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Sir Robert Norramby

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Sir Robert Norramby is the current Earl of Sodor. He owns Ulfstead Castle as well as its Estate Railway, and is a good friend of Sir Topham Hatt. He is also Duke's current grace.

Biography

After spending many years travelling the world, the Earl returned to Sodor to restore King Godred's Castle on his estate at Ulfstead. Later, he sent Stephen to the Sodor Steamworks to have him restored in time for the opening of the castle. However, when Stephen went missing in a mine, he managed to find King Godred's golden crown, something that the Earl was desperately looking for.

One Christmas, he convinced Sir Topham Hatt to dress up as Santa Claus to entertain the children at the Ulfstead Castle Christmas Fair. He also sent Stephen to get tea and scones for castle tea rooms.

The Earl attended to the display of the dinosaur that had been found at the Clay Pits. He later built and opened a new Dinosaur Park on his estate. He also attended the opening ceremony for the Harwick Branch Line and held a Christmas Luncheon at his castle.

Another Christmas, Thomas informed him of Glynn, an old "Coffee Pot" engine who he believed the Fat Controller would scrap. Believing Glynn to be a "very special engine", the Earl arranged for him to be restored at the Steamworks. When Glynn's restoration was complete, the Earl happily welcomed him to the Castle (and even declared him "the best Christmas present" he could wish for).

Soon afterwards, he took Glynn on a tour of the Estate, making Stephen jealous. The old engine believed The Earl preferred Glynn over him, a thought that increased when Millie said she suspected that he was planning on building a railway museum. The two engines decided to have a race to decide who would stay on the Estate and who would go into the museum. Millie informed the Earl of this, who went to Knapford to inform the engines that he was building a railway museum and that both of them would be the star attractions.

When his old friend, Franz came to visit with his engine Hugo, Sir Robert took a ride on Hugo. Soon afterwards, he arranged for the Fat Controller to also have a ride on Hugo.

Sir Robert Norramby once held a technology fair at Ulfstead Castle with help from his old friend Ruth. When Baz and Bernie attempted to steal a set of plans drawn up by Ruth, he participated in the chase using the Road Plane.

Personality

Sir Robert Norramby is a railway buff and a gentleman explorer, who owns an estate on the island of Sodor. With his white beard and hair, he may seem a little eccentric, but he is an old friend of Sir Topham Hatt and has come home to the island after many years travelling the world. Sir Robert often says "I love a good surprise!". Sir Robert is a kind and caring man, but he can be stern to his engines if they misbehave. Sir Robert is always willing to do things for the benefit of others or attempt new feats, always bold with his ideas.

Due to keeping many treasures in Ulfstead Castle, Sir Robert is wary of thieves, and always takes great care in protecting the castle - though not without a wide smile on his face!

Attire

Sir Robert wears a black dress jacket over a red patterned waistcoat, white shirt and blue ascot, with grey trousers and black boots.

Appearances

Thomas & Friends

Specials

Music Videos

Official Description

From Official Website:[1]

“ The Earl: Sir Robert Norramby, is a railway buff and a gentleman explorer, who owns an estate on the island of Sodor. With his white beard and longish hair he may seem a little eccentric, but he is an old friend of Sir Topham Hatt and has come home to the island after many years travelling the world.


Fun Fact: Sir Robert often says, "I love a good surprise!"

”

Voice Actors

Trivia

  • According to Ian McCue, Sir Robert's personality was loosely inspired by the Earl of Bath and Richard Branson.[1]
  • The Earl also has his own segments which feature on DVD releases in which he asks viewers questions about episodes entitled The Earl's Quiz.
  • The character of Sir Robert Norramby was derived from the Rev. W. Awdry's material about the Norramby family. This makes him the first character introduced in the television series whose creation was inspired by the supportive material for The Railway Series rather than the books themselves or being a television series original character.
    • He is also the only human character whose creation was drawn from said material, the other character being Glynn.
  • In The Earl's Quiz segment The Lost Puff, Colours and Percy's Lucky Day, it is revealed that Sir Robert's favourite colour is purple.
  • Although it is unknown if it was intentional, Sir Robert's animation model bears physical similarities to the likeness of his English voice actor, Mike Grady.
  • Despite not appearing in Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, he appeared in the 2022 Japanese live show, The Bravest Engine on Sodor. He was also mentioned in the 2025 Japanese live show, Who's Number One of Sodor?.

Merchandise

References

  1. ↑ [2]
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