| For other uses, see George. |
- "Railways are no good! Turn 'em into roads! Pull 'em up! Turn 'em into roads!"
- ― George
George is a grumpy green steamroller whose interactions with engines generally lead to trouble. He is owned by the Sodor Island Council.[1]
Biography
George immediately entered a conflict with the engines of the Skarloey Railway in 1960, while he was assisting with road widening works near Cros-ny-Cuirn. At the time, Sir Handel was boasting about his broad tyres, which the other engines referred to as "steamroller wheels". Skarloey tried to trick Sir Handel into confronting George to divert his attention. George and Sir Handel met and immediately disliked each other.[2]
One afternoon, Sir Handel took a train down the line parallel to the site where George was working. George would not give the train enough room to pass and rammed his front roller into Sir Handel's train. The train and construction crews argued until a policeman broke them up and a barrier was built between the road and the rails. George's work was finished, and he was taken away, although Sir Handel took the credit for this.[2]
George later worked near Thomas' Branch Line, still grumbling about railways. He soon met Daisy and told her that friends of his have paved roads over old railway lines and he was eager to do the same on Sodor. Daisy tried not to cross him, fearing he would follow through with his threat. George and his crew left some road cones where they were working. These got blown over by the wind into the level crossing, fell into Daisy's path and were pulled under, jamming her brakes. Daisy felt certain he did this on purpose.[3]
Personality
George is a grumpy, bad-tempered and mean steamroller who dislikes all of the engines, even the ones who try to be nice to him. He is no friend of the railway, often heard rebelling that "railways are no good" and that they should be pulled up and turned into roads. George is happiest when he is rolling but enjoys causing bother for the engines across the island too. He is grouchy, disagreeable and his unpleasant and unfriendly attitude towards the engines and stubborn nature are often the cause of chaos and disruption, an example being when he crashed into Sir Handel's train for calling him a "great clumsy road-hog".
Technical Details
Basis
George is based on an Aveling-Barford R class steamroller.
Although the concept of George was inspired an Aveling and Porter R10 class steamroller built in 1903 named Thistledown that was owned by the Rev. W. Awdry's friend, the Rev. Teddy Boston. He also owned the traction engine that was the inspiration for Trevor.
Livery
George is painted in an all-over green livery with gold boiler bands, a yellow roof, and grey wheels. In Thomas Comes Home, he was a darker shade of green, almost teal. His name is painted yellow on both sides of his smokebox.
Appearances
The Railway SeriesCompanion Volumes
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Official Description
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | George the Steamroller: George is a grumpy fellow - and no friend of railway engines. "Railways are no good. Pull 'em up. Turn 'em into roads" is his opinion. And he spends his time doing just that. | ” |
Gallery
The Railway Series
Main Series
Miscellaneous
Merchandise
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 RWS "The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways" p. 52
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 RWS #17: Gallant Old Engine - "Steam Roller"
- ↑ RWS #36: Thomas Comes Home - "Thomas Comes Home"
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