People and animals (Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends)
The television series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends features many fictional people and animals who interact with the engine characters and form the basis for many of the varying storylines. The following list describes, in order of TV season number, the people and animals that have appeared. A few have appeared in more than one episode, but most appear just once. The story titles are shown in brackets after the characters name.
A number of the characters originated in The Railway Series of childrens books by the Revd. W Awdry. Where appropriate, cross-links are provided to allow access to the non-TV side of the character in question.
For further information on Season 1, Season 2, etc, please see the links in the navigational box at the bottom of the page.
Contents
People
Season 1
The Fat Controller
The Fat Controller (more formally known as Sir Topham Hatt) is in charge of all the engines on Sodor, and seemingly has a great deal of influence over other vehicles as well. He may best be described as a "firm but fair" leader, and is an extremely complex character. He often acts as a father-figure to the engines of Sodor - every time an engine is upset he speaks to them kindly, and he loves all his engines equally. He does not stand for any nonsense, but he is also forgiving. When an engine misbehaves, as they often do on his railway, he is willing to allow them a second chance if they are truly sorry.
He is also quite perceptive and shrewd, and is not above using elaborate schemes to get to the bottom of a problem. For example, when Diesel had been spreading rumours about Duck telling jokes about the big engines, he sent Duck to Edward's Branch line, but some time later, The Fat Controller complimented Duck for his bravery, confiding that he never truly believed Diesel's lies.
He is undeniably nostalgic, and the way he runs his railway recalls the better elements of the days of steam. Indeed, he is not afraid to get his hands dirty if it is on the footplate of a steam engine. As a young man, he learnt to drive in Elizabeth, the vintage lorry.
The Angry Policeman
The Angry Policeman is a constable in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. He took over the job when the old Constable retired, and he was not what Thomas expected. He was grumpy and rude, and booked Thomas for traveling along a roadside line without cow catchers or side-plates, and then argued with the Fat Controller at a country station. Soon the matter was fixed by Toby being brought to the Island to run the line instead. Toby ended up scaring this policeman once, and that's how Thomas and Toby became good friends. The policeman still works hard making sure the rules on Sodor are followed.
The Angry Policeman was seen in Season 1 in 'Thomas in Trouble', and owns a policebike.He was also seen in season 4 in the episode "Steam Roller." These are his only appearances in the TV series.
Stephen Hatt
Stephen Topham Hatt lives on the Island of Sodor, and regularly has outings and holidays with his grandparents and sister. Stephen loves trains, and was excited when he first met Toby the Tram Engine. Stephen also has a bit of knowledge about the Island, of which is the reason they discovered the Old Castle and the mine (in which Bertram was found).
Stephen Hatt only appeared in a few Season 1 and 5 episodes, but made cameos in 'Thomas and the Tuba' and 'Thomas and the Circus'.
In the Railway Series, Stephen ultimately took the railway over, and is the current Fat Controller. However, in the television series he has always remained a child.
Bridget Hatt
Bridget Amanda Hatt lives on Sodor, and regularly goes for outings and holidays with her grandparents. On one occasion they went to Toby the Tram Engine's old line, and she thought he was an electric tram! But, apart from that, they had a wonderful holiday, and Toby enjoyed it too. Sometimes they also go to the seaside, which one time led to a hunt for an old castle and a mine, in which Toby ended up making a new friend. Bridget Hatt loves living on Sodor, and seeing the trains.
Bridget Hatt's full name is Bridget Amanda Hatt (her middle name being her mother's). Her parents (mentioned only in the book 'Sodor: Reading Between the Lines') are Charles and Amanda Hatt. Bridget was last featured in Season 5, but made a cameo in Thomas and the Tuba, and Thomas and the Circus in Season 8.
Lady Hatt
Lady Jane Hatt, formerly Jane Brown, helps her husband run the railway, and is happiest when she sees new lines opened, and has had some special birthday parties (but most of the time surprises occur on her birthday). She likes the railway, but had a certain dislike of Annie and Clarabel. Later, she took a liking to them, after they got new coats of paint. Although her husband runs a railway, she likes a day out on a boat or in their car.
She first appeared in Season 1, and has had a few appearances throughout the series, her last appearance (currently) being in "Which Way Now".
Sir Topham Hatt's Butler
The Fat Controller's Butler is a loyal and trustworthy butler, who answers the phone for the Fat Controller, and does many other household jobs. Sir Topham Hatt's Butler has only been featured in two stories, "Thomas in Trouble" ("Thomas Breaks the Rules" in the U.S.) in Season 1, and "Fergus Breaks The Rules", in Season 7, but made a good impression.
