List of people and animals from Thomas & Friends

The following list of people and animals from Thomas & Friends describes the more notable people and animals that have appeared in the television series Thomas & Friends (along with The Railway Series books). The series features many fictional people and animals, including train drivers, footplate crews, workers and signalmen, whom interact with the railway engine and vehicle characters and form the basis for many of the varying storylines.

Major and recurring characters

Sir Topham Hatt
Main article: The Fat Controller

Sir Topham Hatt (also known as The Fat Controller) is in charge of all the engines of the North Western Railway on the island of Sodor.[1] He is nostalgic, and the way he runs his railway recalls the better elements of the days of steam. He sometimes works on the steam engines himself,[2] and as a young man he drove a steam-powered lorry named Elizabeth.[3] Sir Topham Hatt has great influence on the island. Perceptive and shrewd, he has used elaborate schemes to get to the bottom of a problem.[4][5] He is also firm but fair, and often acts as a father-figure to the railway engines - when an engine is upset he speaks to them kindly, and he treats all his engines equally. When an engine misbehaves, he is willing to allow them a second chance if they are truly sorry.

Voice actors include:

Lady Hatt

Lady Hatt is married to Sir Topham Hatt. She occasionally helps her husband with railway business, and the engines sometimes go to lengths to help throw parties for her birthday. She likes the railway, but had a certain dislike for Annie and Clarabel until they were cleaned and repainted. Although her husband runs a railway, she likes a day out on a boat or in their car.[6] From seasons 1 to 5, Lady Hatt had long, curly, red hair. In appearances since, she has short, straighter brown hair.

Voice actors include:

  • Fu Suzuki (Japan: seasons 5-7)
  • Ikumi Sugiyama (Japan: seasons 10-13)
  • Sakura Yoshioka (Japan: "Day of the Diesels" onward)

Stephen and Bridget Hatt

Stephen Hatt and Bridget Hatt live on Sodor and regularly spend holidays with their grandparents, Sir Topham Hatt and Lady Hatt. They spent a long holiday on Toby's old line. Stephen Hatt was excited when he first met Toby, but Bridget Hatt accidentally offended him by assuming he was an electric tram.[7] Some time later, after Toby came to Sir Topham Hatt’s railway, the family traveled with Toby to an old castle and mine on a map the children found.[8] The books give the children's full names as Stephen Topham Hatt and Bridget Amanda Hatt. Stephen Hatt ultimately became Sir Topham Hatt, like his father and grandfather. In the television series, the two have rarely aged.

Both had roles in episodes of series 1, 5, & 6.

Voice actors include Stephen:

  • Tomoko Naka (Japan: season 1 only)
  • Hiromi Nishida (Japan: "Toby's Discovery" only)
  • Chisato Nakajima (Japan: seasons 5–6; excluding "Toby's Discovery")
  • Kumiko Izumi (Japan: season 7 only)
  • Yasuhiko Kawazu (Japan: season 8 only)
  • Yuko Mizobe (Japan: season 10 only)
  • Yūko Nishi (Japan: season 13 only)
  • Takayuki Kawasugi (Japan: season 14 only)
  • Keiko Nemoto (Japan: season 19 onwards)

Bridget:

  • Chisato Nakajima (Japan: season 1 only)
  • Tomoko Naka (Japan: "Toby's Discovery" only)
  • Hiromi Nishida (Japan: "Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday" only)
  • Yuko Mizobe (Japan: seasons 10-13)
  • Hiro Nakajima (Japan: season 14 only)
  • Sakura Yoshioka (Japan: "Day of the Diesels" onwards)

Farmer Finney

Farmer Finney is the driver of Terence the Tractor. He owns a battery farm near Hackenbeck. His name was revealed in the 1996 annual story "James Gets Cracking." He first speaks in the season 21 episode "Terence Breaks the Ice." His CGI model is retooled from the stout member of the Sodor Brass Band.

