Edward

* **Class**: FR K2 *Larger Seagull*
* **Designer**: James Manson
* **Builder**: Atlas Works
* **Built**: 1888, rebuilt 1926, 1954
* **Configuration**: 4-4-0
* **Top Speed**: 75 mph
* **Arrived on Sodor**: January 1915

**Edward** is a blue mixed-traffic tender engine on the North Western Railway, and its oldest engine. Built in 1888 by Sharp, Stewart & Co. and used by the Furness Railway, he came to Sodor in 1915 as the first acquisition of the newly formed NWR, and assisted in its construction. Since 1923, he has run the Brendam Branch Line.

## Biography

### Furness Railway

Like most of the North Western Railway's early engines, Edward's origins are rather uncertain. He was built by Sharp, Stewart & Co. in 1888 at their newly acquired Atlas Works in Glasgow, apparently to an anonymous design by James Manson of the Great North of Scotland Railway - as he bears a noted similarity to the 4-4-0s of that railway. Whatever the exact circumstances, Sharp, Stewart soon sold him to the Furness Railway in Lancashire, likely so the railway could test an 4-4-0 before making orders.

The test would prove successful, though the four 4-4-0s the Furness would order for 1891 were rather diminutive in comparison to Edward. A second batch of larger engines would be built in 1896, known as 'Larger Seagulls', and it seems Edward was classified with them. While a hard worker, Edward gained a reputation as a shy steamer and was never used to his full potential.

### North Western Railway

In 1914, the newly formed North Western Railway found itself in desperate need of new, more powerful motive power, its small fleet of engines being antiquated and undersized for its purpose as a wartime strategic railway. Chief Engineer Mr. Topham Hatt struck deals with the nearby Furness and Midland Railways to loan several of their engines. Edward was one of these engines, and was the first to arrive in January the following year. He, with his tremendous enthusiasm and work ethic, was the driving force behind the railway's construction. When the Vicarstown Rolling Bridge was completed near the end of 1915, he was the first engine to cross it.

During the railway's construction, he worked closely and struck a close friendship with Mr Hatt, which would last sixty years. Every year until 1923, he would pull a special birthday train for him. Mr Hatt took an intrest in curing Edward's shy steaming, but none of his modifications had much success, as he could not make extensive changes due to the pressing need for Edward to remain in service.

By 1919, most of the railway's construction was complete and the war traffic ceased with the end of hostilities, and the Mainland railways began calling their engines home. Topham asked the Board of Directors to offer to purchase Edward from the Furness, which was accepted in 1921, much to the two's delight. After this, he was sent to the Crovan's Gate Works for a partial rebuild and to be repainted to his now familiar blue livery. Between then and 1923, he hauled the Wild Nor' Wester.

By 1922, most of the loaned engines had gone home and the North Western found itself in a locomotive crisis, Edward was near enough single handedly running the Main Line. Topham Hatt, now a director, bought what he thought was a GCR Atlantic to relieve Edward of the Express and some of the other more strenuous services. However the engine, named Henry, proved a failure and required Edward to rescue him on his first train. While most of the other engines were unkind to Henry, Edward reassured him that he was useful and had a place on the railway.

While Edward was forced to carry on with the main services for another year, Henry was able to take over some trains, taking a lot of weight off his wheels.

## Persona

Edward is kindhearted, optimistic, knowledgeable, wise and always keen to help a friend in need. The small engines trust him to lend a listening ear and sympathetic advice. He has a great work ethic too, and always does his best to finish a job. If an engine ever misbehaves, it's Edward that the Fat Controller turns to in order to soothe things out.

Sadly, most of the bigger engines often see Edward as old-fashioned and slow. While it is true he is the oldest engine on the North Western Railway, he has proved time and time again that he is more than capable of working as hard as any newer engine, but he is a more clever and wiser engine, too. In fact, he and BoCo are the only engines who can keep Bill and Ben in order, and he knows when to put them in their place should they misbehave, and like any other wise old engine, he stands for no nonsense from anyone, especially from the bigger engines.

He is known to take newer and younger engines under his wheels and teach them how to be Really Useful.

## Livery

Edward is painted in the North Western Railway's passenger livery; blue with red and yellow lining. The number "2" is painted on the sides of his tender in yellow.

Until 1921, Edward was painted in the Furness Railway's Indian Red livery with black lining, the letters "FR" written in yellow on his tender sides and black wheels.

## Notes

* He was named in 1901 after the new King, Edward VII.
* He is one of the few engines to know Sudric.