Beau is a mining engine with a moustache, who works near the Grand Canyon. He befriended Thomas during his journey around the world, after Thomas derailed outside of a mine.
Biography
Thomas & Friends
Beau was taking a goods train when he came across Thomas and Ace speeding towards him before an intersection. While he avoided the runaway, his train was uncoupled and sped after them. After the two derailed, Beau caught up to them and laughed at Thomas' request to find a breakdown crane as those were not used in the area. Taking Thomas' driver and fireman as well as Ace's driver, he left to find people and horses to help them, not returning until the next day. Once the two were upright on the rails and on their way, Beau commented on the way they talked being funny to him.
Personality
Beau hails from the American Southwest. This gritty old-timer is able to help Thomas in a moment of need, fixing himself in Thomas' memory and making him forever grateful.
Technical Details
Basis
Beau is based on the Central Pacific Railroad's 4-4-0 locomotive No. 60; 'Jupiter'. Though his livery is based on a sister locomotive, No. 63; 'Leviathan'. Along with Storm and Whirlwind, they were the engines constructed the first transcontinental railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah. All of these engines were built by the Schenectady Locomotive Works in New York. Unfortunately that none of thesde original locomotives have been preserved. In 1979, the O'Connor Engineering Lab manufactured the replica of the Jupiter and the 119. David Kloke from the Kloke Locomotive Works manufactured the full size replica of the Leviathan which is based on the Jupiter's design. Today they are still operable.
Beau has been slightly modified from his basis with buffers above his cowcatcher (which is flatter and shorter to accommodate them) and behind his tender, which also has a screw-link coupling.
Livery
Beau's livery is based on the current one worn by the Leviathan, as he is painted silver and red with gold lining. His boiler is painted silver, his cab is brown and his wheels, tender and cowcatcher are red. His name and number are painted on the sides of his tender and cab respectively in yellow. Unlike the Leviathan, his lamp is gold instead of red, as is his dome.
Appearances
Thomas & Friends
Specials
- 2018 - Big World! Big Adventures! (not named)
Music Videos
Videos
- 2018 - Meet the Characters! and Different Ways to See the World (cameo)
Books
Video Games
- 2018 - Thomas and Friends: Adventures!
Voice Actors
- Kerry Shale (UK/US)
- Shōto Kashii (Japan)
- Tomasz Grochoczyński (Poland)
- Markus Bäckman (Finland)
Audio Files
Whistle
First used | Last used | Sound Effect |
---|---|---|
Big World! Big Adventures! | Active |
Trivia
- James' temporary headlamp from the fourteenth series episode, James in the Dark is reused for Beau's tail-lamp.
- Beau's funnel is based on the Oregon Pacific No. 12, the American 4-4-0 played as the General from Buster Keaton's The General film in 1926.
- He is the fifth engine to have a moustache, the first being Earnest, the second being Iron Duke, the third being Coran and the forth being Etienne
- Beau is the second engine to have a coupling on his back, but not on his front, the first being Lady.
- In prototype biographies of Beau, it is said that Thomas saved him after he was abandoned, however, this is sort of swapped, as Beau saves Thomas after his crash.
- Curiously, this plot element was reused for Lorenzo in the 2019 special, Digs and Discoveries.
- In early storyboards, Beau is depicted as a grey tank engine with a cowcatcher and diamond spark arrestor, a similar design to Puffa from Thomas & Friends' sister series, TUGS.
- Although Beau's name is displayed on his tender as well as in the listing for his Wood toy and various promotional pieces, his name is yet to be spoken in the television series.
Merchandise
- Wood (cancelled 2018; re-release coming 2019)