Percy

"...a green caterpillar with red stripes. You crawl like one too."

- Thomas, Tramway Engines

    Percy  Percy is a cheeky saddletank who was brought to Sodor to help run the railway during the big engines' strike.
 * Number: 6
 * Class: GWR Avonside 0-4-0ST with No. 1430 "Trojan" body shape and 1361 Class bunker
 * Designer: Avonside Engine Company
 * Builder: Avonside Engine Company
 * Configuration: 0-4-0ST
 * Arrived on Sodor: June 1949

Bio
Percy was built by Avonside and went through subsequent rebuilding in the years preceding his second-hand sale to the North Western Railway. He is said to have been found wearing Hunslet parts, according to workers at Crovan's Gate.

When Gordon, James, and Henry went on strike in protest of the extra work they had to do since Thomas left to run his branch line, the Fat Controller decided that the railway needed another tank engine. Going to the engine workshop, the Fat Controller saw a green saddletank and when the engine confirmed he was willing to work hard, the Fat Controller bought him and named him Percy. Bringing him back to Sodor, Percy was charged with running the branch line while Thomas ran the Main Line with Edward and was allowed to stay after the big engines surrendered. At first, Percy liked to annoy the big engines. Percy was later waiting at Tidmouth, but forgot to whistle to the signalman, and thus was startled when Gordon came running towards him with the express. Gordon managed to stop in time, but Percy was so frightened, he ran away, and ended up in a sandbank. He was rescued by Gordon and took up the duty of station pilot at Tidmouth.

Percy was still a cheeky engine and often liked to play jokes on Gordon and James, but one day the other engines got their revenge when Percy failed to recognise a "backing signal". After this, Percy was subject to bullying from the big engines until Duck arrived and helped Percy to put the big engines in their place.

With Duck's arrival, Percy was sent to Thomas' Branch Line to help build Knapford Harbour and has stayed there ever since as a goods engine.

Persona
As the television series has progressed, Percy has been dumbed down in order to teach viewers difficult words: he would say "dingy-fried" where anyone else would say "dignified". He also is shown to make obvious mistakes.

Percy is incredibly accident-prone, and holds the dubious record of the most accidents in one season - five, in the second season - crashing into some buffers, falling into the sea, being pushed onto a brakevan, colliding with a cart, and being hit by a falling crate of treacle. So far, his silliest accident yet was in the sixth season, when he slipped on oily rails, crashed through the chocolate factory, and emerged covered in chocolate.

Since the second season, Percy has had a small rivalry with Harold, stemming from their race. However, they are always willing to help each other when in trouble.

Basis
Percy is primarily based on an Avonside 0-4-0ST with the body of GWR 1340 Trojan, the bunker of GWR 1361, Hunslet underframes and valve gear, a smokebox protruding from his saddletank, external cylinders and motion, and sandboxes underneath the tanks on his footplate.

Modifications made to Percy's shape include the angled smokebox supports and the cab being cut down slightly from the back for the bunker.

Livery
Percy is painted NWR green with NWR red-and-yellow lining and a "6" painted on his bunker sides in yellow.

In the Railway Series, he carries two builder's plates, one on either side of his cab.

Green Caterpillar
The Reverend W. Awdry and C. Reginald Dalby did not get along very well. Awdry considered Dalby's drawings "toylike"; this relationship was worsened by the creation of Percy, who was depicted as an Avonside 0-4-0ST/GWR 1340 Trojan with a bunker.

When Percy the Small Engine was published, Awdry wrote to Dalby criticizing his illustrations and claiming Percy resembled "a green caterpillar with red stripes". This was too much for Dalby and he promptly resigned. However, the insult was not forgotten: Thomas called Percy "a green caterpillar with red stripes" in Tramway Engines.

Arrival
It is debated as to what year Percy arrived. The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways states that Percy came to Sodor in June 1949. However, Henry is said to have been rebuilt in 1935 and Percy makes several appearances in the presence of the pre-rebuild Henry, suggesting that either Henry was rebuilt later on or that Percy arrived before 1935. A post on SiF states that Christopher Awdry affirms the TIOS arrival date to be incorrect and that Percy did come to Sodor before 1935.

