Neil was a dark green tank engine with an unusual box shape and a Scottish accent. He was a simple but kind engine, who befriended Skarloey when he was young.
Biography
The Railway Series
Neil was built at Neilson and Company's Hyde Park Works in Glasgow, Scotland around 1856, for the Sodor and Mainland Railway and was a typical contractors' engine of the period. In 1865, he helped to ferry Skarloey from the port of Kirk Ronan to his home at the Skarloey Railway terminus of Crovan's Gate. He warned Skarloey about trucks and the two became friends.
Very little is known about Neil due to the S&M's casual attitude to record keeping, but he and his brothers were all scrapped by 1901 which also brought services to an end.
Personality
Not much is known about Neil, but Skarloey says that he was "ugly but kind".
Technical Details
Basis
Neil is based on a Neilson 0-4-0 box tank, a simple and robust class of engine built in Glasgow and sold all over the world. This basis is reflected in his name and class. His country of origin also explains his accent. All members of this class were withdrawn and scrapped.
Livery
Neil was painted dark green with "S & M 2" written on his tank sides in yellow. On a trading card, Neil was painted black instead of green.
Appearances
The Railway Series
- Very Old Engines - Crosspatch and Bucking Bronco (cameo)
Companion Volumes
- 1976 - Famous Engines
- 1987 - The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways (mentioned)
- 1996 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection
- 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines (mentioned)
Books
- 2003 - Skarloey (not named; mentioned)
- 2008 - Thomas' Sticker Express
- 2011 - Skarloey the Strong Engine (not named; mentioned)
Merchandise
- ERTL (discontinued)
- Wooden Railway (discontinued)
- Trading Cards (discontinued)
Gallery
The Railway Series
Main Series
Others
Merchandise
| Locomotives | S&M #1 | Neil | S&M #3 |
|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Coaches | Trucks | Flatbeds, Conflats and Well Wagons |
| Locations | Kirk Ronan (Harbour) | Rolf's Castle | Crovan's Gate | Ballahoo |