What would it be like Driving Thomas the Tank Engine?

Link to Awdry Extravaganza Info: www.talyllyn.co.uk/
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Happy St Patrick's Day!
What is it like to work on the railways of Sodor? Is it a childhood dream, or really an accident waiting to happen (now and again). This was inspired by Tomska and Friends' discussion and TheUnluckyTug's Unanswerable Thomas Questions. It's a fun what-if scenario.
0:00 - Visiting Sodor for real
3:00 - A Typical day as a Driver
8:00 - Children's stories based on real life
10:00 - What if steam engines were alive?

[@user-di5mv3zg2s]

I gess, Edward is the best option there. He's nice,polite and expense engine. Even if he breaks down he's going to cooperate with ya to finish the job.

[@minicraft3256]

Не знал что в этой части Ютуба есть русские

[@user-di5mv3zg2s]

@@minicraft3256 я тоже, честно говоря.

[@Daniel_Huffman]

And he gets the trucks to cooperate.

[@datguymiller]

Edward would be the best one to drive

[@gundam8655]

Edward or Tobby

[@Steamenginesunited3456]

I should probably update my life insurance before applying for this job.

[@KnapfordHarbour2]

I need life insurance.

[@DiamondKingStudios]

"Luckily no one was hurt..." Said the narrators, some of whom from the classic TV series (Angelis and Carlin) are now dead, so expect a risk of injury when operating living machinery.

[@crimsondynamo615]

If 1thomas2edward3henry’s video is anything to go by, you definitely have a big chance of either serious injury or death. Sodor’s safety track record isn’t the best.

[@thomaspercyjames3483]

I feel like the best engine to drive would be Toby. He is a wise, old sage, and he is pretty smart, and doesn't complain too often. I feel the worst engine or engines to drive are Bill and Ben. With all the tricks they pull you would get burned out pretty easily.

[@loganjonesTTMS]

If we’re talking about RWS Toby, it’d be hilarious to work with him since he loves to watch the younger engines mess up and then laugh at them.

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

Toby would be great. He neither takes nor gives any shit. He won't give you trouble so long as you try your best and don't ignore his advice, but you'd best be listening to that advice, because he'd 100% laugh and say "I told you so" when your mistake lands you in trouble.

[@cjbalke8691]

Agreed, Toby would be one of my first choices, not only for those reasons, but, as one of the oldest, he'd have less complex controls and mainenance. Definitely keeping out of the way of most of the bigger tender engines, (james, Gordon, Henry and the like) as I CANNOT STAND complainers!

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

@@cjbalke8691 well, controls yes, but more modern locomotives generally were more designed for ease of maintenance, with outside motion and the like. Inside motion requires contorting yourself into weird locations to reach things.

[@cjbalke8691]

@@bow-tiedengineer4453 True about the design, I simply meant lack of extra things that need maintaining - feedwater heaters, extra appliances and the like. Sorry about the confusion! As for more modern designs, I'm not sure I'd take the trade off- easier to get to everything vs bigger and more boastful. Or perhaps it's just that I've always had a soft spot for the smaller breeds of antique machines, be they tractors, cars, or rail equipment

[@alaricjaspers6348]

It might seem masochistic, but I’d love to drive James. Listening to his rants as he bangs about the yard would be hilarious.

[@Combes_]

I disagree,but I see your reasoning.

[@deathwatch2123]

Maybe for the first day but after two very long hours of it, I'd probably have ear plugs in

[@alaricjaspers6348]

@@deathwatch2123 That’s probably true, but by then, I’d probably be arguing back at him lol

[@deathwatch2123]

@@alaricjaspers6348 Now I'm just picturing no work being done and small crowd of yard workers watching James and his driver have a arguing match. So much so that you've gotten out of the cab and standing in front of him, just so you can point your finger to make your point.