Voice actors include:

  • Keith Wickham (UK/US: season 21 onwards)
  • Yuta Odagaki (Japan: season 21 onwards)

Mrs. Kyndley

Mrs. Kyndley is an elderly lady who lives near Thomas' branch line. While she was bedridden, an avalanche blocked the railway line by her house. By hanging a bright red dress from her window, she successfully stopped Thomas' train before it crashed. As a token of gratitude, Sir Topham Hatt paid for Mrs Kyndley to visit Bournemouth to get better. Years later, the other engines, hearing Thomas' story, wished to express thanks to Mrs Kyndley for helping the railway, and threw her a Christmas party at Tidmouth Sheds.[9] Percy's crew helped to gather a good luck package for her daughter's wedding: Old Slowcoach (something old), a new set of buffers (something new), a flatbed (something borrowed), and Thomas (something blue).[10] Once when her sister was unable to make a visit, Sir Topham Hatt went to great lengths to cheer Mrs. Kyndley up. She had a ride with Harold the Helicopter, then was taken by James to open the grounds at Harry Topper's Fair.[11]

Voice actors include:

  • Yumi Nakatani (Japan: seasons 1-5; excluding season 2)
  • Tomoko Naka (Japan: season 2 only)

Jem Cole

Jem Cole is Trevor's driver, and helped save him from scrap when Edward found him.[12] Jem Cole also does other mechanical work on Sodor, also restoring Elizabeth[3] and the Refreshment Lady's Teashop.[13] Jem Cole has a love for old vehicles, and was a member of the party that went to rescue a lost engine called Duke.[14] He was one of Rheneas' passengers in a famous night that saved the narrow gauge railway.[15] His goat once caused delay for Percy, but ended up saving Maithwaite Station from a group of vandals.[16] Jem's last mention by name was in season 7, in which he wore a suit and a derby, unlike his original, utilitarian look. He wasn't named again until season 20's "Three Steam Engines Gruff".

Voice actors include:

The Vicar

The Reverend is a vicar who lives at the Vicarage near Edward's branch line. When Trevor the Traction Engine was facing scrap, Edward and his crew pleaded to The Vicar for help. After a demonstration, The Vicar was able to purchase Trevor for an agreeable price, and gave him a new home at the Vicarage orchard.[12] The Vicar regularly holds Sunday School outings,[17] fetes, and garden parties.[18][19] He often employs Jem Cole and Trevor to give rides at such holidays.[18] He keeps bees in the orchard and gives some of the honey to his friends. One time their hive broke while en route, and became a nuisance to James and his crew until they could return them to the orchard.[20] The Vicar dresses in black with a wide-brim hat. In The Railway Series, the character of The Vicar appears in the books Edward the Blue Engine and Thomas and the Twins.

Voice actors include:

Farmer Trotter

Farmer Trotter is the owner of a pig farm. He also has sheep and bees. Farmer Trotter is good friends with Farmer McColl. He was one of the men that found Duke in series 4. His first speaking role was in series 7. Farmer Trotter has appeared in season 3 through 8, 10 through 14, 16 and 19. He was also mentioned in series 15 and 21, and has cameos in some films.

Voice actors include:

  • Hirohiko Kakegawa (Japan: season 3 only)
  • Naoki Kinoshita (Japan: season 5 only)
  • Kan Tanaka (Japan: season 13 onwards; excluding Season 14)
  • Nobuaki Kanemitsu (Japan: season 14 only)

The Refreshment Lady

The Refreshment Lady sells tea and other refreshments to passengers on the Narrow-Gauge Railway. She owns a shop at the bay called "Neptune's Refreshments." She was almost left behind once when Peter Sam rushed to the junction. She was angry at first, but forgiving when she learned that Henry had goaded him into rushing.[21] Later, Peter Sam helped the Refreshment Lady to set up a new, mobile shop by restoring an old, disused coach.[13]

Voice actors include:

