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Bert is a small blue tender engine who is the quietest of the Arlesdale Railway engines.
Biography
Marion first met Mike, Bert and Rex in the Arlesburgh Woods while she was heading up to assist the construction of the new branch line when the two of them streaked past on the other side of some bushes. Marion thought she was seeing things and subsequently shut her eyes, resulting in her collision with Oliver and Toad under the chute. Marion was positively alarmed when she saw Mike shunting ballast wagons up the chute to fill Oliver's train, until Toad introduced them. Marion was doubtful of the engines' existence due to their minuscule size. Mike replied somewhat hostily that they were responsible for bringing all of the ballast for the new line, while Bert and Rex more kindly explained about wool traffic and passenger service. The following day when Thomas came up to their junction depressed that Sir Topham Hatt sent him to work on the new branch line after he caused an accident at Knapford with the Express, Bert, along with the other two, sang Never Overlook a Little Engine to cheer their friend up. Though it worked, Thomas became so eager to help out with the line's construction that he ended up falling into Calles Cavern. At dusk that day, Marion reappeared at their junction to make a wish and while Rex and Bert managed to escape unnoticed, Mike had the misfortune to be the one Marion made her wish to. Two nights later when Sailor John came through trying to escape using the pirate ship, Bert, Rex and Mike shoved a train of ballast wagons off the chute to slow it down after hearing Thomas yell for them to help. As the ship slowed down, Ryan then inadvertently derailed the ship.
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. However, both parties made up and as a result, Bert was featured in the Reverend W. Awdry's next book, Small Railway Engines.
When Percy told him, Rex and Mike about a railway show for little engines at Ulfstead Castle, Bert expressed his excitement for the show. Percy told the three little engines to tell Duck about it and ask him give them a lift to the castle. Bert was later seen in the long queue of engines at the castle on a flatbed being pulled by Duck.
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. River Irt also appeared in a seventeenth series learning segment which featured Mr. Perkins, and was about the different gauges of track.
Bert is depicted with wheels outside his frames, contrary to his basis. His valve gear was also changed.
Livery
Bert is painted blue with red lining on his cab, tender, cylinders and boiler and yellow lining around his windows. The word "ARLESDALE" is painted on his tender in yellow with a red outline. He has a white running board with red bufferbeams and valences. He also has a brass dome and brass nameplates with red backing.
Appearances
Thomas & Friends
Specials
Music Videos
Learning SegmentsVideos
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Books
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Official Description
From Official Website:[1]
| “ | Bert the Miniature Engine: Bert is the quietest of the Arlesdale Railway engines. He is the youngest out of the original three and appears to be very easy going and friendly. One thing Bert doesn’t like, however, is the idea that bigger engines (and some people) might look down on the little engines just because they’re small. Bert usually gets on with his jobs without complaining and doesn’t mind what kind of work he does as long as he’s treated with respect.
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” |
Audio Files
Whistle
Bert reuses Mighty's original whistle at a step higher-pitched. His whistle would later be reused for Rebecca.
| First used | Last used | Sound Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure | Active |
Trivia
- Bert has been stated to be the younger than Rex and Mike on the Official Website, despite his basis being built long before the other two. Bert in The Railway Series was also stated to be the youngest in the story Sticking Power from Jock the New Engine. His actual build date is currently unknown.
- Bert is the only Arlesdale Railway engine of three things:
- The only Arlesdale Railway engine to have a speaking role in every series he appears in.
- The only Arlesdale Railway engine with correctly animated eccentric rods.
- The only Arlesdale Railway engine to not feature a front bogie.
| Locomotives | Steam | Bert | Rex | Mike |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Passenger | Open-Topped Coaches |
| Goods | Hoppers | Plank Trucks | |
| People | Fergus Duncan | |
| Stations | Arlesburgh West | Arlesburgh Bridge Street | Ffarquhar Road | Marthwaite | Arlesdale Green | Arlesdale | |