Murdoch

Murdoch is one of Sodor's largest and strongest tender engines, who is somewhat shy, a gentle giant and prefers the quiet countryside to the constant noise of industry. He hauls goods trains on the Main Line and lives at Knapford Sheds.

## Technical Details

### Owner

Sir Topham Hatt

 Biography

Murdoch was brought to relieve the engines of their heavy workloads. Because of his size and strength, Salty and Harvey were eager to learn more about him. Murdoch, however, disliked the noise of their chatter and he ended up getting cross with them. The next day, Murdoch finally had a chance to pull a train through the quiet countryside. Unfortunately, his journey was interrupted by a flock of sheep. Murdoch had to wait with the noisy sheep until Tobycould bring the farmer to lead them away. That night, Murdoch found Salty's and Harvey's company a relief.

Murdoch was happy but shy about being decorated for the May Day festivities.

One windy autumn day, a large red carpet landed on a goods wagon from Murdoch's goods train, unbeknownst to Murdoch. Percy briefly chased after it, until the heavy winds blew it away again.

When Whiff first arrived on Sodor, Murdoch (alongside Mollyand Neville) laughed at Emily because she was showing Whiff around Sodor.

Emily once needed Murdoch's help when she became stranded in the mud and near the end, Emily asked him which track should she take. Murdoch told Emily that the tracks on Gordon's Hill were being cleared and told her to take the valley route instead.

Murdoch shunted Rocky while helping Thomas recover the lost materials for the Sodor River Bridge's restoration

## Personality

Murdoch is a mighty, powerful engine with ten drive wheels. He is the largest engine working on Sodor and was brought to the Island to help with the heavy workload and pull heavy goods trains across the Main Line. Murdoch is as shy as he is strong, as he is actually a gentle giant. He can often be found seeking peace and quiet, away from the bustle of the yards and the Docks. He enjoys long hauls through the countryside and although he can get short of patience and a little annoyed if he does not get some alone time, he can be quite a reserved engine. Although he can be an independent worker, Murdoch is often content to join in, help and offer advice where he deems it worthy, but, despite being hard to miss due to his defining strength and size, he will not jump to put himself at the centre of attention.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Murdoch is based on a BR Standard Class 9F with a BR1G tender, which was used for fast and heavy goods trains. The class was the last of the BR Standards and the final steam engine class built by British Railways, with the last one, "Evening Star", built in March 1960. Due to the size and shape of the class, they were given the nickname "Spaceships". "Evening Star" and eight other 9Fs are preserved. One 9F, "Black Prince" holds the record for hauling the heaviest steam-hauled train in Great Britain, at 2,198 tons. "Evening Star", the very last steam locomotive built by BR, is also part of the National Collection.

### Livery

Murdoch is painted dull orange with green and red lining. He has smoke deflectors, on which he wears red nameplates with his name in gold.

He was originally going to be maroon red with chrome yellow linings, according to Robert Gauld-Galliers' original artwork. Because Arthur was already going to be maroon with yellow linings, Murdoch's livery was changed to orange with green and red linings so that the two engines' colour schemes would not clash with each other.

## Appearances

**Alsop Productions**

Season 5 - Emily & Mater's Race Day (Cameo) Percy's Spooky Sleepover(Mentioned) Iron Engine (Cameo) Sodor Railway Training Video It's Very Noisy for Murdoch The Wrong Stuff (Cameo) Gordon's Fishy Train(Mentioned) James & Dudley (Cameo)

Season 6 - High Mountain Edward (Cameo) Oliver's Speed (Mentioned) Thomas Has Some Fun Sliding on Thin Ice

Season 7 - Percy goes Missing (Mentioned) Edward's New Wheels Lights, Camera, Action!

Season 8 - Who's a Clever Tank Engine? James the Detective (Mentioned)

Specials - James the Red-Nosed Engine The Narrow Gauge Mission Sodor's Finest Engines (Music Video Cameo)

**Thomas & Friends**

* Peace and Quiet

**Railway Series**

* N/A

## Creators

* Paul Larson
* Robert Gauld-Galliers

## Voice Actors

* TBA

Whistles