Frank is a grumpy, but kind diesel who works on the Arlesdale Railway.
Biography[]
The Railway Series[]
Frank was built at Arlesburgh Works circa 1967 out of bits and pieces from several other engines. He is powered by a Perkins diesel engine, and was named after its creator. Frank is a shunter who is used for maintenance work and empty carriage workings across the Arlesdale Railway.
When The Railway Series book, Small Railway Engines was first published, Frank became infuriated when he found out that he had been left out due to the Thin Clergyman not being aware of his presence. He then refused to come out of the shed the next morning, but when he did, he only resulted in running into the back of the shed, cracking a shed support. He then felt ashamed of what he had done, but later redeemed himself by rescuing Rex when his steam pipe leaked and taking his train. Believing Frank should not have to do rescues, the Small Controller realised the railway needed another engine, which came in the form of Jock. [1]
Thomas & Friends[]
As in the Railway Series after Frank was built, the gray diesel felt jealous when he found out that he had been left out due to the Thin Clergyman not being aware of his presence. He then refused to come out of the shed the next morning, but when he did, he accidentally cracked the back of the shed support. After the shed was mended, he rescued Rex when his steam pipe leaked and taking his train to the junction. Everyone belived that Frank should not have to do rescues, the Small Controller realised the railway needed another engine, which came in the form of Jock.
Marion first met Mike, Bert and Rex in the Arlesburgh Woods while she was heading up to assist the construction of the new branch line when the two of them streaked past on the other side of some bushes. Marion thought she was seeing things and subsequently shut her eyes, resulting in her collision with Oliver and Toad under the chute. Marion was positively alarmed when she saw Mike shunting ballast wagons up the chute to fill Oliver's train, until Toad introduced them. Marion was doubtful of the engines' existence due to their minuscule size. Mike replied somewhat hostily that they were responsible for bringing all of the ballast for the new line, while Bert and Rex more kindly explained about wool traffic and passenger service. The following day when Thomas came up to their junction depressed that Sir Topham Hatt sent him to work on the new branch line after he caused an accident at Knapford with the Express, Bert, along with the other two, sang Never Overlook a Little Engine to cheer their friend up. Though it worked, Thomas became so eager to help out with the line's construction that he ended up falling into Calles Cavern. At dusk that day, Marion reappeared at their junction to make a wish and while Rex and Bert managed to escape unnoticed, Mike had the misfortune to be the one Marion made her wish to. Two nights later when Sailor John came through trying to escape using the pirate ship, Bert, Rex and Mike shoved a train of ballast wagons off the chute to slow it down after hearing Thomas yell for them to help. As the ship slowed down, Ryan then inadvertently derailed the ship.
Percy later told him, Bert, Rex Mike, Jock and Sigrid about a railway show for little engines that was being held at Ulfstead Castle, which made him not shunting trucks. Frank was later carried on a flatbed by William to the castle for the show.
Personality[]
Frank means well, works hard and has a good heart, but has a tendency to be quite grumpy.
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
Frank is based on Perkins, an engine who works on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.
Livery[]
Frank is painted light grey with a red stripe around his body. He has a red nameplate with a gold border on his sides with his name on them, also in gold. His buffer beams are painted red with silver buffers. He has a number plates on the sides of his cab in red and yellow.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series[]
- Jock the New Engine - We Need Another Engine and Teamwork (cameo)
Companion volumes[]
- 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines (mentioned)
- 2007 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection
Thomas and Friends[]
- Series 7 - We Need Another Engine, Jock the New Engine (cameo) and Teamwork (cameo)
Trivia[]
- Frank is named after Frank Perkins, the engineer who created the Perkins diesel engine.
- Frank is the only Arlesdale engine not created by the Rev. W. Awdry.
- Frank's face on his Ertl toy is reused from Derek's face.
Merchandise[]
- Ertl (UK only; discontinued)
- Wooden Railway (discontinued)
| Locomotives | Bert | Rex | Mike | Jock* | Frank* | Blister I and Blister II* | Sigrid of Sodor* |
|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Coaches | Trucks |
| People | Fergus Duncan | Ivan Farrier* |
| Locations | Arlesburgh (West, Bridge Street, Harbour, Engine Sheds) | Ffarquhar Road | Arlesdale Watermill | Marthwaite (Woods, Quarry) | Arlesdale Green | Arlesdale Mountainside | The Lane | Arlesdale (Mines) |
- ↑ RWS #34: Jock the New Engine - "We Need Another Engine"