Thomas the Tank Engine/Characters: Difference between revisions

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== The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt ==
== The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt ==
The Controller of the railway, makes sure all of his engines are doing their best.
The Controller of the railway, makes sure all of his engines are doing their best.


* [[A Father to His Men]]
* [[A Father to His Men]]
* [[Catch Phrase]]: "''Reeeeally Useful Engine.''" and "''You have caused Confusion and Delay.''"
* [[Catch Phrase]]: "''Reeeeally Useful Engine.''" and "''You have caused Confusion and Delay.''"
* [[Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"]]
* [[Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"]]
* [[Legacy Character]]: In the original books.
* [[Legacy Character]]: In the original books.
* [[Momma's Boy]]
* [[Momma's Boy]]
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== Thomas the Tank Engine ==
== Thomas the Tank Engine ==
A tank engine, the main character and namesake of the series, and the first engine to be purchased for the Fat Controller's railway. Thomas spent his time shunting coaches for bigger engines, and he longed to see the world. After helping to rescue James after an accident, he was dubbed a "Really Useful Engine" and was given his own branch line, along with two coaches, Annie and Clarabel.
A tank engine, the main character and namesake of the series, and the first engine to be purchased for the Fat Controller's railway. Thomas spent his time shunting coaches for bigger engines, and he longed to see the world. After helping to rescue James after an accident, he was dubbed a "Really Useful Engine" and was given his own branch line, along with two coaches, Annie and Clarabel.


* [[Aesop Amnesia]]
* [[Aesop Amnesia]]
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* [[Flat Character]]: Unlike most of the other highly flawed engines, there isn't much to Edward outside being a somewhat old and polite engine.
* [[Flat Character]]: Unlike most of the other highly flawed engines, there isn't much to Edward outside being a somewhat old and polite engine.
* [[The Load]]
* [[The Load]]
* [[Nice Guy]]
* [[Nice Guy]]
* [[Out of Focus]]: The writers obviously don't find him very interesting.
* [[Out of Focus]]: The writers obviously don't find him very interesting.
* [[Team Dad]]: To Bill and Ben.
* [[Team Dad]]: To Bill and Ben.
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A much larger mixed traffic engine, Henry started off as a poorly built engine bought by the Fat Controller when he was desperate for engines. He was once infamously stranded himself in a tunnel and was bricked up, until Gordon's express failed, when he came out and showed his worth. He required special Welsh coal to steam properly until his Flying Kipper accident, where he was completely rebuilt into a much more reliable engine.
A much larger mixed traffic engine, Henry started off as a poorly built engine bought by the Fat Controller when he was desperate for engines. He was once infamously stranded himself in a tunnel and was bricked up, until Gordon's express failed, when he came out and showed his worth. He required special Welsh coal to steam properly until his Flying Kipper accident, where he was completely rebuilt into a much more reliable engine.


* [[Colour-Coded for Your Convenience]]: In the books, he was originally green until he got a blue coat of paint after staying in a tunnel for awhile. The reason he got his old color back is because the Rev Awdry was fed up of people confusing him with Gordon in the book illustrations, when he was painted blue.
* [[Color-Coded for Your Convenience]]: In the books, he was originally green until he got a blue coat of paint after staying in a tunnel for awhile. The reason he got his old color back is because the Rev Awdry was fed up of people confusing him with Gordon in the book illustrations, when he was painted blue.
* [[Divergent Character Evolution]]: In early stories he mostly played the role of another arrogant tender engine similar to Gordon and James. Later stories gave him more pitiful qualities, while the show added [[Hidden Depths]] such as his love of nature.
* [[Divergent Character Evolution]]: In early stories he mostly played the role of another arrogant tender engine similar to Gordon and James. Later stories gave him more pitiful qualities, while the show added [[Hidden Depths]] such as his love of nature.
* [[Dude, Where's My Respect?]]
* [[Dude, Where's My Respect?]]
* [[The Eeyore]]
* [[The Eeyore]]
* [[Emergency Transformation]]: His rebuild in ''The Flying Kipper''.
* [[Emergency Transformation]]: His rebuild in ''The Flying Kipper''.
* [[Freudian Trio]]: Ego
* [[Friend to All Living Things]]: Depending on what season. Particularly ''Henry's Forest'' in Season Three.
* [[Friend to All Living Things]]: Depending on what season. Particularly ''Henry's Forest'' in Season Three.
* [[Ill Girl|Ill Guy]]: Until his rebuild. Oddly played up from season 8 onward, when he inexplicably requires special coal again.
* [[Ill Girl|Ill Guy]]: Until his rebuild. Oddly played up from season 8 onward, when he inexplicably requires special coal again.
* [[Jaded Washout]]
* [[Jaded Washout]]
* [[Lovable Coward]]
* [[Lovable Coward]]
* [[Mid-Season Upgrade]]: His rebuild in ''The Flying Kipper''.
* [[Mid-Season Upgrade]]: His rebuild in ''The Flying Kipper''.
* [[Power Trio]]: Ego


