Thomas the Train Characters – The Steam Team

The Steam Team is made up of eight main characters that live and work on the Island of Sodor.  For more than sixty years Thomas and his friends have been working the railways on Sodor. Sir Topham Hatt is the Fat Controller and calls Thomas a Really Useful Engine, one of the highest compliments given. Originating in the Irish Sea, Sodor is actually a fictional island made up by creator Wilbert Awdry. This diamond shaped island is meant to be between the Isle of Man and England.

Thomas the Tank Engine

Not only is he the Number 1 blue engine, he’s number one in many of our kid’s eyes as well! He’s really well known for being over-eager and taking on more than he can handle. Maybe that’s why kids love him so much, because he always tries so hard. Thomas is the type of engine who consistently works hard and aims to be a Really Useful Engine.

He started out on Sodor shunting coaches for the Main Line engines Gordon and Henry. Thomas is known to be rather cheeky and he liked to play tricks on the other engines. But he is also known for having a kind heart – and being quite forgetful. Percy the Small Engine is often portrayed as Thomas’ best friend.

Percy the Small Engine

Percy the Tank Engine

Accident-prone Percy and Thomas are good friends. When Thomas ran the Main Line, Percy ran Thomas’ branch line.  Percy is the smallest and youngest of them all and shows off the number six on his engine.

Gordon the Big Engine

Gordon The Big Engine

Gordon is a blue engine carrying the number four. He’s also the biggest engine and he pulls the Express (so he thinks he’s very important indeed). Not only is he the biggest but also the fastest engine on Sodor. Gordon is strong and hardworking but can be a bit boastful at times.

Henry the Green Engine

Henry the Tank Engine

Henry is the next biggest engine on Sodor and sometimes helps out with the Express when Gordon cannot haul. But poor Henry has a multitude of fears and is prone to sickness, which often gets in the way of doing his job.

James the Red Engine

James the Tank Engine

James can be rather shallow and often believes he is better than others. He is painted red with yellow stripes and black lining and extremely proud of this too.

Edward the Blue Engine

Edward the Tank Engine

Edward’s strong point is being kind hearted. He loves helping out those in need. A very hard worker, he always strives to do his best to complete a job. Even though he is often viewed as old and slow, he is more than capable of doing his job and much wiser than the other engines as well.

Toby the Tram Engine

Toby the Tram

Toby is an old and hardworking tram engine. He has two coaches (Henrietta and Victoria). He enjoys spending time with the pigs at Farmer Trotter’s pig farm and likes listening to the birds by his shed.

Emily

Emily the Tank Engine

Bossy and fussy, Emily certainly has a strong personality. She’s nice though, and acts like a sister to many of the other engines. She really likes James though, just as if he were her little brother. Emily has shiny paintwork and brass fittings – a beautiful engine.