Edward

Edward is a blue mixed-traffic tender engine that works on the Brendam Branch Line. He was teased by the bigger engines for being smaller than them

Biography
Edward was built by the Furness Railway Company and modeled after a Sharp, Stewart and Co. K2 class. There, he was taken under his brother Eric's wing, learning what it meant to be a hard worker and a good engine. The two worked well together until Edward was sold to the North Western Railway in 1915. Edward was now left to fend for himself, though he managed to befriend Skarloey. A conversation with an old truck left him a lot to think about, but he was able to conclude that he would find his place on Sodor. A few days later, a tank engine named Thomas arrived and Edward quickly showed him the ropes. After a number mix up, Edward agreed to be the Sodor Railway's number 2 instead of the number 1. Edward and Thomas were the first engines to pull the Sodor Railway's first trains. Edward hit his then top speed of 70 miles per hour and was given the express as a reward for his incredible run.

Edward and Thomas worked well on Sodor and waited patiently for more engines to arrive. Henry arrived in 1920 and Edward helped Henry through all his illnesses and issues.

Gordon arrived in 1924 and quickly took a disliking to Edward. Edward once again proved himself by reaching his top speed during his express run, a feat he hadn't done since the railway first opened. After Henry was given the express, Edward broke down and Henry was forced to take the fish train Edward was originally supposed to take. The journey ended in disaster however when Henry crashed into another goods train. Henry was sent to be rebuilt and Thomas, Edward, and Gordon were left on their own on the railway.

In 1925, Edward helped welcome James to the railway and congratulated Thomas when he received his branchline. Edward was sent to double head the express with James and scolded James when he was acting too pompous and eager. He then consoled James when James opened up to the other engines about his past and apologized for his rude words. Edward encouraged James to redeem himself and prove his worth, which he did. James thanked Edward for his advice just in time for Henry to return home from Crewe.

In 1929, Edward welcomed Percy to the railway and grew a fondness for the young shunter.

In 1948, Edward was promoted to become the Wellsworth Brancline's dedicated engine. He took this opportunity with excitement and also began work on a new dockyard near Brendam.

In 1953, Edward was sent for repairs where he was reunited with Skarloey after several years of not seeing each other.

In 1957, Edward helped diffuse a situation between Duck, Diesel, and the three big engines after Diesel spread rumors about the big engines and pinned the blame on Duck. Edward claimed that although Sir Bertram's leadership wasn't as strong as it used to be, he would still be able to get to the bottom of the investigation and send Diesel away. At the same time, James started to get fed up of Edward supposedly sticking his nose in others' business, and claimed he acted all high and mighty because he was older and wiser. Henry noted that Edward learned from his mentor and that his mentor most likely isn't alive any longer. A few days later, Edward was pulling a train with Duck when James raced past without a crew. Edward chased after and eventually caught James, allowing history to repeat itself, only to realize that Duck was also a runaway. Duck crashed into the barber shop and Edward and James were the first to rescue him. Edward also helped confront Diesel at Knapford Station after Diesel was caught in his lies.

In 1959, Edward attempted to talk the engines out of initiating a plan to keep Donald and Douglas on the railway, but was unsuccessful in doing so. He then scolded Gordon's ignorance to sentient vehicle laws before he witnessed Henry, James, and Douglas' arrests. He also admitted to being in on the plot, but was not arrested or charged. A few weeks later, he introduced himself to Splatter, Dodge, and Diesel 10, offering his apologies to any rude words that might be said. A few days after that, Edward went with Thomas and Gordon to find out what happened to Donald. He and Thomas were captured at Knapford Station and taken to Crovan's Gate works. There, they found that Diesel was partially behind what was happening. After James was thrown in the works, Edward was able to convince Diesel to abandon Boomer and join them. Diesel abandoned the engines at the works in order to alert the authorities and Edward was set free by Gordon and Mr. Hugh. He returned to Knapford to see the horrors that had unfolded. He then saw Diesel 10 attempting to escape, and chased him alongside Gordon, Oliver, Thomas, and eventually Donald. After passing Crovan's Gate, Edward's old parts began to wear and tear, and eventually he completely fell apart with his side rod ripping off and some of his wheels collapsing. Edward was knocked out and couldn't move any further. Charles stated that Edward was left severly damaged from the attack. Although Edward survived, it is unknown how long it will take for him to be repaired.

Personality
Edward is very kind-hearted and wise engine who feels the need to oversee what many engines do and say. He's assisted almost all the engines on Sodor in some way and has a huge impact on the way some of them act. He took Thomas under his wing completely, assisted Henry through his illness, took Duck under his wing, won the respect of James, and befriended Toby and Skarloey. He learned from his brother how to be helpful, respectful, and wise.

Edward also appears to have more determination than any other engine on Sodor, and constantly proves time and time again that his age has little impact on how he operates and performs.

He also has a humorous side to him that comes out every once in a while.

Basis
Edward is based on a heavily modified Sharp, Stewart and Co. "Larger Seagull" K2 Class, supplied to the Furness Railway in 1896.

Sodor "historian" Martin Clutterbuck notes that Edward bears a close resemblance to an LNER D34 "Glen" (NBR Reid Class K) 4-4-0 and an LNER D20 (NER Class R) from the London and North Eastern Railway. He also bears a strong resemblance to an LNER D40 (GNSR Class F). The Reverend W. Awdry also used an LMS Class 2P to represent Edward on his model railway.

Visible Crovan's Gate Works modifications are: making the rear splashers flush with the cab, removal of the coupling rod splashers, upgading his top speed to 80 mph, new cab windows as opposed to cutaways in his cab side sheets and square cab lookouts as opposed to the original round ones.

Livery
Edward is painted in NWR bright blue with red and yellow lining. His number is painted on the sides of his tender in yellow with red lining and the lining around his cab windows is yellow.

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 4: Gresley's Greatest (S1, E4)
 * Sodor Then and Now 5: Proving Worthy (S1, E5)
 * 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 9: The Caledonian Engines (S1, E9)
 * Sodor Then and Now 10: Boomer's Reign (S1, E10)

Trivia

 * Edward is slated to appear in Sodor Then and Now Season 2 with a bit of a different look.
 * Edward was initally supposed to narrate his first episode, but that idea was cut.
 * Edward intially had no scenes or lines in Old Faithful, but it was decided he should have a scene with Skarloey in order to expand on their bond.