== Gordon The Big Engine ==
== Gordon The Big Engine ==
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* [[Aloof Ally]]
* [[Aloof Ally]]
* [[The Big Guy]]
* [[Berserk Button]]: Please don't make Gordon pull trucks.
* [[Berserk Button]]: Please don't make Gordon pull trucks.
* [[The Big Guy]]
* [[Break the Haughty]]: What happens in every episode centered on him.
* [[Break the Haughty]]: What happens in every episode centered on him.
* [[British Stuffiness]]: Particularly in the UK version
* [[British Stuffiness]]: Particularly in the UK version
* [[Catch Phrase]]: "Oh, the indignity!" "I'm the fastest/strongest and the best and I pull the Express!"
* [[Catch Phrase]]: "Oh, the indignity!" "I'm the fastest/strongest and the best and I pull the Express!"
* [[Freudian Trio]] (with James and Henry): Superego.
* [[Grumpy Bear]]
* [[Grumpy Bear]]
* [[Hair-Trigger Temper]]
* [[Hair-Trigger Temper]]
* [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold]]
* [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold]]
* [[Large Ham]]
* [[Large Ham]]
* [[Power Trio]] (with James and Henry): Superego.
* [[The Rival]]: To Thomas in season 1. To Spencer from season 7 onward.
* [[The Rival]]: To Thomas in season 1. To Spencer from season 7 onward.
* [[Upperclass Twit]]: In the later seasons, due to the [[Flanderization]] of his ego.
* [[Upper Class Twit]]: In the later seasons, due to the [[Flanderization]] of his ego.


== James The Red Engine ==
== James The Red Engine ==
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* [[Aesop Amnesia]]
* [[Aesop Amnesia]]
* [[Attention Whore]]
* [[Attention Whore]]
* [[Break the Haughty]]
* [[Berserk Button]]: Never, ever remind james of the time with the bootlace, or any other of his accidents. Also don't threaten to paint him blue.
* [[Berserk Button]]: Never, ever remind james of the time with the bootlace, or any other of his accidents. Also don't threaten to paint him blue.
* [[Break the Haughty]]
* [[Butt Monkey]]: Though he brings it on himself most of the time.
* [[Butt Monkey]]: Though he brings it on himself most of the time.
* [[The Chew Toy]]
* [[The Chew Toy]]
* [[The Dandy]]: He loves his red paint.
* [[The Dandy]]: He loves his red paint.
* [[Determinator]]: So much he actually has a variant of his original [[Leitmotif]] for such instances.
* [[Determinator]]: So much he actually has a variant of his original [[Leitmotif]] for such instances.
* [[Freudian Trio]]: Id
* [[Glory Seeker]]
* [[Glory Seeker]]
* [[Hey, It's That Voice!]]: In Thomas & The Magic Railroad he's voiced by Susan Roman who's voice is shared with lot of characters. Not least of which [[Care Bears|Champ Bear]] and [[Sailor Moon|Sailor Jupiter]].
* [[Hey, It's That Voice!]]: In Thomas & The Magic Railroad he's voiced by Susan Roman who's voice is shared with lot of characters. Not least of which [[Care Bears|Champ Bear]] and [[Sailor Moon|Sailor Jupiter]].
* [[Jack of All Stats]]: As a mixed-traffic engine, James can pull either coaches or trucks.
* [[Jack of All Stats]]: As a mixed-traffic engine, James can pull either coaches or trucks.
* [[Jerkass]]
* [[Jerkass]]
** [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold]]: He was somewhat less mean spirited early on, or at least felt bad when he realised the trouble he caused.
** [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold]]: He was somewhat less mean spirited early on, or at least felt bad when he realised the trouble he caused.
* [[Miles Gloriosus]]
* [[Miles Gloriosus]]
* [[Power Trio]]: Id
* [[The Rival]]: Had one with Gordon early on. Has a friendly rivalry with Thomas is the later seasons.
* [[The Rival]]: Had one with Gordon early on. Has a friendly rivalry with Thomas is the later seasons.