Appearances
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Railway Series

 * Troublesome Engines
 * Henry the Green Engine
 * Toby the Tram Engine
 * Gordon the Big Engine
 * Edward the Blue Engine
 * Percy the Small Engine
 * The Eight Famous Engines
 * The Twin Engines
 * Branch Line Engines
 * Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine
 * Tramway Engines
 * Really Useful Engines
 * 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
 * Thomas and Victoria
 * Thomas and his Friends

Television series

 * Season 1 - Trouble in the Shed, Percy Runs Away, Whistles and Sneezes, Dirty Objects, Off the Rails, and Thomas' Christmas Party
 * Season 2 - Thomas, Percy and the Coal, Cows (does not speak), Saved from Scrap (cameo), Old Iron, Percy and the Signal, Duck Takes Charge, Percy and Harold, The Runaway (does not speak), Percy Takes the Plunge, Pop Goes the Diesel (cameo), A Close Shave (cameo), The Deputation, Thomas Comes to Breakfast, Daisy, Percy's Predicament, Ghost Train, Woolly Bear, and Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree (does not speak)
 * Season 3 - A Scarf for Percy, Percy's Promise, Time for Trouble, Gordon and the Famous Visitor, Donald's Duck (cameo), Thomas Gets Bumped, Thomas, Percy and the Dragon, Diesel Does it Again, The Trouble with Mud (cameo), No Joke for James, Thomas, Percy and the Post Train, Trust Thomas (does not speak), Toby's Tightrope, All at Sea, Tender Engines (cameo), Escape (cameo), Oliver Owns Up, Bulgy (cameo), Percy, James and the Fruitful Day, and Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure
 * Season 4 - Granpuff, Sleeping Beauty, Bulldog, Four Little Engines (cameo), A Bad Day for Sir Handel (cameo), Trucks! (cameo), Rock 'n' Roll (cameo), Steamroller (cameo), Passengers and Polish (cameo), Gallant Old Engine (cameo), Rusty to the Rescue (does not speak), Thomas and Stepney, Train Stops Play, Bowled Out (cameo), Henry and the Elephant, Toad Stands By, Bull's Eyes (cameo), Thomas and the Special Letter, Paint Pots and Queens, Fish (cameo), Special Attraction, and Mind that Bike
 * Season 5 - Cranky Bugs, Horrid Lorry, A Better View for Gordon, Lady Hatt's Birthday Party, James and the Trouble with Trees, Gordon and the Gremlin, Bye George!, Baa!, Put Upon Percy, Toby and the Flood, Double Teething Troubles, Thomas, Percy and Old Slowcoach, Thomas and the Rumours, Happy Ever After, Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday (does not speak), A Surprise for Percy, Make Someone Happy, Busy Going Backwards (cameo), Rusty and the Boulder, and Snow
 * Season 6 - Salty's Secret (cameo), Harvey to the Rescue, No Sleep for Cranky, A Bad Day for Harold the Helicopter, The Fogman, It's Only Snow (cameo), The World's Strongest Engine, Scaredy Engines, Percy and the Haunted Mine, Middle Engine, James and the Red Balloon, Jack Frost, Gordon Takes a Tumble, Percy's Chocolate Crunch, Thomas, Percy and the Squeak, Thomas the Jet Engine, and Edward the Very Useful Engine
 * The Pack - Percy's Scary Tale, A Happy Day for Percy, and Percy Helps Out
 * Season 7 - Emily's New Coaches (does not speak), Percy Gets it Right, Bill, Ben and Fergus (cameo), Edward's Brass Band (cameo), What's the Matter with Henry?, James and the Queen of Sodor, The Spotless Record, Bad Day at Castle Loch, Salty's Stormy Tale, Something Fishy (does not speak), Peace and Quiet (cameo), Fergus Breaks the Rules (cameo), Bulgy Rides Again (cameo), Harold and the Flying Horse, Best Dressed Engine, Gordon and Spencer (cameo), Not So Hasty Puddings (cameo), and Three Cheers for Thomas
