BoCo

**BoCo** is a mixed traffic diesel engine, who primarily works on Edward's Branch Line and occasionally on the Main Line.

## Appearance

BoCo is a large green diesel engine, who mostly works on the Brendam Branch Line with Edward, Bill and Ben.

He has a red buffer beam with black oval shaped buffers, and he has the number "D5702" on his front. And he has ten wheels.

## Personality

BoCo is a tame diesel engine, who is sensible, kind, and has a decent sense of humour. He is also very disciplined, as seen as he stops Bill and Ben from their pranks. Upon his arrival, he was unfortunate enough to be set upon by the mischievous Bill and Ben, when, thinking he had intentionally stolen their trucks, they pretended to be one engine and nearly made his eyes pop out. BoCo is now wise to the tank engine twins' pranks though he still somewhat humours them to a point. He is also good friends with Bill, Ben, Edward, and Duck. He is a true friend and is often willing to stick up for the underdog. BoCo is firm, but fair and friendly in his nature, not being afraid to speak his mind. Even Gordon soon thought of him in high regard when he "saved" him from Bill and Ben's antics. BoCo upholds a more praiseworthy and respectable, likeable image for diesel engines everywhere, being happy to show the more pompous steam engines that diesels have their uses. BoCo helps bring good order across Edward's branch line, even occasionally pulling mainline trains, as the Fat Controller recognizes how versatile he is.

## Technical Details

BoCo is based on a BR Class 28 Co-Bo diesel-electric engine. His name is derived from his Co-Bo wheel arrangement, though reversed as the Reverend W. Awdry thought "BoCo" sounded more affectionate. These engines were initially used on the "Condor" express freight services but the class's Crossley engines quickly proved problematic. They suffered frequent failures, and in 1961 the entire class was handed back to the manufacturer for remedial work on the engines, and to cure problems with cab windows falling out while running. Upon return to service in 1962, all members of the class were allocated to Barrow-in-Furness. BoCo was susceptible to the mechanical failures of his class - according to the Awdrys, however, the Fat Controller eventually found a fix to prevent these malfunctions. The real engines were not so fortunate, and most were withdrawn and scrapped by 1969.

BoCo's number is that of a real Class 28. The real D5702 was built in 29th September 1958 and was withdrawn on 7th September 1968, before being scrapped at J. Cashmore Scrapyards the following year.

In the annuals, BoCo mentions a brother of his - D5705, a real preserved locomotive, who is the last surviving Class 28. In another annual, BoCo claimed to have a twin called "CoBo" in order to play a trick on Bill and Ben.

## Trivia

* BoCo's name is often mis-capitalised as "Boco" (which it also was on his nameboard).
* On the cover of the My Thomas Story Library, his wheel arrangement shows a Co-Co. This was fixed in the 2011 re-release.
* In the television series, BoCo and Daisy shared some of the same face masks, with Daisy's face having added make-up. They also share the same chassis and powered "Bo" bogie.
* BoCo is the first of two characters to have his real-life basis mentioned on-screen, the other being Merlin.
* Two of BoCo's facemasks are now owned by Twitter user TomsProps.