| For other uses, see Bert. |
Bert is a blue miniature tender engine who works on the Arlesdale Railway.
Biography[]
Bert is a rebuild by the Yorkshire Engine Co. of an earlier 0-8-0 design whose chassis and valve gear is very similar to that used in the 1890's by Sir Arthur Heywood at Duffield Bank. The addition of trailing wheels and a tender enabled a larger firebox to be fitted in the hope that this would cure "shy steaming", but this was not the case.
Bert worked on an unnamed line in England until 1967, at which time it closed down and he, Rex and Mike were sent to Sodor to work the Arlesdale Railway. Some time after his arrival, Bert took offence when the Rev. W. Awdry and the Rev. Teddy Boston accidentally sprayed him with mud while passing him in their car and in retaliation, Bert drenched the Reverend Teddy Boston with water when he took a ride in Bert's cab, along with his driver. However, both parties made up and as a result, Bert was featured in the Reverend W. Awdry's next book, Small Railway Engines.
Bert, along with the other small engines were offered to be in the Reverend's next book if they behaved. When a rescue team went on a mission to look for Duke, they often rode on Bert's train.
For a long time Bert had trouble with steaming. One day, as he was pulling a passenger train, his tender coupling broke off as they left the station. He did not want to "stick" around, but the mention of the word "stick" encouraged his driver to bring glue to temporarily repair his coupling hook. This was what his driver called "Sticking Power".
It was not until 1973, when Ivan Farrier at Arlesburgh fitted a Kylchap blast pipe and taller chimney, that his trouble with steaming trouble was cured. As a result of this, Bert's appearance is now different. His taller chimney, with cab enlarged to match, has turned his appearance into that of a narrow gauge engine in his own right instead of, as formerly, a scaled down version of a standard gauge locomotive. Bert is now as powerful and free steaming as Rex, but is more "sure footed" and in addition gives his driver a smoother ride.
Personality[]
Bert is the quietest of the Arlesdale Railway engines. He appears to be very easy going and friendly. One thing Bert does not like, however, is the idea that bigger engines (and some people) might look down on the little engines just because they are small. He is still friendly to bigger engines, and usually corrects them when they look down upon smaller engines. Bert usually gets on with his jobs without complaining and does not mind what kind of work he does as long as he is treated with respect.
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
Bert is based on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway's River Irt.
Livery[]
Bert is painted in the standard blue livery used by the North Western Railway, with red and yellow lining. The word "ARLESDALE" is painted on his tender in yellow with a red outline. He has a black running board with red bufferbeams and valences. He also has a brass dome and brass nameplates with red backing. His wheels are painted black.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series
Companion Volumes
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Books[]
- 2007 - Thomas' Giant Coloring Book
- 2008 - Thomas' Sticker Express
My Thomas Story Library[]
- 2003 - Duck (indirectly mentioned)
Official Description[]
The Railway Series
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | Bert: An 0-8-2 tender locomotive. A rebuild by the Yorkshire Engine Co. of an earlier 0-8-0 design whose chassis and valve gear is very similar to that used in the 1890’s by Sir Arthur Heywood at Duffield Bank. The addition of trailing wheels enabled a larger firebox to be fitted in the hope that this would cure “shy steaming”, but this was not the case. It was not till 1973, when Ivan Farrier at Arlesburgh fitted a Kylchap blast pipe and taller chimney, that the trouble was cured.
|
” |
From Official Media:[2]
| “ | Bert: Bert is a 0-8-2 tender engine, who was rebuilt from an earlier 0-8-0 by the Yorkshire Engine Company, and used his running gear is not dissimilar to locomotives used by Sir Arthur Heywood on his Duffield Bank Railway. In an attempt for counter poor steaming a pair of trailing wheels were added so that a larger firebox could be inserted, but the problem was not solved until 1973 when a Kylchap blastpipe and longer chimney were fitted. His livery is blue, lined with red. His equivalent at Ravenglass is River Irt. | ” |
Whistle[]
Trivia[]
- Bert's rebuilt form has never been featured in The Railway Series.
- In Bert's trading card promo, he is inaccurately depicted as a 4-8-2 along with Rex and Mike.
- In illustrations by Clive Spong, Bert is depicted with wheels outside his frames, contrary to his basis and his previous appearances. His valve gear was also changed.
- In Sticking Power, Bert is said to be younger than Rex and Mike, despite his basis being built long before the other two. Bert in Thomas & Friends has also been stated to be the youngest on the Official Website. His actual build date is currently unknown.
Merchandise[]
Trading Cards[]
| Name | Released | Discontinued | Highlights | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bert | 2002 | 2009 |  |
References[]
| Locomotives | Steam | Bert | Rex | Mike | Jock |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | Blister I and Blister II | Frank | Sigrid of Arlesdale | |
| Rolling Stock | Passenger | Open-Topped Coaches | Semi-Open Coaches | Saloon Coaches |
| Goods | Hoppers | Bogie Flatbeds | |
| People | Fergus Duncan | Ivan Farrier | Col. Ranald Drixon | |
| Stations | Arlesburgh West | Arlesburgh Bridge Street | Ffarquhar Road | Marthwaite | Arlesdale Green | Arlesdale | |