Skarloey

**Skarloey the Old Faithful** is a narrow gauge engine and one of the secondary protagonists of the Seventyverse. He is the number one engine of the Skarloey Railway.

## Backstory

Skarloey was built in 1885 for the Skarloey Railway. He originally didn't have a cab and had a 0-4-0 wheel configuration. He was also built as female. Skarloey was also immature back then and refused to pull trucks at first until Mr. Bobbie came over to help. Then one day, when he was pulling the directors train with Agnes, Ruth, Jemima and Beatrice when Agnes bumped him due to him being a "bucking bronco" and the manager flew out of his cab. He was later given a cab and two extra wheels. Later on he came out as transgender before being rebuilt to male. In 1982, after helping to get Sir Handel's passengers home, he was sent to be overhauled and returned the following year. After Rheneas returned in 1984, the two engines celebrated their 100th birthdays, the following year.

## Relationships

### Rheneas

As young engines, Rheneas and Skarloey often quarrelled and didn't see eye-to-eye. However, after Rheneas helped Skarloey out of a mudslide, the two became really close. Rheneas was also one of the few that accepted Skarloey being transgender with no questions asked when he first came out. In their elder years, Skarloey commends Rheneas' bravery and missed him dearly when he was away. Skarloey warmly welcomed Rheneas home and they celebrated.

### Sir Handel

Sir Handel and Skarloey didn't get along at first. The latter could tell the former was troubled, but Sir Handel closed off all barriers for Skarloey. That is, until he saw Skarloey put Agnes in her place. Sir Handel now has deep respect for Skarloey... so much so he accidentally called him "Granpuff" once.

### Peter Sam

Skarloey finds Peter Sam's optimism and bright smile contagious. However, like with Sir Handel, Skarloey knew Peter Sam was troubled. Skarloey offers advice to Peter Sam wherever he can, and he always makes sure to take it onboard.

### Rusty

Skarloey was very impressed by Rusty mending the tracks when he got home. He also stood in Rusty's defence when someone was harassing him for being transgender. Skarloey reveals in the shed that night that he is trans himself.

### Duncan

Skarloey had to push Duncan's train all the way back to the sheds twice. He wasn't too happy about this, and often has to put Duncan in his place.

### Duke

Skarloey and Duke usually get along pretty well. However, when Duke realised Sir Handel used his affectionate nickname for him on Skarloey by mistake, he assumed that Sir Handel wanted Skarloey as a replacement. However, the two old engines had managed to make peace with each other.

### Luke

Skarloey admires Luke's eagerness and plucky attitude. He, along with the other little engines, worked very hard to keep Luke a secret at the Blue Mountain Quarry. He was horrified when he found out Thomas told Victor about Luke, for he thought Luke would have been scrapped. Thankfully, this was not the case.

### Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima and Beatrice

In his youth, Agnes gave Skarloey quite the run-around, and didn't accept him as being male at first. Ruth on the other buffer, accepted Skarloey as trans without question, but the others needed a discussion to understand. In his older years, Skarloey often has to put Agnes in her place. He gets along quite well with the other coaches, but he tends to gravitate toward Ruth the most.

## Personality

Skarloey used to be bouncy and excitable when he was young. He was also quite insecure about "coming out", due to all the backlash he got in his youth. however, he began to mature and is now one of the wisest engines on Sodor.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Skarloey is based on the Talyllyn Railway's Talyllyn, a Fletcher Jennings Class C 0-4-2ST, originally Class A 0-4-0ST, built in 1864. In the Railway Series, Talyllyn is Skarloey's twin. In this series, they are also twins, but were built in 1885 instead.

### Livery

Skarloey is painted crimson red with white and gold lining. He has red and gold name and number plates on the sides of his saddle tank and coal bunkers respectively.

## Difference between the books and TV series

* Skarloey is transgender in the Seventyverse.
* Skarloey was painted red with blue stripes in the books whereas, in this series, Skarloey is painted crimson with white stripes just like the TV series.