Bertram

**Bertram the Old Warrior** is a flashback character in the Seventyverse and was the first engine of the Aluminium Works.

## Backstory

### Main Timeline

Bertram was built to a similar design to Duke but had a bunker instead of a tender. He worked at the Peel Godred Aluminium Works alongside Freddie and Colin under the kind, yet strict, leadership of Doug Hockings. When Hockings retired, his son, Jacob Hockings took over and proved to be the exact opposite as he was abusive and toxic, due to the trio's horror. When Falcon and Stuart arrived at the Aluminium Works, Stuart almost mistook Bertram for Duke due to his similar design. Bertram was amazed to learn about Duke as this meant he was his brother. Hockings then ordered Bertram and Freddie to show Falcon and Stuart, but not before frightening the latter two engines with his aggressive attitude. Bertram worked with Stuart whilst Freddie went off with Falcon. Bertram introduced Stuart to Colin but on their way to meet Lisa, Stuart hit an old bump in the track and at the exchange, it was discovered Stuart had lost his nameplates. The two returned to the bump but were dismayed to see that the nameplates had tumbled down the hill on either side. Bertram decided that they had no time to find them due to the tight schedule. They returned to the wharf where they discovered Falcon had lost his too. Worst still, Hockings refused to give them new nameplates and only referred to No.3 and No.4 as well as repainting them dark grey, despite Bertram and Freddie's protests. When Stuart called the Aluminium Works a prison, Bertram said that he and Falcon shouldn't have come here but promised to keep them safe from harm. From them on, Falcon and Stuart would call him "Uncle Bertram" after explaining how they used to call Duke "Granpuff" and Bertram chuckled as he felt that he was their great-uncle. For the next few years, Bertram, Freddie, Falcon, Stuart and Colin did their best to the Aluminium Works going. Then, one damp morning, Bertram was making a delivery for Stevie when he found himself being diverted the wrong way and derailed at the bottom of the hill. Stuart arrived with the breakdown train to rescue him. Unfortunately, Hockings was angry for Stuart for being late and decided to scrap him but Bertram defended him and made it quite clear to Hockings that if he dare hurt Stuart, he was going to have answer in Bertram, in life or in death. Despite Stuart's protest, Bertram held his gaze and Hockings accepted the challenge. Bertram instructed to Freddie to look after Falcon and Stuart for him and told the other engines to leave. Freddie, Falcon and Stuart didn't need telling twice and quickly left whilst Bertram bravely accepted his fate. With that, Hockings scrapped him alive.

## Relationships

### Jacob Hockings

Having previously been owned by Doug Hockings, Bertram, Freddie and Colin thought his son would have been as kind, yet strict, as him. However, the trio were horrified to find out that Jacob Hockings was abusive and toxic. Sadly, they all died at his hands one by one (though Colin's death was caused by neglect than straight up scrapping), and Sir Handel and Peter Sam were left traumatized and heartbroken.

(Details regarding the Ulfstead Extras AU to be added)

### Falcon

Though Bertram was closer to Peter Sam than Sir Handel, Bertram often sheltered Sir Handel from worst bits of abuse from Hockings. Both Peter Sam and Sir Handel would call Bertram "Uncle Bertram", due to him being Duke's brother. Both were horrified to find Bertram's remains left in the shed, and wished he was still alive and well. They did make amends in a dream, though.

(Details regarding the Ulfstead Extras AU to be added)

### Stuart

Bertram was closer to Peter Sam than Sir Handel and often sheltered him from worst bits of abuse from Hockings. Both Peter Sam and Sir Handel would call Bertram "Uncle Bertram", due to him being Duke's brother. Both were horrified to find Bertram's remains left in the shed, and wished he was still alive and well. They did make amends in a dream, though.

(Details regarding the Ulfstead Extras AU to be added)

### Duke

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(Details regarding the Ulfstead Extras AU to be added)

### Freddie

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### Colin

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(Details regarding the Ulfstead Extras AU to be added)

## Personality

Bertram was described as speaking in a gruff voice with a hint of warmth. He was also a brave engine and helped sheltered Falcon and Stuart from the worst of Hockings' abuse. The two engines would call him "Uncle Bertram" due to him being Duke's brother. It was because of these attributes that Bertram would sacrifice himself to save Stuart from a live scrapping by Hockings.

(Details regarding the Ulfstead Extras AU to be added)

## Technical Details

### Basis

Bertram is based on the Ffestiniog Railway "Small England" class 0-4-0ST+T locomotives, albeit modified with a small bunker in lieu of a tender. Specifically, he is based on Palmerston. Unlike the real Small Englands, Bertram is built to 2ft 3in gauge rather than 1ft 11½in gauge. Duke shares the same basis with the tender still intact. Palmerston was built in 1864, while Bertram was built sometime before Jacob Hockings took over the Aluminium works (year undecided).

### Livery

Bertram is painted dark brown with red lining bufferbeams. He has two brown or red nameplates on the sides of his saddle tank with his name painted on them in gold. He has a red cab roof, domes, and lining.

## Differences between the TV show and the series

* In the TV show, Bertram only ever appeared in the final seconds of *Toby's Discovery* in a non-speaking role and not much was known about his personality other than he was called the "Old Warrior" because he was so brave. In this series, Bertram is shown to be gruff but kind and brave as he was willing to stand up to Jacob Hockings.
* In the TV show, Bertram was said to work at the old mine near Toby's branch line and was restored to show visitors around the mine. In the series, Bertram was owned by the Aluminium Works but was scrapped by Jacob Hockings.
* In the TV show, Bertram's model was basically a recolour of Duke's model, including the tender. In this series, Bertram had a similar design to Duke but the tender was replaced by a bunker.
	+ This is a reference to plans to make Bertram a tank engine. His Wooden Railway model depicts him as such.

## Trivia

* Bertram was among the characters Railfanbronymedia wasn't going to use for the SeventyVerse. However, when Tobyandmavisforever suggested that other engines would work alongside Sir Handel and Peter Sam at Peel Godred, she wondered if Bertram could have been one of them. Railfanbronymedia agreed to the idea.
* The preferred voice actor for Bertram is Fred Tatasciore, who played Commissioner Gordon from *DC Super Hero Girls*.