Toby

"What Toby doesn't know about branch line problems isn't worth knowing. Our Toby's an experienced engine!"

- Sir Topham Hatt, Percy's Predicament, Branch Line Engines

    Toby    Toby is a steam tram. He has two coaches named Henrietta and Victoria and a luggage van, Elsie.
 * Number: 7
 * Class: LNER J70 0-6-0
 * Designer: James Holden
 * Builder: Stratford Works
 * Built: 1914
 * Configuration: 0-6-0T
 * Arrived on Sodor: 1951

Bio
Toby was built by James Holden at GER's Stratford Works in Stratford, London, England in 1914 and originally lived at Great Yarmouth Docks, Norfolk with his brothers before working on an unnamed tramway. In 1951, Toby came to work at the quarry on Thomas' Branch Line after his old railway in East Anglia closed, as it was found to be illegal for Thomas to go on the quarry tramroad without sideplates or cowcatchers.

Toby is old and, at first, was teased by James for his shabby paint. James stopped calling him names after he crashed into some tar wagons and Toby was given chocolate-brown paint for his hard work and a new coat for Henrietta as well.

Toby also got into a bit of a controversy with a female Diesel shunter named Mavis as she was not willing to shunt the trucks where they needed to be. After an accident with some trucks, the two engines made up their quarrel and are now good friends.

After this, he was sent to the works to be mended, but ran out of water on the main line, due to the signalman not understanding about Toby's low water capacity. In result, James had to push Toby to the works while pulling the express.

In the fifth season, Toby discovered an old castle and an old mine, and, while staying on guard, met the Old Warrior Ghost, who was really a narrow gauge engine named Bertram. After this, the two engines became good friends and now take visitors to and from the castle and mine. Later on, Toby had to rescue Farmer McColl's lambs that were trapped on a hillside.

In the eighth season, Toby had to fill in for Edward and pushed Gordon up Gordon's Hill. He then went on to take Alicia Botti to a special picnic for a concert. Soon after he discovered the old Sodor Tramways sign.

In the thirteenth season, he was given a temporary three-chime whistle while his bell was being cleaned at the Steamworks. It helped with warning Thomas and Gordon that the tracks were blocked.

In the fourteenth season, Toby was assigned to shunt coal trucks in the Whistling Woods. He was greatly frightened by strange noises. Eventually he overcame his fear, along with help from Thomas and James. Later he gave Thomas advice on what old engines like to do, in hopes of helping him with Dowager Hatt's trip.

In the fifteenth season, Toby was assigned to work with Bash for the day as Bash's reward. Seeing how much he liked Sodor, Toby decided to find Bash a place to live there, much to Bash' chagrin. Eventually he listened to Bash and took him home. Toby also helped James when they were rescue engines for the day. Later, Toby was shy when Belle tried to befriend him, but eventually they became friends.

In the sixteenth season, Toby was frightened by a shape in the fog that Percy described and ran away, causing his pipes to bump into Butch's magnet. Later, he and Rheneas went to find a Christmas tree on Misty Island for the narrow gauge engines.

In the eighteenth season, Toby became afraid of Knapford Junction and had trouble trying to find his right signal on the station's new signal bridge.

Persona
When he was first introduced, Toby was old but hardworking and knew enough about running a branch line to justify running Thomas' with Thomas and Daisy after Percy's accident with the trucks. He is also savvy enough to control the trucks. However, his advanced age and design means that he is weaker than the other engines.

Since the eighth season, Toby had been portrayed as being nervous about the capabilities of his work and uncertain about being an old steam tram, believing that he is not a proper engine, only good enough as a museum piece and not really special at all.

Toby enjoys listening to the birds in the birdhouse next to his shed. He also is friends with the pigs at Farmer Trotter's Pig Farm.

Since King of the Railway, Toby has been portrayed closer to his original wiser and more jovial personality, having more subtle shades of nervousness.

Basis
Toby was inspired by a GER C53 0-6-0T Wisbech steam tram (classed as J70 by the LNER) seen by the Reverend Wilbert and Christopher Awdry on a holiday at Yarmouth, hence Toby's origins.