== Percy The Small Engine ==
== Percy The Small Engine ==
A small, cheeky green engine purchased by the Fat Controller while Gordon, James and Henry were on strike. [[A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery Inside An Enigma|Nobody knows where he really came from or who built him.]] Percy currently works on Thomas's branch line. Considered as a junior member of the Steam Team, Percy enjoys being given important jobs and is earnest and sincere.
A small, cheeky green engine purchased by the Fat Controller while Gordon, James and Henry were on strike. [[A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery Inside An Enigma|Nobody knows where he really came from or who built him.]] Percy currently works on Thomas's branch line. Considered as a junior member of the Steam Team, Percy enjoys being given important jobs and is earnest and sincere.
* [[Butt Monkey]]: He has the ''most'' accidents out of any other train in the series...and just about all of them involve getting covered in something sticky.
* [[Butt Monkey]]: He has the ''most'' accidents out of any other train in the series...and just about all of them involve getting covered in something sticky.
* [[Cartoon Creature]]: While most other characters are based on real locomotive classes, Percy is a heavily hybridized mix of several other steam engine designs.
* [[Cartoon Creature]]: While most other characters are based on real locomotive classes, Percy is a heavily hybridized mix of several other steam engine designs.
* [[Determinator]]: ''Percy's Promise''.
* [[Determinator]]: ''Percy's Promise''.
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* [[Kid Appeal Character]]
* [[Kid Appeal Character]]
* [[The Lancer]]
* [[The Lancer]]
* [[The Pig Pen]]: He has managed to get covered in lime, chocolate, fruit pulp (twice!), mud, treacle and dirt (too many times to count.)
* [[The Pig Pen]]: He has managed to get covered in lime, chocolate, fruit pulp (twice!), mud, treacle and dirt (too many times to count.)
* [[Sixth Ranger]]
* [[Sixth Ranger]]
* [[Spotlight-Stealing Squad]]: Especially in seasons 3, 5 and 6.
* [[Spotlight-Stealing Squad]]: Especially in seasons 3, 5 and 6.
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* [[Smug Snake]]
* [[Smug Snake]]
* [[Visionary Villain]]: Started off as one.
* [[Visionary Villain]]: Started off as one.
{{quote| '''Diesel:''' "Your worthy Sir Topham Hatt thinks I need to learn. He is mistaken. We diesels don't need to learn, we know everything. We come to a yard and improve it. We are revolutionary!"}}
{{quote|'''Diesel:''' "Your worthy Sir Topham Hatt thinks I need to learn. He is mistaken. We diesels don't need to learn, we know everything. We come to a yard and improve it. We are revolutionary!"}}


== Mavis ==
== Mavis ==
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* [[Obviously Evil]]: He has a menacing claw on his roof.
* [[Obviously Evil]]: He has a menacing claw on his roof.
* [[Silence, You Fool]]: When his entourage are bickering in Day of the Diesels, he shouts them quiet. Also prominent in Thomas and The Magic Railroad.
* [[Silence, You Fool]]: When his entourage are bickering in Day of the Diesels, he shouts them quiet. Also prominent in Thomas and The Magic Railroad.
* [[Surrounded by Idiots]]: Splatter and Dodge are nowhere near as intelligent as he is.
* [[Vile Villain Saccharine Show]]: Compared to the actual series, where most of the bad guys were easily controlled by the Fat Controller, Diesel 10 in [[The Movie]] with his plans of destroying all steam engines can be seen as this.
* [[Vile Villain Saccharine Show]]: Compared to the actual series, where most of the bad guys were easily controlled by the Fat Controller, Diesel 10 in [[The Movie]] with his plans of destroying all steam engines can be seen as this.
* [[Xanatos Roulette]] - His plans in Day of The Diesels can be considered as this, as they rely on circumstance he could have hardly picked out.
* [[Xanatos Roulette]] - His plans in Day of The Diesels can be considered as this, as they rely on circumstance he could have hardly picked out.
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* [[Lazy Bum]]: Dennis.
* [[Lazy Bum]]: Dennis.
* [[Minion with an F In Evil]]: Splatter and Dodge.
* [[Minion with an F In Evil]]: Splatter and Dodge.
{{quote| '''Diesel 10:''' If she can be destroyed...<br />
{{quote|'''Diesel 10:''' If she can be destroyed...
'''Dodge:''' Uh, destroyed? Did you say destroyed?<br />
'''Dodge:''' Uh, destroyed? Did you say destroyed?
'''Splatter:''' D-word?<br />
'''Splatter:''' D-word?
'''Dodge:''' Like, ''hurt''?! }}
'''Dodge:''' Like, ''hurt''?! }}
* [[Nice Guy]]: Boco and Derek.
* [[Nice Guy]]: Boco and Derek.
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== Kevin the Crane ==
== Kevin the Crane ==
A three-wheeled mobile crane and Victor's assistant. Kevin is faster than Victor at delivering parts, except Kevin is extremely clumsy.
A three-wheeled mobile crane and Victor's assistant. Kevin is faster than Victor at delivering parts, except Kevin is extremely clumsy.


