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- “You're a gallant little engine!”
- ― The Thin Controller, Gallant Old Engine, The Railway Series
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Rheneas is the Skarloey Railway's second engine. Dolgoch from the Talyllyn Railway is his twin, and Skarloey is his brother.
Bio in Railway Series
Rheneas was built by Fletcher, Jennings, and Co. at Whitehaven and arrived on the Skarloey Railway sometime around 1866. Unlike Skarloey, Rheneas was stern and thoughtful and fell out with Skarloey after the latter called him a "stick-in-the-mud" following an argument over cabs. The two reconciled after Rheneas saved Skarloey from a landslide.
Rheneas literally saved the railway by keeping service through a very lean period in the late 1940s. By 1950, Skarloey was in need of repairs, leaving Rheneas to run the line. He managed to pull a full train home one rainy day despite jammed valve gear and was rewarded with an overhaul. His overhaul took place in 1961 and was returned to the Skarloey Railway soon after. Because of his bravery, he earned the nickname "Gallant Old Engine" by railway staff.
Bio in Television Series
Rheneas has always been a gallant engine. In the fifth season, he, Skarloey, and Rusty were chased by boulder when it had rolled off from its cliff. In the sixth season he was able to save the Skarloey Railway from near abandoment with the help of Elizabeth, Rusty, and Skarloey.
In Blue Mountain Mystery, he had to encounter the collapsing Blondin Bridge, but made it down safely. He is currently working at the Blue Mountain Quarry, along with Skarloey, Sir Handel, Peter Sam, Rusty, and Luke.
Persona
Rheneas has been called a "gallant old engine" before and deserves such a title. Rheneas is highly determined, brave, courageous, and long-time friend of Skarloey. He is a tough, committed worker despite his age and takes great responsibility in his work. He is keen to keep his friends smiling and, although he is a level-headed engine, he can be a bit of an adventurer too. Though he may often try to struggle on alone, Rheneas knows when it is time to call on the help of his friends. Nevertheless, Rheneas is always highly dedicated to the task at hand.
Basis
Rheneas is based on the Talyllyn Railway's Dolgoch. In the Railway Series, Dolgoch is Rheneas's twin.
Livery
In the Railway Series Rheneas is painted in the Skarloey Railway's red livery and blue and yellow lining. In the television series, he is painted vermilion with gold and black lining. In early magazine illustrations, he was painted carmine. This carried over to nearly all his merchandise. In Blue Mountain Mystery, he was repainted yellow with blue lining to play a joke on Thomas. He was painted back into his original colours soon afterwards.
Appearances
Voice Actors
- Ben Small (UK/US; sixteenth season onwards)
- Ryōtarō Okiayu (Japan; fourth - seventh seasons)
- Daiki Nakamura (Japan; ninth season onwards)
- Jesse Grimm (Germany)
- Stan Limburg (The Netherlands)
- Anders Sundstedt (Norway; sixteenth season only)
- Stig Krogstad (Norway; Blue Mountain Mystery onwards, excluding the seventeenth season)
- Noé Velázquez (Mexico; Blue Mountain Mystery onwards)
- Sigbjørn Solheim (Norway; seventeenth season only)
Trivia
- In New Little Engine Rheneas is depicted as an 0-4-2.
- His name is Sudric for "Divided waterfall".
- Until the sixteenth season, Rheneas had no visible whistle, despite it being heard.
- Rheneas has had many modifications throughout the television series. These include:
- Season 16:
- Accurate bufferbeam to his basis.
- Differently designed wheel-arches.
- Longer wheelbase.
- Added whistle on the steam dome.
- The portholes on the side of his cab became larger.
- Added handrail on top of his boiler.
- Riviting detail on the cab and smokebox.
- Added sanding gear.
- Slightly thinner funnel.
- Season 17
- Permanent lamp and lamp-iron.
- Season 16:
- One of Rheneas' models is currently in Japan.
- The Reverend W. Awdry's model of Rheneas is currently on display at the Narrow Gauge Museum in Tywyn.
Quotes
- "I tried hard, but I couldn't do much. But Rheneas understood.
- "Its my turn now," he said. "You've done more than your share of hard work."
- He was often short of steam, but he always tried to struggle to a station and rest there. That is most important with passengers!"
- Skarloey telling Peter Sam and Duncan about Rheneas, "Gallant Old Engine", "Gallant Old Engine".
- Everyone cheered, but Rheneas heard nothing.
- "The Thin Controller is relying on me! If I fail the railway will close! It mustn't, it mustn't. I'll get there or burst!"
- Everything blurred. He was really too tired to move another yard. But he did! And another, and another, and another. Till...
- "...I've got there at last!" he sighed with relief."
- Rheneas bravely pulls his train home, "Gallant Old Engine", "Gallant Old Engine".
Merchandise
- ERTL (normal and metallic; discontinued)
- Wooden Railway (normal and repainted versions)
- TrackMaster (normal and repainted versions)
- Take-Along (discontinued)
- Take-n-Play (normal and repainted)
- My Thomas Story Library (discontinued)
- Bandai (several versions; discontinued)
- Trading Cards (discontinued)
- Nakayoshi (discontinued)
- Wind-up Trains (normal and metallic)
- Trading Cards (discontinued)
- Departing Now
Gallery
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Merchandise Gallery
