Simon

**Simon the Intelligent Electric Engine** is one of the deuteragonists and the fourth electric engine on the North Western Railway.

## Backstory

Simon was fresh out of the works when he was sent to Sodor. Not much is known about his trials.

## Peel Godred engines

### Carole

Being the most professional of the trio, Carole had been a big sister figure to Simon. The two often discuss theories about what it's like beyond Killdane.

### Stevie

Stevie was more of the 'fun' sister to Simon, and sometimes got him to pull pranks on the other engines. This could sometimes get the duo in trouble.

### Lisa

Though younger than Lisa, she does recognise Simon's potential and helps him learn the ins and outs of how things work. She sees him as a little brother she never had.

## Personality

Simon has quite an intellectual mind for such a young engine. He often wonders about life beyond Killdane station, and is eagerly awaiting the latest news from the main line engines. Unlike the girls, he was actually scared of horses at first before meeting Midnight.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Simon is based on a British Rail Class 76, also known as Class EM1 (Electric Mixed-Traffic 1) electric locomotive. The class was designed for use on the now-closed Woodhead Line in Northern England.

After the Woodhead Line closed, all the Class 76s were withdrawn from service. One locomotive has been preserved by the National Railway Museum along with at least one cab from another locomotive, 76039, that was formerly at the Science and Industry museum Manchester (MOSI). and is now at the South Yorkshire Transport museum, Aldwarke, Rotherham

The preserved locomotive, 26020 (later 76020), was specially chosen because it was built with stainless steel handrails and had been exhibited at the Festival of Britain. Later, it was the locomotive that pulled the opening day train through the Woodhead Tunnel. It retains the stainless steel handrails, although they are currently painted over.

A complete cabside from 76039 Hector and a door from 76051 are preserved, in original condition, at Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

### Livery

Simon is painted black with white lining, and wears the number (E4) on his sides and a nameplate in gold. He also has a horse painted on his sides, however, he has this painted on later than the girls did.

## Trivia

* Simon is based on Simon Atherton from *The Saddle Club*.
	+ Simon Atherton is into video games and computers; Simon the engine is curious about life beyond Killdane.
	+ Simon Atherton is the least experienced rider by a long shot; Simon the engine is much younger than the girls.
	+ Simon Atherton wouldn't get on a horse until Mrs. Reg gave him gentle encouragement; Simon the engine learned his lesson after meeting Midnight.
	+ Simon Atherton now owns Midnight after helping to save him from Desi's dad, and he saved Midnight from a cliff; Simon the engine was rescued thanks to Midnight running back for help.
	+ Simon Atherton usually wore black riding clothes; Simon the engine has a black livery.
* Simon, like Carole, Stevie and Lisa, has a horse painted on his side. Unlike the girls though, he got this painted after he helped Midnight. The girls got it shortly after they realised there were horses at Hawin Lake.
* Ideally, TobyandMavisforever wanted to name this character Phil, after Phil Marsten from *The Saddle Club*, who was Stevie Lake's boyfriend. However, there was already a *Thomas and Friends* character named Philip, so it was deemed too confusing.
	+ Plus, Simon was introduced in Series 3 while the girls were in Series 1. Simon was introduced later than the girls, so it just fit the story.
* The first idea pitched forward for Simon's basis was a Metropolitan Railway electric locomotive. However, this was later changed to a BR Class 76 so he would have the London North Eastern Railway heritage that his 'sisters' had.
* Simon's pre-Sodor numbers were 26001/E26001/76001. His Sodor number is E4.
* Simon's preferred actor is Conner Jessup, who played Simon Atherton in Series 3 of *The Saddle Club*.