Hank

"Howdy everybody. Thomas is overloaded right now, so I'll whistle for him!"

- Hank, Heave Ho Thomas, twelfth season

    Hank  Hank is a large American tender engine.
 * Class: Pennsylvania Railroad's K4 Pacific
 * Designer: Baldwin Locomotive Works
 * Builder: Matthias W. Baldwin
 * Configuration: 4-6-2

Bio
Thomas and Percy first met Hank at Brendam when he arrived. Thomas was impressed, until Hank told him he was "one of the finest little engines he'd ever seen". Thomas misinterpreted the comment as making fun of his size, and became determined to pull all of Hank's loads himself. While Thomas tired himself out pulling the heavy loads, Hank insisted that he help Thomas with the train. With the strain, Thomas eventually cracked a cylinder and finally decided to accept Hank's offer for help. Hank pushed Thomas to Knapford, where the other engines were waiting to greet Hank.

Persona
Hank is unique in being very kind and helpful amongst the big engines, and is willing to offer any assistance to any engine who is struggling with their loads. He generally speaks with a stereotypical Texan accent.

Basis
Hank is based on the Pennsylvania Railroad's K4 Pacific. He has buffers added to the back of his tender for coupling.

Livery
Hank is painted dark blue with red wheels, a red cowcatcher and red lining.

Appearances

 * Season 12 - Heave Ho Thomas

It's possible he was having an overhaul in Hero of the Rails, as in the Sodor Steamworks, there was a set of red "Pacific" wheels, which resemble Hank's.

Trivia

 * According to Sodor Island's recent interview with model maker and designer John Lee, Hank was originally designed to have an older face with a moustache. However, at HiT Entertainment's request, John made Hank look slightly younger and more jolly.


 * American engines like Hank have a larger loading gauge than British engines, so it appears Hank has been rescaled to the smaller British loading gauge in order to get around the Island.


 * Hank is only partly modified to work on Sodor. Other than his loading gauge being reduced, his running plate has been altered, he is missing a headlamp, has buffers on his tender he has been given screwlink couplings, yet retains his cowcatcher.


 * Hank appears to retain his bell, however, it was never heard in his appearance.

Merchandising

 * Learning Curve Wooden
 * TrackMaster
 * My Thomas Story Library
 * Take-n-Play