I've been stressed lately and fallen into my childhood obsession as a coping mechanism. Like a lot of Thomas fans, I like imagining my own take on the series and tweaking the characters to my ideal fleet (Here's to someday being rich enough to afford modelling all of these...). I've started a hobby of writing short biographies for my version of the universe, and if there's enough interest I'll keep sharing them as I go along... For now I'll show off my version of the main line roster. I'm a writer so I tried to go for a version of the Thomas canon that's inventive and emotionally satisfying while still being at least reasonably realistic to actual railway history. (I admit the way I put Nia in this is a bit of a stretch but it's not unreasonable based on some things that have actually happened).
I call it "Persevering Engines", since I see the idea of a haven of old machines outlasting the trends and whims of capitalism and industrial growth one of the core charms of Thomas and Friends.
Some quick ground rules:
- Engines are numbered "10x" if they're an import from another railway, "20x" if they were built by the NWR themselves, and "Dx00" if they're a diesel locomotive.
- When possible, characters are represented by actual members of their classes, including name if one is available. I tried to give each character a name that sounds more like something a train in real life would be called rather than just generic English given names.
- None of the engines have gender identities. They're all referred to with singular they pronouns. (In real life, hypothetically, they would all actually be referred with female pronouns but like, that's kinda misogynistic in origin so I don't really see using that in this project as a feminist win lol)
- This is all completely from the ground up, so there's no restriction to conform 100% to any version of the Thomas universe. Any changes made to the characters are not intended to be "better" than their portrayal in the books or TV show or etc.; they're merely what I found the most engaging in this context.
If you're still interested enough to read all this, thank you! With that all said, ahem:
Main Line (Tidmouth to Burrow-in-Furness)
Enterprise
Model: LNER A1/A3
Arrival Date: 1923
Original Number: 4480
NWR Operating Number: 104
Enterprise was one of the first proper batch of the iconic LNER A1 locomotive (which would later become the A3 class when they were modified with a new type of boiler). They were sent to Sodor essentially through a favour to the North Western Railway’s director (and later first controller), Thomas Hatt; Hatt desired a flashy, modern-age locomotive as a cover to the railway’s so-called “locomotive crisis” during the early 20s, when their own engineers struggled to secure the resources to build a fleet of their own designs to replace the railway’s aging first three engines.
Enterprise was a huge success for the line, and even after the completion of four more mainline locomotives, they remained synonymous with the NWR’s flagship “Wild ‘nor Western” express service. Their significance to the railway’s operation caused them to have an inflated ego and pompous opinion of themselves for a long time, but they were eventually humbled through age; their rivalry-turned-friendship with the station pilot Sir Thomas Topham Hatt; becoming one of the last surviving members of their class following mass withdrawals due to modernisation schemes; and their struggle to escape the shadow of their most famous sibling, Flying Scotsman.
Enterprise managed to remain the NWR’s flagship locomotive for over 75 years, before humbly relinquishing the position to a HST diesel set come the turn of the millennium. Their ego hasn’t totally died, however, as rather than outright retirement, Enterprise was moved to pulling the “Shooting Star”: a glamourised replica of their original express service operated specially as a tourist attraction on select dates.
Crovan’s Gate Works, King Andreas, and Shen Ven
Model: NWR S1
Arrival Date: 1924
NWR Operating Number: 202-204
The S1 class was the newly established Crovan’s Gate Works’s attempt at designing a pacific locomotive which could peer those being operated by the railways of the mainland. However upon their overdue introduction, the engines failed to outperform the A3 Enterprise; they had problems with sufficiently creating steam. Eventually it was found that the engines work wonderfully when heated by high-energy, low-smoke Welsh coal, however by the time the island began obtaining coal from Welsh sources, there was simply no dethroning Enterprise, and they were assigned to the B-list passenger services. While never in the spotlight, they remain a fixture of the main line to this day, having mostly pulled stopping trains for Sodor’s many tourists since the 1980s. These three engines are catty and like to keep to their own circle, not getting along well with the other main line engines.
Splendid Jamie
Model: NWR S2
Arrival Date: 1925
NWR Operating Number: 205
After the NWR decided not to pursue further production of the S1, Crovan’s Gate Works designed an engine that was smaller but well-equipped for handling heavy mixed-traffic workloads. Their “S2” was designed around having a front pony truck and somewhat large driving wheels. The first of this design to be built was named after a Scotsman who worked as a labourer for the works, and was known for being a lifelong bachelor; infamously, they suffered a major crash their first day in service due to a fire breaking out in its wooden brake blocks.
