Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia
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“I did it! I did it! Smashed to smithereens! Do you want me to break anything else?"
"Ow! No! I think you've done enough for one day.”
― Ned and Oliver after the successful demolition of the brickworks[src]

Ned is a steam shovel who works for the Sodor Construction Company.

Biography

Ned mainly carries out clearance work and quarry digging. Ned is sometimes clumsy, but can always be relied on by his friends. Once he nearly caused a terrible accident by knocking out the keystone of a bridge when Thomas was due to cross with a goods train. Luckily, Jack managed to save the day by supporting the bridge until Thomas backed up. He also cleared rubble from a demolition site at the Brickworks and knocked down a building by accident, which Oliver was unable to do.

Ned was once accused of knocking over slate, which Jack was at fault for, and was arranged to be sent back to the yard. Luckily, Jack confessed before Ned was to be sent away by Thomas.

Personality

Ned means well, but he can sometimes be clumsy. But apart from minor bumps and accidents, Ned's heart is as big as his bucket and he is a valued member of the Pack.

Technical Details

Basis

Ned resembles a larger version of on a Brownings Steam Shovel built by the Browning Engineering Company. These were developed in Cleveland, Ohio, USA during the early 20th century.

Livery

Ned is painted two-tone orange with a grey roof and bucket, and a brown arm and chassis. The number "19" and the words "Sodor Construction Company" (originally the words "Packard & Co.") are painted on both his sides in yellow.

Appearances

Thomas & Friends

Specials

Music Videos

Jack and the Pack

Ned had a role in the cancelled episodes, Grass is Greener, Kelly's Heroes and Jack's Snow Rescue.

Music Videos

Official Description

From Official Media[1]

Ned: Ned is a big, lumbering steam shovel. He is as sweet as he is strong, and always seems to be happy regardless of the situation. He is, however, sometimes scattered and is constantly bumping, squashing or breaking things. Because of this the machines sometimes get down on Ned, but never for too long as they know he's always trying his hardest to do a great job.

From Official Website[2]

Ned: Ned is the steam shovel on the construction team. He seems to live in his own world and is consequently always bumping, squashing or breaking something. Ned doesn't understand everything, the simpler the better. Even so, Ned always puts his best effort into any job and is always appreciated by his team.

Trivia

  • Ned is one of the machines whose silhouette is pictured in the Pack's logo.
  • Ned does not have windows on the front of his cab, making it difficult for an operator to see what is happening. He also has his jib arm right in front of his face, which could make visibility difficult. This could be the reason behind his clumsy personality.
  • Originally, Ned had "Packard & Co." written on the sides of his body in the sixth series. It was later changed to "Sodor Construction Company" as of Jack and the Sodor Construction Company, however his Take Along and Capsule Plarail toys still have "Packard & Co." written on his sides.
  • In The Great Discovery, Ned's eye pupils were significantly thicker than they were previously.
  • Ned's tyres constantly reappear and disappear throughout the series.
  • In earlier concepts, Ned's name was supposed to be Ted, which is also the name of Henry's fireman. According to Robert Gauld-Galliers, Ned was originally going to be female and called Sophie.[2] Furthermore, in the Italian dub, Ned is referred to as female.
  • Ned is indirectly referenced in Tale of the Brave when Thomas tells Marion he has seen a steam shovel before.

Merchandise

References


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