Peter Sam

Peter Sam named after the Skarloey Railway's previous controller, Mr Peter Sam, is a green narrow gauge tank engine.

## Bio:

Peter Sam lives on Sodor. He used to work at Mid Sodor Railway, who originally named **Stuart**, after the designer who built him. He now works on the Skarloey Railway.

## Appearances:

### The Adventures on Sodor:

#### Season 2:

* What Place is Right for You? \*cameo\*, Tale Of The Old Warrior, Logs Away

## **Basis:**

Peter Sam is based on the Talyllyn Railway's Edward Thomas, a Kerr Stuart Tattoo Class 0-4-2ST that originally worked on the Corris Railway. Interestingly, Edward Thomas only donned the Giesl ejector funnel for a limited time, while Peter Sam has used it since he first received it. Four other Tattoo locomotives are also preserved, including a replica on the Corris Railway.

**Real-Life History**

Edward Thomas is a 0-4-2ST built in 1921 by Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd. He worked on the Corris Railway, along with Sir Haydn, until the line's closure in 1948. Edward Thomas was purchased by the Talyllyn Railway in 1951 and named after its former manager. After repairs were carried out by the Hunslet Engine Co., the engine entered service on the Talyllyn Railway in 1952 and has proved most successful. From 1958 until 1969, a Giesl ejector was fitted instead of a conventional chimney, the first such installation in the British Isles.

Following the success of Sir Haydn's stint as Sir Handel between 1982 and 1984, in 1988 it was decided to repaint Edward Thomas into Peter Sam. A ceremony was held on the 14 May, 1988, where the Rev. W. Awdry, acting as the "representative" of Sir Handel Brown, handed over "Peter Sam" to the Talyllyn Railway, supported by his son Christopher Awdry and grandson Richard. "Peter Sam" would spend twelve years on the Talyllyn Railway, during which he became involved in a dispute with The Britt Allcroft Company following the launch of Days Out with Thomas, as Allcroft wanted the Talyllyn to pay licensing fees like other heritage railways. In 1993, an agreement was reached and in 1996, "Peter Sam's" visit to the Talyllyn Railway was featured in *The Railway Series* book, *New Little Engine*. In 2000, Douglas took over as Duncan for Skarloey events, now named "Duncan Days", and Edward Thomas was withdrawn for overhaul.

Edward Thomas was then repainted into the British Railways livery of black, the livery he might have acquired had the Corris line survived a little longer. An extensive overhaul, which included the fitting of a new boiler, was completed in late May 2004, and the engine returned to public service on the thirtieth of that month as "Edward Thomas" in unlined green livery. Following Sir Haydn taking over as main Skarloey engine in 2008, Edward Thomas would occasionally be dressed up as Peter Sam before taking over as main Skarloey engine from Douglas (who reassumed the role in 2013) in 2016, with the events being rebranded as "Peter Sam's Party". Unlike previous times, Edward Thomas was not repainted into Peter Sam's red livery from *The Railway Series* and remained in his regular green livery and was only dressed up for the special events. A new face was also made for him, based on the face of former manager and namesake Edward Thomas.

## Livery:

* In the television series, Peter Sam has always been painted dark green with red lining and brass fittings. He has red and gold name and number plates on the sides of his saddle tank and coal bunkers respectively. In The Thomas Way DVD, the Mr. Perkins segment features a re-illustrated version of Trucks!. In this, Peter Sam is painted dark green, like in the television series.

## Trivia:

* He was the first narrow gauge engine to not speak in there debut episode, the second being Duke.