Edward

"People say I'm old fashioned. But I don't care. The Fat Controller says I'm a useful engine."

- Edward, Saved from Scrap, second season

    Edward    Edward is a mixed-traffic engine. He runs his own branch line with BoCo. Edward is one of the oldest engines on Sodor and is occasionally made fun of for his old age. Edward is very wise and positive and spreads his knowledge and positive attitude towards the other engines.
 * Number: 2
 * Class: Furness Railway K2
 * Designer: W. F. Pettigrew
 * Builder: Sharp, Stewart and Co.
 * Built: 1896
 * Configuration: 4-4-0
 * Arrived on Sodor: circa 1915

Bio in Railway Series
Edward was built by Sharp Stewart and Company in Manchester, England in 1896 and worked on the Furness Railway before coming to Sodor in 1915 to finish the building of the North Western Railway.

After his work was completed, Edward was kept in a shed, to the delight of the other engines, who claimed that he was too weak to work. Edward was eventually let out again and proved that what he lacked in strength he made up for in work ethic.

Edward currently runs the Wellsworth-Brendam branch line with BoCo and occasionally Donald and Douglas. He is sometimes used as a pilot engine for special trains.

Bio in Television Series
Edward has always been a kind and wise engine, though in some scenarios he has acted a bit out of character. For example, in Harvey to the Rescue, he claimed that Harvey "doesn't even look like an engine". In Thomas and the New Engine, he was one of the engines to spread rumours that Neville wanted to bump the steam engines. In Edward Strikes Out, he agreed with Gordon's element of doubt about Rocky and called him a "new-fangled nonsense". In Edward and the Mail, he did not want to embarrass himself in front of the other engines, so he tried to take the mail train without asking Percy, who was in need of repairs for advice, in result of him delivering the mail to all the wrong places. In the twelfth season episode, Steady Eddie, he was given a task of taking the new water wheel to Great Waterton, but ignored the Fat Controller's advice to take the express track, and took all the bumpy tracks, and almost had the water wheel scrapped. In the thirteenth season, he wanted to help Thomas chase after the Fat Controller's grandchildrens' kite. Since then, Edward has tried to regain his usual self, which one day made Charlie think he was too old to have fun in Charlie and Eddie. Edward was upset about this so he tried to be as fun as Charlie, but this only caused even more trouble. Since then he has just stuck to being the wise and kind engine that he was of old.

Persona
Edward is kindhearted and always keen to help a friend in need. The small engines trust him to lend a listening ear and sympathetic advice. He is a hard worker too, and always does his best to finish a job.

Sadly, the big engines often see Edward as old-fashioned and slow. While it is true he is the oldest engine on the North Western Railway - it must be noted he helped build it - he has proved time and time again that he is more than capable of working as hard as any engine, but he is a more clever and wiser engine, too.

Since The Great Festival Adventure, Edward's persona changed slightly. Despite his reputation of being kind and friendly, Edward has acted cheeky. Edward also acted with a lack of confidence in himself in that he keeps secrets from the other engines and the Fat Controller, when he was once leaking steam and likewise when he was told to pull the post train whilst Percy was being repaired. Sometimes, Edward even shared the same personality as James, such as when he decided to show off his special waterwheel and laughed at Thomas when he was wearing a funny funnel.

However, since the seventeenth season, Edward has been portrayed with his original personality.

Basis
The Reverend W. Awdry stated that Edward is based on a heavily modified Sharp, Stewart and Co. "Larger Seagull", supplied to the Furness Railway in 1896.

Sodor "historian" Martin Clutterbuck notes that Edward bears a close resemblance to a LNER D3/4 "Glen" (NBR Reid Class K) 4-4-0 from the London and North Eastern Railway. At any rate, the Reverend W. Awdry used an engine of this class to represent Edward on his model railway.

Visible Crovan's Gate modifications are: making the rear splasher flush with the cab, new cab windows as opposed to cutaways, and new cab lookouts as opposed to the original round ones.