* [[Catch Phrase]]: "Slip of the hook!" in the US, "Slip o' me 'ook!" in the UK.
* [[Catch Phrase]]: "Slip of the hook!" in the US, "Slip o' me 'ook!" in the UK.
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* [[Large Ham]]
* [[Large Ham]]
* [[Miles Gloriosus]]: His own insecurities have prevented him from doing his job properly on at least two occasions. Diesel has even called him out on not doing much rescuing.
* [[Miles Gloriosus]]: His own insecurities have prevented him from doing his job properly on at least two occasions. Diesel has even called him out on not doing much rescuing.
{{quote| '''Diesel:''' You're never busy. You just stand around looking ''fancy''!<br />
{{quote|'''Diesel:''' You're never busy. You just stand around looking ''fancy''!
'''Flynn:''' ...I'm...I'm...''waiting'' to be busy! }}
'''Flynn:''' ...I'm...I'm...''waiting'' to be busy! }}


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* [[Humiliation Conga]]: As if the trucks forcing him to crash into a barber shop wasn't enough, the angry owner decided to shave and lather him!
* [[Humiliation Conga]]: As if the trucks forcing him to crash into a barber shop wasn't enough, the angry owner decided to shave and lather him!
* [[Misplaced Nationalism]]: Or at least something very like it. In his debut episode he's fond of claiming that there are two ways of doing things, "the [[wikipedia:Great Western Railway|Great Western]] way or the wrong way". Fortunately he got over it quite quickly.
* [[Misplaced Nationalism]]: Or at least something very like it. In his debut episode he's fond of claiming that there are two ways of doing things, "the [[wikipedia:Great Western Railway|Great Western]] way or the wrong way". Fortunately he got over it quite quickly.
* [[Motor Mouth]]: The whole plotline of "Donald's Duck" kicked off after Donald told him to zip it.
* [[Motor Mouth]]: The whole plotline of "Donald's Duck" kicked off after Donald told him to zip it.
* [[Only Known by Their Nickname]]: His given name is 'Montague,' but most call him 'Duck,' after his tendency to waddle on the rails. Henry, Gordon, and James have quacked at him in the past.
* [[Only Known by Their Nickname]]: His given name is 'Montague,' but most call him 'Duck,' after his tendency to waddle on the rails. Henry, Gordon, and James have quacked at him in the past.


== Donald and Douglas, the Scottish Twins ==
== Donald and Douglas, the Scottish Twins ==


