The Steam Shovel is a large steam-powered excavating machine designed for lifting and moving material such as rock and soil. It is the earliest type of power shovel or excavator.
Ned and Marion are the only known sentient steam shovels on the Island of Sodor. Ned is an example of a road-based steam shovel, whereas Marion is rail-based. The Scrap Monster, constructed by Reg, was made from parts of a steam shovel. In addition, diesel-powered shovels can be found at the Blue Mountain Quarry.
Notable Steam Shovels
The following Steam Shovels have their own separate pages:
The Railway Steam Shovel
The railway steam shovel was an old piece of rolling stock. It had a short wheelbase and was originally accompanied with a flat truck to rest the arm when it was stationary.
In the third series, it was seen railed at Upper Brendam yard behind some Cattle Trucks. It was later seen derailed at the China Clay Works, Brendam Docks and Crocks Scrap Yard. By the events of the fifth series, it was already scrapped and its remains could be found before the junction leading to the Sodor Ironworks and Bertram's Old Mine.
Technical Details
Basis
The railway steam shovel's design is influenced by American rolling stock, however, its basis is unknown.
Livery
The railway steam shovel was painted charcoal brown and originally had a grey roof. It also had the "Mi" insignia on the back; this is the same logo seen at the Munitions Factory and Sea Rogue's smokestack from the Thomas & Friends' sister show TUGS.
Appearances
Thomas & Friends
Music Videos |
Trivia
- The steam shovel first appeared in the Thomas & Friends' sister show, TUGS. It was used as rolling stock for the Dock Railway and seen in a few episodes, notably Regatta.
- In all of its appearances in Thomas & Friends, the model was used as set dressing and was always seen derailed. It was also missing its roof and door.
- The shovel would later be repurposed for a caterpillar crane at the China Clay Works in the third series episode, Heroes[1].
- In reality, the steam shovel would be too large for the British loading gauge.
The Misty Island Steam Shovel
This steam shovel is owned by the Misty Island logging company.
The steam shovel is mounted on four Jobi Wood logs with a fixed chassis consisting of double-flanged concave wheels. It travels on pole roads.
Technical Details
Basis
The Misty Island Steam Shovel resembles an American Hoist and Derrick Steam Log Loader modified as a steam shovel and with a larger exhaust pipe. Ol' Wheezy shares a similar design.
Between the nineteenth and twentieth century, pole roads were used as temporary railroads by several logging companies in the southeastern United States.
Livery
The Misty Island Steam Shovel is painted bluish-grey with brown wheels and shows signs of rust.
Appearances
Thomas & FriendsSpecials
Music Videos
|
Trivia
- The Misty Island Steam Shovel is the only known pole road vehicle to exist in the Thomas & Friends franchise.
| Locomotives | Bash and Dash | Ferdinand | Misty Island Speeder |
|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Misty Island Log Trucks | Misty Island Cabooses |
| Vehicles | Hee-Haw | Ol' Wheezy | Misty Island Steam Shovel |
| Locations | Misty Island Tunnel | Shake Shake Bridge | The Logging Station | Hollow Tree Tunnel | The Zip-Line Bridge | The Sawmill | Misty Island Seashore | The Logging Pond | Echo Valley | The Jobi Woods |