Livery
Edward is painted NWR blue with the NWR red and yellow lining and the number "2" painted on his tender sides in bright yellow with a red border. In the Railway Series, he carries two builder's plates on the sides of his cab.

It can be assumed that, before arriving on Sodor, Edward was painted in the Furness Railway's red livery with the letters "FR" written in yellow on his tender sides and black wheels.

Inspiration
The inspiration for Edward himself came from the Reverend W. Awdry's watching trains on the Great Western Railway as a child. He said in an interview with Brian Sibley for The Thomas the Tank Engine Man that, to him, the noise of the locomotives' exhaust almost sounded like dialogue - for example, the larger engine having trouble climbing the hills would appear to be saying, "I can't do it, I can't do it" and the smaller engine helping them would sound like it was saying, "I will do it! I will do it! I will do it!" Later, Reverend Awdry told his son a bedtime story about an engine who was sad because he was never taken out of the shed for being old. Upon being asked what the engine's name was by his son, the Reverend Awdry picked the name Edward out of thin air.

Appearances
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Railway Series

 * The Three Railway Engines
 * Thomas the Tank Engine
 * James the Red Engine
 * Troublesome Engines
 * Henry the Green Engine
 * Gordon the Big Engine
 * Edward the Blue Engine
 * Four Little Engines
 * The Eight Famous Engines (does not speak)
 * Duck and the Diesel Engine
 * The Twin Engines
 * Gallant Old Engine (does not speak)
 * Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine
 * Main Line Engines
 * James and the Diesel Engines (does not speak)
 * More About Thomas the Tank Engine (does not speak)
 * Thomas and the Twins
 * Henry and the Express (cameo)
 * Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines
 * Thomas and Victoria
 * Thomas and his Friends (cameo)

