Trevor the Traction Engine
Encyclopedia
Trevor the Traction Engine is a fiction
al anthropomorphic character from The Railway Series
children's books by the Rev. W. Awdry, and the spin-off TV Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
.
Trevor is an agricultural engine – a traction engine
designed for general farm work – and is one of only two steam
-powered road vehicles that appear in the books (the other being George the Steamroller).
Trevor loves to work in the orchard and give rides to children. He is also used to saw logs and (in the TV series) once helped out at the harbour on Thomas'
branch line. He is very versatile and can work almost anywhere.
He has made friends with BoCo and Edward
, but is very quiet and shy. He loves the railway and has no prejudice against any of the engines. He now lives at the vicarage orchard
at Wellsworth on Edward's Branch Line.
sees Trevor in Wellsworth scrap yard, adjacent to Edward's branch line. Trevor says that he is due to be cut up the following week. Shocked, Edward mentions this to the local vicar
. Following a demonstration at the scrap yard, the vicar arranges to buy Trevor for use in his orchard. He also engages the services of Trevor's former driver, a local craftsman called Jem Cole, who previously used Trevor to thresh
corn, saw wood, haul goods between farms, and for other odd jobs. The story ends happily with Trevor doing what he likes best: giving rides to children at the annual church fête.
Trevor's second appearance in the books was in the story Trevor Helps Out. Here, Trevor is working in a field adjacent to the junction between Edward's Branch Line and the main line. He is sawing wood, providing power to a saw bench through a continuous belt from his flywheel
. While he is working, Edward passes with a train of 'clay-hood' wagons carrying china clay. Suddenly, a broken rail causes a coupling to break and half the train is left behind. Edward is now too far from the guard to hear him whistling, so Trevor starts blowing his own whistle furiously to attract the attention of Edward's driver, and hence prevent a bigger accident. In appreciation of Trevor's actions, the Fat Controller agrees to send Trevor to the NWR
Works at Crovan's Gate for boiler repairs, at his expense.
production, Trevor has appeared in the credit sequences as well as returning in full CGI in Season 15, but has not yet had a speaking role.
and has been seen in the opening sequences of the new Season 12 series.
book Edward the Blue Engine, Trevor is always painted black with gold boiler bands and chimney cap.
Trevor's second appearance is in the much later book Thomas and the Twins. In this he has a distinctly 'odd' appearance when compared with real preserved traction engines in general. This may be because he is painted all-over green, including his smokebox, and has bright yellow boiler bands. Traction engines and railway locomotives "always" have their smokeboxes painted black, presumably so as to not show the dirt from oil, ash and soot. On the other hand, his boiler is drawn larger than in the earlier book, with a diameter much more in keeping with the proportions of an 8nhp traction engine.
Throughout the television series, Trevor's shape resembles the pictures in the earlier book, but is consistently painted dark green with red wheels, black smokebox and gold boiler bands. However, he is correctly modelled with a third (middle) boiler band, which is 'missing' from the book illustrations; an omission which contributes to his 'odd' appearance in the book. This is an unusual occurrence, where the TV series portrayal of a 'Thomas' character is closer to the real thing than the book illustrations.
Ertl
produced a model called "Scrap Trevor". It featured a rather rusty version of Trevor, as well as a bogie well wagon that had "Saved From Scrap" printed on the side.
traction engine
built in the 1920s for farm work and hauling heavy loads. The Rev. 'Teddy' Boston
, who was a great friend of the Rev. W. Awdry, owned a similar 1927-built Foster traction engine called Fiery Elias. Many such traction engines are still used and looked after by steam enthusiasts, and are often the highlight of vintage vehicle rallies.
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
al anthropomorphic character from The Railway Series
The Railway Series
The Railway Series is a set of story books about a railway system located on the fictional Island of Sodor. There are 42 books in the series, the first being published in 1945. Twenty-six were written by the Rev. W. Awdry, up to 1972. A further 16 were written by his son, Christopher Awdry; 14...
children's books by the Rev. W. Awdry, and the spin-off TV Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
Thomas and Friends is a British children's television series, first broadcast on the ITV network in September 1984. Until 2003, it was named Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. This series was shot on 35mm film...