Jeramiah Jobling
Jeremiah Jobling was a passenger featured in the Railway Series story "James and the Bootlace", from the book James the Red Engine.
Jeremiah was travelling on James' train when it stopped unexpectedly between stations. On investigation, James' driver found a hole in one of the pipes that connect the brakes between the carriages. The hole caused a leak that made the brakes come on, but the driver knows he can fix it with some newspaper and a leather bootlace. Jeremiah Jobling is the only passenger with leather bootlaces, and is extremely reluctant to hand them over. However, after a heated discussion with the other passengers, he does so, and the train can continue on its journey.
In the television series adaptation ("James and the Coaches"), Jeremiah Jobling's name is not mentioned.
Mrs. Kyndley
Mrs. Kyndley is an elderly lady who lives on the Island of Sodor in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. She lives in an old cottage near Hackenback, and is best friends with Thomas and Toby. Everyday she sees Thomas, and she brightens up his day. One day, a landslide blocked the line, and she rescued Thomas from running into it by waving her red dressing gown out of her window. As a thank you, all the engines threw her a party. Mrs. Kyndley also has a sister, and a daughter who was married in Season 5.
Railway Inspectors
There are many Railway Inspectors in the series. The first appeared in Season 1's Thomas Goes Fishing, in which the Inspector is called to see if he knows what is causing Thomas' troubles (the cause was fish in Thomas' boiler).
Other Inspectors have featured in later episodes, such as the Season 4 episode 'Bowled Out', where his hat was sucked into the Diesel’s air intake, Season 6’s 'Harvey to the Rescue', where they watch a demonstration by Harvey before deciding if he is to stay on the railway, and Season 8’s 'Spic and Span', where they judge the cleanest engine on the Island.
Season 2
Jem Cole
Jem Cole is a person living on the Island of Sodor in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Show. He is Trevor's driver, and helped save him from scrap when Edward found him. Jem Cole also does other mechanical work on Sodor, also restoring Elizabeth the Sentinel Lorry and the Refreshment Lady's Teashop. Jem Cole has a love for old vehicles, as he was one of the people who went to rescue Duke, and was also one of Rheneas' passengers when he saved the day. Jem Cole also has a pet goat, which caused delay for Percy, but saved Maithewaite Station. Jem Cole is a loyal and friendly vehicle enthusiast, and will always continue to help them.
He appeared both in the Railway Series and TV Series, but isn't seen much in the new seasons now. His last mentioned appearance was in 'The Refreshment Lady's Teashop', where he must have come into some money, as he was wearing a suit and a bowler hat! For the "Bulgy" episode of Thomas & Friends, Jem Cole becomes an angry passenger.
The Vicar of Wellsworth
Reverend Charles Laxely (aka the Vicar) is a fictional character who lives on the Island of Sodor on the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV series. He is the vicar of Wellsworth near Edward's line, and regularly sees him. One day Edward told the Vicar about Trevor the Traction Engine being scrapped, and he saved him. The Vicar also owns an Orchard, where Trevor works.
The Vicar has two sons, and regularly holds Sunday School Outings, Fetes, and Garden Parties; of which all the engines enjoy. His usual dress is black clothing with a wide-brim black hat. He also keeps bees, from which he gives honey to his friends, and caused a bit of trouble for James.
The Vicar was introduced in Season 2, and was last mentioned in Season 7. He hasn't made a direct appearance since Season 3. In The Railway Series by the Rev. W. Awdry the character of The Vicar appears in the book Edward the Blue Engine and is based on the Rev. Awdry's friend and fellow railway enthusiast the Rev. Teddy Boston.
Other
- Sam the farmer (from 'Ghost Train/Percy's Ghostly Trick')
- Charlie Sand (Edward's Driver)
- Sidney Hever (Edward's Fireman)
- Daisy's Fitter (from 'Daisy')
- The Careless Cleaner (from 'Thomas Comes To Breakfast')
- The Lady with the Green Floppy Hat (from 'Wrong Road')
- The Barber (from 'A Close Shave')
- Santa Claus/Father Christmas (from 'Thomas & the Missing Christmas Tree')
Season 3
- The Injured Sailor (from 'All At Sea')
- The Railway Inspector #1 (from 'No Joke For James' and 'Thomas, Percy & the Post Train')
- The Quarry Master (from 'Heroes')
- The Angry Farmer (from 'Mavis')
- The Yard Foreman (from 'One Good Turn')
- Fogman with Red Light (from 'Thomas & Percy's Christmas Adventure')
Injured Sailor
The Injured Sailor appeared in one Season 3 episode, "All At Sea". He injured his hand during the regatta, and Duck brought him to Bertie who took him to the hospital. The sailor's name is never mentioned.