Television series

 * Season 1 - Edward and Gordon, The Sad Story of Henry, Edward, Gordon and Henry, Thomas' Train (cameo), Thomas and the Trucks, Thomas and the Breakdown Train (does not speak), James and the Coaches, Troublesome Trucks, Trouble in the Shed, Percy Runs Away, Coal (does not speak), The Flying Kipper (cameo), Whistles and Sneezes, Off the Rails, and Thomas' Christmas Party
 * Season 2 - Cows, Bertie's Chase, Saved from Scrap, Old Iron, Thomas and Trevor, Percy and the Signal (cameo), The Runaway (does not speak), A Close Shave, Better Late Than Never (cameo), Break Van, The Deputation, The Diseasel, Wrong Road, Edward's Exploit, and Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree (cameo)
 * Season 3 - Percy's Promise, Time for Trouble (cameo), Gordon and the Famous Visitor, No Joke for James (cameo), Trust Thomas, Buzz, Buzz (mentioned), Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party, One Good Turn, Tender Engines (cameo), Escape, Heroes (does not speak), Percy, James and the Fruitful Day (cameo), and Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure (cameo)
 * Season 4 - Four Little Engines, Gallant Old Engine (does not speak), Thomas and Stepney, Bowled Out (does not speak), Thomas and the Special Letter (does not speak), Paint Pots and Queens, and Fish (does not speak)
 * Season 5 - Horrid Lorry (cameo), A Better View for Gordon (cameo), James and the Trouble with Trees, Bye George! (cameo), Haunted Henry, Happy Ever After, Busy Going Backwards (cameo), and Rusty and the Boulder
 * Season 6 - Salty's Secret (cameo), Harvey to the Rescue, Elizabeth the Vintage Lorry (cameo), It's Only Snow, Scaredy Engines, Percy's Chocolate Crunch (cameo), Thomas, Percy and the Squeak (cameo), and Edward the Very Useful Engine
 * Season 7 - Emily's New Coaches (does not speak), Percy Gets it Right (cameo), Edward's Brass Band, and Gordon and Spencer (cameo)
 * Season 8 - James Gets a New Coat (does not speak), Thomas Saves the Day (does not speak), Percy's Big Mistake (cameo), Thomas, Emily and the Snowplough (cameo), Don't Tell Thomas, Gordon Takes Charge (does not speak), Edward the Great, Thomas and the Circus (cameo), Thomas Gets It Right (cameo), As Good as Gordon (does not speak), Halloween (cameo), You Can Do it, Toby! (does not speak), Chickens to School, James Goes Too Far, and Percy and the Magic Carpet (cameo)
 * Season 9 - Percy and the Oil Painting (cameo), Thomas and the Rainbow, Molly's Special Special (cameo), Thomas and the Toy Shop (cameo), Respect for Gordon (does not speak), Thomas and the Birthday Picnic (cameo), Thomas and the New Engine, Toby Feels Left Out (cameo), Thomas Tries His Best (does not speak), Thomas and the Statue, Henry and the Flagpole (mentioned), Thomas' Day Off (cameo), Thomas' New Trucks (cameo), Saving Edward, and Keeping up with James
 * Season 10 - Percy and the Funfair, It's Good to be Gordon (cameo), Edward Strikes Out, Topped Off Thomas (cameo), Thomas and the Shooting Star (cameo), Big Strong Henry (does not speak), Thomas' Frosty Friend (cameo), Thomas and the Colours (cameo), and James the Second Best
 * Season 11 - Thomas and the Storyteller (cameo), Hector the Horrid (does not speak), Thomas and the Spaceship (cameo), Henry's Lucky Day, Thomas and the Lighthouse, Thomas Sets Sail (does not speak), Edward and the Mail, and Percy and the Left Luggage
 * Season 12 - Thomas and the Billboard (cameo), Steady Eddie, Henry Gets It Wrong, Heave Ho Thomas! (cameo), Toby's Special Surprise (cameo), James Works It Out, Tram Trouble (cameo), and Percy and the Bandstand (does not speak)
 * Season 13 - The Lion of Sodor, Tickled Pink (cameo), Double Trouble, Slippy Sodor, Play Time, Time For a Story (cameo), Percy's Parcel, Toby's New Whistle (cameo), A Blooming Mess, Thomas and the Runaway Kite, Steamy Sodor (cameo), The Biggest Present of All, Snow Tracks (cameo), and Hiro Helps Out
 * Season 14 - Thomas' Tall Friend, James in the Dark, Charlie and Eddie, Toby and the Whistling Woods (cameo), Diesel's Special Delivery (cameo), Pop Goes Thomas (cameo), Victor Says Yes, Being Percy (cameo), Thomas' Crazy Day (cameo), Jumping Jobi Wood!, Thomas and Scruff (cameo), O the Indignity (cameo), and Henry's Magic Box (does not speak)
 * Season 15 - Percy's New Friends (cameo), Edward the Hero, Up, Up and Away! (cameo), Let it Snow (cameo), Surprise, Surprise, Spencer the Grand (cameo), Stuck on You (cameo), Kevin the Steamie (cameo), Wonky Whistle (cameo), Percy the Snowman (cameo), and Fiery Flynn
 * Season 16 - Express Coming Through (cameo), Percy and the Monster of Brendam, Ho Ho Snowman, Flash Bang Wallop!, Bust My Buffers! (cameo), Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor (does not speak), Salty's Surprise, Sodor Surprise Day (cameo), Emily's Winter Party Special (cameo), Muddy Matters (cameo), Whiff's Wish, and Happy Birthday Sir!
 * Season 17 - Kevin's Cranky Friend (cameo), Scruff's Makeover (cameo), Calm Down Caitlin (cameo), Steamie Stafford (cameo), The Phantom Express (cameo), No Snow for Thomas, Santa's Little Engine (cameo), The Missing Christmas Decorations, The Frozen Turntable, Away From the Sea (cameo), Gone Fishing (mentioned), The Smelly Kipper (cameo), No More Mr. Nice Engine, and Thomas' Shortcut
 * Season 18 - Old Reliable Edward, Flatbeds of Fear (cameo), Signals Crossed (cameo), Toad's Adventure (cameo), Duck in the Water (cameo), Duck and the Slip Coaches, Thomas and the Emergency Cable (cameo), No Steam Without Coal (cameo), Spencer's VIP, Last Train for Christmas, and The Perfect Gift (cameo)

