Skarloey

"So ye're headin' for the wee railway. Ye must put some order into those trucks. The havers they make, it's hard to believe."

- Neil, "Very Old Engines"

    Skarloey 
 * Class: Talyllyn Railway's Talyllyn
 * Primary function: Passenger service
 * Built date: 1864
 * Builder: Fletcher, Jennings and Co.
 * Gauge: 2' 3"
 * Configuration: 0-4-2ST, originally 0-4-0ST
 * Driving wheel diameter: 2' 4"
 * Trailing wheel diameter: 1' 9"
 * Coupled wheelbase: 4' 0"
 * Total wheelbase: 9' 0"
 * Cylinder size (bore/stroke): 8 5/8 x 16"
 * Heating surface: 156 sq. ft.
 * Working pressure: 160 psi
 * Tractive effort: 5780 lbs
 * Weight: 12 tons
 * Length over buffers: 18' 0.5"

Skarloey, a narrow gauge saddletank engine, is the oldest engine on the Skarloey Railway.

Bio in the Railway Series
Skarloey was built at Fletcher, Jennings and Co., Whitehaven in 1864 and was the first engine to arrive on the newly developed Skarloey Railway in 1865. His young antics proved bothersome but he soon matured when he received his cab and trailing wheels. Skarloey was put aside in 1945 when he was fit for steam only in extreme emergency. In 1952, he was sent for repairs to the Gibbons Brother's Brierly Hill engineering works at Lenches Bridge in Pensnett for an overhaul. A new boiler, saddletank and bunker were built and Skarloey returned to service in 1958.

Bio in the television series
When Skarloey first appeared in the fourth season he had not worked in some time, but soon proved his worth once more. Throughout the television series, he has been a dedicated worker and a very wise engine. However, in later seasons, there has also been an element of timidness and occasional childishness, adding unnecessary depth to his character.

Livery
In the Railway Series, Skarloey is painted in the Skarloey Railway's red livery and blue-and-yellow lining with his name painted in gold on his saddletank. In the television series, Skarloey is painted red with white and gold lining.

Persona
When he first arrived, Skarloey was pompous and arrogant, believing himself fit only to pull coaches. His attitude changed after being sheeted until he learnt sense, but after recieving a pair of trailing wheels and cab he reverted to his old tendencies. He boasted so much about it that Rheneas refused to talk to him until Skarloey apologised after Rheneas rescued him from a mudslide. Now, Skarloey is a wise old engine who doesn't stand for nonsense, but is still fair and friendly.

In the television series, Skarloey is proud of himself for being brave, but sometimes he can be a little pompous and arrogant.

Basis
Skarloey is based on the Talyllyn Railway's "Talyllyn".

Merchandising
Skarloey is available as a Learning Curve Wooden, TOMY, Trackmaster, Bandai Tecs and a Take-Along model. He also has a "My Thomas Story Library" book dedicated to him.

His ERTL model has been discontinued.