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Kevin is a well-meaning, but clumsy four-wheeled crane who works at the Sodor Steamworks alongside Victor.
Biography
Thomas & Friends
Kevin works at the Steamworks with Victor, offering help whenever possible. When Spencer was sent to the Steamworks after getting slate in his funnel, Kevin distracted him by dropping parts all around while Thomas took engine parts to Hiro. He later participated in Hiro's official restoration. Thomas was once put in charge of the Steamworks when Victor went to visit one of the Narrow Gauge engines and Kevin helped Thomas fetch parts. However, Kevin got so busy that he became confused and accidentally pushed a button which sent Spencer up in the air on the gantry crane. Soon Victor arrived and helped restore order to the Steamworks.
Cranky once had too much work to do at the docks, so Kevin was sent to help out. Unfortunately, Cranky did not want Kevin's help and told him to stay in a corner out of his way. When Cranky dropped a load of pipes and a cage full of chickens, Kevin rushed to help. This made Cranky even more cross. Thomas and Salty tried to show Kevin that Cranky did have a heart of gold deep inside, but were unsuccessful immediately. When Cranky knocked over a barrel, Kevin tried to help but ended up falling into the sea. Luckily, Cranky fished him out of the water, but not before The Fat Controller arrived and saw what had happened. He was about to send Kevin away in disgrace when Cranky spoke up, defending Kevin and proving to them both that he really did have a heart of gold. Together, Kevin and Cranky got all of the work at the Docks done. Later Ben tricked Kevin so he could be painted blue just like his twin, Bill so they could deceive Connor again.
Kevin later became fascinated with the snow, and decided to play around in it despite Victor's warnings, but got stuck outside the Steamworks until Thomas spotted him waving his crane arm round, not knowing that Victor went out to search for him.
When Henry came to get repainted, Kevin accidentally gave the workmen the wrong type of paint due to being busy, resulting in Henry glowing in the dark.
Personality
Kevin is a bubbly and enthusiastic crane who works at the Sodor Steamworks, where he assists Victor in repairing engines. He is innocent, well-meaning, bursting to help and say hello, and always eager and ready to lend a helping hook. Kevin is often seen dashing about and tends to be quite clumsy, having a habit of frequently dropping things from his hook and pranging objects as he buzzes about. He often exclaims that it was "a slip of the hook." Something that he says often enough for Victor, who he refers to as "boss," to be able to commonly finish the sentence for him. But Kevin is loveable, kind-hearted, and funny, if rather naive, and always tries his best, regardless of his inexperience.
Technical Details
Basis
Kevin is based on a 4 wheel Ransomes & Rapier 6 ton crane with an added enclosed cab. Just like Kevin, these cranes were known to be clumsy and cumbersome.
Livery
Kevin is painted in a yellow livery with black and light yellow warning stripes on his front. His hook and brake are red. He has the Sodor Steamworks logo painted on his cab door.
Appearances
Magazine Stories
Books
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Voice Actors
- Matt Wilkinson (UK; Hero of the Rails onwards, excluding Hasty Hannah, Journey Beyond Sodor and Gordon Gets the Giggles)
- Kerry Shale (US; Hero of the Rails onwards, UK; Hasty Hannah, Journey Beyond Sodor and Gordon Gets the Giggles only)
- Manuel Campuzano (Latin America)
- Helge Winther Larsen (Norway; Hero of the Rails - Tale of the Brave)
- Takayuki Kawasugi (Japan)
- Robert Kotulla (Germany)
- Artur Pontek (Poland; Hero of the Rails - nineteenth series)
- Bartosz Martyna (Poland; The Great Race and twentieth series)
- Maciej Kosmala (Poland; twenty-first series onwards)
- Marjolein Algera (The Netherlands)
- Samuel Harjanne (Finland; Hero of the Rails - King of the Railway)
- Juha Paananen (Finland; Tale of the Brave only)
- Jarmo Koski (Finland; twenty-second series onwards)
- Dor Srugo (Israel)
- Troells Toya (Denmark)
- Robson Kumode (Brazil)
- Salvador Serrano Jr. (Spain)
- Prokhor Chekhovskoy (Russia)
Trivia
- In the UK dub of Series 13-16 he and Victor share the same voice actor.
- Exactly how Kevin is driven is a mystery, as he has never been seen with an operator inside him or even mentioned at all.
- Kevin's 2013 Wooden Railway prototype was incorrectly painted green.
- Kevin is the first CGI introduced character that is not an engine.
- Kevin is the only character introduced in Hero of the Rails who is not originally from another country.
Quotes
- “Sorry boss, slip of the hook!”
- ―Kevin's catchphrase
- “Hello, I'm Kevin. Whatever you need, I'm here to land the helping hook.”
- ―Kevin's website audio
Merchandise
- Wooden Railway (discontinued)
- TrackMaster (original discontinued; redesigned in 2019)
- Motor Road and Rail (Asia only)
- My Thomas Story Library (discontinued)
- Take-n-Play (normal and oily; discontinued)
- Collectible Railway
- Mega Bloks (discontinued)
- Capsule Plarail
- Boss (discontinued)
- Adventures (discontinued)
- Engine Adventures
- Wood (redesigned in 2019)
- TrackMaster Push Along
- Minis
References