* [[Adaptation Dye Job]]: In the books, they were painted blue after arriving at Sodor. With three blue engines already, the TV producers wisely decided to keep their more distinctive black paint.
* [[Adaptation Dye Job]]: In the books, they were painted blue after arriving at Sodor. With three blue engines already, the TV producers wisely decided to keep their more distinctive black paint.
* [[Bonnie Scotland]]: Their leitmotif even has bagpipes in the background.
* [[Bonnie Scotland]]: Their leitmotif even has bagpipes in the background.
* [[Brother Chuck]]
* [[Brother Chuck]]
* [[Bully Hunter]]: Donald.
* [[Bully Hunter]]: Donald.
* [[Noble Fugitive]]
* [[Noble Fugitive]]
* [[Single-Minded Twins]]
* [[Single-Minded Twins]]
* [[Trigger]]: Do ''not'' like to talk about scrapping.
* [[Trigger]]: Do ''not'' like to talk about scrapping.
* [[Trickster Twins]] Notice that they are the almost the only characters labeled by name ''and'' number: Hatt specifically insisted on this after one too many [[Twin Switch]] gambits.
* [[Trickster Twins]] Notice that they are the almost the only characters labeled by name ''and'' number: Hatt specifically insisted on this after one too many [[Twin Switch]] gambits.
* [[Violent Glaswegian]]: "Spite Douggie would ye? Take That!"
* [[Violent Glaswegian]]: "Spite Douggie would ye? Take That!"
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A purple and gold tank engine who only appears in [[The Movie|Thomas and the Magic Railroad]] and in a dream sequence in ''Calling All Engines''. She runs the Magic Railroad that connects Shining Time to Sodor, and is the source of the Gold Dust required to keep Mr. Conductor and Sodor alive.
A purple and gold tank engine who only appears in [[The Movie|Thomas and the Magic Railroad]] and in a dream sequence in ''Calling All Engines''. She runs the Magic Railroad that connects Shining Time to Sodor, and is the source of the Gold Dust required to keep Mr. Conductor and Sodor alive.


* [[Cartoon Creature]]: She was designed by Britt Allcroft
* [[Cartoon Creature]]: She was designed by Britt Allcroft
* [[The Chick]]: The only female engine in the film.
* [[The Chick]]: The only female engine in the film.
* [[Cute Witch]]
* [[Cute Witch]]
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* [[Break the Haughty]]: Almost every appearance of him involves this.
* [[Break the Haughty]]: Almost every appearance of him involves this.
* [[Jerkass]]
* [[Jerkass]]
* [[Large Ham]]
* [[Large Ham]]
* [[Light Is Not Good]]: Although when compared to diesels, the steam engines are portrayed as friendly and reliable, Spencer is always portrayed in a negative light; a big-headed showoff that likes making the Sodor engines miserable. He outright reached villain status in ''Hero of the Rails'', when he not only pestered and annoyed the Sodor engines, but also attempted to send Hiro to the smelter's yard, with no solid reason except to make Thomas miserable.
* [[Light Is Not Good]]: Although when compared to diesels, the steam engines are portrayed as friendly and reliable, Spencer is always portrayed in a negative light; a big-headed showoff that likes making the Sodor engines miserable. He outright reached villain status in ''Hero of the Rails'', when he not only pestered and annoyed the Sodor engines, but also attempted to send Hiro to the smelter's yard, with no solid reason except to make Thomas miserable.
* [[Not-So-Harmless Villain]]: In ''Hero of the Rails''.
* [[Not-So-Harmless Villain]]: In ''Hero of the Rails''.
* [[The Rival]]: To Gordon and Thomas.
* [[The Rival]]: To Gordon and Thomas.
* [[Smug Snake]]
* [[Smug Snake]]
* [[Upperclass Twit]]
* [[Upper Class Twit]]


== Hiro ==
== Hiro ==
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* [[Cool Old Guy]]
* [[Cool Old Guy]]
* [[Demoted to Extra]]
* [[Demoted to Extra]]
* [[Noble Fugitive]]
* [[Noble Fugitive]]
* [[Token Minority]]: An especially profitable one; Hiro proved to be a favorite in Japan almost immediately.
* [[Token Minority]]: An especially profitable one; Hiro proved to be a favorite in Japan almost immediately.


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* [[Cool Old Guy]]
* [[Cool Old Guy]]
* [[Depending on the Writer]]: Is he young or old? Brave or timid? It varies, although it's worth mentioning that he ''started'' as an old engine and was depicted as young ''later.''
* [[Depending on the Writer]]: Is he young or old? Brave or timid? It varies, although it's worth mentioning that he ''started'' as an old engine and was depicted as young ''later.''
* [[Determinator]]
* [[Determinator]]
* [[Older Than They Look]]: Skarloey was built in 1864, making him ''148 years old''.
* [[Older Than They Look]]: Skarloey was built in 1864, making him ''148 years old''.


