Hut---hut---hut, two, three, four. . .

[J3a-614]

The recent discussions on Rosie (who is at least partially based on a USATC S-100 switcher) got me to thinking about another engine, one not currently part of the Thomas world, but one that almost certainly would have been in the real one.  That locomotive would have been the USATC S-160, otherwise known as the GI 2-8-0, and a contemporary of the S-100.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USATC_S160_Class

http://www.worldrailfans.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10234&view=next

http://www.lner.info/locos/O/s160.shtml

http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/S160froggy.JPG

http://www.shrani.si/f/1r/7R/LZeayYW/wd701s160alton1990.jpg

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=46478

This was a locomotive built in large numbers, and used literally around the world in the postwar era.  (In fact, I originally commented in the standard HO forum that this would make a model that would be an international seller.)

Here's an opportunity and a possibility for a bit of fun.  How would one of these work out as a Thomas character?  As noted, it's not in the series in any form, so here's a chance to get ahead of HTI or whatever the company's name is that has the Thomas license (I'm not normally a Thomas fan, so please forgive me if I'm off base or something, I really don't know the series that well).

To get the ball rolling, I imagine this fellow as definitely American, a WW II veteran.  I picture his character in a couple of forms.  One could be as a gruff, rough former drill instructor, perhaps with a "Noo Joisey" accent, possibly chewing on a cigar (Ha!  I wonder how that would go over!).  Another variation would be as a former Southerner, a la Jim Nabors's Gomer Pyle.  Continuing the Southerner theme, he could even be a "black man," or person of color. 

Now, there are also challenges to here.  One is the "face."  This locomotive has a face only a mother could love, with an off-center smokebox door and an air compressor on one side (at least on the engines as delivered).  Another is, how do you work in a former combat veteran, perhaps one who is rather hardened, into a series that is aimed at sun and light?

Oh, if you are intrigued by this, a model is available, in white metal and brass, from DJH Engineering, Ltd., but be forewarned, it is a bit pricey compared with what you may be used to looking at, and it is a kit of white metal and brass. 

http://www.djhmodelloco.co.uk/

http://www.djhmodelloco.co.uk/prodloco.asp?ProdID=3073

http://www.british-ho.freeserve.co.uk/showcase/traction-steam/djh_usatc_s160_1.htm

I now open the floor for discussion. . .     

[Cheeky_ULP]

It would have made more sense if Hank was a member of this class, rather than a PRR K4.

[J3a-614]

There is a Pennsy K-4 on Sodor?  Man, I've been away a while!

Makes me wonder about the abilities of the current writers.  Would have been more logical for Hank to be an S-160 as you say, or perhaps even for a new series, a connection via ocean liner or something to America.

I once attempted to put together a TV series based on the adventures of railroaders on the job; for lack of a better term, it would have to be classed as an action-comedy.  It was intended as a family (as opposed to children's) program, live action format.  Much of the inspiration came from the Eddie Sand stories in "Railroad" magazine from years back, and books like "The General Manager's Story" by Herbert Hamblen, or "One Way to Eldorado," by Hollister Noble.  Had some great punch lines, courtesy of these now-public domain sources, such as the one from Edward Custer's "No Royal Road," in which a young engineer is attempting to explain away a minor accident and protect his coworkers.  When he got done at the inquest, the cigar-smoking superintendent said to him between puffs, "Young man, you have the makings of a first class railroader.  You can lie with the best of them.  About two weeks' [suspension] will fit your case."

Had twelve scripts written, and enough material for another 30, but I couldn't sell it to save my soul.

Anyway, the subject of war might be a bit touchy in this world, but at the same time, it could be handled well; Fred Rogers of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" could handle difficult subjects at times, and with enough talent this could be so here.

An example of our unnamed S-160's past adventures might be something like this clip from a film called "The Train."  The characters in this clip (and one of them is played by Burt Lancaster) are French railroad workers who are also in the Resistance near the end of the war, and in this segment they nearly become "friendly fire" casualties.  If you substitute American crews in France, our S-160 for the de Glenn compound 4-6-0, and a German fighter for the Spitfire, you almost have something, even for the normally gentle world of Thomas. . .I picture the recollection of such incidents as part of what would make the S-160 pretty unflappable no matter what the situation. . .in other words, a very wise locomotive. . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GUzTJCumuE

What do you think?

[Cheeky_ULP]

Nice to meet someone whose also in the film industry. I'm hoping to major in multimedia arts. Did you ever consider making out some storyboards to help sell your idea, if it is still in your interest?

And yes, you can read more about Hank here:
http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Hank
For more American locos, there's the USA tank Rosie, and the Logging Locos Bash Dash and Ferdinand:
http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Rosie
http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Bash_and_Dash
http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Ferdinand
The Reverend also had put in an American engine; Stanley, a narrow gauge locomotive that was replaced by Smudger:
http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Stanley_%28narrow_gauge%29
For rolling stock, there's Hector, who is a UP hopper:
http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Hector

Hope you find some of these to your liking!

[DinoNTrains]

Nice to meet someone whose also in the film industry. I'm hoping to major in multimedia arts. Did you ever consider making out some storyboards to help sell your idea, if it is still in your interest?

And yes, you can read more about Hank here:
http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Hank
For more American locos, there's the USA tank Rosie, and the Logging Locos Bash Dash and Ferdinand:
http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Rosie
http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Bash_and_Dash
http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Ferdinand
The Reverend also had put in an American engine; Stanley, a narrow gauge locomotive that was replaced by Smudger:
http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Stanley_%28narrow_gauge%29
For rolling stock, there's Hector, who is a UP hopper:
http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Hector

Hope you find some of these to your liking!

It really is interesting to see just how many American characters there are on TTTE.