Matthew

"*Oh, well, we're all young once...*"
— Matthew, Cows

**Matthew** is the third oldest engine on the Island of Sodor.

## Biography

Matthew was built in 1856 in Glasgow, Scotland as one of the three box tanks to work on the Island of Sodor, the other two being Clive and Neil. Clive, Neil and Matthew, in that order, were the first three non-faceless vehicles ever. All three were sent to Barrow-in-Furness to work on the Sodor and Mainland Railway. Over the years, as reflected in the railways across Britain, the three engines found themselves in competition with the engines of the Wellsworth & Suddery Railway and the Elsbridge & Knapford Railway.

The S&M Railway closed in 1914, coinciding with the beginning of World War I. The British government had put the three engines in charge of the expansion of Sodor's mainline from Knapford to Arlesburgh, which was completed in time of the war ending. After the war, the three engines were sold to work at different industries across the island. Matthew went to work at the Lumber Yard near Carldon.

In 1965, after Matthew, Clive and Neil announced their plans to retire at their 109th birthday, they worked hard to build the MHCR (Marston Heights Coal Railway) heritage railway after the Marston Heights coal mine closed. During the construction, after it's determined Neil has SS (Smokebox Syndrome). both Matthew and Clive are also checked on as a precaution. When Kate asks about seeing him talk to himself earlier, Matthew claims he was speaking to Patrick Clifton, a postman who was an old friend of his. Later on, Clive breaks the truth to Matthew, that Clifton died in 1925. After a great deal of denial, Matthew's vision of Clifton disappears, and Matthew starts stumbling over his words, confused as to what just happened. Mickey assures Matthew that he will be taken care of. Matthew was more rattled by the experience as he blamed himself for Clifton's death. With therapy from Mickey, he was able to be cured of his SS and resumed work on the heritage railway with his brothers. A few months later, the MHCR opens for business, its engines now sporting a new livery and the line proving to be a huge success.

## Persona

Matthew is old and has aged, but he is kind, generally behaves well, is very wise, has a good sense of humor and makes choices carefully. However, he can get angry or cross sometimes.

## Livery

Matthew was originally painted dark green with "S & M 3" written on his tank sides in yellow.

In Preservation, he is repainted to red with "M.H.C.R 3" written on his tank sides in black with white lining.

## Basis

Matthew is based on a Neilson 0-4-0 box tank, a simple and robust class of engine built in Glasgow and sold all over the world. His country of origin also explains his accent. Neil and Clive are other members of this class.

## Trivia

* Matthew is the only S&M engine that has buffers.
* Unlike his brothers, he is a 0-4-2 rather then a 0-4-0.

## Appearances

### The Stories of Sodor

#### Season 1

* Prologue *(cameo)*
* Legality *(does not speak)*
* Cows

#### Stories of War

* Combat *(cameo)*
* Atrocity *(cameo)*

#### Season 3

* Reshuffle
* Amends *(cameo)*
* Industry *(does not speak)*

#### Season 4

* Modernisation *(cameo)*
* Diagnosis *(does not speak)*
* Prototypes *(cameo)*
* Return *(cameo)*

#### Season 5

* Enthusiasts *(cameo)*
* Preservation
* Fallout *(cameo)*

#### Sodor Specials

* Non-Faceless Vehicles *(cameo)*
* A History of its Railways *(cameo)*

## Gallery

Neil, Clive and Matthew in 1914 at their age of 58