[@alaricjaspers6348]

@@deathwatch2123 With you, the fireman, just standing in the cab with ear plugs and your head down on the side of the cab wondering where the day went wrong

[@altermike3197]

I'd love to drive Edward, I'm sure he has lots of stories to discuss while on the job; besides, he's a wise, experienced, and responsible old man, who barely has any accidents; so he'd also be a safe pick

[@flashstudiosguy]

You're looking to be sideswiped by a crane waving a boiler?

[@cranberryjuice4350]

Being Gordon's driver would be _chaotic_ ,yet enjoyable. It would also be pretty easy-going,since he'd basically always be on time.

[@KennethTheE4]

honestly henry would be pretty chaotic and chill, but if I was his driver the flying kipper accident I would probably be extremely traumatized

[@Yourfriendlyneighbourhoodboi]

wait so if in the movie: the lost treasure, thomas's driver and fireman are ok commiting a crime

[@bustedsiderods8544]

I'd want to take a stab at driving salty personally. He's cooperative, hardworking, and we both like having a song to work to, although I don't know if salty would be a fan of billy joel

[@rcayabyab8994]

As long as you enjoy Salty telling you his Tall Tales, yes. For me, I would love to drive either Edward or most of all, Emily

[@rfacproductions6552]

Duck, definitely Duck. I just, really like Duck.

[@Mr-pn2eh]

And salty is a diesel. Which means you won't damage your lungs drivering him and be protected from the elements as long as cranky doesn't fall on you during a storm.

[@hughmunford7297]

This is just so funny in the typical British fashion and I love it! I can just imagine a “The Office” style documentary about the crews working on the engines, and everyone saying how lucky they are and how much fun it must be, whilst meanwhile they’re groaning and complaining about how difficult it actually is in a very blunt manner haha. I would say Bill and Ben would be the toughest engines to work on - not just because of those cramped cabs, but also because you just know they’ll end up doing something stupid that you’ll cop part of the blame for. I feel out of all the engines that Toby and Edward would be the easiest to work with relationship wise because of their calmer temperament and demeanours, although their age and designs could present some issues. I’d say that the right balance of ease of operation and good temperament would likely be Duck for a steam engine (although be prepared to wear ear plugs when he starts another ramble about the great western way), and perhaps Rusty for a diesel.

[@flashstudiosguy]

Urge..to...make...rising...

[@CassandraPantaristi]

Or ear plugs with Duke about "his grace."

[@Yourfriendlyneighbourhoodboi]

meanwhile diesel and diesel 10...

[@FictionalADDON]

That smoke box door drawing is clever, I wish this is officially the faces they choose

[@rowanthursday5860]

Somewhere in Crovan's Gate there is a filing cabinet. A locked filing cabinet, and it is full to bursting with folders, box files, and ring binders dating back to James' very first visit to the Works, after "Thomas and the Breakdown Train", and it records every single list of every modification and upgrade James the Red Engine has personally requested. At the top of the list is "Red Paint - Approved". Below it, in no particular order we have: Spiked Wheels (Red with Brass Trim) - Rejected. New Couplings Compatible Only with Express Coaches and NOT Trucks - Rejected. Directional High Temperature Steam Exhaust Pipes for Crowd 'Control' - Rejected. Ejector Seat for Driver - Rejected. Wings (Red) - Rejected. Chainsaws (Red with Brass Trim) - Rejected. Spiked Maces (Red with Brass Trim) for Driving Wheels - Rejected. Laser Eyes (for Bees) - Rejected. Phasers - Rejected. Anti-Personnel Grenade Launcher - Rejected. Anti-Passenger Grenade Launcher - Rejected. Anti-Gordon Grenade Launcher - Rejected. Tender-mounted Machine Gun - Rejected. Improved Laser Eyes (for the Fat Contr... I mean for Diesels... I mean for navigational purposes) - Rejected. Dual Front-Mounted Antiproton Cannons (because what else is my front pony truck for?) - Rejected. Tender-mounted Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Launch Platform - Rejected.

[@NitroIndigo]

So... James is the Edward Elric of Sodor?

[@growlie2676]

I almost took the list seriously before I just started laughing.

