| For other uses, see Fred (disambiguation). |
Fred is a narrow gauge diesel engine who works on the Skarloey Railway and is the railway's No. 9 engine.
Biography
In the 1980s, the Skarloey Railway bought two worn out Hunslet Diesels from the National Coal Board and using parts from both engines, constructed one good engine; Fred. He was put into service in 1989 as a secondary diesel to Rusty and is used exclusively for maintenance and engineering work.[1]
Once a year, Rusty and Fred have to pull a slow train that spreads weedkillers on the tracks. One holiday weekend, Fred was supposed to pull the weedkilling train, but claimed he felt ill, forcing Rusty to do the job instead. For unknown reasons, he and Rusty did not attend Ivo Hugh's naming party in 1996.[2]
Personality
Very little is known about Fred. However, Rusty assumes Fred feigning illness was the result of laziness, to which there is no evidence to the contrary.
Technical Details
Basis
Fred is based on the Talyllyn Railway's No.9 locomotive "Alf", a 0-4-0 diesel engine with a maximum speed of 9mph constructed in 1950. Like Fred, Alf was rebuilt using parts from another diesel engine, the spare engine being stored at Brynglas.
Alf has often been seen disguised running as Fred for Skarloey Railway related events at the Talyllyn Railway.
Livery
As all the Skarloey Railway steam engines (sans Duke) share the same liveries in The Railway Series, it is assumed Fred is painted in the same livery as the only other diesel, Rusty, charcoal-black with yellow lining and lettering.
Appearances
The Railway Series
- New Little Engine - Speedkiller (mentioned)
Companion Volumes
- 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines (mentioned)
Official Description
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | Fred (9): This locomotive has so far had only a passing mention, in Story 1 of New Little Engine. He is a Hunslet 0-4-0 diesel engine built for work in mines and came to the Skarloey Railway in 1989 from the National Coal Board as a back-up for Rusty. The Skarloey bought two engines and made one good one out of the pair, Fred is the result. With a maximum speed of under 9mph he is used exclusively for engineering work. | ” |
Trivia
- Fred, like his basis, Alf, was named after Lord Alfred Robens, a politician and Chairman of the National Coal Board between 1961 and 1971.
- In The Railway Series, Fred is likely the slowest engine on Sodor, with a top speed of 9 mph.
Quotes
- "The weedkiller train was only used once a year, but that was once too often for Rusty. He had hoped that Fred, the other diesel, would pull the train today. But Fred was ill.
"So he says!" muttered Rusty darkly." - ― Rusty, "Speedkiller, "New Little Engine"
Gallery
