- "Give me goods trains every time."
- ― Mike
Mike is a red miniature tender engine who works on the Arlesdale Railway. He prefers goods trains to passengers.
Biography[]
Mike was built by H. Clarkson and Son of York from a design which aimed to incorporate improvements on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway's River Esk and, like their River Mite, has succeeded. Mike is tough, robust and powerful. He is more sure-footed than Rex, but his performance is sometimes erratic.
Mike worked on an unnamed line in England until 1967, at which time their line closed down and he, Rex and Bert were sent to Sodor to work the Arlesdale Railway. Not long after arrival, Mike mocked Duck when the latter had trouble with his whistle making unusual noises, which lead to Rex jokingly telling Mike to lose his whistle. While pulling a passenger train, a stray cow had wandered onto the line and Mike whistled so loudly to make her move that his whistle flew off. This meant that his crew and passengers had to whistle for him. To make matters worse, there were no spare whistles for Mike so he was sent to the quarries for the rest of the day. Mike would soon come across some sheep on the line and complained about how silly they were, with Rex pointing out how useful their wool was.
Mike, along with the other small engines, was offered to be in a book about Duke if they behaved. When the rescue team found him, Mike brought tools to help him out of the shed.
In 1976, a few months after Jock came into service, Mike decided to pay the new engine back for all his cockiness. So, whilst double-heading a passenger train, Mike reduced steam after leaving the Green, forcing Jock to push him and pull the train alone. However, Mike's plan backfired when his injector failed on the return journey and Jock had to take him home. After being mended, Mike apologised to Jock.
Personality[]
Mike means well and works hard, but can sometimes appear a little cunning and arrogant. He thinks he should be in charge of the other two engines, though neither of them really let him boss them around. Bert simply humours him, but Rex goes out of his way to tease Mike and wind him up, which is not very difficult given the fact that he is hot-headed. Mike much prefers pulling goods trains to passengers, unlike Gordon, as he considers goods much more straightforward and less likely to complain. He is proud of his strength and appears rather confident, but he would not be so easy to tease if he was not hiding at least a little insecurity. He can sometimes be a little argumentative and irritable and it is common for him to overheat when he loses his temper.
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
Mike is based on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway's River Mite.
Livery[]
Mike is painted red with blue lining and yellow cab window frames. The word "ARLESDALE" is painted on his tender in yellow with a red outline. He has a black running board with red bufferbeams and valences. He also has a brass dome and brass nameplates with red backing. His wheels are painted black.
Prior to arriving on the Arlesdale Railway, Mike was painted green, which often ended up with him and Rex being mistaken for each other.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series
Companion Volumes
|
Books
My Thomas Story Library
Documentaries
|
Official Description[]
From Official Media:[1]
“ | Mike: A 2-6-2 tender engine, built by Clarkson of York from a design which aimed to incorporate improvements on the Ravenglass & Eskdale's "River Esk". Mike is robust and powerful. He is more sure-footed than Rex, but his performance is sometimes erratic. | ” |
From Official Media:[2]
“ | Mike: Also a 2-6-2 tender engine who was constructed by Clarkson's of York. The design attempted to improve on the Ravenglass line's River Esk, and, like their own River Mite, appears to have succeeded, for he is a tough and strong locomotive. Though thoroughly reliable on the whole he nevertheless, like most of us, has his moments! His livery is red with blue lining. | ” |
Whistle[]
Trivia[]
- His name is a pun on both River Mite's and his 2-8-2 wheel arrangement, the Mikado, or Mike for short.
- In Mike's trading card promo, he is incorrectly depicted as a 4-8-2 along with Rex and Bert.
- Mike was originally planned to be released in the ERTL range, and had at least one prototype made, however it was cancelled due to the discontinuation of the ERTL range.
- Had it been released, it would’ve made Mike the first (and possibly only) of the original three Arlesdale Railway engines to be made in ERTL; it is unknown if Rex or Bert were ever planned.
- Mike's prototype model used James' face.
- In the RWS Mike's wheels are black, however in the TVS, they are red.
References[]
Locomotives | Steam | Bert | Rex | Mike | Jock |
---|---|---|
Diesel | Blister I and Blister II | Frank | Sigrid of Arlesdale | |
Rolling Stock | Passenger | Open-Topped Coaches | Semi-Open Coaches | Saloon Coaches |
Goods | Hoppers | Bogie Flatbeds | |
People | Fergus Duncan | Ivan Farrier | Col. Ranald Drixon | |
Stations | Arlesburgh West | Arlesburgh Bridge Street | Ffarquhar Road | Marthwaite | Arlesdale Green | Arlesdale |