.
Trevor is an agricultural engine – a traction engine
Traction engine
A traction engine is a self-propelled steam engine used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location. The name derives from the Latin tractus, meaning 'drawn', since the prime function of any traction engine is to draw a load behind it...
designed for general farm work – and is one of only two steam
Steam engine
A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid.Steam engines are external combustion engines, where the working fluid is separate from the combustion products. Non-combustion heat sources such as solar power, nuclear power or geothermal energy may be...
-powered road vehicles that appear in the books (the other being George the Steamroller).
Trevor loves to work in the orchard and give rides to children. He is also used to saw logs and (in the TV series) once helped out at the harbour on Thomas'
Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
branch line. He is very versatile and can work almost anywhere.
He has made friends with BoCo and Edward
Edward the Blue Engine
Edward the Blue Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic steam locomotive from The Railway Series children's books by the Rev W. Awdry, and the related TV Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. He is a blue 4-4-0 tender engine with red stripes, about the same size as James the Red Engine, and has...
, but is very quiet and shy. He loves the railway and has no prejudice against any of the engines. He now lives at the vicarage orchard
Orchard
An orchard is an intentional planting of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production. Orchards comprise fruit or nut-producing trees which are grown for commercial production. Orchards are also sometimes a feature of large gardens, where they serve an aesthetic as well as a productive...
at Wellsworth on Edward's Branch Line.
Appearances
Trevor first appeared in the story 'Saved from Scrap'. While resting between duties, Edward the Blue EngineEdward the Blue Engine
Edward the Blue Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic steam locomotive from The Railway Series children's books by the Rev W. Awdry, and the related TV Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. He is a blue 4-4-0 tender engine with red stripes, about the same size as James the Red Engine, and has...
sees Trevor in Wellsworth scrap yard, adjacent to Edward's branch line. Trevor says that he is due to be cut up the following week. Shocked, Edward mentions this to the local vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
. Following a demonstration at the scrap yard, the vicar arranges to buy Trevor for use in his orchard. He also engages the services of Trevor's former driver, a local craftsman called Jem Cole, who previously used Trevor to thresh
Threshing machine
The thrashing machine, or, in modern spelling, threshing machine , was a machine first invented by Scottish mechanical engineer Andrew Meikle for use in agriculture. It was invented for the separation of grain from stalks and husks. For thousands of years, grain was separated by hand with flails,...
corn, saw wood, haul goods between farms, and for other odd jobs. The story ends happily with Trevor doing what he likes best: giving rides to children at the annual church fête.
Trevor's second appearance in the books was in the story Trevor Helps Out. Here, Trevor is working in a field adjacent to the junction between Edward's Branch Line and the main line. He is sawing wood, providing power to a saw bench through a continuous belt from his flywheel
Flywheel
A flywheel is a rotating mechanical device that is used to store rotational energy. Flywheels have a significant moment of inertia, and thus resist changes in rotational speed. The amount of energy stored in a flywheel is proportional to the square of its rotational speed...
. While he is working, Edward passes with a train of 'clay-hood' wagons carrying china clay. Suddenly, a broken rail causes a coupling to break and half the train is left behind. Edward is now too far from the guard to hear him whistling, so Trevor starts blowing his own whistle furiously to attract the attention of Edward's driver, and hence prevent a bigger accident. In appreciation of Trevor's actions, the Fat Controller agrees to send Trevor to the NWR
North Western Railway (fictional)
The North Western Railway is the main railway company featured in The Railway Series of children's books by the Rev. W. Awdry. Although the company's name has never been specifically stated in the books, it was mentioned as such in tie-in books such as The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and...
Works at Crovan's Gate for boiler repairs, at his expense.
TV series
Trevor first appeared in Season 2 of the television series Thomas and Friends and made frequent appearances until Season 12. Since the switch to CGIComputer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
production, Trevor has appeared in the credit sequences as well as returning in full CGI in Season 15, but has not yet had a speaking role.
