87546 and 98462

"The driver won't choose you again. He wants big strong engines, like us."

- The Big Engines to Edward

98462 and 87546 were two blue tender engines who visited Sodor in 1923.

The Railway Series
In 1923, two blue engines without names, only known by their numbers - 87546 and 98462 - were sent to the North Western Railway on trial. They were horrid engines and were very spiteful and mean to poor Edward, Gordon, and Henry, so the Fat Director sent them away.

The two engines stayed at Vicarstown Sheds during their visit, where they notably teased Edward for being small.

Persona
98462 and 87546 were horrid engines who were very mean and spitful to the others.

Basis
It is unknown what type of engine 98462 and 87546 really are. 98462 looks like a cross between Edward and Gordon with a 4-6-0 wheel arrangement, no outside cylinders or motion, Stephenson valve gear and oval buffers; 87546 looks a cross between Gordon and Henry in his old shape with a 4-6-0 wheel arrangement, two-cylinder motion, Walschaerts valve gear and round buffers. Some have theorised that 98462 is an LNER B12 and 87546 is an LNER B17. However, B17s were not built until 1928. Although he does resemble an LNER B1 or B16.

Livery
In the first illustration of Edward's Day Out, 98462 and 87546 are painted blue with brass boiler bands. In the second illustration, 87546 has red boiler bands and lining.

Appearances
Railway Series=

The Railway Series

 * The Three Railway Engines - Edward's Day Out (not named)

Companion Volumes

 * 1995 - The Thomas the Tank Engine Man (mentioned)

Trivia

 * 98462 and 87546 are two of a number of background engines inserted into the Railway Series by William Middleton and C. Reginald Dalby. In 1963, a young reader from New Zealand named Ross wrote to the Rev. W Awdry asking who the unnamed blue engines from the Three Railway Engines were and if they were featured in other stories. The Reverend invented an explanation that they were rude engines on trial who were quickly sent away.