| For other uses, see Rusty. |
- “I wish all diesels were like you. Let's be friends.”
- ― Duncan
Rusty is a little black narrow gauge diesel engine who carries out maintenance work and odd jobs on the Skarloey Railway.
Biography[]
Rusty was built by Ruston and Hornsby Ltd. in Lincoln, England. He was bought by Sir Handel Brown direct from the builders in 1957 to assist Sir Handel and Peter Sam. A generally reliable engine, Rusty is used for track maintenance and breakdowns. Rusty is also occasionally used in an emergency for light passenger traffic.
When Sir Handel pretended to be ill, Rusty was asked to assist Peter Sam with the slate trucks, and later that day had to perform a rescue operation at the quarry when Peter Sam had an accident on the incline.
Following the return of Skarloey, Rusty was put back on maintenance duties but had an argument with Duncan about taking care of a "bad bit" of track south of Cros-ny-Cuirn. While initially refusing to help the conceited Duncan when he derailed, Skarloey reminded Rusty of his responsibility towards the passengers and he set out at once, later making up the quarrel with Duncan. Later that year, Rusty and Mr. Hugh were chosen to demonstrate to a television crew how they maintained the line at Quarry Siding.
In 1961, Rusty and Mr. Hugh discovered a washed-out section of track south of the tunnel and the railway was closed temporarily while he and the workmen repaired the line. He was later present when Rheneas finally returned home.
In 1965, the Lakeside loop line extension was opened in a grand ceremony at Quarry Siding. Rusty was asked to bring visitors to celebrate the occasion.
In 1982, Rusty was in charge of carrying away tree branches and other cuttings, which were being trimmed from the line so that passengers could get a better view.
In 1996, Rusty was put in charge of the weedkiller train, a job he disliked because it required slow speeds. The weedkiller later created trouble for Rheneas, who could not get a firm grip on the wet, greasy rails. He later had to take Sir Handel's trains after Sir Handel's fire bars collapsed. For unknown reasons, he and Fred did not attend Ivo Hugh's naming party in 1996.
Personality[]
Rusty is a trusty, tame, friendly little diesel. He is a dedicated worker, often maintaining the line, while understanding and respecting the importance of his duties. He has a good working relationship with both Skarloey and Peter Sam in particular. Caring, calm, and quick-thinking, Rusty is modestly a credit to the Skarloey Railway.
Rusty occasionally has bouts of being tempermental, especially when he feels he has been wronged, but always puts his duties to the railway, its passengers and his friends over personal squabbles. He also has a noted dislike of the weedkiller train because of its slow speed.
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
Rusty is based on the Talyllyn Railway's No. 5, Midlander, a Ruston and Hornsby 44/48HP diesel. Unlike his Talyllyn Railway counterpart, Rusty is not known to have been rebuilt with a different shaped radiator.
Livery[]
Rusty is painted charcoal-black with yellow lining around his windows. His name is written on his bonnet in yellow, while his number (5) is placed on his side in black-backed brass plates. He has a black running board and red bufferbeams.
In the DVD The Thomas Way, the Mr. Perkins segment features a re-illustrated version of Trucks! In this, Rusty is painted orange, like in the television series.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series
Companion Volumes
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Books
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Official Description[]
From Official Media:[3]
| “ | Rusty (SR No.5): An 0-4-0 Diesel/Mechanical rail tractor. Rusty was bought by Sir Handel Brown direct from the builders, Ruston & Hornsby Ltd, in 1957. A generally reliable engine used for track maintenance and breakdowns, Rusty is also occasionally used in emergency for light passenger traffic. | ” |
From Official Media:[4]
| “ | Rusty (5): The Skarloey Railway's 'man of all work'. Rusty is a 0-4-0 diesel/mechanical engine brought from Ruston & Hornsby - hence the name - of Lincoln in 1957. He is used for maintenance work and as motive power in case of emergency or breakdown. | ” |
Trivia[]
- Rusty is the second diesel engine to appear in The Railway Series and the first diesel engine to become a permanent resident of Sodor.
- Rusty is the only black engine on the SR that has appeared.
- Rusty's name is a portmanteau of his builder Ruston and Hornsby.
References[]
- ↑ RWS "Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection" (2007)
- ↑ RWS - The Little Old Engine #10 "Rock 'n' Roll"
- ↑ RWS "The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways" (1987)
- ↑ RWS "Sodor: Reading Between the Lines" (2005)
| 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 | |