Proteus

Proteus was an golden saddle tank engine that worked on the Mid-Sodor Railway with Duke and his brother Falcon until his death in 1919.

Biography
Proteus was built in 1904 and sent to the Mid-Sodor Railway a year later as the MSR's number 4. He worked with his brother Falcon for many years up until 1919 when he died tragically.

He returned as a ghost in 1957 to warn Sir Handel of the imminent danger approaching Sodor. Proteus knew exactly what Boomer was planning and wanted to prevent it, but Sir Handel was still in disbelief and struggled to believe that what he had seen was real. As such, he kept his encounter and the information that he'd learned silent, and Proteus' return was kept in vain.

It is unknown how or why Proteus was able to return as a ghost or what he is capable of as a ghost aside from learning information about others.

Personality
Proteus was a very caring, considerate engine with a bit of an ego. He was very intelligent and knew what to do in certain situations. Perhaps his strongest trait was his ability to work incredibly well under pressure, which is what prevented an even worse disaster from occuring upon his death. His cause of death is known only by Duke and Falcon, but it is known that he died in sacrifice.

Basis
Proteus is based on the real-life locomotive Sir Haydn, the locomotive on the Talyllyn Railway. Sir Handel shares the same basis. Both are a Hughes Falcon 0-4-2ST saddle tank engine.

Livery
Proteus is painted bright yellow with red stripes and gold buffers. When he was working on the MSR, he had the number 4 below his cab.

Appearances

 * Sodor Then and Now 8: The Work Begins (S1, E8)

Trivia

 * Before GTSH acquired Proteus, Proteus' role was very uncertain given how rare the TM model is.
 * The decision to make Proteus Sir Handel's official brother was made in early 2019.
 * Proteus' appearance in Episode 8 was initially going to be in Episode 9, but it was pushed forward an episode in order for Episode 9 to focus solely on Donald and Douglas.
 * GTSH and his closest friends are the only ones that know how Proteus dies.
 * Proteus' death will be explained in both Season 2 and the Duke the Lost Engine Movie
 * Proteus' lamp has significance in why he is a ghost.