- “Listen, Dukie. Who worries about a few spills?”
- ― Smudger, Granpuff, fourth season
Smudger was a narrow gauge tank engine who worked on the Mid Sodor Railway. He was later turned into a generator.
Biography
Thomas & Friends
According to Duke, Smudger was a show-off who rode roughly and often came off the rails. Duke tried to warn him to be careful, but Smudger refused to listen to his advice. He was finally punished by being turned into a generator and being put behind the engine shed.
Smudger as a generator.
No information was given about his fate once the Mid Sodor Railway closed, so it must be assumed that he has either remained there, was moved to a different location, was restored back to working order, or was scrapped.
Smudger's downfall was used for Duke to lecture Stuart and Falcon. The two engines became "unusually good for several days".
In a magazine story, when Duncan was being careless, Sir Handel and Peter Sam tried telling him the story of Smudger.
Personality
Smudger was a complete show-off and often derailed, but refused to listen to advice. Duke warned him to be careful, but he took no notice until he was put in his place by being turned into a generator.
Technical Details
Basis
Smudger is based off of the Talyllyn Railway's Dolgoch, a Fletcher Jennings Class Bb 0-4-0WT. Rheneas, Jennings and Rusty's Ghost Engine (firefly formation) share the same basis.
Livery
Smudger was painted dark green with black lining. He had black and brass name and number plates on the sides of his boiler and coal bunkers respectively. Promotional artwork and merchandise ranges have depicted Smudger with either a black or brass dome. Despite being numbered on television, no toy or artwork has shown him with his number.
Appearances
Books
- 1996 - Granpuff (indirectly mentioned)
- 2008 - Thomas' Sticker Express
Magazine Stories
- 1998 - Duncan Has a Spill (does not speak)
Video Games
- 2008 - Begins Educational Learning
Trivia
- Smudger is the only engine or road vehicle introduced between Seasons 1 and 4 to not get a nameboard during the intermissions. The only other characters introduced between these times without nameboards were the rolling stock.
- His whistle sound was reused for Ryan. His whistle sound was also mistakenly used for James in Bowled Out. When Duke and Falcon enter the tunnel, one of them has Smudger's whistle sound in Bulldog.
- Smudger's Ertl prototype, and a promotional artwork image have Rheneas's face.
Quotes
- "Smudger," said Duke, "was a show-off. He rode roughly and often came off the rails. I warned him to be careful, but he took no notice. 'Listen, Dukie!", he snarled. "Who worries about a few spills!?' 'We do here!' I said, but Smudger just laughed. "Hahahaha!"
- Until one day, Manager said he was going to make him useful at last. Smudger stopped laughing then!"
- "Why? W-w-what did he do?"
- "He turned him into a generator. He's still there behind our shed. He'll never move again."
- Duke lecturing Stuart and Falcon about Smudger in Thomas' story, Granpuff, fourth season
Merchandise
- ERTL (discontinued)
- Wooden Railway (discontinued)
- Trading Cards (discontinued)
See Also
References
| Locomotives | Duke | Stanley* | Smudger** | Falcon | Stuart | Albert* | Jim* | Tim* | The Mine Engine* | |
|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Coaches | Saloon Coaches* | Coaches** | Cora* | Trucks (Slate Trucks) | Breakdown Train** | Gunpowder Wagons** | Flatbeds | Conflats | V-Tipper Wagons* | Brake Vans |
| People | The Mid Sodor Railway Manager |
| Locations | Arlesburgh (West, Bridge Street) | Ffarquhar Road | Marthwaite | Arlesdale Green | Arlesdale (Engine Sheds, Mines) | Cas-ny-Hawin | The Mountain Road | Ulfstead Road | Ballamoddey | King Orry's Bridge | Bertram's Old Mine** | Elm Farm** | Duke's Old Village** |