The Flying Thistle

   The Flying Thistle   
 * Class: "A3" Pacific
 * Designer: Sir Nigel Gresley
 * Builder: Doncaster Works

The Flying Thistle is a tender engine, who vaguely resembles Gordon and the Flying Scotsman.
 * Configuration: 4-6-2
 * Built: circa 1923
 * Arrived on Sodor: circa 1949-1950

Bio
The Flying Thistle arrived on Sodor as a visiting engine. Percy was the first to meet him, and the other engines did not think he was real at first. Bill and Ben once mistook him for Gordon, due to their similar appearances.

Basis
The Flying Thistle is based on a LNER Gresley Class A1/A3 locomotive. Gordon and Flying Scotsman are other members of this class.

Livery
The Flying Thistle is painted red with yellow lining and a crest on his tender. He also has a yellow plaque on his wheel arch with his name written on either side.

Magazine Stories

 * 1992 - The Flying Thistle
 * 1993 - The Visitor

Trivia

 * In his first appearance, the Flying Thistle had a face, but did not in his second appearance. It may be that the flying thistle's appearances were out of order, so The Visitor is supposed to come first and then The visitor.
 * The Flying Thistle's name may possible be a combination of the Flying Scotsman and the A1/A3 Pacific, Knight of the Thistle. Flying Scotsman became the only A1/A3 preserved, and Knight of the Thistle was built in 1924, but withdrawn and sold for scrap in June 1964.