Livery
In the Railway Series Toby was painted brown with black cowcatchers and sideplates (which sported "LNER" in bright yellow letters) before working on his tramway, where he was repainted greyish-brown with grey sideplates and cowcatchers. After helping James he was repainted chocolate-brown with olive frames and blue sideplates.

In the television series, Toby has consistently been painted brown with grey sideplates and cowcatchers. Toby has a number "7" painted on his sides in bright yellow with a red border.

In the Railway Series, he carries two plaques on the sides of his cab stating that he works on the NWR, his number, and the last time and place that he was rebuilt.

Toby on the big Screen
Toby was voiced by Colm Feore in Thomas and the Magic Railroad. In the movie, after Diesel 10 eavesdropped on Thomas and Percy talking about the buffers to the magic railroad, Toby followed him to the Smelters Yard. There, he distracted Diesel 10 by ringing his bell, in result of Diesel 10 demolishing the shed that he, Splatter, and Dodge were in.

Appearances
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Railway Series

 * Toby the Tram Engine
 * Gordon the Big Engine
 * Edward the Blue Engine
 * Percy the Small Engine (does not speak)
 * The Eight Famous Engines
 * Duck and the Diesel Engine (cameo)
 * Branch Line Engines
 * Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine (does not speak)
 * Tramway Engines
 * James and the Diesel Engines (mentioned)
 * More About Thomas the Tank Engine
 * Toby, Trucks and Trouble
 * Thomas and the Twins (does not speak)
 * Thomas and the Great Railway Show
 * Thomas Comes Home
 * Wilbert the Forest Engine
 * Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines (does not speak)
 * Thomas and Victoria
 * Thomas and his Friends

Television series

 * Season 1 - Toby and the Stout Gentleman, Thomas in Trouble, Dirty Objects, and Thomas' Christmas Party
 * Season 2 - Thomas, Percy and the Coal, Cows, Percy and Harold (does not speak), Duck Takes Charge (mentioned), The Runaway (does not speak), Thomas Comes to Breakfast, Daisy, Percy's Predicament, Ghost Train, Woolly Bear (does not speak), and Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree (does not speak)
 * Season 3 - Time for Trouble, Gordon and the Famous Visitor (cameo), Donald's Duck, Henry's Forest, Mavis, Toby's Tightrope, and Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure
 * Season 4 - Granpuff, Sleeping Beauty, Bulldog, Train Stops Play (does not speak), Bulls Eyes, Thomas and the Special Letter, Paint Pots and Queens, and Special Attraction
 * Season 5 - Horrid Lorry, Baa!, Toby and the Flood, Stepney Gets Lost, Toby's Discovery, Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday (does not speak), and A Surprise for Percy
 * Season 6 - A Bad Day for Harold the Helicopter (cameo), The Fogman, It's Only Snow, Scaredy Engines (cameo), Percy and the Haunted Mine (cameo), Percy's Chocolate Crunch (cameo), Toby Had a Little Lamb, and Thomas, Percy and the Squeak (cameo)
 * Season 7 - Emily's New Coaches (role replaced by Oliver), Percy Gets it Right (does not speak), Edward's Brass Band (cameo), Toby's Windmill, Peace and Quiet (does not speak), Harold and the Flying Horse (cameo), and Not So Hasty Puddings (cameo)
 * Season 8 - Percy's New Whistle (cameo), Thomas Saves the Day (does not speak), Don't Tell Thomas (does not speak), Gordon Takes Charge (does not speak), Thomas Gets It Right, As Good as Gordon (cameo), You Can Do it, Toby!, Too Hot for Thomas (does not speak), and Percy and the Magic Carpet (does not speak)
 * Season 9 - Percy and the Oil Painting (cameo), Thomas and the Rainbow, Thomas and the Toy Shop (cameo), Thomas and the Birthday Picnic (cameo), Thomas and the New Engine, Toby Feels Left Out, Thomas Tries His Best (cameo), Thomas and the Statue, Henry and the Flagpole, Emily Knows Best, Saving Edward (cameo), and Keeping up with James (cameo)
 * Season 10 - Percy and the Funfair, The Green Controller, Toby's Afternoon Off, Toby's New Shed, Sticky Toffee Thomas, and Thomas and the Colours (cameo)
 * Season 11 - Thomas and the Storyteller (cameo), Dream On, Gordon and the Engineer (cameo), Thomas and the Spaceship (cameo), Thomas and the Lighthouse, Hide and Peep (cameo), Toby's Triumph, and Thomas in Trouble
 * Season 12 - Thomas and the Billboard (cameo), Henry Gets It Wrong (does not speak), Heave Ho Thomas! (cameo), Toby's Special Surprise, Saved You!, and Tram Trouble
 * Season 13 - The Lion of Sodor, Tickled Pink, Play Time, Time For a Story (cameo), Toby's New Whistle, A Blooming Mess, Splish, Splash, Splosh! (cameo), and The Biggest Present of All
 * Season 14 - Pingy Pongy Pick Up (cameo), Toby and the Whistling Woods, Henry's Health and Safety (does not speak), Being Percy, Diesel's Special Delivery (cameo), Thomas and the Snowman Party, O the Indignity (cameo), Jitters and Japes, Merry Misty Island, and Henry's Magic Box
 * Season 15 - Toby and Bash, Edward the Hero (cameo), James to the Rescue, Happy Hiro (cameo), Let it Snow (cameo), Surprise, Surprise (cameo), Big Belle, Tree Trouble (cameo), and Fiery Flynn (cameo)
 * Season 16 - Ol' Wheezy Wobbles (cameo), Express Coming Through (cameo), Percy and the Monster of Brendam, Flash Bang Wallop! (cameo), Thomas and the Rubbish Train (cameo), Thomas Toots the Crows (cameo), Bust My Buffers! (cameo), Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor (cameo), Salty's Surprise (cameo), Whiff's Wish (does not speak), Welcome Stafford (cameo), and The Christmas Tree Express
 * Season 17 - Gordon Runs Dry (cameo), The Lost Puff, and The Missing Christmas Decorations (cameo)
 * Season 18 - Old Reliable Edward (cameo), Signals Crossed, Thomas the Quarry Engine, Spencer's VIP (cameo), Marion and the Dinosaurs, and Samson at Your Service (mentioned)
 * Jack and the Sodor Construction Company - Thomas and the Moles (cameo)

