The Sodor Ironworks (also known as the Sodor Steelworks or the Smelters Yard) is a large metal foundry, where scrap metal is delivered, melted down and repurposed. On former Railway Consultant Sam Wilkinson's map of Sodor, it is located south of Killdane on the Killdane Branch Line.
History and Operations
The main building on the site is a large warehouse known as the smelting shed. Inside the shed are a number of different tracks, a turntable, the manager's office, and a large claw known as the "Grabber".
The outside of the Sodor Ironworks is littered with twisted pieces of scrap metal, including those of old steam locomotives. Because of this, many of the engines find the Sodor Ironworks to be rather spooky, especially so during the night, when falling sparks illuminate scary shadows inside the smelting shed.
When Stepney accidentally lost his way in the mist, he wound up at the ironworks. 'Arry and Bert, the Sodor Ironworks' resident diesel shunters, attempted to scrap him using the "Grabber" but were fortunately stopped just in time by Sir Topham Hatt.[1]
Donald once accidentally backed through a set of buffers and into a pit there. Thankfully, Douglas came to his rescue.[2]
One Halloween night, Thomas, Percy and Duck were sent to collect iron from here. After Thomas teased Percy for being afraid, Duck volunteered Thomas to stay behind and finish the work up to give him a taste of his own medicine. While working alone, Thomas accidentally set off an old steam whistle and raced out of the smelters thinking it was the ghost engine, much to Duck's amusement.[3]
While working at the Sodor Cement Works, Diesel tricked Fergus into going to the Sodor Ironworks, with the little engine being scared off. After Thomas found Fergus, Sir Topham Hatt sent Diesel to work at the Sodor Ironworks as punishment.[4]
Another Halloween, Thomas and Emily had to collect some iron from here, where 'Arry and Bert played tricks to scare them. While on the turntable inside the smelting shed, Emily was covered by a tarpaulin, scaring herself into thinking the ghost has got her, as well as Thomas, 'Arry and Bert into thinking she was a ghost engine, prompting all four engines into running away.[5]
When Tidmouth Sheds was being rebuilt, Henry and Percy had to sleep here.[6]
When the water wheel from Edward’s flatbed broke loose and rolled onto Gordon’s scrap train bound for the Sodor Ironworks, Edward emerged from the smelting shed after successfully beating Gordon there, and had the wheel transferred back onto his flatbed before it could be scrapped.
Thomas and the Magic Railroad
At the Sodor Ironworks, Diesel 10 told his cohorts, Splatter and Dodge, his plan to destroy the Magic Buffers that led to the lost engine. Toby, who had followed Diesel 10 to see what he was up to, distracted them by ringing his bell loudly. Diesel 10, in alarm, knocked the open shed over onto the three diesels with Pinchy, trapping them inside.
Later, while James was working at the Sodor Ironworks, when Diesel 10 raced inside with Junior on his cab and flung him onto James' roof. Diesel 10 tried to force them both into the smelting pit, however Junior used the last of his gold dust supply to teleport them away.
Residents
Locomotives
Cranes
Staff
Appearances
Magazine Stories
Books
My Thomas Story Library
Video Games
Audio StoriesThomas & Friends Storytime
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Official Description
From the Writer's Bible:
| “ | The Smelters Yard: The yard is a small mainline industrial complex. It is a scary location with chimneys billowing smoke, lots of scrap metal lying around and an overall look of untidiness. It’s dominated by a sinister-looking interior full of dangerous claws and crabs. Arry and Bert often work this area and try to trick the smaller engines like Thomas or Percy.
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Merchandise
- Take Along (discontinued)
- Take-n-Play (discontinued)
- Wooden Railway (discontinued)
See also
References
- ↑ T&F S5 #13 "Stepney Gets Lost"
- ↑ T&F S6 #10 "Twin Trouble"
- ↑ T&F S6 #12 "Scaredy Engines"
- ↑ T&F S7 #18 "Fergus Breaks the Rules"
- ↑ T&F S8 #21 "Halloween"
- ↑ T&F Calling All Engines!
| Locomotives | 'Arry and Bert |
|---|---|
| Locations | Killdane | Heavy Industrial Area | Sodor Ironworks | Sodor Ice Cream Factory | The Brickworks | The Warehouse | Sodor Fuel Depot |