Season 4
The Refreshment Lady
The Refreshment Lady is a person featured in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. She sells tea and refreshments to passengers on the Narrow-Gauge Railway. At first, she had a bayside shop, then moved to Rumblin Bridge Station, but wanted to expand. With the help of Peter Sam, she was given a tearoom on wheels, made out of an old coach by Jem Cole. Peter Sam now takes her around Sodor in the mobile coach, selling tea and cakes to passengers and tourists.
The Refreshment Lady first appeared in Season 4, and then made a few more appearances in Season 7, and made an unseen cameo in the Season 8 episode 'Edward the Great'. Her accent however has changed since Season 4 for the British narration. She also appears in the season 8 episode ‘Thomas and the Circus’.
Nancy
Nancy is a guard's daughter featured in The Railway Series and in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. She lives around the narrow-gauge railway, and sometimes polishes the engines to make them shiny. On one occasion she was polishing Skarloey for when Rheneas comes home, and Duncan became extremely jealous. However, she works hard, and has many friends on the railway.
Nancy has only been featured in one TV Story, but made another in the Railway Series Book 'Very Old Engines'. She also makes a cameo in 'Harold and the Flying Horse' near the end, and several cameo appearances in many Season 7 episodes.
Tom Tipper
Thomas (Tom) Tipper is a postman featured in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV series. He is busy carrying and delivering letters and parcels to people all over the Island in his little red mail van. He helps Thomas and Percy with the Mail Train by transferring parcels into the Sodor Mail Coaches, and then the engines take them to different stations. But one day his manager decided a van cost too much money, and he had to use a bike. After Percy accidentally ran over the bike, he got his red van back, and now is busier and more useful than ever.
Tom Tipper only appeared in one story in Season 4, but his Mail Van has made many cameos in Season 5, 6, 7 and 8 Series. His van has also been made into an Ertl die-cast model.
Important Passenger
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
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.
Other
- The Cricketers of Elsbridge
- The Queen (from 'Paint Pots and Queens')
- The Mid-Sodor Railway Controller/The Manager (from 'Granpuff' and 'Bulldog')
- Champion's Owner (from 'Bullseyes')
- The 'Relief' Postman (from 'Mind That Bike')
- The Important Passenger (from 'Thomas and Stepney')
Season 5
Old Bailey
Old Bailey is a fogman in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Children's television series. 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. One night Henry the Green Engine was spooked by his warnings about the viaduct, but after a crash he discovered the truth. As a reward for warning Henry, Old Bailey was able to open and run the station again, and now he is described as "the friendliest ghost on the Island" by the Fat Controller.
Old Bailey has only appeared in one Season 5 episode, as has his rare pump car.
He is named after the Old Bailey in London.
Mrs. Kyndley's Daughter
Mrs. Kyndley's daughter features in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV series. She 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' (Of which made Percy quite embarrassed!).
Mrs. Kyndley's Daughter only appears in one Season 5 story, 'Happy Ever After'.
Dowager Hatt
Dowager Hatt is The Fat Controller's mother and has visited Sodor once, and her son held a party for her. Her dalmatian dog (soon to be named Gremlin) ran away. She says the Railway is really useful, and the Fat Controller says she is always right!
Dowager Hatt was introduced in Season 5, made a cameo in Season 6, and appears again in a Season 9 Story. Her full title is Dowager Hatt, revealed in the Season 9 episode in the UK.
She is the only member of the household to originate in the television series, never having appeared in the books.
Other
- Butch's Driver (from 'Horrid Lorry')
- Harry Topper (mentioned, but not seen - In 'Make Someone Happy')
- Mrs. Kyndley's Sister (mentioned, but not seen - from 'Make Someone Happy')
- The Fire Fighters (from 'Thomas, Percy And Old Slow Coach')
- Bi-Plane's Pilot (from 'The Fat Controller's Holiday')
- Lorry 2's Driver (from 'Horrid Lorry')
- The Important Passenger/Playground Planner (from 'Thomas & the Rumours')
- Harold's Pilot (from 'The Fat Controller's Holiday')
Season 6
Cyril The Fogman
Cyril is a Fogman who lives on the Island of Sodor in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Show. He lives in an old cottage in Misty Valley, and has a very important job. 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, and has proven to be a really useful Fogman. He is the second fogman named in the TV Series, after Old Bailey from Season 5.
