Rheneas

"Flatten My Funnel!"

- Rheneas, "Missing Trucks"

    Rheneas 
 * Number: 2

Rheneas, a narrow gauge tank engine, is one of the oldest engines on Sodor.

Bio in the Railway Series
Rheneas was built at Fletcher, Jennings & Co., Whitehaven and arrived on the Skarloey Railway sometime around 1865. Unlike Skarloey, Rheneas was stern and thoughtful, and fell out with Skarloey after the latter called him a "stick-in-the-mud" following an argument over cabs. The two reconciled after Rheneas saved Skarloey from a landslide.

Rheneas literally saved the railway by keeping service through through a very lean period in the late 1940s. By 1950, Skarloey was in need of repairs, leaving Rheneas to run the line. He managed to pull a full train home one rainy day despite jammed valve gear, and thus was rewarded with an overhaul. Rheneas returned to the Skarloey Railway sometime between 1960 and 1965.

Rheneas returned to service in 1999 after a major overhaul involving firebox repairs and an extensive mechanical overhaul; as part of the overhaul it has been fitted with air braking equipment.

Bio in the television series
Rheneas made a minor appearance at the beginning of the fourth season when he was sent to be repaired. Skarloey later told Peter Sam and Duncan the story of Rheneas' dedication to saving the railway despite jammed valve gear and bad weather. This earned him extensive repairs, and he was touted as a hero on his return. Since returning, Rheneas has worked diligently on the Skarloey Railway.

Persona
Rheneas is happy and cheerful, but because of his age, he often breaks down. In more recent seasons of the television series, Rheneas (along with Skarloey) have become more immature and reckless.

Basis
Rheneas is based on the Talyllyn Railway's "Dolgoch".

Livery
In the Railway Series, Rheneas is painted in the Skarloey Railway's red livery and blue/purple lining with his name in gold on the side of his boiler. In the television series, he is painted red-orange with black and gold lining. Despite this, most forms of merchandise depict Rheneas in a darker shade of crimson, similar to Skarloey.

Rheneas is currently painted red-orange with black and gold lining and his name painted in gold on the side of his boiler. Previously, he was painted in the Skarloey Railway's red livery with blue/purple lining. Some of his merchandise confuses him with dark pink paint, with the same lining, and gold name.

Trivia

 * In "New Little Engine", like Smudger, Rheneas is mysteriously depicted as an 0-4-2 instead of his normal 0-4-0 wheel arrangement.

Merchandising

 * ERTL model (was available as normal and in metallic- discontinued)
 * LC Wooden model (retired, then reissued)
 * Take-Along model
 * Trackmaster model (with Dinosaur car, from his tough job in Season 9)
 * My Thomas Story Library 'Rheneas'