Nelson/Behind the Scenes

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Behind the Scenes

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This is a behind the scenes subpage for Nelson. This subpage contains all behind the scenes material relating to said article.

Background Information

Television Series

Nelson is a fictional ballast tractor created by Phil Fehrle and Robert Gauld-Galliers.

In 2003/2006, he made his debut in the spin-off series, Jack and the Sodor Construction Company. He only appeared in the spin-off series.

Nelson has not appeared in the television series since 2006.

Behind the Scenes

Live-action model

Nelson's model was custom built and painted in a matte finish with the numbers made from custom stickers. At a height of over four feet with his trailer. All of it was at 2 feet long at a 1:18 scale and weighed anything from 5kg to at least 15k.

Just like with Isobella and Buster, there were only two remotes built to control Nelson, one was used to control his movement, and one was used to move his eyes. His driving/steering remote was also shared with Patrick and was sourced from JR Propo's XP662 controller.

The eye mechanism had two servos, one for up and down movement and one for left and right movement. The up/down servo was attached to the body. The left/right servo had a rod attached to the arm, which connected to a bracket. The eyeballs were coupled to the bracket and locked in by the face-plate, so whenever the servos were powered, the eyeballs would move however the crew member desired.

Reference Sheets

Jack and the Sodor Construction Company (Model)

Model with Low loader

Jack and the Sodor Construction Company (Low loader)

Faces

Twelve different facial expressions were sculpted for Nelson, although only seven were used on-screen, four of which angry/cross, shocked, sad and wincing were not used on screen. The faces were first sculpted in clay and from that resin casts were made using a silicone mould.

Reference Sheets

Series 12 - 2008 (Page one) (Note: His unused angry/cross face between his tired and happy faces whilst his shocked and sad faces between his sheepish and yawning faces)

Series 12 - 2008 (Page two) (Note: His unused wincing face between his snoring and clenched faces)

Usage and Evolution

Nelson's happy face that appeared in Jack and the Sodor Construction Company (2003/2006)

Nelson's tired face that only appeared in the Jack and the Sodor Construction Company episode, Percy Helps Out (2003/2006)

Nelson's sheepish face that only appeared in the Jack and the Sodor Construction Company episode, Percy Helps Out (2003/2006)

Nelson's snoring face that only appeared in the Jack and the Sodor Construction Company episode, Percy Helps Out (2003/2006)

Nelson's yawning face that only appeared in the Jack and the Sodor Construction Company episode, Percy Helps Out (2003/2006)

Nelson's drowsy face that only appeared in the Jack and the Sodor Construction Company episode, Percy Helps Out (2003/2006)

Nelson's clenched face that only appeared in the Jack and the Sodor Construction Company episode, Percy Helps Out (2003/2006)

Present Day

In 2025, as part of Propstore's Thomas & Friends Online Charity Auction 2025, some of Nelson's faces would be put up for auction.

Present Day

After production of the model series wrapped in 2008, most of the models and sets would be put into storage, with some being put on display at Drayton Manor Theme Park. All other models would be logged and referenced from 2010 till early 2011 by HiT Entertainment, from this HiT would decide on which models were to enter storage once again, which would be given to crew members and which to be disposed off. Due to only having one model made, Nelson's model would stay under HiT and later Mattel's ownership.

His driving/steering remote would also be listed for sale on the April 21st 2023 and sold a few days later.

In 2025, as part of the 80th Anniversary celebrations, Mattel would put Nelson's model, as well as 8 faces, up for auction as part of Propstore's Thomas & Friends Online Charity Auction 2025 in order to raise money for the National Autistic Society.

Present Day Ruler Reference