Cyril was only featured in one story 'The Fogman', but made a cameo in the Village Crowd in 'It's Only Snow/Thomas' Snowy Surprise'.
Miss Jenny Packard
Miss Jenny Packard is an Irish person featured in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series.
Miss Jenny is the manager of the Sodor Construction Company (aka the 'The Pack'), which consists of Jack, Alfie, Max, Ned, Kelly, Oliver, Isabella, Byron, Buster, Nelson, Monty, and Patrick. She gives them the jobs to do, and is disappointed when one of them jumps in and does other vehicles work. That's why her motto is "Don't Jump in Where you don't Belong" and "Safety First". Jack, the newest member of the Pack soon learned this. She runs the quarry efficiently with the help of the Quarry Foreman, and will most likely run the company for many years to come. Her father, Mr. Packard, first started the Construction Company, purchasing Kelly, the first and oldest Pack member.
Miss Jenny owns a black dog, and is only featured in 2 Season 6 episodes and the video 'On Site with Thomas', of which the Pack have only appeared in too.
Farmer McColl
Farmer McColl is a fictional character who lives on the Island of Sodor in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV series. He lives and works on a farm in the countryside, and has plenty of animals, including Cows, Chickens, Sheep and pigs. But 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, Emily and Trevor the Traction Engine have all helped Farmer McColl is some way for his animals. Once, Thomas the Tank Engine left a bunch of schoolchildren at his farm, and they learnt all about the animals, and were very happy.
Farmer McColl was introduced in Season 6, and has made other appearances in the later episodes.
Alicia Botti
Alicia Botti is a fictional famous opera singer featured in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. She visited the Island of Sodor for a concert, and Thomas the Tank Engine was chosen to take her to the theatre. But a mouse was found in Annie and Clarabel, and scared her. Percy the Small Engine was then chosen to take her to the concert. The concert was a success, and everyone thinks she is indeed a very good singer. Gordon notes that she is a Coloratura.
Alicia Botti was introduced in Season 6 story 'Thomas,Percy and the Squeak', and made another appearance in 'Percy & the Magic Carpet'. Posters of her concerts are seen throughout the recent series.
Mr. Hastings
Mr. Hastings (also known as Headmaster Hastings) is a person featured in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. He is the headmaster of Strawberry Grove School, located near the narrow-gauge railway. One day he needed an organ delivered there, and Duncan took it. Duncan lost his whistle and Mr. Hastings used the organ as a replacement. Duncan and Mr. Hastings got the organ to the school safely and on time, and was a success.
Mr. Hastings only appeared in one story, being 'Faulty Whistles', and appears to play the organ very well.
The Gentlemen of the Railway Board
The Gentlemen of the Railway Board is a fictional group of men featured in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. They help run the Fat Controller's Railway in the Island of Sodor and help the Fat Controller decide what engines can come and work on Sodor. They usually stay as a group in public, and consist of 6 gentlemen wearing black suits. They were the people who decided Harvey the Crane Engine could stay after he rescued Percy the Small Engine after an accident. They prefer to ride in Bertie the Bus, and they all look very much alike.
The Gentlemen of the Railway Board were introduced in Season 6, but were only featured in one story.
Other
- The Vet (from 'Toby Had A Little Lamb')
- Mr. Jolly (seen, but not mentioned - from 'Percy's Chocolate Crunch')
- The Red Balloon's Pilot (from 'James & the Red Balloon' and 'The Grand Opening')
Season 7
Sodor Brass Band
The Sodor Brass Band are musicians featured in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. They came to the Island of Sodor to play music around the island. Edward the Blue Engine was sent to collect them, but he had an accident, and Bertie the Bus was going to take them, but he got stuck in mud, so Edward ended up taking them. The engines enjoy their tunes, and they play wherever they are needed. They have had many surprises on Sodor, an example of a time when they were to play at Lady Hatt's birthday party, but Thomas the Tank Engine left the tuba player behind! They also play music for the Sodor Circus, recently visiting Sodor.
The Brass Band consists of 6 people, playing instruments like the trumpet, trombone, and the tuba. They were introduced in Season 7, and have made many appearances in the later seasons.
