This page is for real world human characters with minor roles in The Railway Series.
Bernard Holden[]
Bernard Holden, also known as Stepney's Controller, is the controller of the Bluebell Railway. He accompanied Stepney to the North Western Railway on his visit.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series[]
- Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine - Bluebells of England (mentioned), Stepney's Special (mentioned) and Bowled Out (does not speak)
Companion Volumes[]
- 1976 - Famous Engines (cameo)
Trivia[]
- In real life, Bernard Holden got an MBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1992.
- In the story Bowled Out, Bernard Holden appears similarly dressed to Sir Topham Hatt.
- In the television series, Bernard Holden's role is taken by the Mid Sodor Manager, who was in charge of Stepney's Branch Line on Sodor.
Gallery[]
Jack Owens[]
| For other uses, see Jack (disambiguation). |
Jack Owens was Stepney's driver. He informed Stepney when he was saved by the Bluebell Railway and accompanied Stepney to the North Western Railway on his visit.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series[]
- Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine - Bluebells of England (cameo), Stepney's Special (not named; does not speak), Train Stops Play and Bowled Out (not named; does not speak)
Trivia[]
Gallery[]
Alan Pegler[]
Alan Francis Pegler was Flying Scotsman's first owner in preservation from 1963 to 1972.
Biography[]
Alan Pegler once brought Flying Scotsman to Sodor to cheer up his only surviving brother, Gordon, who had been feeling depressed about the "end of steam" on British Railways.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series[]
- Enterprising Engines - Tenders for Henry (not named; mentioned) and Little Western (does not speak)
Companion volumes[]
- 1996 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection (not named; mentioned)
Trivia[]
- The Rev. W. Awdry acknowledged the help given by Flying Scotsman's owner and his assistant, Mr. E. Hoyle, in the preparation of Enterprising Engines.
- Pegler once mentioned Wilbert Awdry;
- "I think the old Rev. Wilbert Awdry, the Thomas the Tank Engine Man, sums it up awfully well...It had to be something pulsing and alive....and you get the impression that it is something living that is on front of the train. That's what I think a lot of the enthusiasm comes from."
- ― Alan Pegler mentioning Wilbert Awdry
Gallery[]
John A. Coiley[]
John A. Coiley is the director of the National Railway Museum in York.
Biography[]
After the Great Railway Show at the National Railway Museum had finished, John A. Coiley made Thomas an honorary part of the museum with Sir Topham Hatt's blessing.
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- In the real world, John A. Coiley stepped down as director in 1992.
Gallery[]
Prince Charles[]
Charles, Prince of Wales (born as Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor) is a member of the Royal Family and the eldest son of Elizabeth II, who has visited the Island of Sodor several times. He was read The Railway Series when he was younger by his parents.
Biography[]
On 25 November 1982, Prince Charles visited the Talyllyn Railway as part of a royal tour of Wales with his wife, Diana, the Princess of Wales. Sir Handel was also visiting the railway at the time and acted as a spare engine for the Royal Train, which was pulled by Dolgoch. The Prince and Princess were then presented with some of the Thin Clergyman's books about the Skarloey Railway. When Sir Handel returned to Sodor in 1984, he told the other engines about the visit, among other adventures.
He first visited the North Western Railway on the Golden Jubilee of The Railway Series in 1995. Pip and Emma were loaned to bring him to Tidmouth, where he was greeted by Sir Stephen Topham Hatt, who had masterminded the Royal Visit. He had visited Sodor again by 2005.
In 2011, Prince Charles was again brought to Tidmouth Station by Pip and Emma, this time to unveil the statue of the Thin Clergyman at Tidmouth in celebration of his 100th birthday. He made a short speech, where he remarked that there would never be another place like Sodor anywhere.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series[]
- Great Little Engines - Sir Handel Comes Home (mentioned)
- Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines - Golden Jubilee
- Thomas and his Friends - Centenary
Companion Volumes[]
- 1995 - The Thomas the Tank Engine Man
- 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines (mentioned)
Gallery[]
