Sir Handel

Sir Handel is a blue narrow gauge saddle tank engine named after the Skarloey Railway's first owner, Sir Handel Brown. His original name, Falcon, is named after the works where he was built.

Biography
Sir Handel, originally named Falcon, was built in 1904 and sent to the Mid-Sodor Railway the same year. Initially, Duke took him under his wing, but soon was taken under Proteus' wing after his arrival in 1905. Proteus continued to teach Falcon until his death, in which Duke comforted him. Stuart was brought to the railway in 1920 as a means of cheering Sir Handel up, which worked wonderfully.

Falcon remained inseparable from Stuart right up until the end. The Mid-Sodor Railway closed in 1947, and Falcon was forced to leave his old friend Duke behind. Thankfully, he remained with Stuart and the two of them went to work for the Peel Godred Aluminum works until 1953.

In 1953, Stuart and Falcon were brought to the Skarloey Railway to assist Skarloey and Rheneas where they were renamed Peter Sam and Sir Handel respectively. Sir Handel wasn't happy to be working on a railway so similar to his old stomping grounds, as he felt history would end up repeating itself. He then watched as Rheneas was taken away to Crewe after his big wreck. Sir Handel struggled to adjust to his new life as so much of his past still haunted him. He couldn't take his mind off of Duke, Proteus, and the Mid-Sodor Railway. This distraction caused him to derail at Skarloey Station. He is also seen making snide remarks about Peter Sam's work ethic.

In 1958, Sir Handel was given an unwelcome visit by the ghost of his brother Proteus, who warns him of the danger Sodor is in. Sir Handel is so terrified and taken aback that he has no idea what to do. The words of his brother haunt him, but he doesn't know what to do or who to talk to about it.

Personality
Sir Handel/Falcon is a notoriously bad-tempered engine, but for good reason. His past haunts him and it makes his future seem grimmer and grimmer each day. But after his brother's warnings, his future seems almost non-existant, and he doesn't know what to do. He carries each and every one of his burdens all on his own and refuses to open up to anyone, not even his best friend Peter Sam.

Sir Handel is so beaten and broken that his voice has become more and more monotone over the years as his feelings are shown less and less. Sir Handel hopes that someday, his old friend Duke can be found and brought to the SR so he can finally open up about how he feels, given he refuses to do so with anyone else.

Basis
Sir Handel is based on the Talyllyn Railway's Sir Haydn, a Hughes Falcon 0-4-2ST that originally worked on the Corris Railway. Albert and Proteus share the same basis. The Corris Railway is currently building another "Falcon" locomotive.

Livery
Sir Handel is painted dark blue with red lining and brass fittings, with his name painted on the sides of his saddle tank in yellow.

Trivia

 * Sir Handel is GTSH's favorite Thomas character, and therefore is the main character of Sodor Then and Now
 * Sir Handel's right boiler nameplate was torn off during the production of 'Old Faithful'

Season 1

 * Sodor Then and Now 1: A New Beginning (S1, E1)
 * Sodor Then and Now 2: He's Number One! (S1, E2)
 * Sodor Then and Now 3: Prototype Failure (S1, E3)
 * Sodor Then and Now 6: Little Engines (S1, E6)
 * Sodor Then and Now 7: Old Faithful (S1, E7)
 * Sodor Then and Now 8: The Work Begins (S1, E8)
 * Sodor Then and Now 10: Boomer's Reign (S1, E10)