- “Proteus' lamp was so bright you could see it for miles around!”
- ― Skarloey
Proteus is a legendary yellow narrow gauge saddle tank engine with a magic lamp hung upon his funnel.
Biography
Proteus was a very old engine from the high hills of Sodor with a magical lamp, and the legend goes that if any engine ever found it, their wishes would come true. The clues to finding the magic lamp are feeling a rush of wind when the lamp is near, hearing a strange creaking sound, and see a flickering light that shines on and off.
Skarloey once told Proteus' story to the other narrow gauge engines and Thomas at the Transfer Yards. At first, Peter Sam scoffed at the tale, but almost thought he discovered the lamp himself. He later realized that maybe just believing in the lamp will grant your wishes.[1]
Miss Mary Marvel, a famous storyteller, later visited the Skarloey Railway to read stories about the legend at a special show. Peter Sam found a neglected statue of Proteus that was lost for many years. The statue was then restored and is now preserved in a park near the railway.[2]
Technical Details
Basis
Proteus is based on the Talyllyn Railway's No. 3, Sir Haydn, a Hughes Falcon 0-4-2ST that originally worked on the Corris Railway. Sir Handel and Albert's Mark 2 model share the same basis. His cylinder block, wheels and valve gear, however, are reused from those of Peter Sam, a Kerr Stuart Tattoo Class 0-4-2ST. Interestingly, Sir Haydn was briefly seen sporting a mustard yellow livery similar to Proteus' own in 1958.
Livery
Proteus is painted in bright yellow with red lining and black wheels. His bufferbeams are a deep maroon colour. He has gold handrails and silver buffers.
Proteus' Wooden Railway and TrackMaster toys depict him as having gold nameplates with red backing, despite not having them in the television series. Additionally, his TrackMaster toy depicts him with gold side rods instead of his original silver ones.
Appearances
Thomas & Friends
- Series 9 - The Magic Lamp (does not speak)
- Series 12 - Mountain Marvel (mentioned, appears as statue)
Learning Segments
- Series 10 - Sodor's Special Places (does not speak)
Books
Magazine Stories
Audio StoriesThomas & Friends Storytime |
Official Description
From Official Media[1]
“ | Proteus: Proteus was a very old engine from the hills of Sodor with a lamp that was so bright you could see it for miles. Legend has it that the lamp was magic and if any engine ever found it, their wishes would come true. | ” |
Trivia
- Proteus is likely named after the legendary sea god of the same name from Greek Mythology.
- The statue of Proteus is missing his signature lamp.
- Prototypes of Proteus' TrackMaster toy erroneously show him carrying the number 3 sticker from Sir Handel.
- Although he never spoke in the series, he has a speaking role in the Thomas & Friends Storytime series, where he is voiced by Keith Wickham.
- While no one knows what actually happened to Proteus, a popular belief is that he was Rusty's Ghost Engine from Duncan Gets Spooked, and therefore perished in the fall from the Old Iron Bridge.
Merchandise
- Wooden Railway (with working lamp; discontinued)
- TrackMaster (discontinued)
Gallery
Thomas & Friends
Model Series
Promotional Material
Others
Merchandise
References
- ↑ T&F S9 #14 "The Magic Lamp"
- ↑ T&F S12 #4 "Mountain Marvel"