| For other uses, see Rheneas. |
- “You're a Gallant Little Engine!”
- ― The Thin Controller
Rheneas is a red narrow gauge well tank engine and the Skarloey Railway's second engine. Dolgoch from the Talyllyn Railway is his twin and Skarloey is his brother.
Biography[]
Rheneas was built by Fletcher, Jennings & Co. in Whitehaven, England and was delivered by sea to Kirk Ronan in time to haul the train carrying the Board of Trade Inspector in October 1865. Unlike Skarloey, Rheneas was stern and thoughtful and fell out with Skarloey after the latter called him a "stick-in-the-mud" following an argument over cabs. The two reconciled after Rheneas saved Skarloey from a landslide in 1867.
Rheneas' long wheelbase enabled him to ride steadily, but it also made him hard on the track and this - together with the initial absence of a cab - made Skarloey the more heavily used of the two. Unlike Skarloey (and Dolgoch), Rheneas never returned to Whitehaven. Such repairs as were needed - including the fabrication of a cab at an unknown date - were done at the Skarloey Railway workshops. In 1937 and again in 1943, he was overhauled at the NWR Works at Crovan's Gate. Like Dolgoch, Rheneas enjoys "peculiar motion", which did not make life any easier for the workshop staff.
Rheneas saved the railway by keeping services going through a very lean period in the late 1940s. By 1945, Skarloey was in need of desperate repairs, leaving Rheneas to run the line alone. He managed to pull a full train home one windy day despite having a jammed valve gear and was rewarded with an overhaul. When Sir Handel and Peter Sam arrived to the railway in 1952, he was sent to England for a heavy overhaul. While there, he was reunited with his twin Dolgoch. Money, however, was tight on both their railways and their repairs could not be completed immediately. Skarloey often felt lonely to know Rheneas was not there, but he often used his story of when he saved the railway to teach younger engines how to behave, like Duncan. His overhaul was finished in 1961, putting him back into good condition and he returned to the Skarloey Railway soon after. Because of his bravery, he earned the nickname "Gallant Old Engine" by the railway staff.
While Rusty was spreading weedkiller spray on the tracks with a special truck, Rheneas had to fetch another coach when there were more visitors than usual. He was not happy about this because this meant he would be late and it did not get any better when he had to slow down for hedgecutters. To make matters worse, because of the weedkiller spray, he ended up slipping down the hill and ground to a halt. As his crew sanded the rails, he managed to make his way, but his passengers had a limited view of the countryside. They did not mind this however, as they were more pleased with Rheneas' brave efforts.
Rheneas underwent another heavy overhaul at Crovan's Gate Works in 2002.
Personality[]
Rheneas has been called a "gallant old engine" before and deserves such a title; he is highly determined, brave and courageous. Rheneas is a tough, committed worker despite his age and takes great responsibility in his work. He is keen to keep his friends smiling and, although he is a level-headed engine, he can be a bit of an adventurer too. Though he may often try to struggle on alone, Rheneas knows when it is time to call on the help of his friends. Nevertheless, Rheneas is always highly dedicated to the task at hand.
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
Rheneas is based on and the twin of the Talyllyn Railway's No. 2, Dolgoch, a Fletcher Jennings Class Bb 0-4-0WT. Jennings is another member of this class.
Livery[]
Rheneas is painted in the Skarloey Railway (SR)'s standard red livery with blue lining and black wheels. His name is written on his boiler in yellow, while his number (2) is placed on his bunker in black-backed brass plates. He has a brass dome, black running board and red bufferbeams.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series
Companion Volumes
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Trivia[]
- His name is Sudric for "Divided Waterfall".
- His build year is given as 1865 in The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways and 1866 in Sodor: Reading Between the Lines. This difference arises due to uncertainty about Dolgoch's build date. However, since Rheneas was stated in Very Old Engines to arrive shortly after the opening of the Skarloey Railway and that was in 1865, the former is most likely the correct year, making Rheneas a year older than Dolgoch.
- In New Little Engine, Rheneas is incorrectly depicted as an 0-4-2.
- Rheneas' relationship to Skarloey as brothers is the only time that engines of different classes are referred to as such.
- Willie Rushton gives Rheneas a Welsh accent, reflecting his basis' origins.
- Rheneas - along with Percy, Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima and Beatrice - was featured on the 1986 single cover of Oh L'amour, a song by English synthpop duo Erasure.
- Unlike Thomas & Friends, where his name is pronounced like how it is spelled, here, his name is pronounced "REN-eas."
Official Description[]
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | Rheneas (SR No.2): A long wheelbased welltank engine (0-4-0) built in 1865 by Fletcher Jennings of Whitehaven following their construction of Skarloey the year before. Two were built, one, Dolgoch, going to the Talyllyn Railway, and the other to the Skarloey. Rheneas was delivered by sea to Kirk Ronan in time to haul the train carrying the Board of Trade Inspector. Rheneas’ long wheelbase enabled him to ride steadily, but it also made him hard on the track and this, together with the absence of a cab, made No.1, Skarloey, the more heavily used of the two.
|
” |
From Official Media:[2]
| “ | Rheneas (2): A 0-4-0 well-tank engine, built by Fletcher Jennings to the same design as the Talyllyn's No.2 in 1866. Also delivered cabless he was less used after Skarloey acquired his, and also because his long wheelbase was being rather hard on the track. Like Dolgoch on the Talyllyn Railway he enjoys 'peculiar motion' which has not made his life any easier for the workshop staff. Rheneas was overhauled at Crovan's Gate in 1937 and 1943 and in Skarloey's extremity became the mainstay of the railway. A heavy overhaul in England in 1961 put him back into fettle, and the works at Crovan's Gate has recently (2002) carried out another overhaul. | ” |
Quotes[]
- "I tried hard, but I couldn't do much".
- "Its my turn now, you've done more than your share of hard work".
- Skarloey telling Peter Sam and Duncan about Rheneas, "Gallant Old Engine", "Gallant Old Engine".
- "The Thin Controller is relying on me! If I fail the railway will close! It mustn't, it mustn't. I'll get there or burst!"
- "...I've got there at last!"
- Rheneas bravely pulls his train home, "Gallant Old Engine", "Gallant Old Engine".
References[]
| Locomotives | Steam | Skarloey | Rheneas | Sir Handel | Peter Sam | Duncan | Ivo Hugh | Duke |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | Rusty | Fred | | |
| Other | Ivo's Flying Bedstead | Skarloey Funicular Railway Cars | |
| Rolling Stock | Passenger | Agnes, Ruth, Jemima, Lucy and Beatrice | Ada, Jane and Mabel | Cora | Gertrude and Millicent | Saloon Coaches | Quarrymen's Coaches |
| Goods | Slate Trucks | Open End Door Wagons | Plank Trucks | V-Tipper Wagons | Side Tipping Wagons | Mineral Wagons | Vans | |
| People | The Owner (Sir Handel Brown I, Sir Handel Brown II) | The Thin Controller (Mr. Mack, Mr. Robert Sam, Mr. Peter Sam, Mr. Roger Sam) | Mr. Hugh (David Hugh I, Ivo Hugh, David Hugh II) | |
| Infrastructure | Stations | Crovan's Gate | Cros-ny-Cuirn | Glennock | Rheneas | Lakeside | Skarloey |
| Sheds | Skarloey Railway Engine Sheds | |
| Tunnels and Bridges | Rheneas Bridge | Rheneas Tunnel | Rheneas Viaduct | |