Rusty (fictional locomotive)

Rusty is a fictional narrow gauge diesel locomotive character in Wilbert Awdry's Railway Series books and in the accompanying television series Thomas & Friends. Rusty lives and works on the Skarloey Railway on the Island of Sodor as Engine No. 5.

Rusty the Diesel
Thomas & Friends character
Rusty in the Television Series
First appearanceThe Little Old Engine (1959)
Created byRev. W. Awdry
Voiced byMatt Wilkinson (UK/US)
Number5 (Narrow gauge engine)
In-universe information
GenderMale (Railway Series; TV Series 9 onwards)
Female (Series 9, US,TV)
Neutral (TV Series 4-Calling All Engines!)

Rusty first appeared in the railway series in Volume 14, The Little Old Engine.[1]

Character

Rusty is a very self-assured and dedicated diesel with a huge heart who was built in 1957 by Ruston and Hornsby. He loves adventure and the other engines, which makes their lives much easier. He is used for maintenance work and motive power in case of emergency or breakdown.[1]

Name

Rusty's name is a portmanteau of Ruston and Hornsby, the locomotive's manufacturers. In the TV series this was developed by giving the engine a rust-colour[2] (Rusty was black in the Railway Series).

Merchandising
Commercial models of Rusty
Model range Type Color
Ertldie-cast metalNormal
Take Along/Take n Playdie-cast metalNormal
Thomas & Friends Wooden RailwaywoodNormal
TrackMasterplastic motorizedNormal
Mega BloksplasticNormal
My First ThomasplasticNormal
BachmannHOe scale plasticNormal

Prototype
Midlander on the Talyllyn Railway

Rusty is based on the Locomotive Midlander who works at the Talyllyn Railway in Tywyn, Mid-Wales. Like the Fictional Character, Midlander also carries the number 5, and was acquired by the Talyllyn Railway in 1957, although the fictional locomotive was new when acquired by the Skarloey Railway, however Midlander was 8 years old when purchased by the Talyllyn Railway.

References
  1. Awdry, Wilbert. The Little Old Engine.
  2. "Rusty - Character Profile & Bio". thomasandfriends.com. Retrieved 10 July 2018.


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