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Ernest is a narrow gauge mountain-climbing engine who works on the Culdee Fell Railway. Like the other mountain engines, he has his own coach used for passenger services.
Biography
Ernest was built at the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works in Winterthur, Switzerland, in 1900. Soon afterwards, he arrived on Sodor alongside the other four engines in time for the railway's inspection and opening.
Following Godred's accident shortly after opening, Ernest and the three other engines worked the line successfully for 60 years. They were carefully maintained and sent back, in rotation, to the builders in Switzerland for overhaul.[1]
When Culdee returned from his 1963 overhaul, Wilfred and Ernest informed him about changes that happened to the railway.[2]
Ernest and Wilfred were eventually superseded by the more modern Nos. 6-8 in 1964.[3]
Personality
It is implied that Ernest is an old and wise mountain engine. He is good friends with Wilfred and Culdee.
Technical Details
Basis
Ernest is based on No. 2 Enid, an engine who works on the Snowdon Mountain Railway.
Livery
Ernest is painted in the Culdee Fell Railway's livery of purple with orange lining. His number (2) is painted on the sides and back of his cab in yellow and he has a red nameplate with a gold boarder on the sides of his tanks with his name (Ernest) on them, also in gold.
Appearances
The Railway Series
Companion Volumes
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Official Description
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | Ernest (No.2): Godred, Ernest, Wilfred, Culdee and Shane Dooiney were the first batch of engines built in Switzerland, and delivered in time for the Inspection of the line before its opening in 1900. A few weeks later, however, Godred was derailed, scrapped and never replaced. The four remaining engines were carefully maintained and sent back, in rotation, to the builders in Switzerland for overhaul, but by 1960/61 these four were ageing and fresh and more powerful stock was needed to tackle the ever increasing traffic. Accordingly three superheated engines of the latest design were ordered. These were delivered at two-monthly intervals during 1962. | ” |
From Official Media:[3]
| “ | Ernest (2) and Wilfred (3): Numbers 1-5 were built at Winterthur in Switzerland in 1900, and work on the Abt rack system, pinion wheels below the engine engaging with a fixed 'rack' of teeth set between the rails. These two engines were delivered in 1900 but by the time of Mountain Engines had been superseded by Numbers 6, 7 and 8, and do not appear in the stories. | ” |
Trivia
- Like the other engines of the Culdee Fell Railway, Ernest has a face at each end.
- In Sodor: Reading Between the Lines, it is incorrectly stated that Ernest and Wilfred do not appear in the stories of Mountain Engines.
Gallery
The Railway Series
Main Series
Miscellaneous
References
| Locomotives | Godred | Ernest | Wilfred | Culdee | Shane Dooiney | Patrick | Alaric | Eric |
|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Coaches | Catherine | The "Trucks" |
| People | Lord Peter Barrane | Lord Harry Barrane | Walter Richards |
| Locations | Kirk Machan (Engine Sheds) | Shiloh | Poll-ny-Chrink | Skarloey Road (Viaduct) | Devil's Back | Culdee Fell Summit |