Molly

"*I want to take full trucks/cars, like a Really Useful engine!*"
— Molly, Molly's Special Special, ninth season
**Molly** is a powerful, bright yellow tender engine.

## Bio

When Molly first came to the railway, Emily laughed at her for having to haul "empties" to the Coaling Plant. Molly's feelings were hurt, so Thomas came up with an idea. He had workmen decorate Molly's trucks with lanterns and cover them with tarpaulins, to make them look special to the other engines. The wind, however, blew off a tarpaulin in front of Gordon, Percy and Emily. Molly ran away, embarrassed, until she learned that engines at the depot needed her empty trucks to carry coal. When Molly arrived at the depot, Edward, Henry and Jameswere grateful to see her; but Gordon was annoyed when he had to wait at a signal for Molly's and Thomas' trains to pass.

When Emily had to work with Whiff, Molly was one of a number of engines who laughed at her. Later, Molly helped James with the removal of pipes on the line during a busy winter and then, she advised Thomas to slow down when he was taking a sailing boat for the Mayor of Sodor.

In The Great Discovery, Molly received news from Bill and Ben that Stanley had found Thomas.

## Persona

Molly is a powerful, bright yellow steam engine. She is proud of her strength, and is happy to put it to use as one of Sodor's bigger engines. She often works pulling empty trucks to the coaling plant. Being a sensitive engine, she often worries about fading into the background. Sometimes taking "empties" makes her feel less important and sad, but in the end, she will usually see that it is a vital part of operations and an important task after all. Molly has a peacekeeper attitude, tends to be rather sensible, and is looked upon as a "big sister" by some of the other engines. However, because of her sensitivity, she can be easily embarrassed or upset by conflict, and will steam away to avoid it, but will usually have the courage to do what she thinks is right. Molly likes to be as good as everyone else and wants the other engines to think the best of her.

## Basis

Molly is based on a Great Eastern Railway D56 Class "Claud Hamilton", classified as D15 by the London and North Eastern Railway, with a Belpaire firebox. Claud Hamiltons under the classes S46/D14, D56/D15 and H88/D16 were built at Stratford Works from 1900 to 1923. Under the LNER, most members of the class were rebuilt into the Gresley designed D16/3 sub-class. Members of this class pulled the Royal Train from Wolverton to the Sardingham Estate for several decades. The last D15 was withdrawn in 1952, while the last rebuilt Claud was withdrawn in 1960. None are preserved, though there are plans to construct a replica of D16/2 No. 8783.

The original 8783 cameoed in The Railway Series book, Toby, Trucks and Trouble.

## Livery

Molly is painted bright yellow with red boiler bands, red and bronze lining, and a white roof and wheel rims.

## Appearances

* Television Series
* Other Media

* **Season 10** - Big Strong Henry (*cameo*), Sticky Toffee Thomas (*cameo*), Emily and the Special Coaches (*cameo*) and Thomas and the Birthday Mail (*cameo*)
* **Season 11** - Emily's Rubbish (*cameo*), Henry's Lucky Day and Thomas Sets Sail

Specials* **2008** - The Great Discovery (*does not speak*)