Liz

Liz formerly known as Eliza is a Great Western Avonside Saddle Tank that used to work at Oxford.

## Bio:

In 1932, Eliza was shunting Meryl's coaches to the platform of Oxford station. After shunting the coaches, Eliza had a small chat with the GWR Castle talking about Peter and how close she is with her little brother. Though Meryl pointed out to her to keep a watchful eye on him as she doesn't want something bad to happen to Eliza or Peter, even though Eliza reassured Meryl that she'll always look after her little brother, the GWR Castle went on explaining the dangers of the world and how people always turn their backs on them including their current manager Mr. Stevens before she left with her express train. A little later, Eliza went to the yards to help Peter with shunting trucks, but she was soon told by the yard manager to head to Didcot to shunt a coal train that arrived while Peter was sent to shunt at Ruly Road Station on the LMS much to his annoyance. That night after Eliza finished shunting the coal trucks, she return to the sheds of Didcot to find Peter looking very sad. Her little brother told her about his accident and that Mr. Stevens is selling him as he was sick of his clumsiness, Eliza was devastated by the news and wanted to go with Peter, but the green saddle tank told her that Mr. Stevens was keeping her on saying how Eliza is more responsible and hard working compared to him. Eliza was still upset as Peter was explaining the details of him being sent away tomorrow afternoon, he also told his sister he didn't know how he was going to go on without her. Eliza then told Peter that if she ever feels scared and lonely she would look up at the stars in the night sky as a way to remember each other, Eliza also told Peter that maybe one day she would come to visit him on his new railway and promised to see him off before he leaves before both engines fell asleep. However that promise would be broken as the next morning when Eliza woke up, she found that Peter was gone. She noticed Mr. Stevens nearby talking to Meryl and asked him where Peter was to which Mr. Stevens told her that he already sent Peter away at the first crack of dawn, Eliza was really upset about his sudden departure and wanted to say goodbye to him before he left, but Mr. Stevens didn't care as he didn't want her to be up that early. After Mr. Stevens left, Meryl told Eliza that Peter really did wanted to see her before he left and reminded Eliza that we can't always agree on certain things. Eliza puffed sadly away to work still upset that she didn't get to say one last goodbye to her little brother.

One day in 1954, Eliza was shunting as usual at Oxford. While at the station, she overheard Mr. Stevens talking sternly to Joseph who had broke down due to his broken cylinder as he was meant to take a goods train to the nearby branch line, Mr. Stevens was angry with the 94xx as he now had to find another engine to take Joseph's goods train. He then order Eliza to shunt Joseph back to the sheds. When they got back, Eliza asked Joseph what caused his broken cylinder to which the 94xx told her that Mr. Stevens hadn't had the money to get him new parts. Eliza then asked Joseph if she could take his train for him since there was no other engine to take it, Joseph consider the suggestion if Eliza was up to the challenge which she was up for it and so Joseph allowed Eliza to take his train while also telling her what to do. Once she was told what to do, Eliza hurried away to fetch the goods train. Eliza made good timing along the branch line and reach her destination where she met Oliver. The 14xx auto tank greeted her as he never saw her before on the branch line, Eliza explained that it was her first time pulling a train and how she is been in the shunting yards for most of her life. Oliver asked Eliza what was stopping her from leaving to which she told him about her manager and how he wants her to stay in the yards at all times, but she didn't want to stay in the yards forever. Oliver understood Eliza's position, but advice her to not disobey the manager's orders and that sooner or later her time will come. They both introduced themselves to each other before going their separate ways. When Eliza return back to Didcot, Mr. Stevens was absolutely furious with the green saddle tank for leaving the yards and threaten that if she ever leaves the yards again he would replace her with a diesel and send her to the scrapyard. Things only got worse after Mr. Stevens left as Eliza was then scolded by Meryl who was just as angry as their manager. After she went on lecturing the green saddle tank, Meryl then told Eliza that she would never see Peter again as he was scrapped because he couldn't improve from his clumsiness which deeply upset Eliza as she was left alone to cry over her brother's scrapping.

