Neil

**Neil** is the second oldest engine on the Island of Sodor.

## Biography

Neil was built in 1856 in Glasgow, Scotland as one of the three box tanks to work on the Island of Sodor, the other two being Clive and Matthew. Clive, Neil and Matthew, in that order, were the first three non-faceless vehicles ever. All three were shipped to the Island of Sodor and became its first engines. Their railway was named the Sodor and Mainland Railway. Over the years, as reflected in the railways across Britain, the three engines found themselves in competition with the engines of the Wellsworth & Suddery Railway and the Elsbridge & Knapford Railway.

When the S&M railway closed in 1914, all three of its engines were kept in a shed. However, the closure of their railway coincided with the beginning of World War I, and the British government had put the three engines in charge of the expansion of Sodor's mainline from Knapford to Arlesburgh, which was completed in time of the war ending. After the war, all three found themselves sold to different industries on the island. Neil went to work at the China Clay Pits at Brendam.

After a severe rainstorm in 1948, he and Adam had to evacuate the China Clay Pits after it had flooded. The clay pits were severely damaged by the flood waters and had to close down. Neil was devastated about losing his home, but he was purchased by the Killdane Scrapyard because it happened to be in need of another engine after its previous one had broken down.

In 1965, Neil, Clive and Matthew announced their plans to retire at their 109th birthday. They worked hard to build the MHCR (Marston Heights Coal Railway), a new heritage railway built out of the recently-closed Marston Heights coal mine. During the construction, Neil forgot Kate's name, his own name, his brother, and sentences he already said or was in the middle of saying. Once Mickey and Robert Hall arrived, it was determined that Neil had SS (Smokebox Syndrome). As a precaution, both Matthew and Clive were also checked on. Neil was cured of his SS and resumed work on the heritage railway with his brothers. A few months later, the MHCR opened for business. Neil and his brothers sported a new red livery to go with it.

## Persona

Neil is old and has aged, but he is kind, generally behaves well, is very wise, has a good sense of humor and makes choices carefully. However, he can get angry or cross sometimes.

## Livery

Neil was originally painted dark green with "S & M 2" written on his tank sides in yellow.

In Preservation, he is repainted to red with "M.H.C.R 2" written on his tank sides in black with white lining.

## Basis

Neil is based on a Neilson 0-4-0 box tank, a simple and robust class of engine built in Glasgow and sold all over the world. His country of origin also explains his accent. Clive and Matthew are other members of this class.

## Appearances

### The Stories of Sodor

#### Season 1

* Prologue *(cameo)*
* Legality *(does not speak)*
* Branch Lines *(cameo)*
* Luck

#### Season 2

* Inspection *(cameo)*
* Furness *(does not speak)*
* Parade *(not named, does not speak)*

#### Stories of War

* Evacuation *(cameo)*
* Combat *(cameo)*

#### Season 3

* Replacements *(cameo)*
* Management
* Industry *(does not speak)*
* Services

#### Season 4

* Modernisation *(cameo)*
* Diagnosis *(does not speak)*
* Aviation *(cameo)*
* Relationships *(cameo)*
* Storm *(cameo)*

#### Season 5

* Rescued
* Preservation
* Fallout *(cameo)*

#### Sodor Specials

* Non-Faceless Vehicles *(cameo)*
* A History of its Railways *(cameo)*

## Gallery

Neil, Clive and Matthew in 1914 at their age of 58.