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* [[Mid-Season Upgrade]]: His "steamroller" wheels.
* [[Mid-Season Upgrade]]: His "steamroller" wheels.
* [[Put on a Bus]]: He came back though, much to the delight of the fanbase.
* [[Put on a Bus]]: He came back though, much to the delight of the fanbase.
* [[Upperclass Twit]]
* [[Upper Class Twit]]


== Peter Sam/Stuart ==
== Peter Sam/Stuart ==
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* [[She's a Man In Japan]]: In season 9, Rusty was accidentally referred to as a girl. To be fair, in [[The Railway Series]] books, his gender was only mentioned ''once'', and was never mentioned prior in the television series.
* [[She's a Man In Japan]]: In season 9, Rusty was accidentally referred to as a girl. To be fair, in [[The Railway Series]] books, his gender was only mentioned ''once'', and was never mentioned prior in the television series.
* [[Spotlight-Stealing Squad]]
* [[Spotlight-Stealing Squad]]
* [[Token Minority|Token Diesel]]: He's the only diesel on the Skarloey Railway.
* [[Token Minority|Token Diesel]]: He's the only diesel on the Skarloey Railway.


== Duncan ==
== Duncan ==
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* [[Brother Chuck]]
* [[Brother Chuck]]
* [[Cool Old Guy]]
* [[Cool Old Guy]]
* [[Intergenerational Friendship]] (With Sir Handel and Peter Sam, or Falcon and Stuart, as they were known back then.)
* [[Intergenerational Friendship]] (With Sir Handel and Peter Sam, or Falcon and Stuart, as they were known back then.)
* [[Nightmare Fuel Station Attendant]]: When he tells the story of Smudger.
* [[Nightmare Fuel Station Attendant]]: When he tells the story of Smudger.


== Fearless Freddie ==
== Fearless Freddie ==
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== Mighty Mac ==
== Mighty Mac ==
A double-ended Fairlie locomotive introduced in season 9. One end is Mighty, and the other is Mac.
A double-ended Fairlie locomotive introduced in season 9. One end is Mighty, and the other is Mac.


* [[The Big Guy]]
* [[The Big Guy]]
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Thomas the Tank Engine]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters (animation)]]
[[Category:Characters (animation)]]
[[Category:{{TOPLEVELPAGE}}]]

Latest revision as of 15:54, 7 February 2024


Thomas & Friends is one of the longest running children's series in the UK (Over 60 odd years, counting the books when they were first printed)

Main Article


The Steam Team

The Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt

The Controller of the railway, makes sure all of his engines are doing their best.

Thomas the Tank Engine

A tank engine, the main character and namesake of the series, and the first engine to be purchased for the Fat Controller's railway. Thomas spent his time shunting coaches for bigger engines, and he longed to see the world. After helping to rescue James after an accident, he was dubbed a "Really Useful Engine" and was given his own branch line, along with two coaches, Annie and Clarabel.

Edward The Blue Engine

The oldest engine on the Fat Controller's railway, and the first character developed by the Rev. W. Awdry. Edward is a mixed-traffic engine with his own branch line. He's kind but firm, serving as a mentor for younger engines, though he is often teased about his age.

Henry The Green Engine

A much larger mixed traffic engine, Henry started off as a poorly built engine bought by the Fat Controller when he was desperate for engines. He was once infamously stranded himself in a tunnel and was bricked up, until Gordon's express failed, when he came out and showed his worth. He required special Welsh coal to steam properly until his Flying Kipper accident, where he was completely rebuilt into a much more reliable engine.

Gordon The Big Engine

A big, powerful express engine whose main job is to pull the railway's express. He thinks very highly of himself and is quick to criticize others, though his delusions of grandeur are often what land him into trouble.

James The Red Engine

A mixed traffic engine, James was riddled with issues when he first arrived, but later proved to be Really Useful by pulling the Express when Gordon failed. James can be called upon to perform virtually any duty, though he prefers coaches. Like Gordon's ego, James's vanity and admiration for his red paintwork often gets him in trouble.

Percy The Small Engine

A small, cheeky green engine purchased by the Fat Controller while Gordon, James and Henry were on strike. Nobody knows where he really came from or who built him. Percy currently works on Thomas's branch line. Considered as a junior member of the Steam Team, Percy enjoys being given important jobs and is earnest and sincere.

Toby The Tram Engine

An elderly tram engine, Toby is unusual as his body's made of wood and he barely resembles a typical steam engine. He once worked on his own railway with his faithful coach Henrietta, until the line was closed down. Thankfully, the Fat Controller, who had visited the railway, brought him to his railway.

Emily The Beautiful Engine

A Stirling Single engine, and the only female of the Steam Team. When she first arrived on Sodor she mistakenly took Thomas's coaches, to the shock of the other Sodor engines. However, after Emily saved Thonas and Oliver from an accident and apologized, they became close friends, and she was given her own coaches.

