Edward (Thomasfan1)


 * "Sir, may I ask you a question?"
 * "Sure, Edward."
 * "We know that you are so old, aren't you?"
 * "Sure, so what's your question?"
 * "Are you finally retiring?"
 * ―Edward asking Sir Topham Hatt III, Sir Topham Hatt (episode)

Edward the Blue Engine is a old blue Furness Railway K2 class mixed-traffic tender engine that has been in service for many years on Sodor. He runs his own branch line with BoCo at Wellsworth-Brendam Branchline and is the number 2 engine on the North Western Railway. Edward is one of the oldest engines on Sodor and is occasionally made fun of for his age. Despite this setback, he is also very wise and optimistic, and spreads his knowledge and encouraging attitude toward the other engines.

Biography
Edward was built in 1896 by Sharp, Stewart, and Co and worked on the Furness Railway in England. He came to Sodor in July 1915 to help build the North Western Railway with Thomas. Edward did not get along well with Thomas at first, who was jealous of him. The two bickered and argued about accidents. However, Thomas soon saw the error in his ways and successfully made it up to Edward. After the line was completed, Edward was the main express engine until Henry and Gordon arrived. Edward was kept in the shed for a while and the other big engines told him that he was too weak to work. Edward grew more and more sad until he was finally given a chance to come out in 1913, much to the annoyance of the other engines. Edward pulled a passenger train and did so well that he was allowed out again the next day. That day, he shunted trucks in the yard but left to help Gordon, who had stuck on a hill while pulling a freight train. Everyone was pleased with Edward, and the Fat Controller likely gave him important jobs. Sometime between 1949 and 1950, Edward was given the Wellsworth-Brendam Branchline to himself. Now, he works it along with BoCo, Derek, and sometimes Donald and Douglas.

Basis
The Reverend W. Awdry stated that Edward is based on a heavily modified Sharp, Stewart and Co. "Larger Seagull" K2 Class, supplied to the Furness Railway in 1896.

Sodor "historian" Martin Clutterbuck notes that Edward bears a close resemblance to an LNER D34 "Glen" (NBR Reid Class K) 4-4-0, and an LNER D40 from the London and North Eastern Railway. The Reverend W. Awdry also used an LMS Class 2P to represent Edward on his model railway.

Visible Crovan's Gate Works modifications are: making the rear splashers flush with the cab, removal of the coupling rod splashers, new cab windows as opposed to cutaways in his cab side sheets and square cab lookouts as opposed to the original round ones. In both the Railway Series and television series, Edward is depicted with a Fowler tender.

Livery
Edward is painted in the North Western Railway's sky blue livery with red and yellow lining and the number "2" painted on his tender sides in bright yellow with a red border.

In the Railway Series, he carries two builder's plates on the sides of his cab.

It can be assumed that, before arriving on Sodor, Edward was painted in the Furness Railway's Indian red livery with black lining, the letters "FR" written in yellow on his tender sides and black wheels.

Personality
Edward is very wise and a father like figure. He sometimes isn't confident with his age but usually always looks on the bright side. He can also be very stern, especially with Bill and Ben, but does enjoy them as well. Along with Toby and Duck, Edward has never had an accident relating to arrogance or naughtiness.

Trivia

 * Edward was the first character introduced in the Railway Series.
 * After having the main role of the last two episodes of Season 4, Edward became the last member of the original 11 engines to have an episode focused on him on the Tales of Sodor.