Specials:
 * Thomas and the Magic Railroad
 * Calling All Engines! (does not speak)
 * The Great Discovery
 * Hero of the Rails
 * Misty Island Rescue
 * Day of the Diesels
 * Blue Mountain Mystery
 * King of the Railway

Magazine stories

 * 1987 - Thomas' Christmas Party
 * 1988 - Toby and the Stout Gentleman, Thomas in Trouble, James and the Tar Wagons, Thomas, Percy and the Coal, Percy and Harold (mentioned), The Runaway (mentioned), Cows, Ghost Train, Woolly Bear, and Percy's Predicament
 * 1989 - Showing Off, Clearing Up, and One Good Turn
 * 1990 - Too Hot
 * 1993 - Roof Repairs! and Thomas and the Lamps
 * 1995 - The Engine Parade!
 * 1996 - Duck and the Deer! and Singing in the Rain!
 * 1997 - Clowning Around!
 * 1998 - Toby and the Stout Gentleman!
 * 2000 - A Shock for Mavis and Toby's Treat!
 * 2001 - A Special Story About Toby and A Song for Caroline (cameo)
 * 2002 - Toby to the Rescue!
 * 2003 - To the Harbour
 * 2004 - Toby and the Lambs, It's Only Snow!, Good as New (does not speak), Toby's Troubles!, Henry's Forest, and Thomas Gets It Right (does not speak)
 * 2005 - Percy and the Magic Carpet (cameo)
 * 2006 - No Trouble for Toby, First-class Carriage, Toby Feels Left Out, and Emily Knows Best
 * 2007 - Toby's Afternoon Off, Rocky Ride, The Best Smile (does not speak), and A New Shed for Toby
 * 2008 - Toby's Triumph, Fearless Freddie, and Funny Faces!
 * 2010 - The Best Present of All (cameo), Henry Gets It Wrong!, Misty Island Rescue (cameo), A Blooming Mess, and Thomas and the Rainbow!
 * 2011 - Jitters and Japes, Tickled Pink (speaks in speech bubble only), A Lion on Sodor, and Toby's Treat
 * 2012 - Rescue Team, Tender Trouble (does not speak), Edward's Big Rescue, The Fat Controller's Bedtime Story (Issue 645), Big Belle (speaks in speech bubble only), and Prize Guys (cameo)
 * 2013 - Being Percy (does not speak), Henrietta's Holiday, The Lost Puff, Toby to the Rescue, and Christmas Tree Express
 * 2014 - Kite Flying (does not speak), Emily Makes a Splash! (mentioned), and That's Snow Business (speaks in speech bubble only)