[@whytheheckarewedoinginhere1886]

I feel like most of the list is from James and Thomas. 🤣 🤣

[@legdig]

I'd say the little western would be the best one to work on but I can't even imagine how much oliver would freak out when you drive him using the autocoach.

[@BiscuitCatProductions]

Just for the sake of giving him someone who will blindly agree with everything he does and make him feel validated, I'd love to work with James! Listen to him complain all day, add little quips, like "Of course! Thomas had NO right to speak to you like that! Who does he think he is?" Sure, it may wreak havoc in the long run, but I'm totally here for it haha

[@GreatCenteralGlory]

Some people just want to watch the world burn lol

[@ltweaver8181]

You'll kill everyone on sodor!

[@marcor7044]

Same, tho

[@flashstudiosguy]

You have caused confusion and delay.

[@no-facejames7360]

Being James' yes-man sounds awesome.

[@willbreckinridge8010]

You really nailed how Thomas represented the temperaments of real steam engines. I think this is my favorite video of yours now. If I were a driver on Sodor, I think that you wouldn’t be able to beat driving Edward.

[@VestedUTuber]

You can say that again. I saw someone try to steam up a 1/8th scale miniature USRA 0-8-0 on blacksmithing grade bituminous coal a few months ago and it was having none of it because it was built to run on top-grade anthracite.

[@bentheg9793]

@@VestedUTuber Reminds me of Henry

[@mcbenman1793]

This sounds pretty accurate to how being a driver on sodor would be like. Well done. If I was a driver on sodor I would work on the culdee fell railway.

[@flashstudiosguy]

Nice views, don't blame you.

[@obey2263]

I agree with you withered freddy from fnaf 2.

[@Nobody_Important123]

You'd best be careful though, you might "Culdee Fall". I'll leave now.

[@mcbenman1793]

@@Nobody_Important123 I know, but if my engine fell. I would jump clear

[@Nobody_Important123]

@@mcbenman1793 Right, my bad, luckily nobody was hurt. Except the engine that fell a thousand feet and turned into scrap on the spot.

[@MrJoeyWheeler]

I think the only part of Railway series "lore" that I've ever been curious about is how loud the engines are when they talk. Steam engines are naturally loud, so one must wonder how they're able to have conversations with each other across multiple platforms or at opposite ends, or even converse with coaches without bothering people. Personally, I think I'd be best suited for the likes of Toby for a quiet time, or Gordon because I like punctuality.

[@trainboss5801]

Same

[@watch50er]

Infrasound. Noise at such a deep decibel you can’t hear it, but you’ll feel it vibrating your body. Great for longer distance communication. Then Higer decibel noise on top of that for human interaction though you can’t really hear what they are saying either way when operating in their cabs….

[@CassandraPantaristi]

Thomas: "HEY PERCY, HOW IS YOUR WORK GOING?" Percy: "OH YOU KNOW, IT'S QUITE ALRIGHT MATE!"

[@TRUMPisOPPA]

Telepathic communication

[@NitroIndigo]

With how many times they use "puffed" or "whistled" instead of "said", it makes me wonder if the trains communicate in train noises in-universe and it's translated for the audience's benefit.

[@tompotter8703]

7:24 Fun fact. Engines that did have the boilers explode, even the most horrific looking ones that ended up getting the crew killed, can be repaired and put back into service. even still I’d hate to be an engine who wakes up and finds out that he blew up and got his entire crew killed, even it was more the crew’s fault than their own.

[@erical6338]

I read a fanfic in which James was in the works and cried about a nightmare he had in which his crew died, so a workman dried his tears. If I was an alive engine who killed my crew that way, I'd probably be sobbing when I found out.

[@erical6338]

@@paperstarssss It's on Fanfiction and is by Rosie Angelina, Heart to Heart. He had an accident, not a boiler explosion, though. However, in one of my fics there on Fanfiction, Sodor Tales, I got a chapter called Edward's End Of The Line and Edward had a boiler explosion that made his smokebox fly off, decapitation TTTE style. He dies and everybody's so sad. Tissue/hanky warning for mine, if you cry at fics. I don't do more than dry cry at fics online and I cried inside writing that one.