  • Chizu Yonemoto (Japan: season 4 only)
  • Hiromi Nishida (Japan: season 7 only)

Dowager Hatt

Dowager Hatt is Sir Topham Hatt's mother, Lady Hatt's mother-in-law and Stephen and Bridget's great-grandmother, who had visited Sodor many times.[22][23] On one visit, after a string of technical problems on the railway, her Dalmatian became frightened and ran away, spending a work day inside Thomas' cab. She decides after the incident to call him "Gremlin," for all the errors that had happened that day.[22] Since season 13, Dowager Hatt appears to live on Sodor. She was first seen in season 5, and has appeared in most seasons of the series ever since. She also appeared in Day of the Diesels and cameoed in Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure and The Great Race. A portrait of her appeared in The Adventure Begins.

Voice actors include:

  • Fu Suzuki (Japan: season 5 only)
  • Keiko Nemoto (Japan: season 9 onwards)

Miss Jenny Packard

Miss Jenny Packard is the owner of a construction business known as Packard & Co., or the Sodor Construction Company. She often works closely with the railways and her machines, "The Pack," are friendly towards the railway.[24][25] She has red hair and has a Land Rover.

Voice actors include:

  • Harriet Kershew (UK/US: season 23 onwards)
  • Fu Suzuki (Japan: season 6 only)
  • Ikumi Sugiyama (Japan: "The Great Discovery" only)

Cyril The Fogman

Cyril is a Fogman who lives on Sodor in an old cottage in Misty Valley. When there is fog about, he puts detonators on the tracks to warn the engines about the fog. One time he was replaced by a Foghorn, but saved the day when the foghorn caused a landslide, and made Thomas crash. Cyril was soon given the job back. He is the second fogman named in the TV series, after Old Bailey from series 5.

Voice actors include:

  • Ryōichi Tanaka (Japan: season 6 only)
  • Nobuaki Kanemitsu (Japan: season 11 only)
  • Yuta Odagaki (Japan; season 22 onwards)

Farmer McColl

Farmer McColl lives and works on a farm in the countryside with many animals, including cows, chickens, sheep and pigs. Sometimes when there's bad weather on the island, he needs help from engines to keep his animals safe and healthy. Engines like Toby the Tram Engine,[26] Emily[27] and Trevor the Traction Engine have all helped Farmer McColl in some way for his animals. Once, Thomas the Tank Engine left a group of schoolchildren at his farm, and they spent the day learning about the animals.[28] Farmer McColl was introduced in season 6.

Voice actors include:

Allicia Botti

Allicia Botti is a famous opera singer (a coloratura). Thomas is chosen to take her to perform at a concert. However, after finding a mouse inside Clarabel, she refuses to travel in the coach. She instead chooses Percy.[29] Posters of her concerts are seen throughout the show.

Voice actors include:

  • Jules de Jongh (UK/US)
  • Fu Suzuki (Japan: season 6 only)
  • Nanaho Katsuragi (Japan: season 11 onwards)

Sodor Brass Band

The Sodor Brass Band are musicians who come to Sodor to perform. The engines transport them and enjoy their tunes, and they play wherever they are needed, such as Lady Hatt's birthday party. They also play music for the Sodor Circus. The Brass Band consists of 6 people, playing instruments like the trumpet, trombone, and the tuba.

Voice actors include:

Band Leader:

Stout Band Member:

Other Band Members:

  • Keiji Hirai (Japan: season 7 only)
  • Ryō Horikawa (Japan: season 8 only)
  • Nobuaki Kanemitsu (Japan: season 9 onwards)

The Duke and Duchess of Boxford

The Duke and Duchess of Boxford semi-regularly visit Sodor, and have their own private engine Spencer, whom on his first visit to Sodor, boasted to Gordon but then ran out of water on Gordon's Hill. The Duke and Duchess later bought a holiday home on the Island, and had Edward the Blue Engine take their furniture wagon, who beat Spencer to the house. The Duke and Duchess visit quite regularly to see the railway.

