Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia
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“There's room for another engine at the Dieselworks, if one of you wants to sleep there.”
― Norman offering Thomas and Gordon a place to sleep at the Dieselworks for the night[src]

Norman is a vermillion-red diesel shunter with a unibrow who is often seen working around Vicarstown. He is Dennis' twin.

Biography

Before coming to Sodor, Norman worked at a busy marshalling yard on the Mainland, but kept breaking down due to faults in his design. He was only able to shunt a few wagons at a time, which led the yard manager to believe Norman was simply lazy. He was later transferred to Sodor along with Paxton and Sidney, where he was delighted to find his twin, Dennis.[2]

Norman was one of the diesels who took over the Sodor Steamworks.[3] He later laughed at Flynn for not being able to rescue Thomas.[4]

One December, Norman told Percy that Sidney had been on his hoist for two years and was there when he was given his new wheels.[5] He also offered Thomas and Gordon a place to sleep at Vicarstown Dieselworks when the turntable at Tidmouth Sheds was frozen.[6]

Norman was at the Dieselworks when Paxton returned after looking for him, Diesel, Sidney, Den and Dart.[7]

When the Great Railway Show was being held, Norman was one of the engines who were hoping to be picked to compete but was not. Norman was later involved in an accident with Thomas at Knapford, resulting in the tank engine initially being unable to compete in the Great Railway Show.[8]

During a big freeze, he helped the other diesels do the steam engines' work when the coal delivery was delayed.[9]

Later on, Norman was one of the diesels who got into trouble by not doing their jobs properly due to Diesel playing a trick on Rebecca so she could do the jobs and end up in the wrong place.[10]

Personality

Norman's shape resembles that of his twin Dennis, but he is a diesel engine who is much kinder and more willing to work. He wants to be liked by all the engines, whether they be steam or diesel engines. So he does his part at the Sodor Dieselworks and follows all of his orders; in fact Norman is so efficient, Sir Topham Hatt holds him in high regard.

However, poor Norman often breaks down and he does not like that. Unlike Dennis (who is lazy), if Norman were fixed properly he would show what a Really Useful Engine he can be. He is also willing to help another engine in trouble.

Technical Details

Basis

Norman is based on British Railways (BR) No. 11001, a prototype diesel built at Ashford Works, England in 1949. It was designed by Oliver Bulleid during his time working for the Southern Railway (SR), but the locomotive was completed after the SR had become part of BR. The Southern Railway experimented with various designs of diesel shunters, and amongst these, 11001 had a larger engine and a higher top speed to enable it to perform pick-up goods duties in addition to shunting. It was not a particularly successful design, and the locomotive was scrapped in 1959. 11001 had numerous distinctive features, such as large connecting rods, a long bonnet with the fuel tank in front, and a domed roof.

Norman's twin Dennis is also based on BR 11001. While the two co-exist in the television series, in the real world only one engine of this type was ever built, which Dennis bears the number of.

Livery

Norman is painted vermilion with two yellow stripes and red wheels with grey rims. He has a dark grey front, roof, toolboxes and footsteps. His running board and bufferbeams are red. His paint is chipped in places and shows signs of weathering.

In his initial appearances, Norman had a red jackshaft, however since the seventeenth series it has been painted black.

Appearances

Books

Magazine Stories

Official Description

From Official Website[1]

Norman: Norman is Dennis’ twin and a diesel engine who often breaks down. If he were fixed properly, he would show what a Really Useful Engine he is.


Fun Fact: Norman is based on a British Rail 11001 Diesel Locomotive prototype built by British Railways Ashford.

Songs

Audio Files

Horns

In Day of the Diesels, Norman reuses Mavis' horn from Calling All Engines!.

First used Last used Sound Effect
Day of the Diesels Day of the Diesels

Since the eighteenth series, Norman reuses one tone of Dart's horn.

First used Last used Sound Effect
Series 18 Series 24

Trivia

  • In The Ultimate Diesel Guide, it claims Norman is always called by his nickname "Norm". However, he is only ever referred to by his full name rather than his nickname. He shares this dilemma with Paxton and Sidney.
  • According to the writer's bible of 2013, Norman and Dennis have canonically met, but were never established to meeting in the CGI series, as Dennis never appears there. This leaves Charlie and Billy, the only twins that haven't been acknowledged as twins.
  • Despite claiming to always be breaking down, Norman has never been seen onscreen having done so.
  • Norman is the only character of three things:
    • The only vehicle character to have a unibrow.
    • The only character introduced in Day of the Diesels not to have an episode dedicated to him.
    • The only standard gauge diesel in the CGI series to not have a headlamp.

Merchandise

References



--- Dropped | * 1991-1994 maps only | ** 2014 map only
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