Alaric is a narrow gauge mountain-climbing engine who works on the Culdee Fell Railway. Like the other mountain engines, he has his own coach used for passenger services.
Biography
By 1962, the original four Culdee Fell Railway engines were aging and fresh, more powerful stock was needed to tackle the ever-increasing traffic. Accordingly, three "superheated" engines of the latest design were ordered. Alaric was built at the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works in Winterthur, Switzerland in 1962. As the second of the batch of new engines, he arrived on Sodor in May, allowing Shane Dooiney to be sent away for an overhaul.
By 1964, Patrick, Alaric and Eric proved successful and superseded the older engines, Ernest and Wilfred.[1]
Personality
Not much is known about Alaric's personality, though he, along with Eric, is described as being "nice and quiet" by Ernest and Wilfred.[2] It can also be assumed that Alaric is careful and cautious like the other mountain engines.
Technical Details
Basis
Alaric is based on No. 7 Ralph, an engine who worked on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. The engine was originally called "Aylwin" when built in 1923 and was renamed "Ralph Sadler", before it was shortened to "Ralph". "Ralph" was withdrawn and dismantled in 1990 and is unlikely to return to service.
Livery
Alaric is painted in the Culdee Fell Railway purple with orange lining livery. His number (7) is painted on the sides and back of his cab in yellow. On the sides of his tank, he has a red nameplate with gold lining and "ALARIC" on it, also in gold. His buffer beams are painted red.
Appearances
The Railway Series
Companion Volumes
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Annual Stories
- 1990 - Thomas and the Sunday School Outing (indirectly mentioned)
Books
- 1987 - Thomas's ABC (cameo)
- 1989 - Thomas's Book of Colours (cameo)
Official Description
From Official Media:[3]
| “ | Alaric (No.7): Accordingly three superheated engines of the latest design were ordered. These were delivered at two-monthly intervals during 1962. Alaric came in May, and Eric was delivered in August, and helped to ease the strain during the last two months of the Season. On Alaric’s arrival in May 1962, Shane Dooiney had followed Culdee to Switzerland for overhaul, and so was still away when Culdee returned home. | ” |
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | Alaric (7) and Eric (8): These two engines, with Lord Harry, are superheated engines of a more modern design - they arrived in the May and July of 1962 respectively, but are mentioned only in passing and take no part in the Mountain Engines stories. | ” |
Trivia
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Alaric with his rear face removed in the Korean version.
- Like the other Culdee Fell engines, Alaric has a face at each end.
- However, in the Korean version of Mountain Engines, the rear faces on the mountain engines were removed for unknown reasons.
- In the Korean version of Mountain Engines, Alaric's name is "Eddie".
- Alaric and Eric are named after the mythological king brothers of Sweden.
Gallery
The Railway Series
Main Series
Miscellaneous
Others
References
| Locomotives | Godred | Ernest | Wilfred | Culdee | Shane Dooiney | Patrick | Alaric | Eric |
|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Coaches | Catherine | The "Trucks" |
| People | Lord Peter Barrane | Lord Harry Barrane | Walter Richards |
| Locations | Kirk Machan (Engine Sheds) | Shiloh | Poll-ny-Chrink | Skarloey Road (Viaduct) | Devil's Back | Culdee Fell Summit |