| For other uses, see Stanley (disambiguation). |
- “Listen, bud! In the States, we don't care a dime for a few spills!”
- ― Stanley
Stanley, nicknamed No. 2, was an American narrow gauge pannier tank engine who formerly worked on the Mid Sodor Railway.
Biography
Stanley was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works sometime around 1917 and was sent to France to work on the trench railways during World War I. Following the war's end, he was sold as surplus to the Mid Sodor Railway in 1920, and was re-gauged. He was nicknamed by the railway staff after the politician, Stanley Baldwin.[1]
However, Stanley proved to be a bad bargain. Stanley was prone to riding roughly along the track and often derailed, though he believed this was no big deal. Stanley was quoted to of spent more time off the track than on.[2] Repeated attempts to cure this habit failed, and Stanley was stripped of his wheels and became a pumping engine behind the engine sheds at Arlesdale.[3] He was superseded by Tim as a tram engine.[2]
Duke later lectured Stuart and Falcon about Stanley's downfall and they became "unusually good for several days".[3]
Stanley was later sold and relocated to Cas-ny-Hawin to pump out water from the mines, but by December 1946 he was becoming worn-out and broke down, causing the mines to flood. With no reason to stay open, the Mid Sodor Railway was permanently closed. It is unknown if Stanley survived the flood and what his fate was after this point, but it can be presumed he was either abandoned at the mines or scrapped.
Personality
Stanley was arrogant, careless, and refused to listen to advice. This carelessness eventually led to him being converted into a pumping engine.
Technical Details
Basis
Stanley is based on a Baldwin Class 10-12-D 4-6-0 pannier tank engine, built at the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States for service in the First World War. They were shipped to England and Wales and the British War Office chose them to be the principal military steam engine for the trench railways. However, they were rough riders and had a tendency to derail.
After the war ended in 1918, various railways, such as the Welsh Highland and the Snailbeach District Railway acquired them as surplus. Five, and a rebuilt example, of these engines are known to be preserved by heritage railways, such as the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. Stanley had been re-gauged from 1ft 11 5/8in to 2ft 3in.
%27sBasis.jpg "Stanley(narrowgauge)'sBasis.jpg (292 KB)")
Livery
Although little is seen of Stanley in the illustrations, he is depicted as being painted red.
Contrary to his depiction in illustrations, Wilbert Awdry's model of Stanley was painted black with gold domes. His name and number (2) were painted on his tanks and cab sides respectively in gold. Additionally, he had builder's plates behind his cab doors.
Appearances
The Railway Series
- Duke the Lost Engine - Granpuff (not named) and Bulldog (cameo)
Companion Volumes
- 1976 - Famous Engines
- 1987 - The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways (mentioned)
Official Description
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | Stanley (MSR No.2): A Baldwin 4-6-0 tank engine bought secondhand as Army Surplus after World War I, and nicknamed Stanley after the well known politician of that name. Stanley proved, unfortunately, to be a bad bargain. He was a rough rider, and prone to derailment. Repeated attempts to cure this habit failed and he was turned into a pumping engine, first at Arlesdale Works, and latterly at the Cas-ny-Hawin mine. He was nearly worn out early in 1946, and finally broke down later in the year. The flooding which resulted forced the mine’s closure in December, and that of the railway in January 1947. | ” |
Trivia
- Stanley was the first and only engine of an American class in The Railway Series. Other engines from the United States are seen in the television series.
- According to the Rev. W. Awdry, Stanley was never officially named Stanley as it was only his nickname. He is regularly referred to by his number (No. 2).[1]
- The Rev. W. Awdry's model of Stanley, for his Mid Sodor Railway layout, briefly had sideplates on the right side to hide the lack of a valve gear. The constant derailing of the model caused Awdry to cut it up and convert it into a static pumping engine, which served as inspiration for Stanley's story in Granpuff.
- Stanley was replaced by Smudger in the television series adaptation of Granpuff.
- In The Daily Telegraph (February 27th 1995) newspaper article, he is referred to as Bud the American Engine.[4]
Quotes
- “No. 2," said Duke. "Was American and very cocky. He rode roughly and often came off the rails. I warned him to be careful!"
"Listen, bud!" he drawled. "In the States, we don't care a dime for a few spills!"
"We do here! I said, but he just laughed. But he didn't laugh when the manager said he was going to take away his wheels and said he was going to make him useful at last."
"W-w-why? What did he do?!"
"He turned him into a pumping engine, that's what! He's still there behind our shed."
Stuart and Falcon were unusually good for several days.” - ― Duke lecturing Stuart and Falcon about Stanley
Gallery
The Railway Series
Main Series
Miscellaneous
References
| Locomotives | Duke | Stanley | Falcon | Stuart | Albert | Jim | Tim | The Mine Engine | Alfred* | Gerry* | John* | Jennings* | Atlas* |
|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Cora | Mid Sodor Railway Coaches | Saloon Coaches |
| Trains | The Picnic | The Parliamentary | The Horse and Cart |
| People | The Mid Sodor Railway Manager |
| Stations | Arlesburgh Harbour | Arlesburgh Bridge Street | Ffarquhar Road | Marthwaite | Arlesdale Green | Arlesdale | Cas-ny-Hawin | Ulfstead Road | Ballamoddey | King Orry's Bridge |