Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia
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Rusty's Ghost Engine was a narrow gauge saddle tank engine who supposedly worked on the Skarloey Railway.

Biography

According to legend, the engine was returning home one misty night. As the engine was travelling across the Old Iron Bridge, he suddenly lost control and fell off the bridge, plunging into a swamp in the ravine below. While no-one was able to find his remains, in the light of the full moon, several workmen have claimed to have seen his ghost constantly trying to cross the bridge. However, it disappears half way every time, never reaching the other side.

Rusty told the story to Duncan, who was teasing Peter Sam for allowing his trucks to derail and fall into the ravine. While Duncan did not believe the story at first, Peter Sam and Duncan's respective crews arranged a plan the next day to teach him a lesson.

While crossing the bridge during a full moon, the crew secretly threw a large rock from the cab into the ravine and fireflies for unknown reasons formed into the shape of an engine. Duncan believed that the bridge was haunted and the engine was trying to cross the bridge at the same time as him. This frightened Duncan, and he quickly ran back to the safety of his shed[1].

In the magazine story, Creepy Cutting, the ghost engine was mentioned by Skarloey who suspected that he was haunting Echo Pass.

Technical Details

Basis

The Ghost Engine is based on the Talyllyn Railway's "Talyllyn", a Fletcher Jennings Class C 0-4-2 tank locomotive that Skarloey is also based on.

Livery

Rusty's Ghost Engine was painted black prior to his demise, while the ghost apparition was bluish white all over. The firefly formation was gold.

Appearances

Audio Files

Whistle

In Duncan Gets Spooked, Rusty's Ghost Engine reuses and shares Percy's whistle.

Only used Sound Effect
Duncan Gets Spooked

Trivia

  • The Ghost Engine reuses and shares the same whistle sound as Percy.
  • Unlike other ghost engines in the series, it is never revealed whether the ghost engine was real or not. This makes him possibly the only ghost engine that actually existed in-universe.
  • The engine formed by the fireflies resembles Rheneas, Smudger and Dolgoch.
  • His actual livery was unknown until Behind the Scenes footage was released.
  • The Ghost Engine is the only engine:
    • With a face which is never seen.
    • To be shown perishing on screen.
  • His driver and fireman were seen in the Behind the Scenes footage but only one of them could be distinguished when the engine was crossing the bridge. If the story was true, then this engine's "death" is potentially the first fatal accident, although the crew were never acknowledged.

Quotes

"A long time ago, a little engine was returning home. It was a misty, moonlit night. As the engine crossed the old iron bridge, he suddenly lost control and plunged over the side into the swamps below. He was never found again. But many a workman will tell you that when the moon is full, they have seen the little engine trying to get home... but he never reaches the other side."

References



* RWS only | ** T&F only
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