Fergus/Behind the Scenes

Gauge 1 Models
Fergus’ model was scratch-built to run on gauge 1 track by model maker, Chris Lloyd. The model was built from brass. It was painted using matte paint and lined gold prostripe automotive tape.

The model was track powered, so pick-up contacts were attached to the metal wheels, which ran into the motor to power it. The electricity ran from the track to the wheels/pick-up contacts and went into the motor to power him. The model was also fitted with a smoke unit and a working flywheel.

The eye mechanism had two servos, one for up and down movement and one for left and right movement. The up/down servo was attached to the body. The left/right servo had a rod attached to the arm, which connected to a bracket. The eye balls were coupled to the bracket and locked in by the face-plate, so whenever the servos were powered, the eye balls would move however the crew member desired.

Nine different facial expressions were sculpted for Fergus, although only seven were used onscreen. The faces were first sculpted in clay and from that resin casts were made using a silicone mould.

Chris Lloyd founded Fergus difficult to built as his small size meant there was little room to fit in all the components required to make him work.

Fergus‘ smokebox and the middle section of his bufferbeam was larger than his basis in order to accommodate a face.

Close-up model
Several close-up shots of Fergus’ cab was required for scenes in the seventh series episode, Fergus Breaks the Rules, where he had to interact with close-up scale figures. The model was not complete and only the back half was built. The model was also equipped with a motor to power the drive wheel and the flywheel.

Voice Actors

 * Ryōtarō Okiayu