Sixteen

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This article is about the engine. You may be looking for the sixteenth series of Thomas & Friends.

Sixteen
Background Information
First appearance	Wilbert the Forest Engine (1994)
Last appearance	Wilbert the Forest Engine (1994)
Creator(s)	Christopher Awdry
Character Overview
Gender	Male
Country	England
Relative(s)	Wilbert (brother) The Austerity Engine (brother)
Technical Details
Basis	Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST
Gauge	4'8½" (1,435 mm; standard gauge)
Power type	Steam
Vehicle	Locomotive
Type	Saddle tank engine
Fuel type	Coal
Configuration	0-6-0ST
Wheels	6
Top speed	35 mph (56 kph)
Designer(s)	Hunslet Engine Company
Builder(s)	Hunslet Engine Company
Year built	Sometime between 1943 and 1964
Number	16
Company	Sixteen's Old Steelworks (formerly)

Sixteen was a troublesome industrial Austerity saddle tank engine who used to work at a steelworks on the Mainland.

Biography

Sixteen lived at a steelworks on the Mainland, with several other engines. He spent all day shunting trucks to a place called the "tip". Engines were not allowed to travel along the track on the tip itself, as it was not firm enough to take their weight. Sixteen thought he knew better and often tried to pass the "danger" board without success.

One day, however, Sixteen took advantage of damp conditions and told the trucks to slide him past the warning notice. His fireman was told to reverse him, but before he could do so, the rails gave way and Sixteen tipped off the rails and rolled over onto the ground. He was eventually rescued but not repaired and sent to the sheds in disgrace where he remained in storage.

According to Wilbert, Sixteen "got better than he deserved" and was bought by a preservation society in the Midlands. Wilbert later told Sixteen's story to Thomas and Toby, while he was visiting Sodor.

Personality

Sixteen was a naughty, careless, arrogant and awkward engine. He refused to take anyone's advice and it is also implied that he grew bored of his surroundings and was curious about the outside. After his accident, Wilbert has said that he hopes Sixteen has learned his lesson after being restored and given a fresh start in preservation.

Technical Details

Basis

Sixteen is based on a Hunslet Austerity WD 0-6-0ST. Wilbert is another member of this class. Some other class members were featured in Thomas and the U.K. Trip and the Down at the Station segments.

Sixteen's basis

It is currently unknown what specific locomotive Sixteen is meant to be, if any at all. While not confirmed, it is possible Sixteen was meant to be The Austerity Engine, as Christopher Awdry has confirmed that the engine was intended to be one of the many Austerity 0-6-0STs awaiting restoration around England.

It is also possible that Sixteen could be based on the Wemyss Private Railway's No. 16. The engine has the basis, wears a similar (albeit not identical) livery to him and while there is no record of a steelworks on the railway, this engine had replaced another engine (ironically carrying the same number) that had an accident similar to Sixteen's. Hornby has created a model of this engine.

Wemyss Private Railway's No. 16

Livery

Sixteen is painted orange-brown with yellow lining. His number (16) that he is named after is painted on the sides of his saddle tank in brown with a yellow border. His buffer beams are painted with yellow and black hazard stripes and his buffers are painted silver. His paint is chipped in places.

Sixteen's livery bears a striking resemblance to a member of this class, 3823 "Warrior" which worked at the National Coal Board.

3823 "Warrior"

Appearances

• Railway Series
• Other Media

The Railway Series

• Wilbert the Forest Engine - Cab Over Wheels

Companion volumes

• 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines (mentioned)
• 2007 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection

Miscellaneous

Sixteen made a cameo appearance in the Thomas Creator Collective.

Official Description

• 1998-2004

From Official Media[1]

“

Sixteen: Sixteen doesn't have a name, just a number, and he worked in a steelworks. One of his jobs was to take the waste from the works in special trucks to a place they called the tip. He was rescued one day after driving past the Danger Warning sign, and sent to the back of the shed in disgrace. Historical Note: Sixteen is a saddle-tank locomotive, based on a design by the Hunslet Engineering Company of Leeds for use in industry, built in 1941, and taken out of service in the 60s and 70s.

”

Merchandise

Range	Released	Discontinued	Highlights	Photo
Ertl	1998	2004

References

United Kingdom

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