The Little Blue Tank Engine

Bio

The tank engine once shunted James' goods train for him and teased him about the incident he had with some bootlaces when he needed some to mend a hole in his coaches. He ran off laughing rudely, leaving a very angry James.

It can be assumed that the engine was sent back to his old railway after Percy was bought to the railway or that he was sent back because of bad behaviour, as he teased James about the incident with the bootlaces.

Basis

The tank engine's basis is unknown, but he appears to have side tanks from his cab to half-way along his boiler and might have a 0-6-2 wheel arrangement. He also resembles a North Eastern Railway N8/N9/N10 or a London, Tilbury and Southend 69 Class tank, as well as a slight resemblance to an LB&SCR E2 such as Thomas.

Livery

The tank engine is painted blue with red lining.

Appearance

Trivia

• In the television series adaptation of the first season episode, Troublesome Trucks and the magazine version, the tank engine's role was replaced with Thomas. In the pop-up book, James the Red Engine and the Troublesome Trucks, the role was replaced with a dark green tank engine. In the Engine Adventures book, James, the role was replaced with Charlie.
• In Toby the Tram Engine, a similar looking engine appears to be pulling the Breakdown Train after James collided with some tar tankers. It is unknown whether or not this is Thomas or the same engine.

Gallery

The Little Blue Tank Engine shunting trucks in the background

The Little Blue Tank Engine with James

Rev. W. Awdry's early sketch

A similar looking engine in Toby the Tram Engine

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