However after repairs (and a bright red coat of paint, applied at the engine’s request), Splendid Jamie proved to live up to their name and became one of the company’s most persevering, adventurous, and popular locomotives. Over time, they began to be used more and more frequently in advertisements, enthusiast specials, and even railway memorabilia (Hornby Hobbies’ official model of Splendid Jamie is said to be one of their consistent top sellers). They’re an eternal fan favourite, and even with two more S2s being produced after some years, there’s no replacing Sodor’s most splendid red engine.
Might of Sodor
Model: BR Standard Class 9F
Arrival Date: 1965
Original Number: 92240
NWR Operating Number: 117
Might of Sodor is a 9F, the last steam engine designed for use on British Railways. Their purchase by the North Western Railway was as much a statement as a practical investment: there would always be a place for steam on the small island’s rail network, and they were far from ashamed about it. Despite the strong will represented by their presence, Might of Sodor themself is a rather modest type; far from timid or a pushover, they simply enjoy peace and quiet, and would like to be seen as a sort of gentle giant amongst the hustle and bustle of the main line.
Spitfire
Model: SR Battle of Britain Class
Arrival Date: 1966
Original Number: 34066
NWR Operating Number: 118
Spitfire’s class were named after sights of the Battle of Britain, and fittingly they may be the most battle-hardened engine on Sodor. Spitfire was - through no fault of their own - involved in a major crash in 1957 which killed nearly one-hundred people. Not working for some years afterwards, Spitfire was nearly passed over for preservation but was taken on by the NWR. While still being haunted over the events of their past, their new life on Sodor has managed to slowly but surely lift their spirits and give them a sense of inner-peace.
Kisumu
Model: NWR T3 ex-EUR ED1
Arrival Date: 1967
Original Number: 327
NWR Operating Number: 122
A very unusual sight for Sodor, and that’s saying a lot: A Ugandan narrow gauge engine shunting coaches on Sodor’s main line. Kisumu was originally a member of the Kenya-Uganda Railway ED1 class, a fleet of locomotives built by the Vulcan Foundry in Lancashire for use in the eponymous countries. In the mid 60s, Kisumu suffered a bad accident which would require her to have her frames completely replaced, and she was shipped back to England for the lengthy repair process.
At this time, the NWR main line station pilot Duckpond had been reassigned to head the Arlesburgh branch line, and the company was in need of a permanent replacement. They had originally wanted a member of their own designed S4 class to be built for the role, but there were concerns over this stretching the budget. In the end, the Crovan’s Gate Works made contact with the Vulcan Foundry and instead purchased Kisumu at a cheap rate in exchange for handling all of their repairs, which came out to be less pricey than building a whole new engine, and therefore Kisumu could be returned to service much faster than they were expecting otherwise. While it was a big adjustment, Kisumu agreed to this offer to satiate their adventurous character, which was dismayed at the prospect of laying in the works for years.Thus, Kisumu was regauged into a standard gauge locomotive, being dubbed the “T3” by the Works’ designers.
While Kisumu had to deal with several ignorant or intolerant attitudes towards her background, they’re quite proud to be a member of the Sodor fleet, and work as the station pilot as Tidmouth to this very day.
Teddy Boston
Model: LMS Stanier Class 5
Arrival Date: 1968
Original Number: 44781
NWR Operating Number: 119
By the late 60s, number 103 Henry Oakley had been the last of the NWR’s original three engines servicing the mainline; tragically, this streak ended after the engine had a harsh crash carrying a heavy goods train in the winter, after which they were moved to head the Normanby branch line. The gap this left in the main line’s freight capacity was filled with an LMS Stanier Class 5 which had been nearly rejected for preservation but picked up by famous clergymen, Sudrian historians, and friends of the NWR Wilbert Awdry and Teddy Boston, the latter of whom had his name adopted by the engine out of gratitude. Although not the sharpest tool in the shed, Teddy Boston certainly pulls their weight, and famously - not long after their arrival - once managed to simultaneously move two separate trains which had both broken down.
Brown Bear
Model: BR Class 43
Arrival: 1968
Original Number: D7076
NWR Operating Number: D400
An engine who has to put up with too many jokes about not being painted brown (they’re named for the sound their engine makes). Brown Bear was one of the two locomotives helped by Teddy Boston during their “super rescue” episode; their purchase by the NWR was met with much controversy, as it was the first presence of diesel on the main line network. It speaks well to Brown Bear’s noble character that they were able to keep themselves afloat in the face of much adversity from their peers. They ended up paving the way for the NWR’s de facto model of “toruist-steam industry-diesel” on the main line, and today pull the “The Sudrian” express service.