Specials:
 * Calling All Engines!
 * The Great Discovery
 * Hero of the Rails
 * Misty Island Rescue
 * Day of the Diesels
 * Blue Mountain Mystery
 * King of the Railway
 * Tale of the Brave
 * The Adventure Begins

Magazine stories

 * 1987 - Edward and Gordon, Thomas and the Trucks, Thomas and the Breakdown Train (cameo), James and the Coaches, and Thomas' Christmas Party
 * 1988 - James and the Troublesome Trucks, Trouble in the Shed, Percy Runs Away (does not speak), Cows, Old Iron, Thomas and Trevor, The Runaway (cameo), BoCo the Diseasel, Wrong Road, Edward's Exploits, Thomas' Present, and The Train Spotters (mentioned)
 * 1989 - Fire (mentioned), The Party, and An Important Visitor
 * 1990 - Thomas For Sale, Edward and the Express, and The Backlog (does not speak)
 * 1991 - Thomas and the Blue Wheel (does not speak)
 * 1993 - Roof Repairs! (cameo) and The Carriage Café
 * 1995 - The Engine Parade!
 * 1996 - Timetable Trouble, Edward and the River Rose!, Percy Saves the Day, and The New Track
 * 1997 - Percy's Goods Train, Henry, Thomas' Tree, Percy's Surprise (does not speak), Henry's Hills, Henry's Busy Day, Trevor's Christmas Surprise (does not speak), and Percy's Promise
 * 1998 - Smokey Joe! (mentioned), Thomas and the Trucks! (does not speak), Henry (does not speak), Billy's Bones!, James Breaks the Rules, and Snakes and Ladders!
 * 2000 - Harold's Race! and Henry (cameo)
 * 2001 - Soak Joke
 * 2003 - New Year Cheer! (cameo)
 * 2004 - Edward to the Rescue!, Peep! Peep! Moo! Moo!, Hoppy New Year!, Thank You, Thomas! (does not speak), It's Only Snow! (cameo), and Thomas Gets It Right (cameo)
 * 2005 - Strange Sight (does not speak), Sweet Scent (numberless; cameo), Turntable Trouble, and Three Kings
 * 2006 - Saving Edward and King Thomas
 * 2007 - Everyone's Friend, Easy for Edward, Blown About!, Edward Strikes Out, Yacht Race (cameo), Autumn Leaves (cameo), and Surprise Visitor (cameo)
 * 2008 - Edward's Mail, Track Race (speaks in speech bubble only), Wonky Whistle!, Thomas and the Lighthouse! (does not speak), Percy and the Left Luggage, and The Ice Train!
 * 2009 - Thomas Saves the Day (mentioned) and Spring Time Special (does not speak)
 * 2010 - Rope Rescue, Hiro Helps Out, The Best Present of All (cameo), Henry Gets It Wrong!, Farm Fun! (does not speak), Misty Island Rescue (cameo), Snow Tracks (cameo), The Water Wheel, Edward's Escape, A Blooming Mess (does not speak), and Thomas and the Rainbow!
 * 2011 - Saved Again, Flaming Flynn (does not speak), Rumble Rescue, Watch the Clock, The Treasure Hunt, Musical Trucks (cameo), Victor Says Yes (does not speak), Caroline Camps Out, Jumping Jobi Wood (speaks in speech bubble only), Hiro Helps Out, The Runaway Kite, A Lion on Sodor, Charlie and Eddie, Out of Control, Thomas' Tall Friend (does not speak), and Snow Tracks (cameo)
 * 2012 - Edward the Hero, Fiery Flynn!, Double Trouble, Edward's Big Rescue, Muddy Matters (cameo), Thomas' Tall Friend (speaks in speech bubble only), Fish and Ships, The Fat Controller's Bedtime Story (Issue 645), Express Coming Through! (cameo), Bedtime Tale, Percy the Snowman (cameo), and Keeping up with James
 * 2013 - Surprise, Surprise!, Happy Birthday, Sir! (does not speak), Whiff's Wish (does not speak), Terrible Twins (does not speak), Caught on Camera, James and the Giant Animals, and Henry's Ghost
 * 2014 - Happy Birthday, Sir! (cameo), Confusion and Delay, Muddy Matters (cameo), No More Mr. Nice Engine, Edward the Helpful Engine, and Frozen Turntable (does not speak)
 * 2015 - Old Reliable Edward

