Belle

"We're the 'bells' of Sodor!"

- Belle, Big Belle, fifteenth season

   Belle   Belle is a large tank engine with water cannons who is part of the Search and Rescue Team.
 * Number: 6120
 * Class: BR Standard 4MT Tank
 * Designer: Robert A. Riddles
 * Builder: Brighton, Derby, or Doncaster Works
 * Configuration: 2-6-4T

Bio
When Belle first arrived on Sodor, she helped Thomas and Percy put out a fire at the old farm shed. Belle later advised the Fat Controller to bring Flynn to Sodor. When the Sodor Dieselworks was on fire, Belle and Flynn put out the fire just in time.

Belle later tried to befriend Toby when she learned that they both had bells. At first she did not understand that Toby was an older engine that may not like the same things she does, but she soon realized her mistake and they are now firm friends.

Belle attended the welcome party for Sir Robert Norramby and tried to help in the search of Stephen when he went missing. When some railway inspectors questioned whether The Fat Controller needs two fire engines, she and Flynn became worried. She beat Flynn to two consecutive fires, but tried to comfort him when he subsequently became depressed. She stayed on guard at the firework display at Ulfstead Castle when Flynn refused to do it; when Flynn was called to another fire at Brendam Docks, they both realised that Sodor really does need two fire engines after all.

Persona
Belle is a bold, big, blue tank engine, who is fitted with two water cannons atop her tanks, from which she can shoot water to fight fires. She also has a whistle and a big, brassy bell. Belle is lively, loud, and proud, with a big personality. While she may come across as bolshy, highly self-assertive, and overwhelming, Belle will always have the best of intentions at heart. She always wants to do her best and be the best she can be, causing her to be daring, energetic, and bursting with enthusiasm. But Belle is happy to talk to any engine or vehicle and, although she may be quick to jump in with her own ideas, always tries to understand, help, and be kind to others. As a result, she is a very likable engine, so much so that even Cranky gets on with her. She gets on well with Thomas and can even hold a civil conversation with Diesel, but she works especially well with Flynn, when helping him to tackle fires and is always there to support him should he make a mistake. Although fighting fires is always high on her list of priorities, Belle has also been known to perform goods duties about the railway.

Basis
Belle is a British Railways Standard Class 4 tank engine with added water cannons, brass bell, and electric headlamps on her bufferbeam and above her face.

Livery
Belle is painted blue with red and brass fittings. She has the number 6120 painted in gold and a crest consisting of a flame, two dolphins, and a crown painted on her sides.

Appearances
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Television series

 * Season 15 - Surprise, Surprise (cameo), Stuck on You (cameo), Big Belle, and Kevin the Steamie (cameo)
 * Season 16 - Ol' Wheezy Wobbles (cameo) and Muddy Matters (cameo)
 * Season 17 - Too Many Fire Engines

Specials:
 * Day of the Diesels
 * King of the Railway

Magazine stories
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 * 2011 - Big Belle (speaks in speech bubble only)
 * 2012 - The Fat Controller's Bedtime Story (Issue 639), The Fat Controller's Bedtime Story (Issue 643), Big Belle (speaks in speech bubble only), and The Fat Controller's Bedtime Story (Issue 650)
 * 2013 - Toby to the Rescue and Too Many Fire Engines!

Voice Actors

 * Teresa Gallagher (UK/US; fifteenth season onwards)
 * Keiko Nemoto (Japan)
 * Lena Meieran (Norway; fifteenth season only)
 * Marianne Westby (Norway; Day of the Diesels onwards, excluding the seventeenth season)
 * Marit Berg (Norway; seventeenth season only)
 * Susa Saukko (Finland; Day of the Diesels onwards)
 * Angela Quast (Germany; Day of the Diesels - sixteenth season)
 * Monika Hein (Germany; King of the Railway onwards)
 * Anna Gajewska (Poland)

Trivia

 * In real life, Belle's firefighting modifications would not be allowed or practical as they use a lot of the water needed for proper steaming.
 * Belle's interior cab does not appear to be properly rendered.
 * Belle's number is inaccurate for her basis.
 * Belle has the most wheels of any tank engine, at 12.  She is part of a small group of engines with 12 wheels, all of which, besides her, are tender engines.
 * Belle's name is French for "pretty".

Merchandise

 * Wooden Railway
 * Motor Road and Rail (Asia only)
 * TrackMaster
 * Take-n-Play (normal and talking)
 * Wind-up (Japan and Australia only)
 * Collectible Railway
 * Push Along