The Diesels

Diesel

The first diesel to visit the Island of Sodor, Diesel believes that diesels are better than steam engines, and wanted to "revolutionize" Sodor. He left and came back several times before becoming a permanent part of the railway.

  • Bitch in Sheep's Clothing
  • Devil in Plain Sight
  • Jerkass: The most prominent one of the show.
    • Jerk with a Heart of Gold: The newer series has played with this in "Diesel's Special Delivery". Christopher Awdry's stand alone novel "Thomas And The Evil Diesel" also gave him a redeeming moment helping a derailed Clarabel.
  • Manipulative Bastard: In his debut, he tells jokes about the big engines to the trucks, and tells them that Duck shared them with him. Once the trucks starts laughing at the other engines, they're convinced Duck had been spreading nasty jokes about them.
    • This returns in Day of the Diesels: when seeing Percy distressed about Thomas hanging out with Belle instead of him, he convinces Percy to meet Diesel's friends at the Dieselworks.
  • Smug Snake
  • Visionary Villain: Started off as one.

Diesel: "Your worthy Sir Topham Hatt thinks I need to learn. He is mistaken. We diesels don't need to learn, we know everything. We come to a yard and improve it. We are revolutionary!"

Mavis

  • The Smurfette Principle: Until the movie, she and Daisy were the only female engines, neither of whom appeared very often.
  • Team Mom: Was this occasionally with Bill and Ben, but now plays this role with most other engines.

'Arry and Bert

Diesel 10

The major antagonist of Thomas and the Magic Railroad. A large warship diesel with a mechanical claw on his roof, he was out to destroy Lady and Mr. Conductor, but was defeated thanks to Thomas. He has returned several times in the show's run, but only in the feature-length specials.

Salty

Other Diesels

Diesel 10: If she can be destroyed...
Dodge: Uh, destroyed? Did you say destroyed?
Splatter: D-word?
Dodge: Like, hurt?!

The Steamworks

Victor

A Cuban narrow gauge engine, Victor transports parts all through the Steamworks, as well as giving orders and helping diagnose problems with engines who come in. As the only narrow gauge engine owned by the Fat Controller, Victor can sometimes leave the Steamworks to help the small engines.

Kevin the Crane

A three-wheeled mobile crane and Victor's assistant. Kevin is faster than Victor at delivering parts, except Kevin is extremely clumsy.

Sodor Search and Rescue Team

Belle

A large tank engine with two water canons fitted on top of her tanks. Belle is the only girl of the rescue team, and the only steam engine.

Butch

A big, strong breakdown truck.

  • Ascended Extra: He was originally meant to be a major character in season 5, but due to poor planning, he ended up only as a background extra. In season 15 he finally got an episode, Stuck on You.
  • Catch Phrase: "Ready for action!"
  • Early-Bird Cameo: He appears briefly in the first episode of the fifth season before being introduced in the following episode.
  • Recurring Extra: Until season 15.
  • Suddenly Voiced: In season 15, ten seasons after his debut.
  • Why Do You Keep Changing Jobs?: Prior to his debut episode, he has been seen doing countless other jobs, including rebuilding Great Waterton and Tidmouth Sheds, delivering engine and windmill parts, pulling the Chinese Dragon, clearing rubble, rescuing stranded vehicles, lowering boats into the sea...

Captain

A life boat who came to Sodor during the construction of the Sa RC.

Flynn

A big, American red fire engine brought to Sodor based on Belle's suggestion. He has specialized wheels under his frame that allow him to travel on rails as well as the road.

  • Large Ham
  • Miles Gloriosus: His own insecurities have prevented him from doing his job properly on at least two occasions. Diesel has even called him out on not doing much rescuing.

Diesel: You're never busy. You just stand around looking fancy!
Flynn: ...I'm...I'm...waiting to be busy!

Harold the Helicopter

Harold is owned by the coastguard on Sodor and lived at Dryaw airfield by Thomas' Branch Line before becoming part of the Sa RC. When Harold first met Percy he stated that railways were "slow and out-of-date", but was proven wrong when Percy later beat him in a race.

  • Heel Face Turn: Was something of an antagonist in his first episode, but would later help rescue Thomas in The Runaway and helped Percy in Percy's Promise, and has since been portrayed in a positive light.

