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Frank is a grumpy but kind miniature diesel engine who works on the Arlesdale Railway.
Biography
Frank was built at Arlesburgh Works circa 1967 out of bits and pieces from several other engines. He is powered by a Perkins diesel engine, and was named after its creator. Frank is a shunter who is used for maintenance work and empty carriage workings across the Arlesdale Railway.
When The Railway Series' twenty-second book, Small Railway Engines was first published, Frank became infuriated when he found out that he had been left out due to the Thin Clergyman not being aware of his presence. He then refused to come out of the shed the next morning, but when he did, he only resulted in running into the back of the shed, cracking a shed support. He then felt ashamed of what he had done, but later redeemed himself by rescuing Rex when his steam pipe leaked and taking his train. Believing Frank should not have to do rescues, the Small Controller realised the railway needed another engine, which came in the form of Jock.[1]
Personality
Frank is often described as being inclined to be grumpy and becomes irritable quite easily, especially when he feels left out of things. When in a bad mood, Frank tends to be uncooperative, leading to mishaps such as his incident with the shed wall. Though he may have a bad attitude at times, Frank knows the importance of friendship and teamwork and will always help a friend in need.
Technical Details
Basis
Frank is based on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway's Perkins. Unlike Perkins, Frank has added round buffers.
Prior to his concept being finalised, Frank was to have a steam-outline shape, as carried by Perkins between 1933 and 1984.[2]
Livery
Frank is painted light grey with a red stripe around his body. He has a red nameplate with a gold border on his sides with his name on them, also in gold. His buffer beams are painted red with silver buffers.
Originally, when he was intended to be a steam-outline diesel, Frank was specified as being green.
Appearances
The Railway Series
- Jock the New Engine - We Need Another Engine and Teamwork (cameo)
Companion volumes
- 1972 - Narrow Gauge Rails in Sodor (mentioned)
- 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines (mentioned)
Official Description
The Railway Series
From Official Media:[3]
| “ | Frank: A shunter, painted grey and red, Frank is used for maintenance work and empty carriage movements. He was constructed at Arlesdale out of bits and pieces from other engines, and made his debut in 1990. He is powered by a Perkins diesel engine and is named after the founder of that firm, Perkins in Ravenglass, Frank in Arlesdale. | ” |
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | Frank: Frank is a diesel engine who tends to be grumpy when left out of things. Though he may have a bad attitude at times, Frank knows the importance of friendship and teamwork. | ” |
From Official Media:[2]
| “ | Frank: Frank is a grumpy diesel engine. He has a tendency to het uptight and moody which gets him into trouble by causing minor bumps and accidents. | ” |
Audio Files
Whistle
In James and the Diesel Engines and Other Stories, Frank is erroneously portrayed with a whistle despite being depicted as having a horn. It is the same stock whistle sound effect used for Rainbow Sun and Rocky. It was also used for Victor in the early version of the Guess Who? Puzzles segment and the mobile game app, Race On!.
| Only used | Sound Effect |
|---|---|
| James and the Diesel Engines and Other Stories |
Trivia
- Frank is named after Frank Perkins, the engineer who created the Perkins diesel engine.
- Frank is the only Arlesdale Railway diesel not to be mentioned in The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways.
- Frank's basis, Perkins, used to be painted grey to resemble Frank at Day Out with Thomas events.
Merchandise
- Ertl (UK only; discontinued)
- Wooden Railway (discontinued)
References
- ↑ RWS #34: Jock the New Engine - "We Need Another Engine"
- ↑ RWS "Narrow Gauge Rails in Sodor"
- ↑ RWS "Sodor: Reading Between the Lines" (2005)
| Locomotives | Steam | Bert | Rex | Mike | Jock |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | Blister I and Blister II | Frank | Sigrid of Arlesdale | |
| Rolling Stock | Passenger | Open-Topped Coaches | Semi-Open Coaches | Saloon Coaches |
| Goods | Hoppers | Bogie Flatbeds | |
| People | Fergus Duncan | Ivan Farrier | Col. Ranald Drixon | |
| Stations | Arlesburgh West | Arlesburgh Bridge Street | Ffarquhar Road | Marthwaite | Arlesdale Green | Arlesdale | |