On video
Trevor made an appearance in The Great DiscoveryThe Great Discovery
The Great Discovery is a 2008 film and feature spin-off of the TV series, Thomas and Friends. The film is a follow up, not a direct sequel to Thomas and the Magic Railroad and a sequel to Calling All Engines! The DVD was released on September 9 2008 in the United States and October 6 2008 in the...
and has been seen in the opening sequences of the new Season 12 series.
Livery
In The Railway SeriesThe Railway Series
The Railway Series is a set of story books about a railway system located on the fictional Island of Sodor. There are 42 books in the series, the first being published in 1945. Twenty-six were written by the Rev. W. Awdry, up to 1972. A further 16 were written by his son, Christopher Awdry; 14...
book Edward the Blue Engine, Trevor is always painted black with gold boiler bands and chimney cap.
Trevor's second appearance is in the much later book Thomas and the Twins. In this he has a distinctly 'odd' appearance when compared with real preserved traction engines in general. This may be because he is painted all-over green, including his smokebox, and has bright yellow boiler bands. Traction engines and railway locomotives "always" have their smokeboxes painted black, presumably so as to not show the dirt from oil, ash and soot. On the other hand, his boiler is drawn larger than in the earlier book, with a diameter much more in keeping with the proportions of an 8nhp traction engine.
Throughout the television series, Trevor's shape resembles the pictures in the earlier book, but is consistently painted dark green with red wheels, black smokebox and gold boiler bands. However, he is correctly modelled with a third (middle) boiler band, which is 'missing' from the book illustrations; an omission which contributes to his 'odd' appearance in the book. This is an unusual occurrence, where the TV series portrayal of a 'Thomas' character is closer to the real thing than the book illustrations.
Ertl
Ertl Company
The Ertl Company is an American toy company best known for its die-cast metal alloy collectible replicas of farm equipment and vehicles. The company is based in Dyersville, Iowa, home of the National Farm Toy Museum...
produced a model called "Scrap Trevor". It featured a rather rusty version of Trevor, as well as a bogie well wagon that had "Saved From Scrap" printed on the side.
Origins
Trevor is based around a William Foster & Co.William Foster & Co.
William Foster & Co Ltd was an agricultural machinery company based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England and usually just called "Fosters of Lincoln." The company can be traced back to 1846, when William Foster purchased a flour mill in Lincoln. William Foster then proceeded to start small scale...
traction engine
Traction engine
A traction engine is a self-propelled steam engine used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location. The name derives from the Latin tractus, meaning 'drawn', since the prime function of any traction engine is to draw a load behind it...
built in the 1920s for farm work and hauling heavy loads. The Rev. 'Teddy' Boston
Edwin Boston
The Reverend Edwin Richard Boston MA , known as Teddy Boston, was a Church of England clergyman and author. He built a narrow gauge railway in the grounds of his Rectory at Cadeby, Leicestershire, and was immortalized as the "Fat Clergyman" in The Railway Series children's books by the Rev. W...
, who was a great friend of the Rev. W. Awdry, owned a similar 1927-built Foster traction engine called Fiery Elias. Many such traction engines are still used and looked after by steam enthusiasts, and are often the highlight of vintage vehicle rallies.
See also
- Traction engineTraction engineA traction engine is a self-propelled steam engine used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location. The name derives from the Latin tractus, meaning 'drawn', since the prime function of any traction engine is to draw a load behind it...
- Cadeby Light RailwayCadeby Light RailwayThe Cadeby Light Railway was a narrow gauge railway in the garden of the rectory in Cadeby, Leicestershire.In the early 1960s the Reverend Teddy Boston became rector of All Saints' Church, Cadeby. Boston was a lifelong railway enthusiast and wanted to build a miniature railway in his new garden,...
– former home of the 'real' Trevor
External links
Sources
- Awdry, Rev. W., Edward the Blue Engine
- Awdry, Christopher, Thomas and the Twins
- Awdry, Rev. W. and G., The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways
- Awdry, Christopher, Sodor: Reading Between the Lines
- Clutterbuck, Martin, The Real Lives of Thomas the Tank Engine
- Sibley, Brian, The Thomas the Tank Engine Man