 * Season 8 - Thomas and the Tuba, Percy's New Whistle, Thomas to the Rescue (does not speak), Henry and the Wishing Tree (cameo), James Gets a New Coat, Thomas Saves the Day (cameo), Percy's Big Mistake, Thomas, Emily and the Snowplough (cameo), Don't Tell Thomas, Gordon Takes Charge, Spic and Span, Edward the Great, Thomas and the Circus, Thomas Gets It Right (cameo), As Good as Gordon (cameo), Halloween, You Can Do it, Toby!, Chickens to School (does not speak), Too Hot for Thomas, James Goes Too Far, and Percy and the Magic Carpet
 * Season 9 - Percy and the Oil Painting, Thomas and the Rainbow, Molly's Special Special, Thomas' Milkshake Muddle (cameo), Thomas and the Toy Shop (cameo), Respect for Gordon, Thomas and the Birthday Picnic, Thomas and the New Engine, Toby Feels Left Out, Thomas Tries His Best (does not speak), Thomas and the Statue, Emily Knows Best, Thomas' Day Off, Thomas and the Golden Eagle, and Keeping up with James (cameo)
 * Season 10 - Thomas and the Jet Plane, Percy and the Funfair, The Green Controller, Toby's Afternoon Off (cameo), It's Good to be Gordon (cameo), Toby's New Shed, Edward Strikes Out, Thomas and the Shooting Star, Big Strong Henry, Sticky Toffee Thomas, Thomas' Frosty Friend, Emily and the Special Coaches (cameo), Thomas and the Colours (cameo), Thomas and the Treasure (cameo), and James the Second Best
 * Season 11 - Thomas and the Storyteller, Dream On (does not speak), Dirty Work, Gordon and the Engineer (cameo), Thomas and the Spaceship, Henry's Lucky Day (cameo), Thomas and the Lighthouse (does not speak), Thomas and the Big Bang (does not speak), Thomas Sets Sail (does not speak), Don't be Silly, Billy, Edward and the Mail, Hide and Peep, Toby's Triumph, Thomas and the Runaway Car, Thomas in Trouble, and Percy and the Left Luggage
 * Season 12 - Thomas and the Billboard (does not speak), Henry Gets It Wrong, Heave Ho Thomas!, Saved You! (does not speak), Tram Trouble (cameo), Percy and the Bandstand, and Best Friends
 * Season 13 - Creaky Cranky (cameo), The Lion of Sodor, Tickled Pink, Double Trouble (cameo), The Early Bird, Play Time, Thomas and the Pigs, Percy's Parcel, Toby's New Whistle, Thomas and the Runaway Kite, Steamy Sodor, The Biggest Present of All, Snow Tracks, Henry's Good Deeds, Buzzy Bees (cameo), and Hiro Helps Out
 * Season 14 - Thomas' Tall Friend, James in the Dark (mentioned), Pingy Pongy Pick Up, Charlie and Eddie (cameo), Toby and the Whistling Woods (cameo), Henry's Health and Safety, Diesel's Special Delivery (cameo), Victor Says Yes, Thomas in Charge, Being Percy, Merry Winter Wish, Thomas and the Snowman Party, Thomas' Crazy Day, Thomas and Scruff, Merry Misty Island, and Henry's Magic Box
 * Season 15 - Percy's New Friends, Edward the Hero, James to the Rescue, Happy Hiro, Up, Up and Away!, Surprise, Surprise, Spencer the Grand, Stop that Bus! (cameo), Big Belle (cameo), Kevin the Steamie, Percy the Snowman, Tree Trouble, and Fiery Flynn (cameo)
 * Season 16 - Ol' Wheezy Wobbles (does not speak), Express Coming Through (does not speak), Percy and the Monster of Brendam, Ho Ho Snowman (cameo), Flash Bang Wallop!, Bust My Buffers! (cameo), Percy and the Calliope, Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor, Salty's Surprise (cameo), Sodor Surprise Day (cameo), Emily's Winter Party Special (cameo), Muddy Matters, Whiff's Wish, and Welcome Stafford (cameo)

