The following list of people and animals from Thomas & Friends describes the more notable people and animals that have appeared in the television series Thomas & Friends (along with The Railway Series books). The series features many fictional people and animals, including train drivers, footplate crews, workers and signalmen, who interact with the railway engine and vehicle characters and form the basis for many of the varying storylines.
Sir Topham Hatt (also known as "The Fat Controller") (voiced by Keith Wickham in the UK, the US version beginning with The Adventure Begins and Kerry Shale in the US and by Bruce Dow in All Engines Go) is the controller of the North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor and formerly the Skarloey Railway and Lady Hatt's husband.[1] He sometimes works on the steam engines himself,[2] and as a young man he drove a steam-powered lorry named Elizabeth.[3] Perceptive and shrewd, he has used elaborate schemes to get to the bottom of a problem.[4][5] His catchphrases are "You are a really useful engine." when he is proud of his engines and "You have caused confusion and delay!" when one of his engines messes up on something.
Lady Hatt (voiced by Teresa Gallagher in the UK and Jules de Jongh in the US and Rachael Miller in Series 24) is Sir Topham Hatt's wife. She is very kind towards the engines. Although her husband runs a railway, she likes a day out on a boat or in their car.[6]
Stephen Hatt (voiced by Matt Wilkinson in the UK and William Hope) is Sir Topham and Lady Hatt's grandson and Bridget Hatt's brother.
Bridget Hatt (voiced by Teresa Gallagher in the UK and Jules de Jongh in the US and Rachael Miller in Series 24) is Sir Topham and Lady Hatt's granddaughter and Stephen Hatt's sister.[7][8]
Farmer Finney (voiced by Keith Wickham) is the driver of Terence. He owns a battery farm near Hackenbeck. His name was revealed in the 1996 annual story "James Gets Cracking". He first speaks in the twenty-first series episode "Terence Breaks the Ice". His CGI model is retooled from the stout member of the Sodor Brass Band.[citation needed]
Mrs. Kyndley is an elderly lady who lives in a cottage near Hackenback Tunnel. While she was bedridden, an avalanche blocked the railway line by her house. By hanging a bright red dress from her window, she successfully stopped Thomas' train before it crashed. As a token of gratitude, Sir Topham Hatt paid for Mrs. Kyndley to visit Bournemouth to get better. Years later, the other engines, hearing Thomas' story, wished to express thanks to Mrs. Kyndley for helping the railway, and threw her a Christmas party at Tidmouth Sheds.[9] Percy's crew helped to gather a good luck package for her daughter's wedding: Old Slow Coach (something old), a new set of buffers (something new), a flatbed (something borrowed), and Thomas (something blue).[10] Once when her sister was unable to make a visit, Sir Topham Hatt went to great lengths to cheer Mrs. Kyndley up. She had a ride with Harold, then was taken by James to open the grounds at Harry Topper's Fair.[11]
Jem Cole (voiced by Christopher Ragland) is Trevor's driver, and helped save him from scrap when Edward found him.[12] Jem Cole also does other mechanical work on Sodor, also restoring Elizabeth[3] and the Refreshment Lady's Teashop.[13] Jem Cole has a love for old vehicles, and was a member of the party that went to rescue a lost engine called Duke.[14] He was one of Rheneas' passengers in a famous night that saved the narrow gauge railway.[15] His goat once caused delay for Percy, but ended up saving Maithwaite Station from a group of vandals.[16] Jem's last mention by name was in the seventh series, in which he wore a suit and a derby, unlike his original, utilitarian look. He wasn't named again until the twentieth series "Three Steam Engines Gruff".[17]
The Reverend is a vicar who lives at the Vicarage near Edward's Branch Line. When Trevor was facing scrap, Edward and his crew pleaded to the Vicar for help. After a demonstration, the Vicar was able to purchase Trevor for an agreeable price, and gave him a new home at the Vicarage orchard.[12] The Vicar regularly holds Sunday School outings,[18] fetes, and garden parties.[19][20] He often employs Jem Cole and Trevor to give rides at such holidays.[19] He keeps bees in the orchard and gives some of the honey to his friends. One time their hive broke while en route, and became a nuisance to James and his crew until they could return them to the orchard.[21] In The Railway Series, the character of the Vicar appears in the books Edward the Blue Engine and Thomas and the Twins.[citation needed]
