Inspectors are people who carry out inspections to ensure that operations are running properly and efficiently. They also approve new railways and engines for operation.
Engine Inspectors[]
Engine inspectors help out when engines experience problems.
Biography[]
When Thomas started experiencing boiler pain, Sir Topham Hatt I arrived with an engine inspector to find out the problem. Thomas' driver explained the situation and the inspector determined that the feed pipe was blocked. After noticing fish in Thomas' tank, the inspector asked Sir Topham Hatt to also look in the tank which he did and also saw the fish. The inspector, along with Thomas' driver and fireman, then took turns fishing in Thomas' tank with instructions from Sir Topham Hatt. After they had caught all the fish, they had a meal of fish and chips.
Engine inspectors have also assisted with stopping runaway engines. When James was a runaway, Edward caught up to him and an inspector stood on Edward's front with a rope attached to a shunter's pole. After several tries, the inspector managed to slip the rope over James' buffer, which allowed Edward to slow James down. When Thomas was a runaway, an inspector arrived at Toryreck in Harold and as Thomas approached the platform, the inspector scrambled into Thomas' cab and put the brake hard-on.
Uniform[]
An engine inspector's uniform consists of blue trousers, an occasional black tie and a white shirt with either a brown or blue jacket over it. They wear blue peaked caps with black brims, though one inspector wore a brown bowler hat instead.
Appearances[]
Gallery[]
The Railway Series[]
The Bowler Hat Inspector[]
The bowler hat inspector once examined the North Western Railway.
Biography[]
When Class 40 visited the North Western Railway and offended the engines, the inspector had to come to stop the noise coming from the engines. The next day, a fitter made adjustments to Class 40 while the inspector looked on. The strong winds blew the inspector's hat away while the fitter replaced Class 40's air intake cover. When Class 40 broke down while going to his coaches, the inspector did not notice as he was looking for his hat. While Duck and Stepney shunted Class 40 into the shed, they asked the inspector if he required help, to which the inspector mentioned his hat, however, Sir Charles Topham Hatt II was more concerned about the train being late.
Appearances[]
Gallery[]
The Railway Series[]
Other Inspectors[]
There are other inspectors seen around Sodor and the Mainland.
Biography[]
When Thomas got his front damaged by a broken level crossing gate on his way to York, an inspector examines him and has him placed in a siding until he can work out how to get Thomas to York. He later returned and explained to Thomas that he will be transported to York on a lorry, much to Thomas' shock and surprise.
Appearances[]
Official Description[]
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | Signalmen, Stationmasters, Inspectors and other railway officials, far too numerous to mention and sadly neglected as to their names, are recorded in the chronicles. They appear, do their duty, pass through and are never heard of again. Without them, of course, the railway could not function, so it is fitting therefore, that they should all have at least a general mention and recognition in these pages. | ” |
References[]
- ↑ RWS "Sodor: Reading Between the Lines" (2005)