| This article is about the engine. You may be looking for the Story Library book. |
- “We're sorry Mr-er..."
"Never mind, call me BoCo. I'm sorry I didn't understand about the trucks.” - ― BoCo introducing himself to Bill and Ben after some confusion.
BoCo is a green mixed-traffic diesel engine, who primarily works on Edward's Branch Line and occasionally on the Main Line.
Biography
BoCo once accidentally took Bill and Ben's China clay trucks. The twins decided to play a trick on him, playing on their identical looks to make the diesel think that one engine was vanishing and reappearing around him. Edward was nearby to sort out the confusion and Bill and Ben soon came to respect BoCo.
When BoCo began working on the Main Line, Gordon was furious that a mere branch line diesel got to pull a main line train. Gordon was later stranded on Edward's branch line due to a signalman's error. Bill and Ben were quick to tease Gordon and jokingly threatened to haul him away as scrap or dump him into the harbour. When BoCo arrived with some trucks, he sent Bill and Ben to work and the relieved Gordon felt he owed his life to BoCo.
When Edward had trouble pulling an enthusiasts' train, BoCo helped Duck to shut the big engines up, who said Edward should be preserved.
Bill and Ben were once called to the yard to help shunt trains for BoCo. The two began fighting after an incident with the turntable and soon began to give each other the silent treatment. Edward thought this attitude was counterproductive, so BoCo came up with a plan: convincing the Fat Controller to let him take a special, BoCo's own heavy goods train was left behind, with only Bill and Ben to pull - neither would be strong enough to pull the train alone, so the two had to compromise and work together to finish the job.[5]
When the first eight engines went to the Mainland, BoCo was part of a group of engines designated to take over the major jobs of the railway.[6]
Eventually, BoCo lost his buffer in keeping the twins in line and the Fat Controller decided to bring in a new diesel, Derek, who, however, had major "teething" troubles and was prone to overheating. BoCo had to bring workmen to help Derek when he first broke down.[7]
BoCo did not appear again after the fifth series, but according to the Thomas and Friends Writers' Bible, he works a lot with Mavis, Bill and Ben in the quarries (as well as his usual jobs on the main line), and is said to be Mavis' mentor (explaining how Mavis keeps the twins in order since the sixth series).
Personality
BoCo is a tame diesel engine, who is sensible, kind, and has a decent sense of humour. He is also very disciplined, as seen as he stops Bill and Ben from their pranks. Upon his arrival, he was unfortunate enough to be set upon by the mischievous Bill and Ben, when (thinking he had intentionally stolen their trucks) they pretended to be one engine and nearly made his eyes pop out. BoCo is now wise to the tank engine twins' pranks though he still somewhat humours them to a point. He is also good friends with Bill, Ben, Edward, and Duck. He is a true friend and is often willing to stick up for the underdog.
BoCo is firm, but fair and friendly in his nature, not being afraid to speak his mind. Even Gordon soon thought of him in high regard when he "saved" him from Bill and Ben's antics.
BoCo upholds a more praiseworthy and respectable, likeable image for diesel engines everywhere, being happy to show the more pompous steam engines that diesels have their uses. BoCo helps bring good order across Edward's Branch Line, even occasionally pulling Main Line trains, as the Fat Controller recognises how versatile he is.
Technical Details
Basis
BoCo is based on a British Rail (BR) Class 28 Co-Bo diesel-electric engine. These engines were initially used on the "Condor" express freight services but the class's Crossley engines quickly proved problematic. They suffered frequent failures, and in 1961 the entire class was handed back to the manufacturer for remedial work on the engines, and to cure problems with cab windows falling out while running. Upon return to service in 1962, all members of the class were allocated to Barrow-in-Furness, and most were withdrawn and scrapped by 1969.
BoCo's number belonged to a real BR Class 28. The real D5702 was built on 29th September 1958, and was withdrawn on 7th September 1968, before being scrapped at J. Cashmore Scrapyards the following year.
In the annuals, BoCo mentions a brother of his - D5705, a real preserved engine, who is the last surviving Class 28. In another annual, BoCo claimed to have a twin called "CoBo" in order to play a trick on Bill and Ben.
Livery
BoCo is painted green with red bufferbeams. His number (D5702) is painted on the sides of his cab in white.
Appearances
Thomas & Friends
Specials
Music Videos |
Official Description
From Official Website:[1]
| “ | BoCo: BoCo originally came to the Island of Sodor on loan from British Rail, and stayed. After an initial run-in with Bill and Ben, BoCo quickly settled down and proved himself to be a decent diesel with a sense of humour. After all, anyone who can deal with Bill and Ben and maintain their equilibrium must have a remarkable personality.
|
” |
From Official Website:[2]
| “ | Boco: After an initial run-in with Bill and Ben, Boco has quickly become one of the favourite and funniest diesel engines on the Island. Although he must often put up with the antics of Bill and Ben, he has learned to deal with their humour, and at times, even turn their tricks against them.
|
” |
From Official Website:[3]
| “ | Boco: BoCo is a decent diesel with a sense of humor. He originally came to the Island of Sodor on loan, but ended up staying.
|
” |
Audio Files
Horns
| First used | Last used | Sound Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Series 2 | Series 5 | |
| Series 3 | ||
Trivia
- The letter "C" in BoCo's name is often un-capitalised in his merchandise lines. One example of this is on his nameboard.
