Stafford

Stafford is a battery-electric shunting engine. He usually works at Knapford Yards and Knapford Station Yard.

Biography

Thomas & Friends

When Stafford first arrived on the Island, Spencer was given the job of showing him around. Spencer failed to listen to a warning about Stafford's battery running out and when it did, Spencer did not notice. Spencer later ran out of coal and Stafford had to shunt him to Knapford. There the Fat Controller called Stafford a really useful engine and welcomed him to Sodor.

He then became jealous of the steam engines because of the noises they made, and tried to be like them, but only caused confusion and delay when he did a job that was meant to be done quietly. In the end, he decided he was happy to be quiet Stafford the Electric Shunting Engine.

Stafford once shunted a wagon filled with the Entertainers' luggage for Daisy, but she pulled away as she did not want to pull it and he could not catch up as his batteries would not get him as far as Harwick.

He, alongside Charlie and Scruff wanted to be part of the Great Railway Show, though they were not chosen.

Personality

Stafford is a humble, courteous little chap with a Yorkshire accent. He is a very different sort of engine from any other on the North Western Railway. This is because Stafford is an electric battery engine; he is not a steam engine or a diesel engine. Stafford is fuelled by recharging his battery, which needs to be done frequently so he can go about his work as a shunting engine. Stafford is very patient, calm and mannerly. He does not let the antics of the bigger, haughtier engines bother him too much, keeps level-headed as he goes about his day, and brushes off any troubles without much fuss. He is more than content with taking things slow and not having to travel long distances and he is more than proud to work on the Fat Controller's railway.

Appearances

Thomas & Friends

• Season 16 - Welcome Stafford
• Season 17 - Steamie Stafford, The Lost Puff and Thomas' Shortcut (cameo)
• Season 18 - Flatbeds of Fear (cameo), Missing Gator and Long Lost Friend (cameo)
• Season 19 - The Truth About Toby, The Beast of Sodor (cameo), Helping Hiro (cameo), The Little Engine Who Raced Ahead (cameo), Philip to the Rescue (cameo) and Goodbye Fat Controller (cameo)
• Season 20 - Toby's New Friend (cameo), Ryan and Daisy (cameo), Pouty James (cameo), The Way She Does It and All in Vain
• Season 21 - Philip's Number (cameo)

He will appear in the twenty-third season.

Specials

• 2013 - King of the Railway (cameo)
• 2014 - Tale of the Brave (cameo)
• 2016 - The Great Race
• 2017 - Journey Beyond Sodor (cameo)
• 2018 - Big World! Big Adventures! (cameo)

Voice Actors

• Keith Wickham (UK/US)