Crovan's Gate

Crovan's Gate is a town near a narrow gap in the hills that is the only practicable route into the centre of Sodor from the east. It is the terminus of the Skarloey Railway. Engines come from the North Western and Culdee Fell railways to the works, established in 1915, to be repaired.

The town is named after Godred Crovan, who saved Sodor from a Viking invasion. After a warband of Vikings landed nearby, they were lured to a small pass which led to the center of Sodor and attacked. The warband retreated to their boats, only to find they had all been burnt by another party who had hid nearby.

Background
The works are possibly the best equipped for steam restoration in the British Isles - they are capable of any repair, overhaul or restoration job for any locomotive on the Island. The works also manufacture steam engines, and Sir Topham Hatt has been looking into the possibility of manufacturing parts for engines on heritage railways. In the television series, the works are given the name Sodor Steamworks.

The town's motto is "Ave amicos cave hostes", which, translated, means "Welcome, friends; beware, enemies".

Engines
The standard gauge yard is staffed by the Works Diesel, who shunts goods and does odd jobs.

The terminus, sheds and yards for the Skarloey Railway are located here.

Appearances
In the Railway Series Crovan's Gate comes up quite frequently, but sadly not as much in the television series. It made several appearances in the fourth season and in stock footage during the sixth and seventh seasons. Since Hero of the Rails however, it has appeared quite regularly becuase of the frequently used Steamworks.