Stafford

> That's me; I'm Steamie Stafford! - Stafford
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**Stafford** is a battery-electric engine. He usually works at Knapford Yards and Knapford Station Yard.

## History

### Thomas & Friends

When Stafford first arrived on the Island, Spencer was given the job of showing him around. Spencer failed to listen to a warning about Stafford's battery running out and when it did, Spencer did not notice. Spencer later ran out of coal and Stafford had to shunt him to Knapford. There the Fat Controller called Stafford a really useful engine and welcomed him to Sodor.

He then became jealous of the steam engines because of the noises they made, and tried to be like them, but only caused confusion and delay when he did a job that was meant to be done quietly. In the end, he decided he was happy to be quiet Stafford the Electric Shunting Engine.

Stafford once shunted a wagon filled with the Entertainers' luggage for Daisy, but she pulled away as she did not want to pull it and he could not catch up as his batteries would not get him as far as Harwick.

He, alongside Charlie and Scruff wanted to be part of the Great Railway Show, though they were not chosen.

## Personality

Stafford is a humble, courteous little chap with a Yorkshire accent. He is a very different sort of engine from any other on the North Western Railway. This is because Stafford is an electric battery engine; he is not a steam engine or a diesel engine. Stafford is fuelled by recharging his battery, which needs to be done frequently so he can go about his work as a shunting engine. Stafford is very patient, calm and mannerly. He does not let the antics of the bigger, haughtier engines bother him too much, keeps level-headed as he goes about his day, and brushes off any troubles without much fuss. He is more than content with taking things slow and not having to travel long distances and he is more than proud to work on the Fat Controller's railway.

## Livery

Stafford is made of veneered wood with yellow lining. The number "1917" and gold nameplates are on his sides.

## Appearances

* Season 1 - Gordon the Tanker (*cameo*)
* Season 2 - Ryan's New Friend (*does not speak*)
* Season 3 - Emily's Misadventure (*cameo*)

## Trivia

* Stafford is the first electric engine introduced in the television series and the first electric engine named in the entire history of the franchise.
* Stafford's horn is Mavis' current horn at a higher pitch.
* Stafford's face is the shape of a UK wall plug, a tongue-in-cheek nod to his fuel type.
* Stafford's number comes from the year his basis was built and his name comes from where his basis worked.
* Stafford is the last character introduced in the Nitrogen Studios era and created by Sharon Miller before stepping down as head writer.
* Stafford's basis was made for shunting only. Despite that, he has been seen pulling goods trains on the main and branch lines.
* Stafford has ran out of battery after a few minutes in his debut episode, but in subsequent appearances, he can shunt and pull trains for a long amount of time.
* According to Sam Wilkinson, he originally had a different name.
	+ This name remains unknown.

## Quotes

> "I'm an electric engine. I have a battery, not a boiler."
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> Puff-puff-puff-puff, chuff-chuff-chuff-chuff, wheeeeeeeesh! Whoo-whoo! - Stafford mimicking a steam engine.
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