Drivers

There are two types of **drivers** which specialise in operating engines, buses and many other vehicles.

==Engine Drivers==
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> I'd never go without my driver. I'd be frightened.
>
> Toby, Thomas Comes to Breakfast

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The **engine drivers** (sometimes called **engineers** in some US narrations) together with firemen, make up the crews that operate and maintain the engines on a railway. They keep their assigned engine in control and provide company, as well as a voice of reason when it is being difficult.

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===Uniform===
A North Western Railway steam engine driver's uniform consists of dark blue trousers, a black tie, a white shirt with a blue jacket with light blue accents over it and a blue peaked cap. This dress code is the same for drivers on the Arlesdale Railway.

Diesel engine drivers wear a similar, though less formal, uniform, with the Vicarstown Dieselworks logo on the jacket and a brown cap.

The drivers on the Skarloey Railway wear the same outfits, but in grey instead of blue.

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===Voice Actors===
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===Trivia===
\* In the magazine stories, drivers on the Skarloey Railway wear the same colour uniform as those on the North Western Railway.
\* To date, nine drivers have been named:
\*\* Charlie Sand, Edward's driver
\*\* Joe, Culdee's driver
\*\* Bob, Thomas' driver
\*\* Jack Owen, Stepney's driver
\*\* Franz, Hugo's driver
\*\* Billy Twofeathers, Rainbow Sun's driver
\*\* Mr. Arkwright, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Roberts
\* There have been complaints about the lack of female drivers. Mary Creagh, a Labour Front-bencher, has said it was a negative stereotype and says it will make women less likely to become train drivers if they are put off in their early years. She also criticised the lack of female characters. HiT Entertainment responded saying there has been a "historical imbalance" but that there will be more female characters/engines in the future. However, Nia's driver is the first female driver to be introduced in the television series.
\* Douglas/Glynn's driver is the first driver in the series to have ginger hair.
\* In the 2004 magazine story, Emily's Slide Show, it is revealed that Emily had a different driver before she came to Sodor.
\* Donald's driver is one of the few to have grey hair in the model series.
\* In the Series 22 episode, Samson and the Fireworks, Samson's driver is shown playing the harmonica.

===Merchandise===
\* Wooden Railway﻿ (*discontinued*)
\* Brio (*discontinued*)
\* Motor Road and Rail
\* Capsule Plarail
\* Pocket Fantasy
\* Departing Now (*discontinued*)

==Bus Drivers==
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> That will do, Bertie. A promise is a promise and we must keep it!
>
> Bertie's driver, Bertie's Chase

There are several **bus drivers** who work for Sodor Roadways. In the model series, they were commonly accompanied by **bus conductors**.

In the magazine story, A Hole in One, the Fat Controller played golf with Bertie's driver.

===Uniform===
A bus driver's uniform consists of a light blue jacket over a white shirt and a red tie, light blue trousers and a red flat cap with a black brim.

===Voice Actors===
Bertie's driver:
\* Colin McFarlane Template:Note
\* Shinobu Satouchi Template:Note
\* Kunihiro Kawamoto Template:Note

Bulgy's driver:
\* Ryō Horikawa Template:Note

===Trivia===
\* In Thomas and the Magic Railroad, live-action actors are used throughout the film. However, Bertie's driver appears as a figure instead. In the twelfth series, despite human characters being portrayed in CGI, Bertie's driver also remains as a figure instead.
\* In the model series, Bertie's driver had a moustache. However, when the show switched to CGI, he became clean shaven.

===Merchandise===
\* Motor Road and Rail Template:Discontinued
\* Wood