Etienne

"This electric-powered engine is a real marvel of technology. He's sure to send sparks flying!"

- The Announcer, Meet The Contenders

  CGI Series=   Etienne    Etienne is a French electric engine who participated in the Great Railway Show. He was a contender in the Great Race.
 * Class: SNCF BB 9004
 * Builder: Jeumont-Schneider
 * Built: 1954
 * Configuration: Bo-Bo
 * Top Speed: 206 mph

Bio
Etienne competed in the Great Railway Show during the events of The Great Race, competing in the speed competition of the same name. After Gordon was forced to drop out of the race, Etienne fought with Spencer for first place. Spencer nearly won, but the electric engine managed to pass Spencer at the last second, winning the race and setting a new world rail speed record.

After the Great Railway Show ended, Etienne left the mainland and went back to France.

Persona
Etienne is described as being polite and gentlemanly, as he only joined the Great Railway Show to have fun and meet new friends.

Basis
Etienne is based on SNCF's BB 9003 and 9004 electric locomotives, built by Jeumont-Schneider of Paris in 1952 and 1954, respectively. 9004 has been preserved and is on display at the Cité du Train in Mulhouse.

Livery
Etienne is painted white and dark blue with red and silver lining and red wheels, the colours of the French flag. He carries his name on a silver nameplate.

Television Series
Specials:
 * The Great Race

Etienne was also featured in a Meet the Contenders segment.

Voice Actors

 * Rob Rackstraw (UK/US)
 * Erik Schäffler (Germany)

Trivia

 * Etienne is the fourth engine to have a moustache, the first being the Victorian-style Engine, the second being Iron Duke, and the third being Coran. He is also the first engine in the television series to have a moustache.
 * Etienne is the first catenary-powered electric engine to be introduced in the television series, and the first ever in either series to be physically seen, as the Peel Godred Engines were never shown except for one in the railway safety book, More Bad Days for Thomas and his Friends.
 * Despite being an electric powered locomotive, Etienne has been incorrectly described as a Diesel-Electric locomotive in The Great Race. Furthermore, when the international engines arrive at Brendam Docks, Etienne is seen travelling under his own power without the assistance of a catenary.
 * His Horn Is Butch's at a lower pitch
 * He is possibly named after Saint Etienne, a city in eastern central France.

Quotes

 * "I'm just here to have fun and meet new friends, and if I should win, then vive la France!"

- The Great Railway Show Announcer quoting Etienne, Meet the Contenders.
 * "On track one, we have the French diesel-electric Etienne, who'll be trying to beat his own world record today."

- The Great Railway Show Announcer introducing Etienne, The Great Race.

"Au Revoir!"

- Etienne upon passing Spencer, The Great Race.