The Railway Works

Main Page

Behind the Scenes

Gallery

This article is about the Railway Works. You may be looking for The Repair Yard.

The Railway Works
Overview
Location	Crovan's Gate, Island of Sodor (RWS) Tidmouth Sheds, Island of Sodor (T&F) Knapford Sheds, Island of Sodor (T&F); (S7)
Year opened	1915
Operations
Railway	North Western Railway
Type	Dead end
Berths	6 (RWS) 2 - 4 (T&F)

Crovan's Gate Works, usually known as the Works, the Foundry or the Fitter's Yard, are where the railway engines and rolling stock are serviced, repaired or maintenanced.

In The Railway Series, the Works are situated at Crovan's Gate, opposite the Skarloey Railway. In the Television series, they are opposite Tidmouth Sheds. There is also a works near Knapford Sheds.

History

The Railway Series

In 1915 the North Western Railway established its repair shops at Crovan's Gate. Since 1925 these shops have been expanded as required till, with the decline of steam on the Mainland, the Works are now equipped with machinery and craftsmen able to tackle any type of steam locomotive overhaul or rebuilding that may be needed. Sir Topham Hatt has been looking into the possibility of manufacturing parts for engines on heritage railways.

The Works Diesel is known to work here, and according to Donald, other diesels also live here.

Sometime during the 1930s, a fire occurred here, which destroyed the dossiers for Thomas, Edward and Henry.

Following Shane Dooiney's return from Switzerland in 1963, the Fat Controller saw to it that the Culdee Fell engines could be repaired here, ensuring expensive journeys overseas for the Culdee Fell locomotives are no longer necessary. In 1976, Jock's firebox, boiler, and cylinders were fabricated here; the rest of him was built at Arlesburgh Works. In 1996, Ivo Hugh was built here by the Skarloey Railway's Engineering Department.

Thomas & Friends

From the first series to the second series, the Works’ building was used as a rolling stock shed.

In the third series, the Works appeared to be located next to Ffarquhar Sheds.

In the seventh series, the Works were located at Knapford Sheds and was commonly called the Foundry.

From the eighth series to the twelfth series, the Works were located next to Tidmouth Sheds. They were commonly known as the Repair Yard, the Fitter's Yard, or the Menders.

From the thirteenth series to the twenty fourth series, with the introduction of the Sodor Steamworks, the Works’ building reverted back to being used as a rolling stock shed.

Residents

Railway Series only

The Works Diesel

Appearances

• Railway Series
• Television Series
• Magazines

The Railway Series Edward the Blue Engine - Old Iron (mentioned) Four Little Engines - Skarloey Remembers (mentioned) The Eight Famous Engines - Percy Takes the Plunge (mentioned) and Double Header (mentioned) Branch Line Engines - Thomas Comes to Breakfast (mentioned) Enterprising Engines - Escape and Little Western (mentioned) Oliver the Western Engine - Resource and Sagacity Really Useful Engines - Triple-Header James and the Diesel Engines - Deep Freeze (mentioned) Great Little Engines - Patience is a Virtue More About Thomas the Tank Engine - The Runaway (mentioned) Gordon the High-Speed Engine - High-Speed Gordon (mentioned), Fire Escape (mentioned) and Gordon Proves His Point (mentioned) Thomas and the Twins - Trevor Helps Out (mentioned) Henry and the Express - Overhaul (mentioned), Sliding Scales (mentioned) and Henry Sees Red Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines - Edward and the Cabbages Thomas and Victoria - Avalanche Thomas and his Friends - Centenary (mentioned) Companion Volumes 1985 - Thomas Comes to Breakfast 1987 - Thomas and the Evil Diesel

