Bear

"Look Spamcan, there's your little friend."

- Henry, "Enterprising Engines"

    Bear  
 * Number: D3
 * Original Number: D7101

Bear, so named for the growling noises he often makes, is a diesel engine. He was built by Beyer Peacock Ltd. in 1961 and came to Sodor in 1967.

Enterprising Engines
At this time, Bear was known by his B.R. number, 7101. In 1967, he came on loan to Sodor with another diesel named 199. 199 was blatantly arrogant and bad-mouthed the steam engines until 7101 and Duck made him shut up. The next day, 7101's injector failed while pulling the "Limited". Henry, who had a failed regulator and was towing 199, who had failed while pulling some oil-tankers, came to help; 7101 was still able to move by himself with some help from Henry. To the passengers' delighted, Flying Scotsman took their train, while Henry helped 7101 home.

The engines persuaded the Fat Controller to let 7101 stay on, and renamed him Bear. Bear seemed to like this name, as it meant he "really belonged".

James and the Diesel Engines
James had befriended Bear by this stage in the Railway Series.

Gordon the High-Speed Engine
Bear was mentioned in passing by the narrator. It is revealed he pulls the Express when Gordon, Henry and James are all busy.

Henry and the Express
Bear did Henry's duties while Henry was at the Works.

Persona
Bear is loyal and friendly - even James, who was the last to accept diesels, couldn't help but like him.

Basis
Bear is based on a BR Class 35 "Hymek" Bo-Bo. His initial number, 7101, is an in-joke because the Class 35 numbers only went up to 7100.

Appearances
Bear has made very few appearances in the Railway Series:


 * "Enterprising Engines"
 * "James and the Diesel Engines" (non-speaking role)
 * "Gordon the High-Speed Engine" (mentioned)
 * "Henry and the Express" (mentioned)

Livery
Bear is painted in the two-tone green livery he should have carried when first built: all-over B.R. loco green with a narrow band of lime along the bottom of the sides, medium gray roof and cream window surrounds and yellow warning panels. When he arrived, he wore the B.R. "Rail Blue" livery with yellow warning panels. When he became part of the NWR family, he was given the NWR green livery and he wears his Sodor number, D3.

Merchandising
With both Ertl's and Hornby's models, Bear's "usual" green livery is replaced with a light blue livery.
 * ERTL Bear (Discontinued)
 * Hornby Bear/ Hymek/ D7101

Categiry:Main Line