Axel

"Hallo! Good day! Bonjour!"

- Axel, The Great Race

    Axel    Axel is a Belgian engine who participated in the Great Railway Show. He was a contender in the Great Race.
 * Class: NMBS/SNCB Type 12
 * Designer Raoul Notesse
 * Builder: John Cockerill Company
 * Built: between 1938 and 1939
 * Configuration: 4-4-2
 * Top Speed: 103 mph

Bio
Axel, along with the other international engines, accidentally arrived on the Island of Sodor when the ferry they were travelling on stopped at Brendam Docks instead of the Mainland. He was the engine approached by the Dock Manager to explain their presence and was informed they had got off at the wrong place. Embarrassed, Axel proceeded to order the other engines back onto the ship.

Axel competed in the Great Race alongside Gordon, Flying Scotsman, Spencer and Etienne. He spent the majority of the race in last place, but after Scotsman slowed to express concerns on the explosion of Gordon (known as the Shooting Star at the time)'s boiler, managed to overtake both Gresleys and finish third. He returned home after the show was over with the other international engines (bar Ashima).

Persona
Axel is a smooth, streamlined tender engine built for speed; his good looks and style have made him very popular with fans of steam. Effortlessly cool, he’ll be sure to win over more fans at the Great Railway Show.

Basis
Axel is based off of an NMBS/SNCB Type 12. One of these locomotives is preserved.

Livery
Axel is painted red with black and yellow lining, the same colour scheme as the Belgian flag.

Television Series
Specials
 * The Great Race

Voice Actors

 * Rob Rackstraw (UK/US)

Quotes
"To the Great Railway Show of course!"

- Axel tells the Dock Manager that he and the international engines are going to the Great Railway Show.

"De Islônd ov... oops! Wrong stop!"

- Axel realises that he and the international engines have arrived on Sodor instead of the Mainland.

Trivia

 * Axel is the second French-speaking engine in the series, the first being Millie.
 * His whistle is Rheneas' in a lower pitch.

Merchandise

 * Take-n-Play