Edward the New Blue Two

This one is something I had planned for months for one of my best friends over at DA.

It has been YEARS since I drew someone from Thomas & Friends, but I felt it would be worthwhile to do it again. I would have to say this is my best drawing of a Thomas & Friends character.

In the story "Edward's Exploit," one of Edward's crankshafts popped off during a run through inclement weather, leaving his wheels unable to move effectively. After several attempts to get moving again, Edward was finally successful. However, he arrived late, which angered Sir Topham Hatt (Edward is someone Hatt normally doesn't get angry toward), but had the passengers show gratitude towards Edward, his fireman, and his driver.

Eventually, Hatt realized the reason for Edward being late, and then anger turned to concern, especially after one of Edward's wheel axles corroded then snapped away during a long run through violent weather, causing Edward to arrive well over three hours late. Many of the passengers on this run were passengers on Edward's previous exploit, and they also showed concern for him.

Hatt loved Edward, and it wasn't just that hard-working attitude Edward had. Edward, the oldest engine in Hatt's railway, was always someone the other engines would turn to for sympathy or advice, and Hatt noticed that. He refused to lose Edward to a preservation shed or, worse, the scrapyards. He figured that Edward needed more than just repairs; Edward needed an upgrade, just like Henry the Green Engine received years before after a crash while carrying the Flying Kipper.

Hatt, who actually helped build Edward in the very beginning, supervised workers as Edward's new form was taking place. He envisioned Edward as a new, technologically-advanced steam engine. During the process of remodeling Edward received these major changes.

+ A new tender using an alternative source for coal
+ A boiler which let Edward use less fuel
+ Supports to hold up his boiler (similar to what Gordon and Henry already have)
+ A funnel which works the same way as Peter Sam's (one of the smaller engines) does.

After receiving these upgrades, Edward's willing to work hard increased significantly. He even joked with Sir Topham Hatt a few times that there weren't enough cars and coaches for him to pull, something that put a happy tear in Sir Topham Hatt's eye.

As for Gordon, the largest engine in Hatt's railway, he was at first jealous about no longer being the strongest engine, but then he realized that even the mightiest engines don't always have to pull coaches to look or be the best. Now instead of calling Edward names such as "Old Iron," and making recommendations that Edward should retire and be preserved, called him the New Blue Two (in the sake of the number on Edward's tender).

In this scene, Edward, pulling coaches in his new and advanced form on a holiday-season run, gives a shout-out to the person of whom I did this drawing for.