In 1964, Eliza was busy shunting around the yards of Oxford station when Meryl pulled into the station with her passenger service. The GWR castle noticed that she look down about something and asked her what was wrong, Eliza explained how she was bored with the same duty of shunting and how once she has the shunting yards all organized and the trains ready, another engine would bring in another train and she has to reorganize everything. Meryl stated that's what happens in a busy yards, but she said that at least that they have the best shunter on the GWR. Eliza still didn't feel any better and wish that she could pull small trains to nearby stations or couple to her express so she could show her the world outside of Oxford for a slight change. Meryl didn't like the idea, however she did promise Eliza that if she was good she may ask Mr. Stevens to let Eliza pull small trains. This brought a smile to the green saddle tank's face, even though Meryl told her that there is a possibility that he may say no, she was determined to prove to Mr. Stevens that she can pull trains. The next morning Eliza waited at the station platform with an expected grin on her face as Meryl pulled into the station, she asked her if she spoke to Mr. Stevens about letting her pull small trains, but Meryl explained that she forgot to tell him. Though Eliza was a bit disappointed, she asked her if she could ask him later and that she would remind her if she forgets again. She was then reminded by Meryl that she forgot to fetch her coaches, after getting Meryl's coaches, she said goodbye to her and to not forget to ask Mr. Stevens next time she sees him. A few days later, Eliza spotted Meryl at the coal stage as she hadn't seen her the previous day and that another engine had to take her train. Meryl simply explained that she was needed elsewhere to help with other trains, she then asked Meryl if she was able to talk to Mr. Stevens. To her dismay, Meryl told Eliza that Mr. Stevens said that she wasn't allowed to and that she had to stay in the yards to keep everything organize. She thanked Meryl for asking and puffed sadly away to start work.

