Cromford

Cromford
Background Information
First appearance	Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine (RWS)
Last appearance	Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection (RWS)
Creator(s)	Rev. W. Awdry
Character Overview
Name	Cromford
Gender	Male
Country	England
Affiliation	Bluebell Railway Stepney Bluebell and Primrose Adams Captain Baxter
Technical Details
Basis	NLR Class 75
Gauge	4'8½" (1,435 mm; standard gauge)
Power type	Steam
Vehicle	Locomotive
Type	Tank engine
Fuel type	Coal
Configuration	0-6-0T
Wheels	6
Top speed	45 mph
Designer(s)	J.C. Park
Builder(s)	NLR Bow Works
Year built	1880
Year retired	September 10, 1960
Number	LNWR 2650 (RWS) BR 58850 (currently in real life) LMS 27505 (formerly) LMS 7505 (formerly) NLR 116 (formerly) NLR 76 (formerly)
Railway	North London Railway (formerly) London and North Western Railway (formerly) London, Midland and Scottish Railway (formerly) British Railways (formerly) Bluebell Railway
Owner(s)	Stepney's Controller

Cromford, also known as by his number 2650, is a small but powerful goods tank engine living on the Bluebell Railway.

Biography

The Railway Series

"Cromford" worked as a goods engine at the Cromford and High Peak Railway. He was later saved from scrap and brought for preservation by the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society.

When Stepney visited the Island of Sodor, he mentioned Adams in a conversation with Edward. He and Adams did not have names then, so the other engines nicknamed him "Cromford", after the railway he once worked at. According to Stepney, his Controller was unaware of this name change and intended to keep it a secret between the engines.

Personality

Stepney describes Cromford as being a tough engine, as he was capable of pulling trucks on Cromford and High Peak Railway in Derbyshire, known for its steep inclines.

Technical Details

Real-life History

Cromford is based upon the real No. 2650, a real North London Railway Class 75 0-6-0 tank engine. 2650 was built in 1880 and was used to shunt and pull light passenger trains around Derbyshire. After being withdrawn in 1960, 2650 was kept at Derby until being sold to the Bluebell in working order in 1962 for £890. He was loaned to Barrow Hill Engine Sheds in 1999, and returned to the Bluebell Railway in 2008. He is currently numbered 58850, and is in need of an overhaul.

Unlike his Railway Series counterpart, it does not retain the name "Cromford".

The real "Cromford"

Livery

Cromford is painted black with red, cream and grey lining, which is the LNWR's standard livery and - subsequently - adopted by British Railways as its standard mixed traffic black livery.

Appearances

• Railway Series

The Railway Series

• Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine - Bluebells of England (not named; mentioned) and Stepney's Special (does not speak)

Companion volumes

• 1996 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection (does not speak)

Gallery

Adams and Cromford

United Kingdom

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* RWS only | ** T&F only

Bluebell Railway

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* RWS only | ** T&F only