The firemen make up the engine crews alongside the drivers. They together keep their respective engine in control and provide company, in addition, a voice of reason when an engine is being difficult.
If the drivers are unwell or are called away for some reason, the firemen usually take over and drive the engine instead.
These crew members are responsible for making sure the engine is properly fuelled and maintained; they stoke the fire by shovelling coal or tossing wood and keep the water level where it needs to be. When the water is running low, the firemen fill up the engine's water tanks, which can either be or not part of a tender. After the day's work is over, they clean out the ash from the firebox.
Notable Firemen[]
The following firemen have their own separate pages:
Uniform[]
A North Western Railway fireman's uniform consists of a black tie, a white shirt with a blue boilersuit over it and a blue cap.
Trivia[]
- To date, two firemen have been named.
- Edward's fireman has been named Sidney Hever.
- Mr. Hugh acted as both driver and fireman for Skarloey and Rheneas when their railway was facing hard times.
- As with the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, the steam engines of the Arlesdale Railway do not have firemen, as the drivers are capable of handling the duties that they do with the larger gauge engines since their cabs are too small.
- 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.