Norman is a reddish-orange diesel shunter with a unibrow who is Dennis' twin.
Biography
Before coming to Sodor, Norman worked at a busy marshalling yard on the Mainland, but kept breaking down due to faults in his design. He was only able to shunt a few wagons at a time, which led the yard manager to believe Norman was simply lazy. He was later transferred to Sodor along with Paxton and Sidney, where he was delighted to find his twin, Dennis.[2]
Norman was one of the diesels who took over the Sodor Steamworks.[3] He later laughed at Flynn for not being able to rescue Thomas.[4]
One December, Norman told Percy that Sidney had been on his hoist for two years and was there when he was given his new wheels.[5] He also offered Thomas and Gordon a place to sleep at Vicarstown Dieselworks when the turntable at Tidmouth Sheds was frozen.[6]
Norman was at the Dieselworks when Paxton returned after looking for him, Diesel, Sidney, Den and Dart.[7]
When the Great Railway Show was being held, Norman was one of the engines who were hoping to be picked to compete but was not. Norman was later involved in an accident with Thomas at Knapford, resulting in the tank engine initially being unable to compete in the Great Railway Show.[8]
During a big freeze, he helped the other diesels do the steam engines' work when the coal delivery was delayed.[9]
Later on, Norman was one of the diesels who got into trouble by not doing their jobs properly due to Diesel playing a trick on Rebecca so she could do the jobs and end up in the wrong place.[10]
Personality
Norman's shape resembles that of his twin Dennis, but he is a diesel engine who is much kinder and more willing to work. He wants to be liked by all the engines, whether they be steam or diesel engines. So he does his part at the Sodor Dieselworks and follows all of his orders; in fact Norman is so efficient, Sir Topham Hatt holds him in high regard.
However, poor Norman often breaks down and he does not like that. Unlike Dennis (who is lazy), if Norman were fixed properly he would show what a Really Useful Engine he can be. He is also willing to help another engine in trouble.
Norman is a kind, generous diesel, who occassionally strays away from speaking.
Technical Details
Basis
Norman is based on British Railways (BR) No. 11001, a prototype diesel built at Ashford Works, England in 1949. It was designed by Oliver Bulleid during his time working for the Southern Railway (SR), but the locomotive was completed after the SR had become part of BR. The Southern Railway experimented with various designs of diesel shunters, and amongst these, 11001 had a larger engine and a higher top speed to enable it to perform pick-up goods duties in addition to shunting. It was not a particularly successful design, and the locomotive was scrapped in 1959. 11001 had numerous distinctive features, such as large connecting rods, a long bonnet with the fuel tank in front, and a domed roof.
Norman's twin Dennis is also based on BR 11001. While the two co-exist in the television series, in the real world only one engine of this type was ever built, which Dennis bears the number of.
Livery
Norman is painted reddish-orange with two yellow stripes and red wheels with grey rims. He has a dark grey front, roof, toolboxes and footsteps. His running board and bufferbeams are red. His paint is chipped in places and shows signs of weathering.
In his initial appearances, Norman had a red jackshaft, however since the seventeenth series it has been painted black.
Appearances
Magazine Stories
Books
|
Official Description
From the Character Bios[2]
| “ | Norman: Norman is Dennis’ twin and a diesel engine who often breaks down. If he were fixed properly, he would show what a Really Useful Engine he is.
|
” |
From the Official Website[1]
| “ | Norman: Norman is Dennis’ twin and a diesel engine who often breaks down. If he were fixed properly, he would show what a Really Useful Engine he is.
|
” |
Song
- Will You Won't You (partially performed)
Audio Files
Horns
| First used | Last used | Sound Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Day of the Diesels | ||
| Series 18 | Series 21 | |
Both of Norman's horn sounds are shared with other characters:
- Norman's Day of the Diesels horn sound is reused from that of Mavis' in Calling All Engines!
- Norman's eighteenth series-onwards horn sound is reused from one tone of Dart's horn.
Trivia
- It is stated in The Ultimate Diesel Guide that Norman is always called by his nickname "Norm". However, he is only ever referred to by his full name within the series rather than this nickname. This inconsistency also applies to Paxton and Sidney.
- According to the writer's bible of 2013, Norman and Dennis have canonically met, though this has never been shown or alluded to within the series itself.
- Despite claiming to always be breaking down, Norman has never been seen onscreen having done so.
Merchandise
- Wooden Railway (discontinued; cancelled 2013 re-release)
- Take-n-Play (discontinued; cancelled 2013 re-release)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Ultimate Diesel Guide
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2013.07.02 - THO Character Bios
- ↑ T&F Day of the Diesels
- ↑ T&F S15 #20 "Fiery Flynn"
- ↑ T&F S17 #19 "The Missing Christmas Decorations"
- ↑ T&F S17 #20 "The Frozen Turntable"
- ↑ T&F S18 #4 "Disappearing Diesels"
- ↑ T&F The Great Race
- ↑ T&F S21 #14 "The Big Freeze"
- ↑ T&F S23 #9 "Diesel Do Right"