Other
- Lord Callan (from 'Bad Day at Castle Loch')
- Duke and Duchess of Boxford (mentioned in 'Gordon & Spencer. Seen in 'Edward the Great')
- Lighthouse Man (from 'Salty's Stormy Tale')
- Fisherman (from 'Something Fishy')
- The Miller (from 'Toby's Windmill')
Season 8
- The Ice Cream Factory Manager (from 'Too Hot For Thomas')
- The Railway Inspector #2 (from 'Spic and Span')
- Circus People (from 'Thomas & the Circus')
- Circus Ring Leader (seen, but not mentioned - from 'Thomas & the Circus')
- Mayor of Sodor (never seen, but mentioned in 'As Good As Gordon')
Season 9
Mr. Percival
Mr. Percival, The Thin Controller is the head of the Skarloey Railway in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Show based on The Railway Series books written by Rev. W. V. Awdry. He brought Mighty Mac to the Railway and is usually found on his trusty bike. He stands for no nonsense from his engines. He looks like the Fat Controller, only thin and wears glasses and a bowler hat. In Season 10 it is revealed he is bald under his hat.
Mr. Percival was introduced in Season 9, and resembles the Thin Controller from The Railway Series, Mr. Peter Sam. Because of this, he is called the Thin Controller in the UK, while he is sometimes called the Narrow-Gauge Controller.
A Thomas magazine recently did a profile on Mr. Percival. It revealed that his full name was Mr. Peregrine Percival, and he is married to a woman named Polly, and has four children. It also states that he likes bikes, hates cars, and his hero is the Fat Controller. However, not everything in the magazine series is true. In Season 10 however he is featured with his wife, but her name wasn't mentioned or confirmed.
Other
- The Baker (from 'Thomas' Milkshake Muddle')
- Famous French Artist (from 'Percy & the Oil Painting')
Season 10
- Dusty Dave (from 'Follow That Flour')
- Alice (from 'Thomas and the Birthday Mail')
- The Admiral (from 'Thomas and the Treasure')
Animals
Season 1
- Hat-Eating Goat ('from Edward, Gordon and Henry')
- Seagull ('from The Flying Kipper')
- Sheep (from 'Down the Mine' and 'Four Little Engines')
Season 2
- Bluebell the Cow (from 'Cows' and 'Percy's Predicament')
- Bluebell's Calf (from 'Cows)
- Edward's Cows (from 'Cows')
Season 3
- Thomas' Toad (from 'Trust Thomas')
- Dilly the Duck (from 'Donald's Duck')
- The Vicar's Bees (from 'Buzz Buzz')
- Bulgy's Hens (from 'Bulgy'and 'Bulgy Rides Again')
- Spooky Owl (from 'Thomas,Percy,and the Dragon')
- Guard's Dog (from 'Escape')
Season 4
- Champion the Bull (from 'Bullseyes')
- The Circus Elephant (from 'Henry & the Elephant')
Season 5
- Spooky Owl (from 'Haunted Henry')
- Hungry Ram (from 'Baa!')
- Gremlin the Dalmatian (from 'Gordon & the Gremlin')
- The Bull (from 'Gordon & the Gremlin' and 'Faulty Whistles')
- The Fireflies (from 'Duncan Gets Spooked')
Season 6
- Miss Jenny's Dog (from 'Pack' episodes)
- Farmer McColl's Dog (from 'Toby Had a Little Lamb')
- Farmer McColl's Sheep/Lambs (from 'Toby Had a Little Lamb')
- Alicia the mouse (from 'Thomas, Percy and the Squeak')
Season 7
Pegasus
Pegasus is a light brown cart horse featured in the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. He lives on a farm near Harold the Helicopter's airfield, and Harold regularly sees him. Pegasus also gives rides to children at The Vicar's summer fete, on his new cart. But one day he strayed into a ditch, and Harold had to pull him out using his sling. As he flew to the fete, Percy the Small Engine thought Pegasus could fly! Pegasus arrived safely, and heaps of children were happy when he gave them rides.
Pegasus was mentioned in only one Season 7 story, but made a cameo in another. His owner also owns the Old Green Tractor, seen many times around the Island of Sodor.
Other
- Sir Topham Hatt's Cat (from 'Snow Engine')
Season 8
- Farmer McColl's Pigs (from 'Chickens to School')
- The Chickens (from 'Chickens to School')
- Circus Animals (from 'Thomas & the Circus')
- The Seals (from 'Emily's New Route')
Season 9
- The Golden Eagle (from 'Thomas & the Golden Eagle')
Season 10
- Alice's dog