Voice actors include:

The Duke:

  • Shōto Kashii (Japan: season 11 onwards)

The Duchess:

  • Kumiko Itō (Japan: "Hero of the Rails" only)
  • Hiro Nakajima (Japan: "Percy and the Calliope" and "Welcome Stafford" only)
  • Erina Yamazaki (Japan: season 16 onwards)

Lord Callan

Lord Callan is the Scottish-born lord (and owner) of Callan Castle and nearby surrounding land. He first appeared in season 7.

Voice actors include:

Mr. Percival

Mr Peregrine Percival, The Thin Controller, is the head of the Skarloey Railway in the show. He is often found on his bike. He wears glasses and a bowler hat. In the US version, he is sometimes referred to as the Narrow-Gauge Controller. Mr Percival was introduced in season 9. In Season 10 he is featured with his unnamed wife.

Voice actors include:

  • Shōto Kashii (Japan: season 9 onwards)

The Mayor of Sodor

The Mayor of Sodor was first mentioned in seasons 7 and 8, before making his first appearance in season 11.

Voice actors include:

  • Nobuaki Kanemitsu (Japan: season 13 onwards)
  • Yuta Odagaki (Japan; season 22 only)

Mr. Bubbles

Mr. Bubbles is a clown famous for blowing very big bubbles and performing with very large balloons. The hat he wears during performances looks like a funnel Thomas once had to wear.

Voice actors include:

  • Nobuaki Kanemitsu (Japan: season 13 onwards)

The Dock Manager

The Dock Manager is in charge of Brendam Docks. Another dock manager has appeared in the series prior to season 13. He appeared in season 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12.

Voice actors include:

  • Nobuaki Kanemitsu (Japan: "Misty Island Rescue" onwards; excluding seasons 16 & 18)
  • Daiki Nakamura (Japan: season 16 only)
  • Kōichi Sakaguchi (Japan: season 18 only)

Sir Robert Norramby
Norramby's coat of arms

Sir Robert Norramby is the Earl of Sodor and the owner of Stephen, Millie, Glynn and Ulfstead Castle. His official title is Earl, although he is popularly called "The Duke of Sodor". In The Railway Series, he succeeded to the title as a boy after his father was killed in the Second World War. In The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways he is termed Richard Robert Norramby. He opened the loop line to Lakeside on the Skarloey Railway.[30] He returned to Sodor after traveling the world, to restore Ulfstead Castle and turn it into a visitor attraction.

Voice actors include:

  • Mike Grady (UK/US: King of The Railway onwards)
  • Shingo Fujimori (Japan: "King of the Railway" only)
  • Kiyonobu Suzuki (Japan: "King of the Railway" (Netflix version) onwards; excluding "Reds vs. Blues")
  • Shigenori Sōya (Japan, "Reds vs. Blues" only)

Captain Joe

Captain Joe is Skiff's present owner, and the lighthouse keeper at Arlesburgh Harbour, who made his debut in the season 20 episode "Blown Away". Following Sailor John's arrest, Captain Joe bought and now presently owns Skiff. In "Blown Away", he and Skiff once helped the residents of Arlesburgh to prepare for a storm.

Voice actors include:

  • Shinichiro Kamio (Japan: season 20 onwards)

Fergus Duncan

Fergus Duncan (aka The Small Controller') is the controller of the 15-inch gauge Arlesdale Railway. He is taller than Sir Topham Hatt and Mr Percival.

Voice actors include:

Thin Clergyman

The Thin Clergyman writes books. He is modeled after Wilbert Awdry. He first appeared in Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure.

Voice actors include:

  • Shōto Kashii (Japan; Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure only)
  • Masashi Ebara (Japan: season 20 onwards)
  • Kiyonobu Suzuki (Japan; The Great Race only)
  • Isamu Yusen (Japan; Journey Beyond Sodor only)
  • Mitsuhiro Sakamaki (Japan; Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie only)

Fat Clergyman

The Fat Clergyman takes photographs. His first appearance was in season 20. He also appears in season 21 and is modeled after Edwin Boston.