- On the cover of the My Thomas Story Library, BoCo's wheel arrangement shows a Co-Co wheel arrangement. This was fixed in the 2011 re-release.
- BoCo’s horns have been modified from other characters:
- BoCo’s series 2, 4 and 5 horn sound is Diesel’s at one step lower-pitched.
- BoCo’s series 3 horn sound is Mavis’ original horn, but slower and 9 steps lower-pitched.
- In the television series, BoCo and Daisy shared some of the same faces, with Daisy's face having added make-up. They also share the same chassis and powered "Bo" bogie.
- BoCo is the first of two characters to have the name of their real-life basis mentioned in the television series, the other being Merlin.
- During the production of the eighth series, BoCo's model was refurbished. However, it was never used in an episode.
- BoCo is the only engine introduced in between the first and third series not to return in CGI.
- Four of BoCo's face masks are now owned by Twitter user TomsProps.
- In a 2015 interview with the Sodor Island Fansite, railway consultant Sam Wilkinson expressed interest in reintroducing BoCo into the CGI series. If this had happened, it would have marked his first appearance and speaking role since the fifth series episode Double Teething Troubles.
Quotes
- “...even you don't take our trucks without asking. But this 'diseasel' did!"
"There's no cause to be rude," said Edward severely. "This engine is a Metropolitan-Vickers, diesel-electric, Type 2."
The twins were abashed. "We're sorry Mr-er..."
"Never mind," the diesel smiled, "call me BoCo. I'm sorry I didn't understand about the trucks.” - ― Edward introduces BoCo to Bill and Ben after some confusion, The Diseasel, second series
- “If I were you, I'd get back to work right away.”
- ― BoCo's last words in the show, Double Teething Troubles, fifth series
Merchandise
- Ertl (discontinued)
- Wooden Railway (two versions; both discontinued)
- Motor Road and Rail (discontinued)
- TrackMaster (discontinued)
- My Thomas Story Library (discontinued)
- Thomas Engine Collection Series (discontinued)
- Mini Die Cast Collection (discontinued)
- De Agostini (discontinued)
- Nakayoshi (discontinued)
- Trading Cards (discontinued)
- Capsule Plarail (discontinued)
- Pocket Fantasy (discontinued)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 T&F S3 #17 "Buzz, Buzz"
- ↑ https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1RqjJqIwZs_cA0XKtquZpAkV66Sxb5ciI
- ↑ My Thomas Story Library "BoCo (Story Library book)"
- ↑ Magazines "BoCo the Brave"
- ↑ T&F S3 #19 "One Good Turn"
- ↑ T&F S4 #22 "Thomas and the Special Letter"
- ↑ T&F S5 #12 "Double Teething Troubles"
| Locomotives | Steam | Edward | Porter | Nia |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | BoCo | Derek | Salty | Philip | |
| Non-Rail Vehicles | Trevor | Cranky | Reg | Big Mickey | Carly | |
| People | The Vicar of Wellsworth | The Mayor of Sodor | The Dock Managers | |
| Affiliates | Sodor China Clay Company (Bill and Ben, Timothy, Marion) | Sodor Shipping Company | Sodor Search and Rescue Centre (Belle, Flynn, Rocky, Harold, Butch, Captain) | |
| Stations | Wellsworth | Suddery | Lower Suddery | Sodor Animal Park** | Upper Brendam | Brendam | |
| Locomotives | Steam | Thomas | Henry | Gordon | James | Donald and Douglas | Emily | Murdoch | Molly | Nia | Rebecca |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | BoCo | |
| Former | Edward | |
| Rolling Stock | Passenger | Annie and Clarabel | Emily's Coaches | Green Express Coaches | Red Express Coaches |
| Former | The Spiteful Brake Van | Slip Coaches | |
| Trains | Passenger | The Express | The Local | The Great Waterton Special |
| Goods | The Flying Kipper | The Midnight Goods | |
| Infrastructure | Stations | Tidmouth | Lower Tidmouth** | Knapford | Crosby | Wellsworth | Maron | Cronk** | Killdane** | Balladrine** | Kellaby** | Whispering Woods Halt** | Kellsthorpe Road** | Crovan's Gate | Great Waterton** | Vicarstown | Barrow-in-Furness** |
| Sheds | Tidmouth Sheds | Tidmouth Yard Sheds | Knapford Sheds | Crovan's Gate Sheds* | Vicarstown Sheds | |
| Tunnels and Bridges | Tidmouth Tunnel (South) | Henry's Tunnel | Crosby Tunnel** | Crosby Bridge* | The Viaduct | Sodor Suspension Bridge** | Maron Bridge* | Standard Gauge and Narrow Gauge Viaduct | Vicarstown Bridge** |