Harold

## Herold

* NWR
* BR

Not to be confused with the helicopter.

**Harold (Real name Herold)** is a LMS Princess Coronation Class.

## Bio:

Harold/Herold was built in 1937, when the LMS Princess Coronations were Streamlined and his life up until BR days is unknown.

In 1963, Harold was at Doncaster Carr Rail Depot talking with Big City Engine who was telling him about the time he argued with Gordon and Duck about the name of London station, even though Harold was secretly annoyed about his arrogates. Big City Engine stated that even if the modernization plan would get rid of the steam engines, he wouldn't trust any engine a part from the LMS and told Harold to never trust anyone but an LMS engine. Harold then left to collect his train at Doncaster station. While waiting to depart with his train, Luca pulled in with his passenger service, the A3 pacific made small talk with Harold who was keeping what Big City Engine said to him in mind. Luca and Harold talked for a bit about their siblings that had been withdrawn, with Luca hoping that some of siblings would get preserved as Harold's guard's whistle rang out and he departed, he quietly muttered to himself that he hopes that none of Luca's class would get preserved. At Manchester Central station, Harold met up with his little brother Jimmy who was waiting with a goods train. Harold told Jimmy about the news he heard about the LNER A3s being withdrawn, Jimmy was sorry to hear the news, but Harold reassured him to look on the bright side that there will be more LMS engines to get preserved rather than the LNER engines. Jimmy was cross with this and told Harold off for being rude about the LNER, with Harold stated that because of the LNER setting the speed record with their A4 pacifics they had their streamline casing removed because of it, but Jimmy explained that the streamline casing was more of a publicity stunt to make them look more appealing as stated by William Stanier before he left with his goods train. Later that day at Birmingham Station, Harold was talking with Arthur who was telling the Big Coronation Express engine that British Railways are going to close down his branch line and how he was worried about what would happen to him when the branch line closes down. Harold sympathized with Arthur and told him how ridiculous it was that the roads are taking away their work and they would never get into a traffic jam on a railway. Their conversation was interrupted when Jessica pulled in with her goods train and Arthur had to leave with his passenger train. Jessica asked Harold why Arthur looked so glum to which the Coronation Express engine explained that BR are going to close down Arthur's branch line. The two former LMS engines then began commenting on how at the rate everything was going that British Railways wouldn't have any railway lines left. Jessica then explained to Harold that she was the only member of her class to be given smoke deflectors and a blast pipe, their conversation drifted to what they were good at doing either passengers and goods work. Harold was about to complement her, but was interrupted by the guard's whistle of Jessica's train who continued on her way leaving Harold feeling down that he didn't have the courage to tell Jessica how he really feels about her. That evening Harold took Jessica's goods train to the Port of Southampton after she burst her safety valve where he met up with Jimmy, Murdoch, and Neville. Jimmy made a crack at him for taking Jessica's advice about taking goods trains more often, but Harold explained the reason why he was pulling a goods train and also was displeased to be in Murdoch and Neville's presents. He then told Jimmy that it was time to go home, but Jimmy told him that he had to wait until his trucks were unloaded, Harold told him he can wait, but quickly decided to wait by the station when he saw the fuel tankers that were coupled behind Neville as he has a fear that they would explode at any moment. A while later Jimmy was done with his work and the two Coronation Express engines setoff for home. On the way back to their sheds, they stop at a signal outside of London where Bowler, Spamcan, Old-Stuck Up, Bear, and BoCo were resting in the sheds nearby talking about Bowler's visit to Sodor and how revolutionary they are, even though BoCo and Bear didn't agreed with what the other three said. Harold and Jimmy soon arrived back at Euston Downside Shed where Jessica was waiting for them. They talked about how their day went even as Luca arrived in to the spend the night with them as there wasn't enough room for him to sleep at his sheds, Harold was about to tell Luca to leave, but he was given a stern stare by Jimmy and say it was alright with him. He even offered his apology for the lost of Luca's siblings. Harold was about to tell Jessica something, but he lost his nerve and told them that they should get some sleep. Harold was the last to fall asleep and muttered a quiet good night.

In 1969, Harold was waiting at Euston station with his express train when Jimmy arrived in to collect his goods train. The two Coronation Express engines talked about how BR were finally getting rid of the last of the steam engines and that they had a good run. Jimmy asked Harold where he was going to which he told his little brother that he was taking his last passenger train and then he was going to go to his new home on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Harold then asked Jimmy where he was going to which his little brother told him that no one was interested in buying him and that he was taking his last goods train before going to Crewe Works. Harold was both horrified and sadden by the news, he worried about Jimmy as he heard that Diesel 10 is based there and that he could possibly be scrapped by him, but Jimmy reassured him that there is always hope as their siblings Duchess of Sutherland and Birmingham were preserved after being sent to Crewe. Harold soon left with his train bidding farewell to his little brother. That night while resting at Keighley station, Harold saw Arthur, Jonathan, and Serena pull into the station and questioned them of who they were. After they introduced himself, Harold was surprised to see Arthur as he almost didn't recognize him due to him being painted in BR colors, and asked if he and his friends are here to get preserved. Arthur was confused until Harold explained that they are at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and that it's one of preserve railways to save steam engines. In the end Arthur decided to stay on the K&WVR while Jonathan and Serena would continue on to Sodor, he also told the two engines that if they do change their minds that they're always open for new engines to join their railway. The following morning Harold was telling Arthur about his feelings for Jessica as well as about his sister Duchess of Hamilton and that he hopes that both of them are alright. He witness Jonathan return back to them who told them that Serena told him to leave her in a shed at Barrow-in-Furness so the diesels wouldn't be able to find them and shortly after the three engines saw Jinty and Pug arrive in who were trying to find their way to Sodor. Harold told the two engines that Sodor is a long way from where they are, but that they are welcome to join the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway which they decided to stay after Jinty made amends with Jonathan.

## Appearances:

### Specials:

* 2019- 1963
* 2020- 1969
* 2021- 1970

## Technical Details:

### Basis:

Harold/Herold is based on the LMS Princess Coronation Class locomotive, a class of express passenger steam locomotives designed by William Stanier. He was built at Crewe Works at 1937 , these 4-6-2 tender locomotives were built for express passenger services and, on test, were the most powerful steam locomotives ever used in Great Britain. They were in service until 1962-1964, when they were withdrawn from service and scrapped en masse. Three examples have been preserved, including No. 6229 Duchess of Hamilton at the National Railway Museum. Jimmy, Duchess of Hamilton and Duchess are members of this class.

## Trivia:

* In 1937, Harold/Herold was built in streamlined shape until 1946.
* In 1970, his voice was changed as his voice in 1963 and 1969 did prove to be a bit painful for MrAthehedgehog.
* Despite his number being 12 on the photo, his number was changed to 19.
* Harold was the child of Gordon and Henry in the original concept of The Adventures on Sodor.