Mike

"Take no notice. It's an Improper Engine."

- Rex, "Small Railway Engines"

Mike is a strong red engine with blue stripes who prefers goods trains to passengers. His temper matches his bright red paint, and he can often be hot-headed. He is proud of his whistle, of which he once lost trying to shoo a cow.

Bio
Mike was built by Clarksons of York in 1966, using the former Poultney tender chassis, fitted to Rex from 1928. Mike worked on an unnamed line in England until 1968, at which time their line closed down and he, Rex and Bert, were sent to Sodor to work the Arlesdale Railway.

Basis
Mike is based on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway's "River Mite", built in 1966 by Clarksons. Mike has a six wheel tender, while River Mite has a eight wheel tender.

Livery
Mike is painted the NWR's crimson livery and blue-and-yellow lining. He has a brass dome, red nameplates with yellow writing mounted on his smokebox and "Arlesdale" on his tender in yellow.

Trivia
Mike is the eighth engine to have oval buffers (the first seven are Gordon, 98462, Sir Handel in the Railway Series, Peter Sam in the Railway Series, Rusty in the Railway Series, Duncan in the Railway Series, Rex and Bert). He is the eleventh railway engine to have oval buffers (the first ten are Gordon, 98462, Sir Handel in the Railway Series, Peter Sam in the Railway Series, Rusty in the Railway Series, Duncan in the Railway Series, The Diesel, BoCo, Rex and Bert).

Merchandising

 * LC Wooden model (retired)
 * Take-Along model (with a 0-4-2 wheel arrangement)