Voice actors include:

  • Nobuaki Kanemitsu (Japan: season 20 and 21)
  • Ryuzou Ishino (Japan: season 22)

Farmer Willie

Farmer Willie is a farmer (and tractor driver) who works on a farm, near the 15-inch gauge Arlesdale Railway.

Voice actors include:

  • Tooru Akiyoshi (Japan: season 20 onwards)

Ruth

Ruth is an inventor who made her debut in Season 24, where she brings technology to the fair on Sodor.

  • Dominique Moore (UK/US: Season 24 onwards)

DVD live action segments

Mr. Arkwright

Mr. Arkwright is an engine driver and a close assistant to The Fat Controller. Introduced in the 2009 video "Team Up With Thomas," Arkwright presents live-action segments between the stories in which he instructs viewers to help him in a project, such as creating an engine out of cardboard boxes for The Fat Controller's grandchildren.[31][32] His office is located in the engine drivers' locker room at Knapford Station. Displayed inside the office are portraits of The Fat Controller and the engines.

Mr. Perkins

Mr. Gilbert Perkins (played by Ben Forster) is an engine driver who works on Sodor and is a good friend of Sir Topham Hatt. He has appeared in between stories on DVDs since 2010, showing the viewers how to make crafts like a cake that looks just like Thomas to dressing up to reading stories. In further appearances, he was shown reading Railway Series stories to the viewers and writing postcards in Mr Edwards' signal box. He hosted a version of Down at the Station titled Mr Perkins' Railway.

Minor characters
  • Railway Inspectors: There are many Railway Inspectors in the series. The first appearance of one of these is in Series 1's Thomas Goes Fishing, in which one is called to examine the cause of Thomas' troubles (the cause was fish in Thomas' boiler). Other Inspectors have featured in later episodes.
  • Queen Elizabeth II: she is the queen of Buckingham Palace in London and once knighted Sir Topham Hatt as controller for his own railway. she also went to the North Western Railway for a royal visit and thanked all of his engines for making such a fine railway.

TBA: (UK/US:season 24)

  • Nancy is a guard's daughter featured in The Railway Series and in Thomas and Friends. She lives around the narrow-gauge railway, and sometimes polishes the engines to make them shiny.She works hard, and has many friends on the railway.
  • Tom Tipper is a postman, appearing in the season 4 episode "Mind That Bike". He delivers letters and parcels to people all over the island in his van. He helps Thomas and Percy with the Mail Train by transferring parcels into their coaches, which the engines then take to different stations. One day, his manager decides to replace the van with a bike to save money. However, after Percy accidentally runs over the bike, Tom is soon using his van once again.
  • The Important Passenger appeared in the season 4 episode "Thomas and Stepney". After Thomas had left with his last branch line train, the Passenger appeared and requested a special train for himself, resulting in Thomas being shunted to a siding while Stepney took the Special Train.
  • The Cricketers feature in one season 4 episode: "Train Stops Play". While Stepney is waiting at a signal, their ball is hit into one of his trucks, and they chase him down the line using Caroline the Car in an attempt to retrieve it.
  • Old Bailey is a fogman in the books and show. Originally he ran a country railway station, but the station closed and he had to work as a fogman on an old line near a ravine.
  • Mrs. Kyndley's daughter was to get married in one episode; however, Mrs. Kyndley did not have a good luck package for her. Percy the Small Engine went and found one (consisting of Thomas the Tank Engine, New Buffers, Old Slow Coach and a Flat Truck). Mrs Kyndley's daughter was delighted and the episode concluded with Mrs Kyndley's daughter kissing Percy 'thank you', about which made Percy embarrassed.
  • Mr. Hastings (also known as Headmaster Hastings) is featured in Thomas and Friends. He is the headmaster of Strawberry Grove School, located near the narrow-gauge railway.
  • The Bird Watcher first appeared in the series 13 episode, "Henry's Good Deeds" where he was looking for the Sodor Warbler, a bird. He has subsequently made numerous cameo appearances.
  • Sailor John is a man who made his debut in Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure as the main antagonist. Kicked out of the Navy, he retired to the Island of Sodor and became obsessed with the idea to find the long-lost treasure. He is capable of elaborate engineering, such as adapting Skiff to run on rails. He formerly owned Skiff.
  • Baz and Bernie are two crooks who made their debut in Marvelous Machinery as the main antagonists. Looking for something to steal at the technology fair, they used Sonny (who they formerly owned ). Following Sonny’s betrayal, they used Kenji as their runaway vehicle. Eventually, Thomas caught up to him using the Blastbooster-7. He stopped Kenji as the two were arrested.
  • Dr.Kim Is a Chinese inventor who invented the Metal Man.
  • Dr.Holyfield is a guy from the Mainland who invented a milkshake making machine
  • Dr.Hetty is an English woman who invented the Mighty Magnet, a small electromagnet.
  • Professor Friedrich is a German man who invented a jet engine called the Blastbooster-7.

