Sodor Chain Load Undercut

The Ballast Spreader is a specialized petrol-driven machine used for replacing ballast on the North Western Railway. Unusually, he is seen wearing glasses.

In the Wooden Railway range, he is known as the "Sodor Railway Repair". However, this title is technically inaccurate, as he belongs to the North Western Railway and is not strictly used for repair.

Technical Details

Basis

The Ballast Spreader's specific basis is unknown, however he is based on a Ballast regulator, a piece of rail transport maintenance of way equipment used to shape and distribute the gravel track ballast. They are often used in conjunction with ballast tampers when maintaining track.

Livery

The Ballast Spreader is painted yellow and carries the words "Sodor Chain Load Undercut" on his side.

Appearances

The Railway Series

Small Railway Engines - Ballast (cameo)

Companion volumes

1996 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection (cameo)

Trivia

He was the first and only non-human character in The Railway Series to wear glasses.
In The Railway Series, he was depicted with a black face, but his Wooden Railway toy is depicted with a normal grey face to match the other characters.

Merchandise

Wooden Railway (as "Sodor Railway Repair"; discontinued)

Merchandise Gallery

North Western Railway

* RWS only | ** T&F only | ~~---~~ Dropped

Locomotives	Steam	Thomas \| Edward \| Henry \| Gordon \| James \| Percy \| Toby \| Duck \| Donald and Douglas \| Oliver \| Wellsworth and Suddery Railway Tank Engines* \| Bloomer* \| Bill and Ben \| Stepney \| Harvey \| Emily \| Arthur \| Murdoch \| Fergus \| Molly \| Neville \| Rosie \| Whiff \| Billy \| Stanley \| Hank \| Flora \| Victor \| Charlie \| Bash and Dash \|Ferdinand \| Scruff \| Belle \| Porter \| Timothy \| Marion \| Ryan \| Dustin \| Nia \| Rebecca \| Sonny** \| Barry* \| The Austerity Engine*
	Diesel	Daisy \| BoCo \| Bear* \| The Works Diesel* \| Pip and Emma* \| Diesel \| Mavis \| Derek \| 'Arry and Bert \| Diesel 10 \| Salty \| Dennis \| Den \| Dart \| Paxton \| Norman \| Sidney \| Philip**
	Other	Sodor Railway Repair* \| Peel Godred Engines* \| Flynn \| Winston \| Stafford**
	Former	Coffee Pots \| Hiro \| Glynn
Rolling Stock	Coaches	Annie and Clarabel \| Henrietta \| Alice and Mirabel* \| Isabel and Dulcie* \| Victoria* \| Old Slow Coach \| Slip Coaches \| Hannah \| Dexter \| Express Coaches \| Branch Line Coaches \| Old Coaches \| Thomas' Special Coach* \| The Quarryman's Coach* \| Emily's Coaches \| Toby's Museum Coach \| Flora's Tram Coach \| Open-Topped Carriages \| Ulfstead Castle Coaches**
	Trucks	Troublesome Trucks \| S.C. Ruffey \| Elsie* \| Fred Pelhay* \| James' Trucks \| Thomas' Trucks \| Plank Trucks \| Quarry Trucks \| Utility Trucks \| The Calliope \| Mine Trolleys \| Hoppers \| Hector \| Vans \| Mail Vans \| Utility Vans \| Animal Wagons \| Tankers \| Flatbeds, Conflats and Wellwagons \| Misty Island Log Trucks \| Ladle Trucks \| The Traveller \| Aquarium Tank Wagons
	Brake Vans	Brake Vans \| The Spiteful Brake Van \| Toad
	Other	The Breakdown Train \| Rocky \| Judy and Jerome \| The Circus Train \| The Funfair Train \| The Flying Kipper \| Gordon's Snow Machine \| Pump Trolley \| The Photographer's Draisine
Non-Rail Vehicles		Kevin \| Cranky \| Carly \| Big Mickey \| Reg**
People		Sir Topham Hatt (Stephen Hatt) \| Albert Regaby \| Kevin Volley* \| Old Bailey \| Mr. Conductor \| Mr. Arkwright \| Mr. Perkins
Lines		The Main Line (Main Line Loop) \| Ffarquhar Branch Line \| The Little Western \| Brendam Branch Line \| Kirk Ronan Branch Line \| Peel Godred Branch Line \| Norramby Branch Line \| Toby's Branch Line \| Stepney's Branch Line \| Misty Valley Branch Line \| Killdane Branch Line \| The Loop Line \| Ulfstead Branch Line \| Harwick Branch Line \| Coaling Plant Branch Line**