In 1969, Eliza was shunting in Oxford station when City of Truro and Earl of Berkeley arrived in with a rail tour. Truro greeted her and introduced himself as they chatted, when Truro asked Eliza how far she travels, Eliza explained to the famous engine about her manager never allowing her to leave and what Meryl had told her about the world. Truro admitted that Meryl is only partly right, but that she doesn't know everything. Truro then told Eliza about the Island of Sodor and how its a save heaven for steam engines and that he went there before back in 1957, he also told Eliza that during his visit he met a green saddle tank engine there who was just like her. Eliza asked if the engine's name was Peter, Truro told her that his name is Percy and he asked him if he knew Eliza saying that she was his sister. Eliza was overjoyed to know that her little brother was still alive and knew that she had to go to Sodor, but Truro told her that she would never get clearance on BR, though Berkeley suggested that she sneak away at night mentioning Oliver's escape to Sodor back in 1967. Both Truro and Berkeley encourage Eliza to do the same, but she was very reluctant to do that as she worried that Meryl would freak out if she found out that she was escaping and feared that the diesels would catch her if she tried to escape, but Truro told her that he will deal with Meryl and for her to take the chance to find her brother after so long before both Truro and Berkeley were escorted to the sheds by Western. That night Eliza thought long and hard about what to do before going to sleep, then later that night she was awoken by Truro and Berkeley who told her that now was the time for her to escape and find her brother. Eliza wasn't so sure and worried what Mr. Stevens and Meryl would say if they found out, but after some convincing from Truro and Berkeley as well as the cover story for what happened to her, Eliza decided to find her way to Sodor and reunite with her little brother. She bided farewell to a sleeping Meryl and left Oxford with Truro and Berkeley wishing her good luck. A little while later as she puffed along the main line as dawn was beginning to set, Eliza hid in a small yard and was cover in a tarpaulin to keep herself hidden out of sight. Later on she overheard Western talking to a BR class 09 diesel shunter about her escape and when the diesel shunter was shunting trucks ready for Western's train to Crewe, Eliza feared she was about to be caught, but the two diesels simply thought she was some sort experimental GWR tanker wagon and didn't think much of it. Eliza was lead to Crewe Works by Western and after the class 52 left, Eliza tried to ask around if anyone knew the way to Sodor. She soon came face to face with Diesel 10 who arrived back from picking up a train of scrap from Ashford Works, the class 42 warship sang the secret to survival along with Diesel, Arry, Bert, Splatter, Dodge, and Dennis. Eliza feared that she was about to be scrapped, but thankfully Diesel 10 was called away before he could inflict any harm to her. When Diesel approached her, Eliza thought he was going to move her to another siding to await her faith, but Diesel told her that he had to get the trucks that were behind and she moved aside. She then overheard Diesel mention that the train of scrap he was assembling is heading to Bridlington, knowing that it was the closest place to get to Sodor, Eliza coupled up to the back of the train. As Diesel was inspecting the train for its departure, he spotted Eliza at the back and the green saddle tank feared she would be ratted out, but Diesel turned a blind eye and didn't say anything. Eliza was lead to Bridlington by Whistler, upon her arrival at Bridlington Goods Yard, she tried to ask anyone if they knew the way to Sodor but everyone was too busy to take any notice of her. Eventually Eliza was noticed by Hurricane who asked her if she needed directions, she told the decapod that she was trying to find her way to Sodor. Hurricane offer Eliza to come back with him so he could help, Eliza took the offer and Hurricane escorted her to the Steelworks where Eliza was introduced to Frankie. The two steelworks engines pointed out where Eliza can refill on coal and water, once she was refueled, Eliza asked Hurricane and Frankie on how to get to Sodor, but the two engines told her it was too late to leave and to stay for the night while also singing 'The Hottest Place in Town'. The next morning Eliza was rudely awaken by Hurricane and Frankie who put her to work as the pilot engine at the steelworks so she can return the favor to them before leaving for Sodor. Eliza worked hard for most of the day, but after she tried asking Hurricane and Frankie the directions to get to Sodor again, they refused to tell her and said that the more coal and water she refuels on, the more work she has to do. Eliza was shocked and tried to tell them that they couldn't keep her at the steelworks, but Hurricane and Frankie didn't listen as they left with their trucks loaded with steel. Eliza feared that she would never leave the steelworks and never see her little brother again. But she was soon given some help from 16 who told her about the back exit by the slag embankment, Eliza was grateful for 16's help and offer to take him with her to Sodor, but the austerity saddle tank declined the offer and told her to escape. As Eliza was about to leave, Hurricane and Frankie return to see she was trying to escape and she was chased around the steelworks by them, but thankfully she was able to escape the Bridlington Steelworks. As she puffed along the main line, Eliza was passing the Bridlington Canal where she was blocked by Beresford who asked who she was. Beresford even lifted Eliza up in the air to prevent her from leaving, but once Eliza explained that she was trying find her brother, Beresford felt sorry for her and let her go wishing the green saddle tank good luck as she continued on her way. At a junction, Eliza came across Naval who asked her what she was doing with Eliza explaining that she was trying to get to Sodor. Eliza was worried that Naval was going to inform her whereabouts to control, but the maroon class 42 told her that she wasn't going to ruin her trip to Sodor and also offer to escort her to the nearest harbor where she can catch a ship to Sodor. Eliza was grateful for Naval's help and was instructed by Naval to hide until she got back. After a little while, Naval return with her goods train and told Eliza that there's a ship heading for Sodor at Wyre harbor in Blackpool. Eliza was coupled up to the back of Naval's goods train and they were off. After a few hours they arrive at the harbor where Naval bided farewell to Eliza as she left to collect her next goods train. Eliza knew she had to find the harbor master and when she did, she explained that she's meant to be loaded onto a ship for Sodor, but the harbor master said she wasn't on his papers. Eliza was afraid she was going to get into trouble, but luckily the harbor master was called away, though Eliza had to figure out another way to get onto the ship. Eliza unexpectedly got Carly's attention who was unloading some trucks that had been shunted behind her, Eliza asked Carly to load her onto the ship that was bound for Sodor, Carly was unsure at first but after Eliza explain her situation she loaded her onto the ship just before it left. As Eliza traveled overseas, she was very excited to be finally heading to Sodor at last. She finally arrived at the port, but to Eliza's surprise she found out that she was on the wrong ship and was actually on the Isle of Man though she asked the workmen if she could be unloaded which they did. Eliza was even more surprised to see she was being unloaded onto a lorry instead of the rails, a man by the name of Mr. Jones explain to Eliza that the railway on the Isle of Man is narrow gauge track as they don't have any rails to put her on. He then explained to Eliza that they'll be putting her in a shed by the station where she can be safe until they can arrange for her to get to Sodor, Eliza was a bit disappointed, but she was grateful for Mr. Jones' help. The following morning at Castletown station, Eliza awoke to see a little girl enter the shed and the girl introduce herself as Stacy and after her father found her in the shed with Eliza, he allowed her to keep the green saddle tank company. Stacy then started to read the book Percy The Small Engine and was surprised to know that Eliza is Percy's sister as she read the events of Percy's adventures to Eliza.

Many years later in 2015, Eliza was introduced by Stacy to Sir Topham Hatt who told her that he is in need of a new engine on the Harwick branch line.

## Appearances:

Specials:

* 2020- 1969 The Resistance (Cameo)
* 2021- TAOS: World War Sodor - An Eagle Story (Mentioned)
* 2022- 1964 A Turn For The Worst
* 2023- Liz's Journey The Beginning

## Technical Details:

As she would have been built by Avonside she would have looked similar to Percy and the real life Trojan.

## Trivia:

* Liz is the second engine to be imprisoned at the Steelworks by Hurricane and Frankie.
* In Liz's Journey The Beginning, Liz gets taken to the Isle of Man instead of Sodor like in LizProductions5784's original version, though it is foreshadowed at the end of the movie that she does eventually get to Sodor.