themidlandengine

18. Aubrey was originally the No.18 of the railway, but retired in the 1990s. Nia worked on a standard gauge railway in Kenya and met Thomas there who accidentally arrived there instead of going to the states like he was originally meant. The railway was closing so Nia was saved.

17. Murdoch worked iron-ore trains up north, he has a northern accent. He was saved by a preservation group but they became bankrupted in the late 60s, Sir Charles saved Murdoch and the group decided to give Murdoch his nameplates as a last contribution for him.

16. At the time Molly was built, most railways did not name their engines. But the Great Eastern and Great Western did. Molly got her name as soon as she was built and when purchased by the NWR, she was the first to ever receive a yellow livery at her request.

15. Arthur came in 1971. He was built at Crewe but had always operated on the Western Region. He met two of his siblings who worked on the LMS in Templecombe and learning about the LMS later inspired him to be painted in the LMS red livery. He is No.41249 in my AU.

14. I might change this in the future to have Charlie retire. But Charlie currently works on the Kirk Ronan line as a shunter and additional mix-traffic engine. He originally was meant to operate the TW&S line. But he was heavily damaged and wasn’t rebuilt until 1927.

13. Barry is an Ivatt 2MT tank engine here. He was saved from Barry Island in late 1970s but he was fully restored until 1984, just in time to take over the passenger duties on the Norramby line. He is also the third engine to carry No.13 but wears his BR number.

12. Emily survived through being a stationary boiler for a time before being purchased in 1909 to live as a static display up in Scotland at a lord’s estate. When the Lord passed away, she was sold in auction and Sir Charles had her restored and work the Black Loch loop at Callan

11. Don’t have much to say about Oliver. He takes empty goods stock when needed down to Tidmouth or Arlesburgh.

10. Donald and Douglas named themselves after two Scottish lords that came to Sodor to help with the Sodor Revolt in the 13th century, Donald & Douglas Callan, they were the lords that built the castle north of Arlesburgh.

9. Donald & Douglas were both built as 812 but were given 652 frames in the 1910s and were renumbered as such. They were though, still classified as 812s.

8. Duck had heavy mods after the Barber’s incident. Giving him a new whistle, funnel and old style sandboxes, Duck also received a GWR inspired livery.

7. Toby is just like Percy. He originally was built as GER G15 Class (LNER Y6), but was rebuilt in 1914 as a Class C54 (LNER J70). This was only discovered rather recently. Obviously some engines are not surprised.