Frankie

**Francine "Frankie" the Steelworks Diesel** is one of the antagonists in the Seventyverse.

## Backstory

Frankie worked in the steelworks with a few other engines: Hurricane, Dennis, Norman, Madeline, Monica, Sixteen, Harvey, Lexi, and Theo. However, the engines all had a very steady decline there: Norman died saving Dennis; Harvey and Dennis himself were sent to Sodor, Sixteen, and Madeline went to a heritage line, Monica went to the railway museum and Lexi and Theo left on their own accord. Hurricane's relationship with Frankie became very strained after that. After an incident with Henry and James, Hurricane joined the North Western Railway on the Peel Godred branch, leaving Frankie all alone. After the Steelworks was abandoned, Frankie was later joined by Diesel 10 and Vinnie to get revenge on Henry, James and Gordon.

## Relationships

### Hurricane

Frankie and Hurricane had known each other for a very long time, and were really close. This is because prior to joining the Steelworks, Frankie worked as a shunter for one of the yards and was being pushed around by the bigger engines. When Hurricane witnessed this, he stood up for the smaller diesel, and convinced the Steelworks Manager to purchase her. Hurricane occasionally allowed Frankie to make runs down to Bridlington goods yard. However, when the engines started to leave the Steelworks, something changed inside Frankie. She was becoming more longing to leave the Steelworks. Hurricane put up with such behaviour because he thought being this supportive of Frankie would help her recover from her ordeal with the bigger engines. But when things turned to a point where Frankie was kidnapping engines and planning on keeping them there, Hurricane started to argue against the idea. He pointed out that such plans were illegal, and would not only get them in trouble, but could end up getting the Steelworks shut down as well. Eventually, when Hurricane was given a choice to stay with Frankie or go to Sodor, he chose the latter option, realizing that letting Frankie get her way for so long was what caused her to become so troublesome.

### Lexi

When Frankie first joined the steelworks team, Lexi was among the engines who gave her a warm welcome. Despite this, however, Frankie found fun in teasing Lexi for the way they were designed, ignoring the fact they they were a hard worker. Eventually, this teasing drove Lexi into leaving with Theo. Upon returning to assist in rescuing James and Henry, Lexi calls Frankie out for her harsh behavior, blaming her for their choice of leaving the Steelworks.

### Theo

When Frankie first joined the steelworks team, Theo was a bit shy, but decided to open up to her. Despite this, however, Frankie found fun in teasing Theo for the way he was designed, ignoring the fact he was a hard worker. Eventually, this teasing drove Theo into leaving with Lexi. Upon returning to assist in rescuing Henry, Theo calls Frankie out for her harsh behavior, blaming her for their choice of leaving the Steelworks.

## Personality

Frankie is a charming and intelligent diesel shunter who can be very commanding. A natural leader, Frankie actively took charge of operations at the Steelworks. She can be scheming at times, putting on a front to try and manipulate others into doing what she wants them to do.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Frankie is based on a Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 diesel shunter which worked at the Manchester Ship Canal. No. 4002 Arundel Castle, affectionately known as "Billy", is preserved in working order by the East Lancashire Railway Diesel Group. Sister locomotive No. 4001 Alnwick Castle was also preserved as a static non-operational exhibit at the Winfields Store site at Rising Bridge before being broken up in early 2019. The American Diesels are also members of this class. No. 4002 is the number that Frankie carries in the special.

### Livery

Frankie is painted blue-green and black with gold lining. She has red and gold nameplates on either sides and "M.S.C.", which stands for "Manchester Ship Canal", written above her face. The number "4002" is written in yellow on her front bufferbeam.

## Differences between the original special and the adaptation

* In the original special, Frankie and Hurricane are joined by Lexi, Merlin and Theo at the Steelworks. In the adaptation, Hurricane, Lexi, Merlin and Theo head for Sodor, leaving Frankie at the Steelworks all by herself.