Skarloey

**Skarloey** is a red narrow gauge saddle tank engine and is the oldest engine on the Skarloey Railway.

## Biography

Skarloey is the sage of the Skarloey Railway and is an old, faithful little engine. Although once full of enthusiasm and his own ideas in his youth, Skarloey is now one of the oldest surviving engines on the Island. He is a calm-natured, quaint and mature engine and may often try to guide or watch over less experienced narrow gauge engines in his firm but fair and friendly manner. He acts kindly to engines and passengers alike and always enjoys a gentle, smooth journey through the woods by the lakeside and stopping at all the gates and stiles he remembers so well.

He was the first engine to arrive on the newly developed Skarloey Railway in May 1865, arriving by steam ship at Kirk Ronan Harbour, before being delivered to Crovan's Gate. His young antics proved bothersome but he soon matured when he received his cab and trailing wheels. He received these when he returned to Whitehaven in 1867, where he was briefly reunited with Talyllyn.

The trailing wheels improved his running greatly and this together with the cab made him a favourite with the men in spite of his shy steaming. In consequence Skarloey always worked harder than Rheneas and in 1897 he returned to Whitehaven for a second and final time for heavy repairs. No further overhauls were done to him apart from general maintenance in the SR workshop; the result being that by 1945 his boiler and firebox were in such a poor state that he could only be steamed in dire emergency. On one such occasion in 1958, he damaged his springs whilst bringing home Sir Handel's train, resulting in him receiving a much-needed overhaul.

Since returning to service, he has been very much a voice of reason on the Skarloey Railway: he was responsible for Sir Handel's comeuppance when the latter became boastful about his new wheels and changed Duncan's views about passengers by telling him about the time when Rheneas saved the railway.

## Basis

Skarloey is based on the Talyllyn Railway's Talyllyn, a Fletcher Jennings Class C 0-4-2ST built in 1864. Talyllyn is Skarloey's twin.

## Livery

Skarloey is painted crimson red with white lining. He has red and gold name and number plates (1) on the sides of his saddle tank and coal bunkers respectively. He also has a dome, running board and bufferbeams that are also crimson red.

## Appearances

### Season 4

* A Bad Day for Sir Handel *(does not speak)*
* Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady
* Four Little Engines
* Home At Last
* Trusty Rusty
* Rock n’ Roll
* Special Funnel
* Steam Roller
* Passengers and Polish
* Gallant Old Engine

### Season 5

* Bye George!
* Duncan Gets Spooked *(mentioned)*
* Snow

### Season 6

* Faulty Whistles
* James and the Red Balloon *(cameo)*
* Dunkin’ Duncan

### Season 7

* The Trestle Bridge
* James and the Queen of Sodor *(cameo)*
* The Runaway Elephant
* The Grand Opening
* Harold and the Flying Horse *(cameo)*
* Edward’s Brass Band *(cameo)*
* The Refreshment Lady’s Tea Shop *(cameo)*

### Season 9

* The Magic Lamp
* Wash Behind Your Buffers
* The Great Discovery

### Season 10

* Blue Mountain Mystery
* Don’t Bother Victor

### Season 11

* King of the Railway
* Luke’s New Friend

### Season 12

* Disappearing Diesels
* Duncan and the Grumpy Passenger
* Samson at Your Service
* Duncan the Humbug

### Season 14

* Henry Gets the Express *(does not speak)*

### Season 15

* Runaway Engine
* Mountain Engine
* Bad Look-Out

### Season 16

* Thomas’ Worldwide Travels *(mentioned)*
* Too Much Work For Duncan

## Gallery

Skarloey’s current design and livery (1867-present)Skarloey’s NameplateSkarloey’s Number 1Skarloey’s original design with no cab (1865-67)
## Trivia

* Skarloey is the oldest working engine on the whole Island of Sodor, for he arrived on the island in the mid-1860’s.
* His name is Sudric for "Lake in the Woods".
* Skarloey was built at Fletcher, Jennings & Co. at Whitehaven, the same place where Talyllyn, Rheneas, Dolgoch and Smudger were built.