Ned

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Ned
Background Information
First appearance	Jack Jumps In (2002)
Last appearance	The Great Discovery (2008)
Creator(s)	Phil Fehrle Jonathan Trueman Abi Grant Robert Gauld-Galliers
Character Overview
Name	Ned
Title	Ned the Steam Shovel
Nicknames	Bumble bucket (by Max)
Gender	Male
Country	Island of Sodor United States (built)
Residence	Sodor Construction Company Yard
Technical Details
Basis	Brownings Steam Shovel
Power type	Steam
Vehicle	Construction vehicle
Type	Steam shovel
Fuel type	Coal
Drivetrain	4x2
Wheels	4
Top speed	20 mph (32 kph)
Designer(s)	Victor R. Browning
Builder(s)	Browning Engineering Company
Number	19
Company	Sodor Construction Company

"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

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

Biography

Ned mainly carries out clearance work and quarry digging. He 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, following Oliver's own failed attempts to do so.

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.

Ned's basis

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.

"Packard & Co."

"Sodor Construction Company"

Appearances

• Television Series
• Other Media

Thomas & Friends Series 6 - Jack Jumps In (cameo) and A Friend in Need Jack and the Sodor Construction Company - Alfie Has Kittens, Jack Owns Up, On Site with Thomas, A Visit from Thomas, Thomas and the Moles (does not speak), Percy's Scary Tale (cameo) and Thomas' Trusty Friends Ned had a role in the cancelled episodes, The Grass is Greener, Kelly's Heroes and Jack's Snow Rescue. Specials 2008 - The Great Discovery 2014 - Tale of the Brave (indirectly mentioned) Music Videos Jack and the Sodor Construction Company - The Work Song and One Friendly Family The Great Discovery - There's a Job for Everyone and Thomas, You're the Leader

Magazine stories 2003 - Jack Helps Out (does not speak) Books 2006 - May the Best Engine Win! (cameo) 2008 - Thomas and the Great Discovery 2011 - The Big Book of Engines My Thomas Story Library 2006 - Jack 2007 - Alfie Video Games 2008 - Begins Educational Learning 2017 - Read and Play!

Official Description

• 2006-2009
• 2010-2015

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. They were later changed to "Sodor Construction Company" as of Jack and the Sodor Construction Company, though the former writing remained on his Take-n-Play and Capsule Plarail toys.
• 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. Furthermore, in the Italian dub, Ned is referred to as female.
  • However, Sophie was a little girl who appeared in the magazine story, Playful Pony.
• Ned is indirectly referenced in Tale of the Brave when Thomas tells Marion he has seen a steam shovel before.

Merchandise

• Take Along (discontinued)
• TrackMaster (discontinued)
• Capsule Plarail (discontinued)

References

Sodor Construction Company

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Non-rail vehicles

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* Other Media only | --- Dropped