Beau is an American 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 railroad mine.
Biography
Thomas & Friends
Beau was taking a freight 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'.
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 & FriendsSpecials
Music VideosVideos
Storytime
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Books
Video Games
- 2018 - Thomas and Friends: Adventures!
Audio Files
Whistle
| First used | Last used | Sound Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Big World! Big Adventures! | Active |
In Storytime with Mr. Evans and Thomas and Friends: Adventures!, Beau is incorrectly portrayed with Bert/Rebecca's whistle.
| First used | Last used | Sound Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Storytime with Mr. Evans | Thomas and Friends: Adventures! |
Bell
| First used | Last used | Sound Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Big World! Big Adventures! | Active |
Trivia
- 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.
- Interestingly, this plot element was reused for Lorenzo in Mines of Mystery.
- Several parts of Beau's model are reused from other engines:
- His bell is reused from Belle with a different frame.
- James' temporary headlamp from the fourteenth series episode, James in the Dark is reused for Beau's tail-lamp.
- His bogie wheels, driving wheels and connecting rods are reused from Lexi, with his driving wheels and flanges scaled up and the rivets on the counterweights removed.
- In early storyboards, Beau is depicted as a grey tank engine with a cowcatcher and diamond spark arrestor, a design similar to that of 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.
- Beau appears to have been significantly scaled down from his basis, as his cab is only slightly taller than conventional British rolling stock. This would make it hard for his crew to fit in his cab, however his driver is seen standing in his cab, as well as Thomas's crew and Ace's driver entering it; Beau's cab interior could be modified from his basis to accommodate for his reduced size.
- Beau does not appear to have a fireman, as seen in his promotional video where only his driver is visible in his cab; this could possibly be due to limited space in his cab, as his driver can be seen crouching in his cab.
- In his promotional video, his bogie wheels stay facing the camera whilst the rest of his body moves.
- Beau's basis was first painted red; but years later, it was repainted blue and has stayed that way ever since.
- Most of Beau's parts were reused for Marcia and Marcio.
- Beau and Belle are named after the French word for 'beautiful', as well having the same bell sound.
Merchandise
- Wood (cancelled 2018; re-release coming 2020)
Videos
| Locomotives | Sam | Vinnie | Beau | Dockyard Engines | Natalie | The American Diesels | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Rail Vehicles | Rally Car #17 | Bonneville Salt Flats Rally Cars | Carter | |
| Locations | Morenci Loop | Grand Canyon | San Francisco Docks (Sailors' Cafe) | Bonneville Salt Flats | New York City | The Alaskan Research Outpost | Monument Valley | |