Specials:
 * Thomas and the U.K. Trip
 * Thomas and the Magic Railroad
 * Calling All Engines!
 * The Great Discovery
 * Hero of the Rails
 * Misty Island Rescue
 * Day of the Diesels
 * Blue Mountain Mystery
 * King of the Railway

Magazine stories
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 * 1988 - Trouble in the Shed
 * 1990 - Trouble in the Tunnel and One Bump Too Many
 * 1993 - Trevor to the Rescue! (cameo), Roof Repairs!, Thomas and the Toboggan! (cameo), The Viaduct!, and Truck Trouble!
 * 1994 - A Special Treat! (cameo)
 * 1995 - Night Lights (does not speak) and The Engine Parade!
 * 1996 - Gordon's Spots! (does not speak), Important Passengers!, Edward and the River Rose! (mentioned), Percy Saves the Day, Thomas and the Tunnel!, Thomas Takes a Ride!, Truck Trouble!, and Too Tired! (does not speak)
 * 1997 - Percy's Puzzling Trip!, Clowning Around!, Henry's Busy Day (does not speak), Gordon, and Percy's Surprise
 * 1998 - Look Alike, Runaway Percy!, Billy's Bones! (cameo), Donald's Duck! (cameo), James' Hotel!, Christmas Crisis (does not speak), and Copycat!
 * 2000 - Shivers in the Sheds and Back to Front!
 * 2001 - A Song for Caroline (cameo), Down at the Docks, and Choc-o-BoCo!
 * 2002 - Whistling!, The Winning Shot, Travelling Tables! (cameo), Dusty Diesel! (cameo), Tunnel Trap!, and The Flower Festival (does not speak)
 * 2003 - To the Harbour, Build or Bust!, and Feeling Fine (cameo)
 * 2004 - Going for a Swim! and Crash Splash!
 * 2006 - Emily Knows Best
 * 2007 - Everyone's Friend (does not speak) and The Right Shape
 * 2008 - Snow Trouble!, Track Race, Wonky Whistle!, Thomas and the Lighthouse!, Percy and the Left Luggage, The Ice Train!, and Toby's Triumph (cameo)
 * 2009 - Night Light Train (cameo)
 * 2010 - The Best Present of All, Early Bird, Pulling the Post (cameo), Misty Island Rescue (does not speak), Percy Ploughs In!, Snow Tracks, Creepy Causeway, and Percy's Poles
 * 2011 - Being Percy, Rumble Rescue (cameo), Steam on Stamps (cameo), Misty Island Rescue (cameo), Ready, Jet Set, Go! (cameo), Musical Trucks (cameo), Percy's Rainbow, Henry's Health and Safety (does not speak), Victor Says Yes (does not speak), Thomas' Crazy Day (does not speak), Thomas and Scruff (does not speak), The Flying Teapot, Rain or Shine, Little and Light, Hiro Helps Out (does not speak), The Runaway Kite (does not speak), Horrible Hiccups, Winter Wish, Caroline's Christmas (cameo), and Snow Tracks (cameo)
 * 2012 - Thomas and the Pigs, Early Bird, Bubbling Boiler, The Railway Show, The Fat Controller's Bedtime Story (Issue 643) (does not speak), Edward's Big Rescue, Thomas' Tall Friend (mentioned), Team Spirit Time!, Ol' Wheezy Wobbles (mentioned), The Fat Controller's Bedtime Story (Issue 646), Up, Up and Away!, and A Whoosh of Water!

Voice Actors

 * Michael Angelis (Thomas and the Magic Railroad; original workprints only)
 * Linda Ballantyne (Thomas and the Magic Railroad)
 * Keith Wickham (UK; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * Martin Sherman (US; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * Chisato Nakajima (Japan; first - eighth seasons)
 * Chie Koujiro (Japan; Calling All Engines! onwards)
 * Anders Sundstedt (Norway; Hero of the Rails onwards)
 * Mattia Nissolino (Italy)
 * Javier Olguin (Mexico; Hero of the Rails onwards)

Trivia

 * Percy' large scale model used for the spin-off series, The Pack is currently on display in Japan at Thomas Land.
 * Since the fourteenth season, Percy's whistle budges up and down when he blows it.
 * One of Percy's models is currently on display in Canada at Nitrogen Studios.
 * In the French version of the Classic Series, Percy was called Pierre, but during the New Series, he is called Percy.

Quotes

 * "Do you know what?" asked Percy.
 * "What?" grunted Gordon.
 * "Do you know what?"
 * "Silly," said Gordon crossly, "Of course I don't know what, if you don't tell me what 'what' is."

- A conversation between Percy and Gordon, "Percy the Small Engine"


 * "Wheeeeeeeeeeesh!" Percy gave his ghostly whistle. "Don't be frightened, Thomas," he laughed, "it's only me!"
 * "Your ugly fizz is enough to frighten anyone," said Thomas crossly. "You're like - "
 * "Ugly indeed! I'm - "
 * "A green caterpillar with red stripes," continued Thomas firmly. "You crawl like one too."
 * "I don't."
 * "Who's been late every afternoon this week?"
 * "It's the hay."
 * "I can't help that," said Thomas. "Time's time, and the Fat Controller relies on me to keep it. I can't if you crawl in the hay till all hours."

- An argument between Percy and Thomas, Tramway Engines


 * "I can't see any," said Percy. "Where are they?"
 * "Any what?" said Gordon.
 * "Ideas above the station - the sky's empty."
 * "Like your smokebox, Percy!" laughed James.

- A brief example of Percy's growing stupidity, A Better View for Gordon, fifth season

Merchandise

 * ERTL (normal, Gold Rail, and metallic; discontinued)
 * Wooden Railway (normal, silver, metallic, talking, and in three-pack)
 * Take-Along (normal, metallic, and lights and sounds; discontinued)
 * Take-n-Play (normal, pull back, and talking)
 * My First Thomas (normal and talking)
 * TOMY/TrackMaster (normal, flip-face, talking, chocolate-covered, and remote-controlled)
 * Hornby
 * Bachmann
 * Lionel
 * Märklin
 * Tomix
 * Tomica
 * My Thomas Story Library (discontinued)
 * Bandai Tecs (normal and metallic; discontinued)
 * Wind-up Trains
 * Brio (discontinued)
 * Pez
 * LEGO Duplo (discontinued)
 * Mega Bloks
 * Meccano (discontinued)
 * Around Town with Thomas
 * Discover Junction
 * Diablock (large and mini)