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- “This is your ghost, Toby. His name's really Bertram. But we call him "the Old Warrior" because he's so brave.”
- ― The Signalman introducing Toby to Bertram
Bertram, nicknamed "The Old Warrior" by the railway staff because of his bravery, is an old narrow gauge tank-tender engine who worked at a lead mine. He lives on a remote part of Sodor that was once very rarely visited.
Biography
Bertram used to work at one of the lead mines near the Mid Sodor Railway. His fate was unknown to many after the mine's closure, and it was assumed he was left to rust. He remained at the mine until it was rediscovered years later.
Over time, he became legendary, with Thomas hearing tales of him being a "old warrior ghost", a tale which he told Toby during the restoration of the mines. During the night, Toby discovered Bertram whilst watching over the mine and castle, which were being restored to accommodate visitors. At first, Toby thought Bertram was a ghost, but the two have since become firm friends. Bertram was later restored and became responsible for transporting passengers to and from the mine and the castle, taking passengers to the fairground within.
Personality
Not much is known about Bertram's personality; however, it is said that he is very brave and that he and Toby are firm friends. Toby states that if there are any ghosts at the mine, they certainly make the place feel very happy.
Technical Details
Basis
Bertram is based on the Ffestiniog Railway "Small England" class 0-4-0ST+T locomotives. Unlike the real Small Englands, Bertram is built to 2ft 3in gauge rather than 1ft 11½in gauge. Duke shares the same basis.
Livery
Bertram is painted dark brown with red lining and bufferbeams.
In some of his merchandise, he has two black or red nameplates on the sides of his saddle tank with his name painted on them in gold. Bertram's original Wooden Railway toy depicts him with a red cab roof and domes.
Appearances
Thomas & Friends
- Series 5 - Toby's Discovery (does not speak)
Music Videos
- Series 5 - Percy's Seaside Trip
Books
- 2005 - Thomas Goods Encyclopedia and Thomas the Tank Engine Encyclopedia
- 2008 - Thomas' Sticker Express
Video Games
- 2008 - Begins Educational Learning
Official Description
From Official Website:[1]
| “ | Bertram: Bertram lives on a remote part of the Island that once was very rarely visited. Toby discovered Bertram when he had to stay to guard the mine and castle, which were being restored to accommodate visitors. At first, Toby thought Bertram was a ghost! Now they are good friends, and are responsible for getting passengers to and from these new tourist attractions.
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” |
From Official Website:[2]
| “ | Bertram: Bertram lives on a remote part of the island that was very rarely visited. Toby discovered when he had to stay to guard the mine and castle which were being restored to accommodate visitors. At first, Toby thought he was a ghost, but now they are good friends, and are responsible for getting passengers to and from these new tourist attractions.
|
” |
From Official Website:[3]
| “ | Bertram: Bertram is an old engine who works at the restored mine taking passengers to the fairground that is at the mine. When Toby first saw him, he thought Bertram was a ghost. Since they have met, Bertram and Toby have become good friends.
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” |
Trivia
- According to an interview with Stephen Asquith, Bertram was supposed to have his own model, but financial difficulties led the crew to repaint Duke's model with Smudger's face. Concept art for the mine reveals he was intended to be a tank engine.
- Bertram's original Wooden Railway toy depicts him in his intended "tank engine" form. He was later re-designed with an added tender 2016.
- Bertram's early Wooden Railway toys feature a black letter "L" on his saddle tanks. This was likely based on the shadow cast by the nameplate stand.
- Bertram's name is misspelled as "Bertrum" on his ERTL toy, TrackMaster prototype and the 2014 map of Sodor by Sam Wilkinson.
- Bertram's ERTL prototype, Trading Card and some pieces of promotional artwork depict him with Duke's face.
- During production of the eighth series, Bertram's model was reverted back into Duke, albeit painted in a much lighter shade of brown.
- Bertram's total screentime in the episode he appears in (as well as the show as a whole) is 19 seconds.
- When Duke's model was painted into Bertram, Duke's nameplates were left on the model, but went without text.
- Despite Bertram's model in the series being a repaint of Duke's, Bertram's TrackMaster toy uses a completely different tooling to Duke's.
Quotes
- “Beware of the ghost, Toby."
"W-W-what ghost?"
"The old warrior ghost. Every night he lights his fire then goes hunting. Toot toot, goodbye!” - ― Thomas telling Toby about the "Old Warrior"
References
- ↑ T&F S5 #14 "Toby's Discovery"
| Locomotives | Duke | Smudger | Falcon | Stuart | Bertram |
|---|---|
| People | The Mid Sodor Railway Manager |
| Stations | Arlesburgh Harbour** | Arlesburgh Bridge Street** | Ffarquhar Road** | Bertram's Old Mine** | Marthwaite** | Arlesdale Green** | Duke's Station | Cas-ny-Hawin** | Ulfstead Road** | Elm Farm | Ballamoddey** | Valesbridge | King Orry's Bridge** |