Toby is the oldest and wisest of the principal characters.  Toby is a branch line steam tram, whose over-riding feature is square-ness. Both his face and body are square, and his body is wood, not metal and he can travel forwards and backwards, so doesn’t need a turntable. He's very proud of his cowcatchers. 

He was rescued from the scrap heap by Sir Topham Hatt.  He’s even more vulnerable than sickly Henry, because as a tram, he isn't as fast or strong as even the smaller engines. 

James likes to show off, he’s very vain, but lots of fun!

Thomas is a very cheeky little engine. But he’s always willing to make a friend!

Gordon is a big and pompous engine. He always brags about pulling the express, and belittles the smaller engines.

Stanley is a new engine on the island, and he is very kind! 

Bill and Ben are twins and true children - highly competitive (with each other) prone to jealousy and bickering, and motivated by pranks, games and having fun. 

They’re the smallest mainline engines, light ochre and yellow with red buffer beams. 

They don't bed down at the sheds, so are not part of those scenes, although they can interact with Thomas, Percy, Salty, Cranky the Crane etc. at Brendham Docks, and can be seen traveling (with trucks) up and down the mainline. 

When Billy first arrived on the railway, Thomas was asked by the Fat Controller to show Billy around. But Billy misconstrued Thomas' advice for bossiness and so refused to listen to him, causing Billy to fail to complete his deliveries. At last, Thomas lost patience and told Billy to do his own thing. Billy was delighted, but his happiness was short-lived as he swiftly ran out of coal and water.

Henry is a worrier – an engine hypochondriac who has to burn special coal. He’s a little vain – but through insecurity, not because he thinks he's the best. Identical to Gordon, but a lively shade of green, Henry pulls freight, not the express.  

He’s one of the bigger engines/older children, but more modest and less prone to 'acting out' than Gordon (or James). 

He's also superstitious and is easily spooked.  



Thomas is a cheeky engine, but he’s always willing to help a friend!

Henry is a big, strong tender engine. He may have been ill, but he is a kind, gentle, giant.

Gordon is pompous, self satisfied and large. He’s a blue mainline engine with a coal tender  (identical to Henry) who pulls The Express and believes shunting is beneath him. He’s the fastest engine on Sodor and will jump at any chance to go faster. 

As one of the oldest children in the playground he mimics adult behavior by not simply being vain, but by believing he isn't, thinking of himself as 'important' and ‘responsible’. He's an outstanding example of Big Fish Small Pond. 



Emily  is a Little Miss Bossy Buffers who thoroughly enjoys being Emily. 

Roughly Thomas’ age, she feels  slightly older than Thomas (and definitely older than Percy)  but that could just be that as a girl she's that much more mature. Clever, cheerful and confident (low self esteem is not a problem for Emily), Emily loves giving other engines the benefit of her advice, and then making sure they follow it. 

If she were in a playground, she’d organize all the younger kids into playing her game.

Edward was the second engine on the Island (Number Two), but unlike Gordon, age doesn't mean dominance, it means vulnerability. He can be thought of as an elderly relative - mortal and afraid of being scrapped (see style guide). He has been picked on because his engine in not as powerful as others and his rods rattle, but smaller engines, especially Percy, like Edward and feel protective towards him.

Edward is a wise engine.

Rosie is a friendly, respectful and helpful tank engine who likes Thomas very much. She and Thomas like to have fun, and also like to help each other when they are working. Rosie can be described as a feisty, energetic and free-spirited tomboy who is not afraid to do hard work. She loves to race just as much as she loves to be Really Useful.

Emily is always willing to help out a friend. Though she may seem a bit bossy, it’s to help keep others safe.

Murdoch is a large tender engine (as big as Gordon) type 9F.  He is a rich earthy brown color with smoke deflectors on either side of his “face” which stop smoke entering the cab. Having ten wheels means Murdoch is exceptionally powerful, capable of pulling very heavy loads. However, he isn’t very fast.  

A quiet and thoughtful engine – Murdoch is a gentle giant and good listener.  Never one to push himself forward, he has to be drawn into conversation.

Bill and Ben are twins and true children - highly competitive (with each other) prone to jealousy and bickering, and motivated by pranks, games and having fun. 

They’re the smallest mainline engines, light ochre and yellow with red buffer beams. 


Edward is an old and wise engine, you should always listen to his advice.

James is fabulously narcissistic. He’s an all-purpose engine, which means he works both the main and branch lines, pulling trucks and occasionally smaller coaches. He's the same size as Edward, with a coal tender at the rear (which means he can’t shunt).

In the playground, James comes somewhere between Thomas and Henry and Gordon. He’s not vulnerable the way Percy is, but his undisguised vanity makes him open to teasing. 

Percy is vulnerable, suggestible and open to teasing. He’s Thomas' best friend and equivalent to the youngest child in the playground.  Insecure and protective of his favorite work - taking the mail, Percy is one of the most popular of all the Thomas characters.

Percy is the youngest at the sheds.

Thomas is the same Thomas as before, but a bit more childish!