Drivers

"I'd never go without my driver. I'd be frightened!"

- Toby, Thomas Comes to Breakfast, second season

The drivers (also called engineers in recent US narrations) drive and maintain the engines and, along with the fireman, keep the engines in control and provide a voice of reason when an engine is being difficult.

A driver's uniform consists of blue trousers, a black tie, a white shirt with a blue jacket over it, and a blue cap. The drivers on the Skarloey Railway wear the same outfits, but in grey instead of blue.

Trivia

 * In newer episodes of Thomas &amp; Friends, drivers and firemen act almost purely as background characters and are very rarely acknowledged. Engines have been seen to leave their jobs without consulting their drivers, when in reality, the driver would direct the engine where to go and what to do.
 * In the Magazine Series, drivers on the Narrow Gauge Railway where the same colour uniform of those on the Standard Gauge railway.
 * To date, eight drivers have been named: Charlie Sand, Edward's driver, Ted, Henry's driver, Joe, Culdee's driver, Bob, Thomas' driver in the CGI series, Mr. Arkwright, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Bennett and Mr. Roberts.
 * There have been recent complaints about the lack of female drivers. Mary Creagh, a labour Front-bencher, has said it was a negative stereotype, and says it will make women less likely to become train drivers if they are put off in their early years. She also criticised the lack of female characters. HiT Entertainment responded saying there has been a "historical imbalance" but that there will be more female characters/engines in development.

Merchandise

 * Wooden Railway
 * Brio (discontinued)
 * Motor Road and Rail