Edward also appeared in the magazine stories, 'Smile, Please!', A Perfect Garden, Ben at the Station, Bill and Ben's Trick, Bill and BoCo, Chiff Chaff, Diesel Causes Delay, Diesel Display, Edward's Scarecrow, Flying James, Gordon and Edward, Harvey to the Rescue!, Henry's Freight Cars, James and Edward, Lamp Light!, Lost and Found, Night Work, Percy's Spooky Tooth, Percy's Stories, Railway Open Day, Really Useful Edward, Road Train, Runaway Trucks, Slick Trick!, Slide and Ride, Stick with Steam, Taking Toby, The Big Ship, and The Blue Engine Club. }}

Voice Actors

 * Keith Wickham (UK; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * William Hope (US; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * Yasuhiro Takato (Japan; first - eighth seasons)
 * Nozomu Sasaki (Japan; Calling All Engines! onwards)
 * Øyvind Borgemoen Lyse (Norway; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * Herman López (Mexico; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * Christos Topulos (Germany)
 * Wojciech Chorąży (Poland; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * Celso Alves (Brazil; Hero of the Rails onwards)

Trivia

 * Edward was the very first character created for the Railway Series, in 1943.
 * Edward is the only engine whose crew has been named in the Railway Series. In the foreword of "Edward the Blue Engine" their names were given as Charlie Sand (driver) and Sidney Hever (fireman). Their surnames came from their duties (one of the driver's jobs is to sand the rails when they are slippery to let the engine's wheels grip, while the fireman "heaves" coal to the firebox); their Christian names came from an engine crew from the Wisbech and Upwell Tramway.
 * Three of Edward's models are currently on display; one at Drayton Manor and one in Canada at Nitrogen Studios. One is also on display in Japan.
 * In the Seventeenth season, Edward gained a permanent lamp and taillamp.
 * Edward was not in any known draft of Thomas and the Magic Railroad. According to Phil Fehrle, there was not enough screen time and opportunity to utilise him in a way that added any real value to the film.
 * The rivets on Edward's front buffers disappeared after the ninth season, and his safety valve disappeared after the Sixth Season.
 * In Steady Eddie and Charlie and Eddie, Edward refers to himself as "Eddie". Charlie also refers to him by this name.

Merchandise

 * ERTL (normal and Gold Rail; discontinued)
 * Wooden Railway (several versions)
 * Take-Along (normal and metallic; discontinued)
 * My First Thomas (normal and talking)
 * Motor Road and Rail (normal and talking; discontinued outside Asia)
 * TrackMaster
 * Hornby (discontinued)
 * Bachmann
 * My Thomas Story Library (discontinued)
 * Bandai (several versions; discontinued)
 * Trading Cards
 * Tomica
 * Take-n-Play (normal and talking)
 * De Agostini (discontinued)
 * Brio (discontinued)
 * Pez
 * Mega Bloks (discontinued)
 * Diablock
 * Wind-up Trains (normal, shocked face, clear, and silver)
 * Collectible Railway
 * Departing Now
 * Micro Rubber Engines
 * Push Along