Stepney

"Bluebells forever!"

- Stepney, "Stepney gets Lost", fifth season

Stepney, named after a district in London, is a tank engine.

Bio in the Railway Series
Stepney was built in 1875 and later rebuilt in 1912. He arrived on the Bluebell Railway on May 17, 1960.

In 1963, Stepney came on loan to Sodor and worked briefly with Duck at Tidmouth before working on Thomas' branch line, during which time he caught a cricket ball in a truck while passing the Elsbridge cricket field. Towards the end of his stay he returned to Tidmouth, and on his last day double-headed the Express with Duck after the Diesel failed.

Stepney has been withdrawn from service as his boiler certificate has expired. Due to his "tired" condition he is not yet in line for an overhaul.

Bio in the television series
Stepney was hiding on the Other Railway when Rusty found him and convinced him to travel with him to the Bluebell Railway.

Stepney later visited Sodor to have a change from his line, and again to help Toby and Mavis to help at the quarry - this exurcusion nearly ended in disaster after 'Arry and Bert tried to scrap Stepney, luckily without success, after Stepney accidentally ventured into the scrapyards. Stepney later visited for unknown reasons in one episode, apparently to help Duck again, and was later helped by Edward with the running of a new loop line. Stepney came back to Sodor in 2008.

Appearances
Stepney appeared in "Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine" and was mentioned in "Thomas and the Great Railway Show".

In the television series, Stepney appeared in the fourth, fifth and twelfth seasons. He appeared in the sixth and seventh seasons with no speaking roles.

Persona
Stepney is a honest, kind and hard-working engine, and loves to work on his branch line. Stepney listens to advice all the time and he always learns a lesson, learning a lesson is very important.

Basis
Stepney is based on the real engine of the same name, an LB&SCR A1x Class "Terrier" 0-6-0T tank locomotive.

Livery
Stepney is painted in the ochre locomotive livery of the LB&SCR, formally known as "Stroudley's Improved Engine Green".

Bluebell Railway

 * For a link to Stepney's page on the Bluebell Railway website, visit The Bluebell Railway's Stepney Page.

Merchandising
Stepney is available as a Take-Along, TOMY, Trackmaster, Hornby, Bandai Tecs and My First Thomas model. His Learning Curve Wooden model has been retired and reissued in a three-pack, but his ERTL model has been discontinued.