Rocky

A large, red steam crane. Rocky was thought of as "new-fangled nonsense" by Edward when he first arrived, but proved his worth after lifting Gordon back onto the rails after a serious accident.

  • Gentle Giant
  • The Leader: Something of one to the Rescue Team. He has a radio built into his cab that lets him hear orders from the Rescue Center and give orders to the rest of the team.

Secondary Characters

Duck The Great Western Engine

  • Break the Haughty: What Diesel pulls on him.
  • Brother Chuck
  • Catch Phrase: "Beg Pardon Sir..."
  • Humiliation Conga: As if the trucks forcing him to crash into a barber shop wasn't enough, the angry owner decided to shave and lather him!
  • Misplaced Nationalism: Or at least something very like it. In his debut episode he's fond of claiming that there are two ways of doing things, "the Great Western way or the wrong way". Fortunately he got over it quite quickly.
  • Motor Mouth: The whole plotline of "Donald's Duck" kicked off after Donald told him to zip it.
  • Only Known by Their Nickname: His given name is 'Montague,' but most call him 'Duck,' after his tendency to waddle on the rails. Henry, Gordon, and James have quacked at him in the past.

Donald and Douglas, the Scottish Twins

Bill and Ben the Quarry Engines

Oliver The Western Engine

Lady the Magic Engine

A purple and gold tank engine who only appears in Thomas and the Magic Railroad and in a dream sequence in Calling All Engines. She runs the Magic Railroad that connects Shining Time to Sodor, and is the source of the Gold Dust required to keep Mr. Conductor and Sodor alive.

Spencer

A private engine owned by the Duke and Duchess of Boxford, Gordon's distant cousin, and a snob that none of the Sodor engines can stand.

  • Attention Whore: Played up in Welcome, Stafford!.
  • Break the Haughty: Almost every appearance of him involves this.
  • Jerkass
  • Large Ham
  • Light Is Not Good: Although when compared to diesels, the steam engines are portrayed as friendly and reliable, Spencer is always portrayed in a negative light; a big-headed showoff that likes making the Sodor engines miserable. He outright reached villain status in Hero of the Rails, when he not only pestered and annoyed the Sodor engines, but also attempted to send Hiro to the smelter's yard, with no solid reason except to make Thomas miserable.
  • Not-So-Harmless Villain: In Hero of the Rails.
  • The Rival: To Gordon and Thomas.
  • Smug Snake
  • Upper Class Twit

Hiro

An old, wise engine who came from Japan many years ago. He debuted in Hero of the Rails, where Thomas found him hidden away in an old forest and had his friends help repair him. He has since made several minor appearances.

Other Engines

The Skarloey Railway

Skarloey

The first and oldest engine on the Skarloey Railway, named after a lake at one end of the railway.

Rheneas

Named after a waterfall on the railway, Rheneas is the second engine.

Sir Handel/Falcon

Peter Sam/Stuart

Rusty

Duncan

Duke

Fearless Freddie

Mighty Mac

A double-ended Fairlie locomotive introduced in season 9. One end is Mighty, and the other is Mac.

  • The Big Guy
  • Different As Night and Day: Mac is younger and more hot-headed, Mighty is older and more conservative.
  • Body Horror: Well, as close as you'll get with a children's show about talking trains. Being an articulated Fairlie-type locomotive, both of them share the same body with each having a face at either end. They seem fine with it, though.
  • Those Two Guys

Luke

An upcoming character from Blue Mountain Mystery. He's a small, green pannier tank engine who lives at the Blue Mountain Quarry.

  • Dark and Troubled Past: He's somehow connected to an incident of an engine falling into the sea, and thinks if he's ever found, he'll be sent away from Sodor forever.
  • Shrinking Violet: When other engines try to talk to him, he scurries away into tunnels and won't come out.

Non-rail Characters

Bertie the Bus

  • Bus Best Friend: Something of the vehicle equivelent of mixed race (or species) friendship at least.
  • Fantastic Racism: Briefly in "Trust Thomas" after the engines fail to get tar for his broken roads, he labels them unreliable. He takes it back completely when Thomas gets this fixed.
  • Friendly Rival: His races with Thomas (though to prove the worth of their respective vehicles) are rather playful and in good fun.

Terrence the Tractor

Trevor the Traction Engine

Caroline

Bulgy

Cranky the Crane

George

Elizabeth

Madge

Colin the Crane

The Pack