Toby also appeared in the magazine stories, A Sticky Situation, All Puffed Out, Arthur and Emily, Daisy and the Troublesome Trucks, Diesel's Nasty Turn, Glider Rider, Henry's Forest, Henry's Soaking!, Percy and the Trucks, Peter Sam, Rude James, Spotting Shapes, Stolen Apples, Taking Toby, The Big Ship, The Big Wheel, The Lost Parcel, The Milk Train, and The Poorly Engine!. }}

Voice Actors

 * Colm Feore (Thomas and the Magic Railroad)
 * William Hope (US; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * Ben Small (UK; Hero of the Rails - eighteenth season)
 * Yasuhiko Kawazu (Japan; first - eighth seasons)
 * Tomohiro Tsuboi (Japan; Season 9 onwards)
 * Espen Sandvik (Norway; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * Herman López (Mexico; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * Tom Deininger (Germany; Thomas and the Magic Railroad)
 * Volker Hanisch (Germany; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * Mieczysław Morański (Poland; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * Albert Cohen (Israel; Thomas and the Magic Railroad)
 * Gadi Levi (Israel)
 * Fadulli Costa (Brazil; Hero of the Rails onwards)

Trivia

 * The Wooden Railway and Brio ranges incorrectly depict Toby as an 0-4-0.
 * In Thomas Comes Home, the illustrations of "Toby's Megatrain" show Toby with a face at the rear cab as well as the front cab. This is the only time in the Railway Series that Toby has been illustrated with two faces.
 * Toby's bell sound changed in Season Two, changed back in Season Four and changed to the same as that of Flora's since Hero of the Rails.
 * Two Toby models have been on public display; one was at Drayton Manor (until the model ended up being stolen in early 2011), another was on display in Canada at Nitrogen Studios, but now is currently in Japan.
 * Toby is Christopher Awdry's favourite engine. This is because while on a trip in Yarmouth, he and his father got to ride in the cab of a J70 tram, thanks to Wilbert's good friend, the late Charlie Rand.
 * In the CGI series, Toby is regularly driven from his rear cab instead of his front one.
 * In an interview with SiF, Andrew Brenner stated that Toby was one of his favourite characters, along with James, Bill, and Ben.
 * In real life, Toby would be the sole-surviving member of his class, and of his design.

Merchandise

 * ERTL (normal and Gold Rail; both discontinued)
 * Wooden Railway (normal, talking, bronze (cancelled), and Battery-Powered)
 * Take-Along (normal, metallic, and in multi-packs; all discontinued)
 * My First Thomas
 * Motor Road and Rail (normal and talking; discontinued outside Asia)
 * TrackMaster (normal, flip-face, and talking)
 * Hornby (discontinued)
 * Bachmann (HO and large scale)
 * My Thomas Story Library (discontinued)
 * Bandai (several versions; discontinued)
 * Trading Cards
 * Take-n-Play (normal and talking)
 * De Agostini (discontinued)
 * Brio (discontinued)
 * LEGO (discontinued)
 * Mega Bloks (discontinued)
 * Tomica
 * Pez
 * Discover Junction
 * Wind-up
 * Diablock
 * DVD Bingo (discontinued)
 * Collectible Railway
 * Motorized Railway
 * Departing Now
 * Micro Rubber Engines
 * Push Along
 * Minis (coming soon)