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Hank is a large American tender engine.
Biography
Thomas & Friends
Thomas and Percy first met Hank at Brendam when he arrived. Thomas was impressed by his size, until Hank told him he was "one of the finest little engines he'd ever seen." Thomas misinterpreted the comment as mockery of his size, and became determined to pull all of Hank's loads himself. While Thomas tired himself out pulling the heavy loads, Hank insisted that he should help Thomas with the train. Under the strain of his load, Thomas eventually cracked a cylinder and finally decided to accept Hank's offer for help. Hank pushed Thomas to Knapford Station, where the other engines greeted Hank enthusiastically.
Personality
Hank is large, bold, and blue. He is the biggest engine on Sodor alongside Connor and Caitlin. While he may come across as brash in his cheery confidence and enthusiasm, Hank is used to being easily seen or heard. In his jolliness, he may seem a little goofy and kooky, especially with so many bells and whistles and a cowcatcher, but Hank has a bigheart and is more than happy to lend a helping hand. Using his might, strength, and power to assist others is something that only comes all too naturally to him and he takes it in his stride, without second thought. Hank can become concerned about his friends though, as he gladly keeps an eye out for the other little engines. The only trouble with being Hank is that virtually every engine smaller than him.
Technical Details
Basis
Hank is based on a Pennsylvania Railroad K4s Class Pacific. Two K4s are preserved, 1361 and 3750, and are recognised as the State Steam Locomotives of Pennsylvania.
In reality, Hank would be too large for the British loading gauge. However, he has been re-scaled to avoid technical issues, although Hank is only partly modified to work on Sodor. His running plate has been altered, he is missing a headlamp, and he has buffers on his tender and screwlink couplings, yet he retains his cowcatcher.
According to concept designs made in 2007 by Philip Reeves, Hank was originally planned to be a Union Pacific Challenger Class.
Livery
Hank is painted ultramarine blue with red wheels, lining and a cowcatcher in front. This livery represents the colours/colors of the flag of the United States of America. His smokebox and cab roof are painted dark grey.
Appearances
Magazine Stories
- 2011 - Heave Ho Thomas!
Books
- 2009 - Hank
- 2010 - Heave Ho Thomas!
- 2011 - The Big Book of Engines
- 2013 - Hank and the Huffing, Puffing Engine
Voice Actors
- Fabrice Trojani (France and French speaking Canada)
Trivia
- According to Sodor Island Fansite's interview with model maker and designer John Lee, Hank was originally designed to have an older face with a handlebar moustache. However, at HiT Entertainment's request, John made Hank look slightly younger and more jolly.
- Hank was the first new engine introduced when the show started to use CGI for engine faces and people.
- Hank's crew was never seen in CGI. The driver and fireman were only seen once and they were models.
- Hank had two identical models, and was initially to have four different face-masks. It is unknown whether or not the remaining two were fully produced.
- Hank's Wooden Railway and Take-n-Play toys do not have front couplers, despite them being present in the television series.
- Although Rosie was the first engine in the TV series to be based on an American locomotive, Hank was the first to actually be recognised as such.
- Hank is the first character in the franchise (both Railway Series and Television Series) whose basis has never run in the United Kingdom.
- His chassis was made from the same tooling as Spencer's, but with different pistons; this could possibly be why Spencer never appeared in the twelfth series.
Merchandise
- Wooden Railway (discontinued)
- TrackMaster (discontinued)
- My Thomas Story Library (discontinued)
- Take-n-Play (discontinued; reintroduced in 2014)