Farmer Trotter (voiced by Matt Wilkinson in the UK and Kerry Shale in the US) is the owner and operator of a pig farm. He also keeps beehives and has been known to herd sheep. According to a magazine article, he also keeps cows and chickens and grows carrots and potatoes. Jem Cole, Terence and Trevor sometimes work on his farm.[citation needed]
The Refreshment Lady sells tea and other refreshments to passengers on the Narrow Gauge Railway. She owns a shop at the bay called "Neptune's Refreshments". She was almost left behind once when Peter Sam rushed to the junction. She was angry at first, but forgiving when she learned that Henry had goaded him into rushing.[22] Later, Peter Sam helped the Refreshment Lady to set up a new, mobile shop by restoring an old, disused coach by Rusty.[13]
Nancy is a guard's daughter who lives near the Skarloey Railway and occasionally polished the engines.
Tom Tipper (voiced by Keith Wickham) is a postman who services Callan.
Dowager Hatt (voiced by Keith Wickham) is Sir Topham Hatt's elderly mother, Lady Hatt's mother-in-law and Stephen and Bridget's great-grandmother, who had visited Sodor many times.[23][24] On one visit, after a string of technical problems on the railway, her Dalmatian became frightened and ran away, spending a work day inside Thomas' cab. She decides after the incident to call him "Gremlin", for all the errors that had happened that day.[23]
Old Bailey (voiced by Matt Wilkinson in the UK and Kerry Shale in the US) is a fogman and the current stationmaster of the Hawin Lake. He also works at the Blue Mountain Quarry.
Cyril (voiced by Kerry Shale) is a fogman who lives on Sodor in an old cottage in Misty Valley. 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. He is the second fogman named in the TV series, after Old Bailey from the fifth series.[citation needed]
Jenny Packard (affectionally known as Miss Jenny) (voiced by Harriet Kershaw) is an Irish woman who is the owner and leader of the Sodor Construction Company. She often works closely with the railways and her machines, "The Pack", are friendly towards the railway.[25][26]
The Foreman (voiced by Keith Wickham) is Miss Jenny's second-in-command and a member of the Sodor Construction Company.
Farmer McColl (voiced by Matt Wilkinson in the UK and Kerry Shale in the US) lives and works on a farm in the countryside with many animals, including cows, chickens, sheep and pigs. Sometimes when there's bad weather on the island, he needs help from engines to keep his animals safe and healthy. Engines like Toby,[27] Emily[28] and Trevor have all helped Farmer McColl in some way for his animals. Once, Thomas left a group of schoolchildren at his farm, and they spent the day learning about the animals.[29]
Allicia Botti (voiced by Jules de Jongh) is a famous opera singer from Italy (a coloratura). Thomas is chosen to take her to perform at a concert. However, after finding a mouse inside Clarabel, she refuses to travel in the coach. She instead chooses Percy.[30] Posters of her concerts are seen throughout the show.[citation needed]
The Sodor Brass Band (both voiced by Keith Wickham) are musicians who come to Sodor to perform. The engines transport them and enjoy their tunes, and they play wherever they are needed, such as Lady Hatt's birthday party. They also play music for the Sodor Circus. The Brass Band consists of 6 people, playing instruments like the trumpet, trombone, and the tuba.[citation needed]
The Duke (voiced by Matt Wilkinson in the UK and William Hope in the US) and Duchess of Boxford (voiced by Teresa Gallagher in the UK and Jules de Jongh in the US) semi-regularly visit Sodor, and have their own private engine Spencer, who, on his first visit to Sodor, boasted to Gordon, but then ran out of water on Gordon's Hill. The Duke and Duchess later bought a holiday home on the Island, and had Edward take their furniture wagon, who beat Spencer to the house. The Duke and Duchess visit quite regularly to see the railway.[citation needed]
Lord Callan (voiced by Keith Wickham) is the Scottish-born lord (and owner) of Callan Castle and nearby surrounding land.[citation needed]
Mr. Peregrine Percival (also known as "The Thin Controller" to the engines) (voiced by Keith Wickham in the UK and Kerry Shale in the US) is the controller of the Skarloey Railway in the show. He is often found on his bike. In the US version, he is sometimes referred to as the Narrow Gauge Controller. In the tenth series, he is featured with his unnamed wife.[citation needed]
The Mayor of Sodor (voiced by Keith Wickham in the UK and David Bedella in the US) is in charge of the Island. He was first mentioned in the seventh and eighth series, before making his first appearance in the ninth series.[citation needed]
Sir Lowham Hatt (voiced by Keith Wickham in the UK and Kerry Shale in the US) is the jolly twin brother of Sir Topham Hatt.
