Theo

**Theodore "Theo" the Rail Traction Engine** is one of the deuteragonists of the SeventyVerse. He is the second engine owned by the Steamworks.

## Backstory

Theo worked in the steelworks with a few other engines: Lexi, Hurricane, Frankie, Amanda (nee Warrington/Sixteen), Dennis, and Norman. Despite their hard work, Lexi and Theo found themselves being teased by Frankie due to their designs. Fed up with this disrespect, the two left the Steelworks in search of a new home where they would be respected for their work instead of being criticized for their appearances.

## Other relationships

### Lexi

The duo have a strong sibling-like bond from their days at the Steelworks due to how they were both unusually and unique. Eventually, when Theo decided to run away to get away from Frankie's rude remarks, Lexi willingly left with him, and the duo found a new home with Merlin. Eventually, when the trio, alongside Hurricane are purchased for the North Western Railway, Theo is happy to stay alongside his best friend, and often goes to check on his friend at Cronk.

### Merlin

Theo, alongside Lexi, found a new home in an abandoned Goods Yard which housed Merlin. As he was also an experimental engine, he welcomed the two with opened buffers. Throughout the time they spent together, Theo saw Merlin as a trusting father figure.

### Hurricane

As a former co-worker at the steelworks, Hurricane tried to make Lexi and Theo feel special by complimenting them on their work, and being quick to defend them from Frankie's taunting. However, this wasn't enough to convince the experimental duo to quit. Hurricane felt devastated to lose two good friends this way, and Lexi also felt bad for leaving Hurricane behind. Thankfully, in the end, they made amends when Hurricane, alongside Lexi and Merlin, were sold to the North Western Railway while Theo was sold to the Steamworks on Sodor.

### Frankie

When Frankie first joined the steelworks team, Theo was a bit shy, but decided to open up to her. Despite this, however, Frankie found fun in teasing Theo for the way he was designed, ignoring the fact he was a hard worker. Eventually, this teasing drove Theo into leaving with Lexi. Upon returning to assist in rescuing James and Henry, Theo calls Frankie out for her harsh behavior, blaming her for their choice of leaving the Steelworks.

### Amanda

Theo got on quite well with Sixteen, admiring her for her rebellious nature against Frankie. Theo wished that he could be as brave as her, and sees Amanda as a cool big sister. Theo bid Amanda a fond farewell when she went to her new home.

### Dennis and Norman

Despite Dennis' constant need for naps and Norman's grumpy attitude, Theo enjoyed both diesels' company. He unfortunately got a great shock: when Dennis and Norman were due to head to Sodor, Norman got into an incident where he saved his brother and died. Theo was devastated to losing two good friends, but hoped Dennis would be okay in his new home.

### Victor and Kevin

Theo appreciates Victor's calm and levelheaded nature, and his authority in the Steamworks. He finds Kevin's antics amusing as they remind him of Lexi.

## Personality

Theo is a bit of a skittish and shy little engine who has a constant stutter. He was 'born' with the stutter, but Frankie's bullying put a hinderance on his confidence. Thanks to Merlin, Lexi, Henry, James and Hurricane, Theo realised he was braver than he thought.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Theo appears to be mainly based on an Aveling & Porter TJ class locomotive, like Fergus, albeit with heavy modifications. Unlike a standard TJ class, Theo has a cab, which may have been inspired by Aveling & Porter's Sir Vincent. He also has an experimental gear drive system on his right side, with a similar setup to that of the Coalbrookdale Locomotive. This system drives both sets of wheels using one large cog, giving him an 0-4-0 arrangement rather than the standard 2-2-0. Because they are both driven by one large cog, his front wheels rotate faster than his rear wheels, causing his gear system to jam frequently. His fly wheel may also have been inspired by Aveling & Porter's No. 807.

### Livery

Theo is painted greyish brown with gold lining, head lamp and whistle. His wheels and lower traction wheels are dark green while his upper traction wheels are a reddish brown. Theo also carries his name on gold nameplates fixated on each side of his smoke box. Upon joining Sodor, he carries the number S2 on his sides.

## Differences from the episodes and this series

* Theo doesn't join the NWR in the actual special - instead stays at the Steelworks - while he does join the NWR the rewritten special. Or, at least, the Steamworks team with Victor and Kevin.
* Theo's number at the Steamworks is SW2. His pre-Sodor number is undecided.

## Trivia

* Theo is one of the characters confirmed to be autistic. Others include Duck, James, Sir Handel, Murdoch, Shane Dooniney, Bert, Bruno and Annabelle.