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Behind the Scenes

You don’t need to be big and strong. Being a good engine’s all that matters.

Hank to Philip following the latter having an accident, "Pennsylvanian Pals", Season 5

Hank is an American Pennsylvania Railroad K4 Pacific tender engine who pulls goods trains. When he first arrived on Sodor, a welcome party was shortly thrown for him. He speaks with a Pennsylvanian accent.

Biography[]

Thomas & Friends[]

Thomas and Percy first met Hank at Brendam Docks when he arrived. Thomas was impressed by his size, until Hank told him he was "one of the finest little engines he'd ever seen." Thomas misinterpreted the comment as mockery of his size, and became determined to pull all of Hank's loads himself. While Thomas tired himself out pulling the heavy loads, Hank insisted that he should help Thomas with the train. Under the strain of his load, Thomas eventually cracked a cylinder and finally decided to accept Hank's offer for help. Hank pushed Thomas to Knapford Station, where the other engines greeted Hank enthusiastically[1].

Personality[]

Hank is large, and bold. While he may come across as brash in his cheery confidence and enthusiasm, Hank is used to being easily seen or heard. In his jolliness, he may seem a little goofy and kooky, especially with so many bells and whistles and a cowcatcher, but Hank has a big heart and is more than happy to lend a helping hand. Using his might, strength, and power to assist others is something that only comes all too naturally to him and he takes it in his stride, without second thought. Hank can become concerned about his friends though, as he gladly keeps an eye out for the other little engines. The only trouble with being Hank is that virtually every engine is smaller than him.

Basis[]

Hank is based on a Pennsylvania Railroad (PR) K4s Class Pacific. Two K4s are preserved: No. 1361 is currently undergoing another attempt at a restoration to operational condition as of January 30, 2022, and No. 3750 is on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania near the Strasburg Railroad, and are recognized as the Official State Steam Locomotives of Pennsylvania. Hank was most likely based on the PRR K4s' pre-war shape, more specifically #1361 as it most likely appeared when it was delivered to the Pennsylvania Railroad. A streamlined version of this class, more specifically K4s No. 3768, would serve as inspiration for Gordon's streamlined casing in The Great Race.

In reality, Hank would be too large for the British loading gauge. However, he has been re-scaled to avoid technical issues, although Hank is only partly modified to work on Sodor. His running plate has been altered, he is missing a headlamp, and he has buffers on his tender and screwlink couplings, yet he retains his cowcatcher (which has a lone front coupling without a chain).

According to concept designs made in 2007 by Philip Reeves, Hank was originally planned to be a Union Pacific Challenger Class. He would have most likely been based specifically on Challenger No. 3985.

Livery[]

Hank is painted ultramarine blue with red wheels, lining and a cowcatcher in front. This livery represents the colours of the flag of the United States of America. His smokebox and cab roof are painted dark grey.

Trivia[]

References[]

  1. T&F.12.06."Heave Ho Thomas!"



--- No Longer Painted Blue/Relocated/Scrapped
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