Rheneas

Rheneas

Rheneas is an old narrow gauge engine that lives and works on the Skarloey Railway.

## Biography

Rheneas was built alongside his twin Dolgoch and his brothers Skarloey and Talyllyn in 1865. He worked with Dolgoch and Talyllyn on the Talyllyn Railway for nearly a year before he was sent to the Island of Sodor to help Skarloey. He and Skarloey worked side by side for nearly 80 years until the Great Depression hit. He and Skarloey battled through the Great Depression as best as they could and it continued all the way up until the end of the Second World War.

After WWII ended, the SR faced a problem. Skarloey was completely worn out. Mr. George Hugh decided to temporarily withdraw Skarloey from full time service until he could afford repairs and Rheneas was left to run the line on his own. He did so for nearly 8 years until 1953, when it was announced that two new engines would finally be arriving and Skarloey would soon have the funds to be repaired. But what they didn't realize was that Rheneas would soon be put through the ultimate test.

The day that the two new engines Sir Handel and Peter Sam arrived, Rheneas was set to leave Crovan's Gate with a passenger train. The weather was dry and miserable, and the train was packed to the brim with passengers. He set off from the station and delivered the passengers to their stops. Along the way, Rheneas felt a sharp pain and it was revealed that his valve gear had jammed and he had popped a cylinder. He decided to make the extremely painful journey home and made it back to Crovan's Gate absolutely exhausted. He attempted to return to the sheds but was knocked unconscious by the sudden sharp pain in his body. Mr. Hugh was informed and Peter Sam brought Rheneas back to the sheds. Henry was quickly called to escort Rheneas to Crewe Works. He was dropped off there and remains there to this day. His fate is unknown.

## Personality

Rheneas is far more energetic than Skarloey and a lot more eager to get the job done. However, that doesn't make him any less passionate and driven than his slightly older brother. Rheneas will stop at nothing to get the job done and intends to make sure other engines are trained that way.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Rheneas is based off of the Talyllyn Railway's #2 engine, Dolgoch.

### Livery

Rheneas is painted in a light red livery with yellow and black lining. His number is placed below his cab and his nameplate is placed on his boiler in yellow and black lettering.

## Appearances

* Sodor Then and Now 2: He's Number One! (S1, E2) (Does Not Speak)
* Sodor Then and Now 3: Prototype Failure (S1, E3) (Does Not Speak)
* Sodor Then and Now 4: Gresley's Greatest (S1, E4) (Does Not Speak)
* Sodor Then and Now 6: Little Engines (S1, E6) (Does Not Speak)
* Sodor Then and Now 7: Old Faithful (S1, E7)

## Trivia

* Rheneas' scene in Episode 7 was planned out, music and all, over two years before the episode was released.
* Rheneas' motor was swapped with Douglas and is on the weaker side. He struggles to pull longer trains and to climb up hills.
* Rheneas was meant to have more speaking roles before Episode 7, but all these were cut, making Episode 7 his official debut AND his current final appearance.