Belle

**Belle** is a large blue tank engine fitted with water cannons. She is a member of the Search and Rescue Team.

## Biography

When some railway inspectors questioned whether the Fat Controller needed two fire engines, Belle and Flynn became worried. She beat Flynn to two consecutive fires, but tried to comfort him when he subsequently became depressed (though her words did not do much to lift Flynn's spirits). She stayed on guard at the fireworks display at Rolf's Castle when Flynn refused to do it; when Flynn was called to another fire at Brendam Docks, they both realised that Sodor really does need two fire engines after all.

When a whale was beached at Bluff's Cove, Belle and the rest of the Rescue team came to help put it back in the water. She suggested Toad sing to it while they took it to Brendam to be released back into the ocean. She and the other members of the Rescue Centre attended the team's 1000th rescue and helped out Percy and Diesel at the Old Quarry. After Rocky fell off the tracks near Ulfstead Castle from rescuing Henry, Belle, Flynn, Butch and Harold came to lift him back onto the rails. Unfortunately, they kept arguing about who was the best choice to do so until Thomas stopped their argument and told them that they needed to work together. They all agreed and pulled Rocky back onto the tracks.

One summer, she and Flynn were busy putting out fires caused by the boiling summer weather. They came across a stretch of buckled track, where Flynn suggested that Belle pour water on the rails to prevent further buckling. Belle, however, decided to keep her remaining water in case they came across another fire. This decision came back to bite her, as she later derailed on the buckled tracks while responding to an emergency. Luckily, Flynn was able to extinguish the fire and Thomas brought Rocky to put her back on the rails.

Belle was one of the many engines who wanted to go to the Great Railway Show but was not chosen.

Belle is a bold, big, blue tank engine, who is fitted with two water cannons atop her tanks, from which she can shoot water to fight fires. She also has a whistle and a big brass bell. Belle is lively, loud and proud, with a big personality. While she may come across as bolshy, highly self-assertive and overwhelming, Belle will always have the best of intentions at heart. She always wants to do her best and be the best she can be, causing her to be daring, energetic and bursting with enthusiasm. But Belle is happy to talk to any engine or vehicle and, although she may be quick to jump in with her own ideas, she always tries to understand, help and be kind to others. As a result, she is a very likable engine; even Cranky gets on with her, she gets on well with Thomas and can even hold a civil conversation with Diesel. But she works especially well with Flynn, when helping him to tackle fires and is always there to support him should he make a mistake. Although fighting fires is always at the top of her list of priorities, Belle has also been known to perform goods duties about the railway.

## Basis

Belle is based on a British Railways Standard Class 4MT tank engine with added water cannons, brass bell, and electric headlamps. These tank engines were a development of the LMS Fairburn 2-6-4T and were used for commuter and outer suburban services. They were used on all regions of BR, except the Western Region, and remained in service until 1967. Fifteen of these engines are preserved, three at the Bluebell Railway. Unlike her basis, Belle has a much longer and much thinner smokebox.

In real life, Belle's number, 6120, was carried by a GWR 6100 Class. One of these engines, 6106, survives in preservation.

## Livery

Belle is painted royal blue with red and gold lining and brass fittings. She has the number 41 painted in gold on her side tanks and a coat of arms consisting of a flame, two dolphins and a crown painted on her bunker sides. Her water cannons and wheels are painted red, with the latter having blue rims.

## Appearances

### Season 13

* Toad and the Whale
* Rocky Rescue
* Wild Water Rescue (does not speak)

## Trivia

* Belle's name is French for "beautiful" and also references the bell on her firebox.
* The idea of Belle fitted with water cannons likely came from some of the LBSCR D1s wearing firefighting equipment to cope with bomb attacks at London’s main motive power depots during World War II.
* With the exceptions of the twelfth and thirteenth seasons, Belle only had one speaking role in every season she appeared in.