Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia
Register
Advertisement
Main Page

Frank is a grumpy but kind diesel who works on the Arlesdale Railway.

Biography

Frank was built at Arlesburgh Works circa 1967 out of bits and pieces from several other engines. He is powered by a Perkins diesel engine, and was named after its creator. Frank is a shunter who is used for maintenance work and empty carriage workings across the Arlesdale Railway.

When The Railway Series' twenty-second book, Small Railway Engines was first published, Frank became infuriated when he found out that he had been left out due to the Thin Clergyman not being aware of his presence. He then refused to come out of the shed the next morning, but when he did, he only resulted in running into the back of the shed, cracking a shed support. He then felt ashamed of what he had done, but later redeemed himself by rescuing Rex when his steam pipe leaked and taking his train. Believing Frank should not have to do rescues, the Small Controller realised the railway needed another engine, which came in the form of Jock.[1]

Personality

Frank is often described as being inclined to be grumpy and becomes irritable quite easily, especially when he feels left out of things. When in a bad mood, Frank tends to be uncooperative, leading to mishaps such as his incident with the shed wall. Though he may have a bad attitude at times, Frank knows the importance of friendship and teamwork and will always help a friend in need.

Technical Details

Basis

Frank is based on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway's Perkins. Unlike Perkins, Frank has added round buffers.

Prior to his concept being finalised, Frank was to have a steam-outline shape, as carried by Perkins between 1933 and 1984.[2]

Livery

Frank is painted light grey with a red stripe around his body. He has a red nameplate with a gold border on his sides with his name on them, also in gold. His buffer beams are painted red with silver buffers.

Originally, when he was intended to be a steam-outline diesel, Frank was specified as being green.

Appearances

Official Description

From Official Media:[1]

Frank: Frank is a diesel engine who tends to be grumpy when left out of things. Though he may have a bad attitude at times, Frank knows the importance of friendship and teamwork.

From Official Media:[2]

Frank: Frank is a grumpy diesel engine. He has a tendency to het uptight and moody which gets him into trouble by causing minor bumps and accidents.

Audio Files

Whistle

In James and the Diesel Engines and Other Stories, Frank is erroneously portrayed with a whistle despite being depicted as having a horn. It is the same stock whistle sound effect used for Rainbow Sun and Rocky. It was also used for Victor in the early version of the Guess Who? Puzzles segment and the mobile game app, Race On!.

Only used Sound Effect
James and the Diesel Engines and Other Stories

Trivia

  • Frank is named after Frank Perkins, the engineer who created the Perkins diesel engine.
  • Frank is the only Arlesdale Railway diesel not to be mentioned in The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways.
  • Frank's basis, Perkins, used to be painted grey to resemble Frank at Day Out with Thomas events.

Merchandise

References


Advertisement