Arthur

Arthur is a burgundy tank engine from the LMS.

Bio
Arthur was built at Crewe in 1946. When he first arrived on Sodor in 2003, he was excited to work for the Fat Controller and took great pride in his "spotless record", which he soon lost after colliding with Duck's trucks in an incident largely provoked by Thomas.

He was bought to shunt and pull goods, but then was transferred to the coastal run, on which he enjoys working. He is responsible for this line, which is famous for it's fish. Arthur is known to be the only engine to enjoy the smell of fish, which means the smell doesn't bother him. Arthur is as happy as can be on the fishing village line; he works hard and delivers the fish safely to Brendam Docks. Arthur is never even late, he is always right on time.

Livery
Arthur is painted LMS burgundy with gold lining and "LMS" on his side in yellow.

Persona
Arthur is a reliable, kind and helpful engine, and often careful to get his jobs done without fuss or mess. However, when he first arrived he proved to be somewhat gullible - something of which Thomas used to his advantage, but Arthur can be a clever engine, Arthur never lets down any one he works with.

Basis
Arthur is based on an LMS Ivatt Class 2MT '2-6-2' tank engine developed for the London Midland & Scottish Railway (hence the initials LMS on his tanks).

Appearances
Arthur appeared in the seventh, eighth and eleventh seasons. He also made a cameo in the twelfth season and he briefly appeared in The Great Discovery.

Trivia

 * Arthur is the first (and only) non-Awdry character to sport a real railways' initials. He is also the first 2-6-2 tank engine in the television series. However, he is the second 2-6-2 tank engine (the first being Barry), and he is the fourth steam engine with a 2-6-2 wheel arrangement (the first three are Jock, Green Arrow and Barry).
 * Arthur is one of the few engines not to have been given a CGI face in Season 12 until Season 13.

Arthur or Barry?
At the end of Wilbert the Forest Engine, the Fat Controller decided that a big tank engine like Wilbert is exactly what needs to help Donald and Douglas. As Arthur is a big tank engine and pulls freight trains, it could be possible that he's the television adaption of Barry (Barry was to be introduced to the Railway Series in 1995; but sadly, it was never to be!)