argument with Toby to Gordon, who thought Alfred's request was reasonable but could understand Toby's reaction. Gordon revealed to Alfred that while Percy or Thomas usually organize his express, he has pulled trucks since Alfred's last visit. When Alfred lamented what Sir Nigel would say about that, Gordon argued that he would be pleased his prized prototype was being used to its full potential, and explains that he came around to acknowledging that every engine has an obligation to broaden their skillset to help their company prosper, impressing Alfred very much. They both agree that when the newly-enlightened Alfred returns to London, he can set an example for their compatriots based on Gordon's expertise.

In The Stories Of War's episode, Espionage, Alfred and Geoffrey were two of several engines who came to help out on Sodor while eight of its engines were serving abroad. The two of them clashed over a past misdeed Geoffrey committed against Alfred, with Alfred going so far as to say he will only let it go if Geoffrey gets permanently sent to Railgate. However, Alfred was on much better terms with Toby, expressing sympathy over the incident where an argument with Toby seemingly killed Station Master Jeffries, even offering to do any shunting Toby needs.

During this time, a member of the British Unionists had placed a bomb on board a train with the intention of destroying Knapford Harbour; this was the train that Toby asked Alfred to move away. But when Alfred buffered up, he was delayed by another argument with Geoffrey, which was temporarily interrupted by a workman searching for the manifest, which led to the bomb's discovery. With two minutes left, Alfred acted quickly and rushed the train out of the harbour. Unbeknownst to him, James was pulling a goods train in the opposite direction, with Mr. Star aboard his brakevan. Alfred managed to clear James before the bomb exploded, killing himself, James' guard and Mr. Star in the process.

Four years later, in the winter of 1947, Geoffrey woke up from a dream where he saw Alfred. This prompted the red engine to tell Percy and Toby about exactly what happened between them: Back in the days of the Big Four, Geoffrey, in a failed attempt to steal Alfred's train of important dignitaries from the Nor'Easters, derailed a goods train in front of their sheds. Spencer, who was outside the shed, took the train, and Alfred was furious when two of its passengers, the Duke and Duchess of Boxford, expressed interest in buying Spencer post-working career. Out of all the engines Geoffrey apologized to post-Railgate sentence, Alfred remained the sole exception who kept on hating him, at least until World War II when Alfred sacrificed himself to save Geoffrey. After telling his story, Geoffrey admits he wishes Alfred had forgiven him. It then turns out that Alfred appearing in his dream was a warning about a snowdrift blocking the line.

On Christmas night, Geoffrey had a dream where he woke up alone in Knapford Harbour to find Alfred beside him. Alfred told him he wasn't there to hurt him, otherwise he wouldn't have warned him about the snowdrift. The best he could explain is that death is complicated. He then forgave Geoffrey and also apologised to him for holding his grudge against him. He acknowledged that Geoffrey isn't the same engine he was back in the "Big Four" days and wishes he had realized that while he was still alive. Geoffrey accepted and reissued his apology. Alfred gave the parting words that Geoffrey should inform the others that Colin, Lily and Mr. Star all say hello. When asked about where he is, he could only say he doesn't know but it is peaceful. He and Geoffrey wished each other Merry Christmas before Geoffrey woke up and told the others about the dream, giving everyone closure now that they know their fallen friends are happy, wherever they are.

## Persona

Alfred was friendly, mostly polite, and proud, as well as intelligent and self-important. He could sometimes get grumpy though, especially if an engine was late or did something to ruin his schedule. Like most engines under a company, he referred to his fellow Nor'Easters as brothers and sisters, though he was only seen doing this to Gordon, an express engine. Alfred's status as an express engine made him very pompous, and he retained a negative view of shunters and trucks until Gordon miraculously got through to him.

Alfred was also condescending to the rival Midis, especially Reginald for being an express engine who shunted his own coaches, and maintained a hatred for Geoffrey despite the former Midi's reformation. However, Alfred proved himself by pulling a heroic sacrifrice, saving Geoffrey in the process, and made amends with Geoffrey as a ghost, wishing he had done so when alive.

On the subject of the British Union, Alfred agreed with Gordon that democracy's tolerant nature could be exploited but would ultimately stick with it nonetheless.

## Livery

Alfred was painted in the LNER Apple green livery with yellow linings.

## Basis

Alfred was based on the LNER Class B12 locomotive. Wensley, Benson, Lenny and The Purple Tender Engine are other members of this class.

## Trivia

* Alfred originally appeared in the series' original intro.
* Alfred has appeared in many other Thomas fan series, however the "Stories of Sodor" variation is one of few who isn't evil, and probably among the kindest so far.

## Appearances

### The Stories of Sodor

#### Season 1

* Passengers
* Cows *(does not speak)*

#### Season 2

* Visitor *(mentioned)*
* Prejudice

#### Stories of War

* Evacuation *(cameo)*
* Blitz *(cameo)*
* Espionage *(death)*

#### Season 4

* Treasure *(cameo)*
* Return *(flashback cameo)*

#### Sodor Shorts

* Tutorial *(does not speak)*
* Remembrance *(ghost : does not speak)*
* Club *(does not speak)*

## See Also

**LNER**

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