Fred

Fred is a diesel working on the Skarloey Railway.

Bio
Fred was built by the Hunslet Engine Co. in 1959.

According to "Sodor: Reading Between the Lines", the Skarloey Railway bought two worn out Hunslet diesels from the National Coal Board and, using parts from both engines, they constructed Fred. He was put into service in 1989, and is used mainly for maintenance and engineering work.

Persona
It is assumed Fred is lazy and tries to stay out of work by pretending to be ill.

Livery
Fred is painted charcoal-black with yellow lining and white lettering. He is number 9 on the Skarloey Railway.

Appearances
Fred was only mentioned in "New Little Engine", when it was stated that he was too ill to pull the weedkilling train, or so he claimed. He really first appeared in the Sodor Island Forum's "Extended Railway Series" thread "Hard Working Little Engines".

Basis
Fred is based on "Alf", a Hunslet 0-4-0 diesel with a maximum speed of 9 mp/h working on the Talyllyn Railway.