Mr. Bubbles[a] (voiced by Keith Wickham in the UK and Michael Brandon in the US) is a clown famous for blowing very big bubbles and performing with very large balloons. Sometimes, during performances, he wears a hat that looks like a funnel Thomas once had to wear.[31]
Norramby's coat of arms
Sir Robert Norramby (voiced by Mike Grady) is the current Earl of Sodor and the owner of Railway engines Stephen, Millie, Glynn and Ulfstead Castle.[citation needed] His official title is Earl, although he is popularly called "The Duke of Sodor". In The Railway Series, he succeeded to the title as a boy after his father was killed in the Second World War. In The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways he is termed Richard Robert Norramby. He opened the loop line to Lakeside on the Skarloey Railway.[32] He returned to Sodor after traveling the world, to restore Ulfstead Castle and turn it into a visitor attraction.[citation needed]
Captain Joe (voiced by Matt Wilkinson) is Skiff's present owner, and the lighthouse keeper at Arlesburgh Harbour. Following Sailor John's arrest, Captain Joe bought and now presently owns Skiff. In "Blown Away", he and Skiff once helped the residents of Arlesburgh to prepare for a storm.[citation needed]
Mr. Fergus Duncan (also known as "The Small Controller" (voiced by Rob Rackstraw) is the controller of the 15-inch gauge Arlesdale Railway. He is actually taller than Sir Topham Hatt and Mr. Percival.[citation needed]
The Thin Clergyman (voiced by Rob Rackstraw) writes books. He is the fictional version of the franchise's creator, Wilbert Awdry.[citation needed]
Willie (voiced by Keith Wickham in Series 20 and Steven Kynman in Series 24) is a farmer (and tractor driver) who works on a farm, near the 15-inch gauge Arlesdale Railway.[citation needed]
Charubala (voiced by Sheena Bhattessa) is the controller of the Indian Railway.
Dame Bella Canto (voiced by Flaminia Cinque) is a famous Italian opera singer.
Mr. Arkwright (played by Robert Slade) is one of the drivers on Sodor and Sir Topham Hatt's assistant. Arkwright presents live-action segments between the stories in which he instructs viewers to help him in a project, such as creating an engine out of cardboard boxes for the Fat Controller's grandchildren.[33][34] His office is located in the engine drivers' locker room at Knapford Station. Displayed inside the office are portraits of Sir Topham Hatt and the engines.[35]
Mr. Gilbert Perkins (played by Ben Forster) is a driver who works on Sodor and is a good friend of Sir Topham Hatt. He has appeared in between stories on DVDs since 2010, showing the viewers how to make crafts like a cake that looks just like Thomas to dressing up to reading stories. In further appearances, he was shown reading Railway Series stories to the viewers and writing postcards in Mr. Edwards' signal box. He hosted a version of Down at the Station titled Mr. Perkins' Railway.[36]
