Walter Richards

Mr. Walter Richards, The Manager
Background Information
First Appearance	Mountain Engines (RWS)
Last Appearance	Mountain Engines (RWS)
Creator(s)	Rev. W. Awdry
Character Overview
Name	Walter Richards
Nickname(s)	The Manager
Gender	Male
Country of Origin	Island of Sodor
Affiliation	Culdee Fell Railway
Biographical Background
Occupation	Railway controller

Mr. Walter Richards, also known as the Manager, is the manager of the Culdee Fell Railway.

Biography

The Railway Series

Walter Richards was manager of the CFR in 1963. When Lord Harry derailed at the Summit due to his recklessness, Mr Richards had to pacify the angry passengers. As punishment, he forced Lord Harry to stay in the shed and stripped him of his name. He eventually allowed him out to perform maintenance duties with the "Trucks". When No. 6 redeemed himself by rescuing a group of climbers, Mr Richards allowed him to be renamed Patrick, in honour of one of the climbers and restored him to passenger duties.

During the negotiations between the North Western, Skarloey and Culdee Fell Railway managements to establish a railway to exploit a source of ballast in the Arlesdale Valley, Mr Richards proposed that, due to the scenic attractions in the valley, the basis of the railway be broadened to encourage investment from those engaged in the tourist industry. This proposal was seconded by Sir Handel Lloyd Brown and was carried unanimously. Mr Richards was still manager of the CFR in 1992.

Attire

Walter Richards' attire consists of a brown coat, a black fedora, a pair of brown trousers and a white shirt with a tie over it.

Personality

Walter Richards is a strict disciplinarian when it comes to running the mountain railway. The engines know rightfully to respect his authority otherwise they'll be sorry for it when push comes to shove.

Appearances

• Railway Series

The Railway Series

• Mountain Engines - Danger Points and "Devil's Back"

Companion Volumes

• 1972 - The Railway Series: Surprise Packet (mentioned)
• 1987 - The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways (mentioned)
• 1996 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection

Trivia

• According to the foreword of Mountain Engines, Mr. Richards has a hard time taking care of the engines on the Culdee Fell Railway.
• He coincidentally shares his name with the father of Mary Richards from the 1970 TV-Series "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"

Gallery

The Railway Series

Main Series

Mr. Richards pacifies Lord Harry and Wilfred's passengers after the former has caused disruption and delay.

Mr. Richards scolds Lord Harry.

Mr. Richards and the Climbers rename No. 6 "Patrick".

Culdee Fell Railway

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