Animals

A number of animals appear as character, many in one episode or with several cameos. Various farm and sea animals appear, as well as Sir Topham Hatt's cat. Other characters include Pegasus, a light brown cart horse, featured in the season 7 episode "Harold and the Flying Horse". He lives on a farm near Harold the Helicopter's airfield, and Harold regularly sees him. After an accident, he is airlifted out of trouble by Harold. Pegasus gives rides to children at The Vicar's summer fete, on his new cart.

References
  1. Thomas and Friends series 1, "Come Out Henry"
  2. Thomas and Friends series 1, "Henry’s Special Coal"
  3. Thomas and Friends series 6, "Elizabeth the Vintage Quarry Truck"
  4. Thomas and Friends series 2, "Diesel’s Devious Deed"
  5. Thomas and Friends Series 2, "A Close Shave For Duck"
  6. Thomas and Friends Series 5, "Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday"
  7. Thomas and Friends Season 1, "Toby The Tram Engine"
  8. Thomas and Friends Series 5, "Toby's Discovery"
  9. Thomas and Friends Series 1, "Thomas' Christmas Party"
  10. Thomas and Friends Season 5, "Happy Ever After"
  11. Thomas and Friends Season 5, "Make Someone Happy".
  12. Thomas and Friends Season 2, "Saved from Scrap"
  13. Thomas and Friends Season 7, "The Refreshment Lady's Tea Shop"
  14. Thomas and Friends Season 4, "Sleeping Beauty"
  15. Thomas and Friends Season 4, "Gallant Old Engine"
  16. Thomas and Friends Season 5, "Baa!"
  17. Thomas and Friends Season 3, "Percy's Promise"
  18. Thomas and Friends Season 3, "Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party"
  19. Thomas and Friends Season 7, "Best Dressed Engine"
  20. Thomas and Friends Season 3, "Buzz Buzz"
  21. Thomas and Friends Season 4, "Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady"
  22. Thomas and Friends Season 5, "Gordon and the Gremlins"
  23. Thomas and Friends Season 9, "Thomas and the Birthday Picnic"
  24. Thomas and Friends Season 6, "Jack Jumps In"
  25. Thomas and Friends Season 6, "A Friend in Need"
  26. Thomas and Friends Season 6, "Toby Had a Little Lamb"
  27. Thomas and Friends Season 8, "Emily's Adventure"
  28. Thomas and Friends Season 8, "Chickens to School"
  29. Thomas and Friends Season 6, "Thomas, Percy and the Squeak"
  30. Awdry, Reverend W.; Awdry, George (1987). The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways. Kaye and Ward. p. 107.
  31. Thomas and Friends: Team Up With Thomas Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
  32. Thomas and Friends: Percy and the Bandstand Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
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