Western Princess
Model: BR Class 52
Arrival: 1973
Original Number: D1042
NWR Operating Number: D700
Western Princess was adopted by the NWR upon being withdrawn by British Railways in 1973. The arrival of a second diesel engine on the mainline was even more contentious than the purchase of Brown Bear had been, and to this day some people see this as a marker of the end of Sodor’s “classic era” or “golden age”. Despite this however, the railway staff and other engines alike would come to take quite a liking to them; their being cherished within the fleet certainly makes them live up to their name. With her help, even the most stubborn steam purists (looking at you, Splendid Jamie) find themselves budged into proclaiming that the North Western Railway is a place for any engine who’s been left behind by the march of time, regardless of type or origin.
Thorfinn
Model: BR Class 31
Arrival: 1988
Original Number: D5538
NWR Operating Number: D800
An engine purchased on the cheap in the late 80s to help manage some niche freight contracts. Notably something of a “lone wolf” amongst the main line engines, being the only fleet member who arrived outside of any of the three major “waves” of locomotive arrivals (being a part of neither the railway’s early fleet in the 20s, circa-Beeching acquisitions, nor the diesel freight expansion sprung up from the “Day of the Diesels” incident at the turn of the millennium). Thorfinn presents themselves as an eager to please jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none, and gets along with engines from all over the island without truly fitting in with them.
Deltic
Model: English Electric DP1
Arrival: 1999
Original Number: DP1
NWR Operating Number: D1000
Deltic is one of the most storied engines on Sodor. Constructed in 1955 as a prototype, they were originally going to - coincidentally - also be named Enterprise, but they ended up being synonymous with the brand of diesel engine they were powered by two of (the word “DELTIC” being painted on their side). Deltic is believed to have been the first diesel locomotive to ever set foot on the Island of Sodor (albeit not necessarily the first to do actual work for the NWR). During their original visit as an exhibition piece, they were sent packing in disgrace after attempting to use trickery to have Enterprise deposed as the head express locomotive.
Decades later, they remerged under the ownership of the Nightshade Iron Works, and were central to a plot undertaken by an alliance of industrial interests in western Sodor to buy out the NWR during a succession crisis and replace its mainline with a private operation. Despite being fueled by forty years of spite, the little engine Sir Thomas Topham Hatt managed to pull Deltic into a change of heart when confronting them over their role in the businessmen’s plot, and they took it upon themself to earn redemption by saving Enterprise from disaster.
While they anticipated being barred from the island for good, they were pitied by Lady Bridget Amanda Hatt, who became the new controller of the railway after the dust had settled and the Hatt family’s ownership of the line was secured for good. After conferring with the other engines, she allowed Deltic to stay on Sodor, for in the end they too were only a train with broken dreams who had been left in the dust by progress and industry.
J. Dyson & Co. and Bolt and Knutt Engineering Company
Model: WSF Revolution Class
Arrival: 1999
Original Number: 1005-6
NWR Operating Number: D1100-1200
Near the turn of the millennium, a freak accident killed both the incumbent controller Stephen Topham Hatt and his firstborn son Richard. During the resulting succession crisis, the owner of Nightshade Iron Works attempted to use a complicated scheme involving inheritance to disgrace the Hatt Family, and had ambitions to replace the North Western Railway with a private logistics company managed by himself and a council of local industrial leaders: this proposed conglomerate was named West Sodor Freight, and as part of their scheme, the Nightshade Iron Works hastily manufactured a set of eight diesel locomotives ,which were heavily derivative of the BR Class 66 and all received names after the companies of the WSF board members. After the end of the crisis, most of these engines were shipped to various companies overseas, however two were rewarded with a place on the proper main line’s fleet due to betraying their masters and helping expose the conspiring that occurred on Sodor during this time. These two are quite simple-minded and maybe a bit cowardly, but their hearts sure seem to be in the right place.
The Fat Controller’s Engines and The Rev. W. Awdry
Model: BR Class 43 HST Unit
Arrival: 2000
Original Number: 43044–45
NWR Operating Number: D1300-1400
A duo of high speed train power cars who for many years collected passengers from Enterprise to bring them to the mainland. While originally having tensions with the engines of Sodor, over time they all formed a working relationship, and eventually a true friendship. Enterprise themself especially considered the power cars to be his protegees, in a way. When the news of Enterprise’s retirement came, there were few whose minds didn’t immediately jump to these two being their successor. At the turn of the millennium, they were fully purchased by the North Western Railway. As the face of the company in the modern age, they each took on a name reflecting the island’s strong legacy: the former, a representation of all the island’s locomotive inhabitants and the leaders who united them, and the latter in honour of the Sodor historian who made the island’s railways famous worldwide through his books about the engine’s many exploits.