Thomas & Friends Series 1 - Edward and Gordon, Thomas and the Breakdown Train, Thomas, Terence and the Snow, Trouble in the Shed, Percy Runs Away and Thomas' Christmas Party Series 2 - Thomas, Percy and the Coal, Old Iron (mentioned), Percy and the Signal, Duck Takes Charge, The Runaway (mentioned), Percy Takes the Plunge (mentioned), Break Van, The Deputation and Thomas Comes to Breakfast (mentioned) Series 3 - Time for Trouble (mentioned), Gordon and the Famous Visitor (mentioned), Escape and Oliver Owns Up Series 4 - Four Little Engines (mentioned) and Toad Stands By (mentioned) Series 5 - A Better View for Gordon (mentioned) and Double Teething Troubles (mentioned) Series 6 - A Friend in Need (mentioned) and Thomas, Percy and the Squeak Series 7 - Edward's Brass Band, Something Fishy and Bulgy Rides Again Jack and the Sodor Construction Company - Percy Helps Out Series 8 - Henry and the Wishing Tree, Thomas Saves the Day and Squeak, Rattle and Roll Series 9 - Respect for Gordon, Henry and the Flagpole and Keeping Up with James Series 10 - James the Second Best and Thomas and Skarloey's Big Day Out Series 11 - Edward and the Mail and Thomas in Trouble Series 12 - Thomas and the Billboard and Toby's Special Surprise Series 13 - Tickled Pink and Splish Splash Splosh Series 14 - Henry's Magic Box Series 15 - Surprise, Surprise and Percy the Snowman Series 16 - Flash Bang Wallop! and Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor Series 17 - Wayward Winston Series 18 - Spencer's VIP Series 19 - Salty All at Sea and Goodbye Fat Controller Series 20 - Bradford the Brake Van, Three Steam Engines Gruff and Engine of the Future Series 21 - A Shed for Edward and The Big Freeze Series 22 - Confusion Without Delay and What Rebecca Does (fantasy) Series 23 - Steam Team to the Rescue Series 24 - Thomas and the Royal Engine, Emily's Best Friend and Emily to the Rescue Specials 2000 - Thomas and the Magic Railroad 2005 - Calling All Engines! 2008 - The Great Discovery 2009 - Hero of the Rails 2011 - Day of the Diesels 2013 - King of the Railway 2014 - Tale of the Brave 2015 - The Adventure Begins and Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure 2017 - Journey Beyond Sodor

Magazine Stories 1987 - Thomas and the Bird's Nest (mentioned) 1988 - Percy and the Signal, Duck Takes Charge, The Runaway (mentioned), Edward at the Works and Overheated Henry (mentioned) 1989 - Delicate Handling and In a Sulk 1990 - Edward and the Express 1991 - Duck's Service 1992 - Gordon's Spots! (mentioned) 1994 - Rootin', Tootin', Thomas! (mentioned) 1995 - Keeping Clean! 1996 - Henry's Hoax 1997 - Henry's Busy Day (mentioned) 2001 - Dents All Round! 2003 - New Year Cheer! (mentioned) 2004 - Good as New and Fergus' Funnel (mentioned) 2005 - Eerie Engine (mentioned) 2007 - Helping Henry (mentioned) and In for Treatment (mentioned) 2010 - Christmas Dinner Diner (mentioned) 2012 - Message Mix-Up! (mentioned) 2011 - Works Outing 2014 - Emily Makes a Splash! (mentioned)

Trivia

• According to Series 1 concept art, the "Tidmouth Engine Works" building was made referencing this illustration of Tidmouth Sheds from Trouble in the Shed.
• In the television series, the Workshop consists of the Railway Works and Knapford Station Building.

Merchandise

• Wooden Railway (discontinued)
• Take Along (discontinued)

The Main Line

---

* RWS only | ** T&F only

Locomotives	Henry | Gordon | James | Donald and Douglas | Thomas** | Emily** | Murdoch** | Molly** | Rosie** | Hiro** | Nia** | Rebecca** | Bear* | The Works Diesel* | Pip and Emma* | Philip**
Rolling Stock	Express Coaches | Branch Line Coaches | Thomas' Special Coach* | Annie and Clarabel** | Emily's Coaches**
Locations	Tidmouth (Harbour, Engine Sheds, Tunnel, Loop) | Knapford (Yards, Engine Sheds, Bus Yard**) | Crosby (Tunnel, Washdown**) | Wellsworth (Yards) | Suddery Junction | Gordon's Hill | Maron | Cronk (Viaduct) | Killdane | Balladrine Bridge | Kellsthorpe Road | Crovan's Gate (Works, Yards**) | Henry's Tunnel | Vicarstown (Engine Sheds, Yards, Bridge, Goods Depot**, Junction**, Dieselworks**) | Barrow-in-Furness | Lower Tidmouth** | Sodor Suspension Bridge** | West Maron Junction** | East Maron Junction** | Balladrine** | Kellaby** | Whispering Woods** (Halt) | Kirk Ronan Junction** | The Difficult Bend** | Sodor Steamworks** | Neville's Bridge** | Henry's Forest** (Wishing Tree) | The Lumber Mill** | Great Waterton** (Water Works)