FanFic:Tales from Southampton Harbor: Characters: Richard

Richard is an express engine who lives at Southampton Harbor.

History

Richard was built in 1929 and arrived in Southampton Harbor the next year. He quickly became friends with the shunting engines there, and earned their trust and respect. When the other tender engines teased him for this, he stood up for them, and later he willingly shunted with them in order to get an important job done.

Richard was allowed to run express for the first time in 1945, and although he accidently started too early (leaving all of his passengers behind, a la the story Wrong Road) he proved that he was capable of the job. However, he continued to also take frieght trains.

When the engines of Southampton Harbor were withdrawn in November 1967, Richard was shipped away to a scrapyard. His fate is currently unknown.

Personality

Richard is a friendly, down-to-earth engine. He is a hard worker and won't hesitate to roll up his hypothetical sleeves and do jobs most express engines would shudder at (i.e. shunting and pulling freight trains). He is also very forgiving and finds it hard to keep a grudge.

Basis and Livery

Richard is based on a Southern Railway U class 2-6-0 lcomotive. He's painted in the railway's standard malachite green.