Edward

Kind and caring tender engine

A blue tender engine belonging to the North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor. A veteran with extensive experience, he serves as a reliable senior figure for his fellow engines.

Quotes

  • I'm Edward. I always want to be there to help everyone.
  • The most important thing is for everyone to have fun and get along.
  • I'm small, but I'm proud of working my hardest.
  • If you're in trouble, come consult with me anytime.

Trivia

  • Edward was one of the first engines to appear in the Railway Series.
  • Based on the Furness Railway K2 class steam locomotive in the original setting.
  • Distinctive 6-wheeled tender.
  • Character created in 1942 by the author for his son.
  • Became a background character with no lines in the 2021 renewal anime.

Alternate names

Edward Grandpa Edward Blue Edward

Tags

Thomas the Tank Engine The Railway Series Steam Locomotive Blue Locomotive Kind Tender Engine Island of Sodor Banking Engine Regular Locomotive Elder

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Profile

Species
Tender steam locomotive
Gender
Male
Birth year
1896

Appearance

Overall appearance
Medium-sized tender engine painted blue. Distinctive 6-wheeled tender, cab with side windows. Face features wrinkles emphasizing an elderly impression.
Distinguishing features
  • Blue body
  • 6-wheeled tender
  • Wrinkled face reminiscent of an elderly engine driver
Iconic items
  • Number 2 nameplate
  • Blue body color
  • Tender engine's tender

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Kind
Detailed personality
Extremely gentle and kind. Serious with abundant knowledge and experience, serving as a consultant and role model for colleagues and juniors. Caring and highly trusted among peers.
Keywords
  • Kind
  • Gentle
  • Caring
  • Serious
  • Experienced
  • Advisor
  • Reliable
Motto
Being useful to everyone is the most important thing
Talents
  • Tractive effort
  • Handling freight cars
  • Hill-climbing assistance as a banking engine
  • Care for fellow engines
  • Problem-solving skills
Skills
  • Mixed freight and passenger operations
  • Shunting freight cars
  • Derailment recovery assistance
  • Stable running
Motivation
To continue being useful to fellow engines and the railway
Habits
Uses the friendly first-person pronoun 'boku' and speaks in a calm tone.
Favorite foods
Coal, Water for steam locomotives
Favorite places
Wellsworth Shed, Brendam Branch Line
Disliked situations
Fellow engines being teased, Accidents or troubles

History

Backstory
Built in 1896 as a K2 class steam locomotive for the Furness Railway in the UK. Arrived at the North Western Railway on Sodor in 1915 and was sold in 1921. Transformed into a reliable engine through modifications and maintenance.
Debut date
1942
Work title
The Railway Series 'The Three Railway Engines'
Media type
Manga

First Appearance

Significant event
First Appearance
Description
The first engine to appear in the Railway Series.

Did not appear in the first feature film 'Thomas and the Magic Railroad'

Significant event
Did not appear in the first feature film 'Thomas and the Magic Railroad'
Description
The only regular member not to appear at the time.

Series 21 'Edward's Way'

Significant event
Series 21 'Edward's Way'
Description
Shed relocation and transition from regular to semi-regular status.

2021 2D Animation Renewal

Significant event
2021 2D Animation Renewal
Description
Appears as a background character. No dialogue, with changes to model wheel arrangement and facial wrinkles.

Relationships

Thomas

Teammate

Teammates who trust each other, taking action together in Series 1 Episode 2 and others

James

Teammate

Sometimes teased but trusted as comrades

Henry

Teammate

Long-time comrades working together on the North Western Railway

Sir Topham Hatt

Mentor

As manager, gives instructions to Edward and shows trust in him

North Western Railway

North Western Railway: unknown

Media appearances

Thomas the Tank Engine (Stop-motion Puppet Version)

Anime / Protagonist

Series 1 Episode 2 'Edward and Gordon' and many others

Thomas the Tank Engine (2D Anime 2021 Version)

Anime / Supporting

Background character from 2021 onwards

Thomas & Friends Feature Film Series

Movie / Supporting

Appears in some films

The Railway Series

Manga / Protagonist

Including debut work

Voice cast and creators

Yasuhiro Takato

Voice actor
Yasuhiro Takato
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Series 1-8
Notes
First voice actor

Nozomu Sasaki

Voice actor
Nozomu Sasaki
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Feature Film 2 onwards
Notes
Subsequent main voice actor

Keith Wickham

Voice actor
Keith Wickham
Language
English
Version or series
Feature Film 4 onwards

William Hope

Voice actor
William Hope
Language
English
Version or series
Feature Film 4 onwards (US version)

Rev. W. Awdry

Creator name
Rev. W. Awdry
Role
Original author

William Middleton

Creator name
William Middleton
Role
Illustrator

Poplar Publishing

Creator name
Poplar Publishing
Role
Licensee

Related goods

Edward Model

Item name
Edward Model
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Talyllyn Railway OO Gauge Model

Item name
Talyllyn Railway OO Gauge Model
Category
Figure
Availability
Limited

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