- "I'd never go without my driver. I'd be frightened."
- ― Toby
Engine drivers are railway staff who are responsible for driving the engines.
Steam engine drivers operate the controls of a steam engine, which include the regulator, which allows the steam to enter the cylinders, the reverser, which controls the direction, and the brakes, which stop or slow down the engine. Diesel and electric engine drivers operate the controls through a control stand. Most drivers are assisted by either a fireman or secondman.
The drivers keep their assigned engine in order and examine the engine if they break down or have any problems. If the engine is unsure of something, their drivers usually explain it to them. The drivers also provide a voice of reason when the engine is being difficult or makes a wrong decision.
Notable Drivers[]
The following drivers have their own separate pages:
Thomas' Driver(s)[]
Thomas' driver(s) are part of Thomas' crew alongside the firemen.
Biography[]
When the water tower at Elsbridge was out of order, one of Thomas' drivers suggested that they could get water at the nearby river. When Thomas arrived at the bridge, the driver used a bucket tied to a rope to collect the water and pour it into Thomas' tank, however, the bucket had five holes, which required several trips. Later on, when it was discovered that fish had entered the bucket and were in Thomas' tank, the driver, along with the inspector and Thomas' fireman, took turns fishing in Thomas' tank with instructions from Sir Topham Hatt and afterwards, they had a meal of fish and chips.
One of Thomas' drivers once complimented Thomas on knowing where to stop at the stations along the branch line. He then jokingly told Thomas that he could almost manage without a driver. Thomas did not realise his driver was joking and later boasted to Toby and Percy about it. The next morning, Thomas remembered his driver's words and made a plan to move on his own, however, it ended up with a careless cleaner meddling with Thomas' controls, causing him to move and crash into the Ffarquhar Stationmaster's House.
Personality[]
Thomas' driver(s) are wise and kind. If Thomas is unsure of a work order or a particular subject, then his driver(s) provide him with an explanation and points him in the right direction. Thomas' driver(s) also have a humorous side, such as the time one of them joked that Thomas could manage without a driver. There have been a few occasions when Thomas' driver(s) have been a bit stern, such as the time when one of them reprimanded Thomas for the damaged snowplough.
Uniform[]
The uniform worn by Thomas' driver(s) consists of blue trousers, a black tie and a white shirt with a blue jacket with light blue accents over it. They wear blue peaked caps with black brim.
Trivia[]
- Thomas' driver was named Joe Bloggs in correspondence between Wilbert Awdry and a headmaster at Eton College. However, Joe Bloggs is a name commonly used to mean an anonymous, average person. Awdry used it in this manner, rather than directly naming Thomas' driver.[1]
Edward's Driver(s)[]
Edward's driver(s) are part of Edward's crew alongside the firemen.
Biography[]
When Edward broke a crankpin while pulling a train of enthusiasts, his driver examined the damage and informed Edward about the situation. After Edward's wheels started slipping, the driver went along the train and helped to loosen the couplings, so Edward could pull the train.
Uniform[]
The uniform worn by Edward's driver(s) consists of blue trousers, a black tie and a white shirt with a blue jacket with light blue accents over it. They wear blue peaked caps with black brim.
Trivia[]
- In Edward the Blue Engine, it is revealed that one of Edward's driver(s) is named Charlie Sand. This is the only book in which it is mentioned.
Henry's Driver(s)[]
Henry's driver(s) are part of Henry's crew alongside the firemen.
Biography[]
When some boys on a bridge had dropped stones onto Henry, his fireman and the coaches, the passengers wanted to call the police, however one of Henry's drivers had a plan. After getting everyone to promise to keep the plan a secret, the driver told them that Henry will be sneezing at the boys. On the return train, Henry's driver told the passengers that Henry had plenty of ashes and that they should keep all windows shut until they have passed the bridge. Although the driver stated that Henry is just as excited, Henry felt too stuffed up to answer. When they approached the bridge, where the boys were waiting with more stones, Henry's driver told Henry to sneeze at the right time, to which Henry did and covered the boys with ashes from his funnel. Henry's driver then praised Henry.
Uniform[]
The uniform worn by Henry's driver(s) consists of blue trousers, a black tie and a white shirt with a blue jacket with light blue accents over it. They wear blue peaked caps with black brim.
Gordon's Driver(s)[]
Gordon's driver(s) are part of Gordon's crew alongside the firemen.
Uniform[]
The uniform worn by Gordon's driver(s) consists of blue trousers, a black tie and a white shirt with a blue jacket with light blue accents over it. They wear blue peaked caps with black brim.
James' Driver(s)[]
James' driver(s) are part of James's crew alongside the firemen.
Uniform[]
The uniform worn by James' driver(s) consists of blue trousers, a black tie and a white shirt with a blue jacket with light blue accents over it. They wear blue peaked caps with black brim.
Other Drivers[]
Many other drivers have been seen around the Island of Sodor and the Mainland.
Uniform[]
The uniform worn by the drivers consists of blue trousers, a black tie and a white shirt with a blue jacket with light blue accents over it. They wear blue peaked caps with black brim.
Trivia[]
- To date, five other drivers have also been named:
- In Very Old Engines, Mr. Bobbie was Skarloey's driver.
- In The Railway Series: Surprise Packet, Culdee's driver is revealed to be named Joe.
- In The Little Old Engine, Mr. Hugh is Rusty's driver. In Gallant Old Engine, Mr. Hugh was revealed to be both Skarloey and Rheneas' driver and fireman when their railway was facing hard times. In The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways, Mr. Hugh is the driver of Ivo's Flying Bedstead.
- In The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways, Sir Topham Hatt I was revealed to be the engineer of the Coffee Pots.
- In the annuals, Stepney's real-life driver, Jack Owens, is mentioned.
- According to Sodor: Reading Between the Lines, it was revealed that Peter Sam's driver is the Refreshment Lady's son-in-law.
- According to The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways and Sodor: Reading Between the Lines, it was revealed that Donald and Douglas' crews were related. Following Donald's acquisition to the North Western Railway, this compelled them to stow away Douglas to Sodor as well.
Official Description[]
From the 1979 Annual:[2]
| “ | Drivers, Firemen and Guards: Although the engines don't like to admit it, without their Drivers, Firemen and Guards they couldn't run at all! The Driver controls the train, while the Fireman keeps the fire going and the boiler supplied with water so that there is always plenty of steam. The Guard rides at the back of the train and he has a whistle and two flags: one green and one red. It is his job to look after the passengers and their luggage and give the Driver the signal to start at every station when everybody has got on. | ” |
References[]
- ↑ 1967 newspaper article
- ↑ RWS "1979 Annual" written by Rev. W. Awdry