Wilbert

"You and Percy make a fine pair. He had the porridge, and you had the milk."

- Thomas, "Wilbert the Forest Engine"

    Wilbert the Forest Engine  Wilbert, formerly "G. B. Keeling", is a navy saddletank named after the Reverend W. Awdry, who was at one time president of the Dean Forest Railway.
 * Number: 3806

Bio
Wilbert was built in 1953 and worked as a shunter at a colliery in Staffordshire. He was purchased by the Dean Forest Railway in 1976 and given the name "G. B. Keeling" in 1981, but was renamed "Wilbert" in 1987, after the Reverend W. Awdry, who was then the president of the Railway.

In 1983, Wilbert was honoured to haul a royal train for the Duke of Gloucester, and in 1991 attended the opening of the line to Lydney Lakeside with "City of Truro".

When Donald and Douglas needed help on the branch lines in 1993, the Fat Controller borrowed him from his railway in Gloucestershire - the railway's controller is a friend of his - to give the twins assistance. However, after Percy had an accident with some sacks of oatmeal Wilbert was redirected to Thomas' branch line to do Percy's work. After Percy's return, Wilbert went to help Duck and Oliver on the Tidmouth-Arlesburgh branch.

Wilbert is currently out of service and awaiting an overhaul.

Persona


Wilbert is sensible and polite, and does his best to work well. He is also clever and inventive, as seen when he suggested that signal-wire might be used to act as a coupling for a truck.

Basis
Wilbert is based on the engine of the same name - a Hunslet WD 0-6-0ST - from the Dean Forest Railway in Gloucestershire, England.

Appearances
Wilbert only appeared in "Wilbert the Forest Engine". He later appeared in the Sodor Island Forum's "Extended Railway Series" thread.

Livery
Wilbert is painted navy with red lining, and black wheels. He also has red nameplates with gold writing.