[@GhostKnight2021]

@@erical6338 Not gonna lie, but I kinda want to read that..

[@erical6338]

@@GhostKnight2021 Which one? Heart To Heart or my Sodor Tales chapter?

[@GhostKnight2021]

@@erical6338 the End of The Line chapter. Where can I find that specific one?

[@InventorZahran]

I like to think of Thomas & Friends as a somewhat biased reality show. It depicts events that actually happened on the railways of Sodor, but the show-runners only cover interesting moments like accidents, track repairs that cause a delay, or engines working on lines they don't usually run on. There are probably far more "normal days" on Sodor that we just don't get to see because they were deemed too boring for television. (And as a result, it appears that something bad but not deadly happens almost every day, when those moments are really the exception, not the norm.) And when derailments, collisions, or other catastrophes do occur, those that resulted in serious injury or death are not included in the show, so as to avoid alarming the young audience.

[@InkyBoiArts]

I feel like one of my favorite things to do on Sodor would be just.. to hang on the footplate (safely of course, like stopped at a station) and just banter with whoever I’m assigned to, talk about misadventures, or stories we’ve learned from, just talking about personal experiences. I’d say my favorites would be either one of the Scottish bois (any day with a Scotsman is bound to be hilarious), or someone in the SKR, like Rheneas or Duncan, maybe even some of the quiet guys, like Arthur, or Murdoch

[@Daniel_Huffman]

To be fair, the stories do not usually describe average days on Sodor, as children could find that uninteresting. As such, under normal circumstances, the day should be uneventful…I hope.

[@EllipsisTree]

I'd enjoy working alongside Edward. Not only is Edward my favourite character, hes a good role model. also, I'd love to be by the seaside, and the industrial areas on Sodor are very unique. I'd also enjoy driving any of the SKR engines.

[@geographyRyan]

Even Duncan?

[@EllipsisTree]

@@geographyRyan ...No

[@TheGreyTurtleEntertainment]

I would probably avoid the Farquhar branch at all costs. Thomas may be one of my favorites, but he has too many misadventures. Which makes my choice of engine/line even weirder, as I would choose the Skarloey Railway, and of all engines to work with- Duncan. Mostly because much like Duncan is implied to be a former industrial engine who likes swearing, I too am a plain person who enjoys plain speaking. So I suspect as a bit of of grouch myself, I would get a long with a hard working grouchy engine..... Though who knows if the rocking and rolling would be entirely Duncan's fault at that point!

[@flashstudiosguy]

Remind me not to catch your passenger train, you'd probably be too busy calling him a "miserable old C**t"

[@erical6338]

I'm with you on Thomas as a favorite. I'm Thomas sensitive, responding more to him than the others.

[@stevensolway1054]

Duncan and the tendency to roll and rock, can be attributed to 2 primary cases of lack of maintenance: Cause 1: Suspension. And connected items of journal boxes. And leaf springs. And equalizing beams. And other pieces with worn out connecting pins, and nuts and bolts. Cause 2: Uneven track joints caused by ballast settling but no tamping. Thus causing out of alignments, that lead to metal fatigue. And stress cracks. And complete failure and breakage. And Thus causing a derailment, and Wrecks, and loss of equipment, especially of a historic nature. And loss of business. And expense of Repairs. And causing Confusion and Delays. And loss of Respect from connected businesses. As well as the General Public both as customers, and as historic Railway Enthusiasts in the Tourism Industry. Signed: S.E. Solway. G.B., W. U.S.A.

[@TheGreyTurtleEntertainment]

@@stevensolway1054 as a rail enthusiast and rivet counter myself I can say thoughoughly that I do not care. It's more about the personalities of the engines (if we work on the videos original premise) than it is the technical aspects of the engines.

[@QueerOkie]

Donald or Douglas for me. Hardworking, no nonsense, practical... and humorous!

[@halfbaked8]

"What would it be like to drive Thomas the Tank Engine?" It'd be like the early 2000s videographical game "Thomas & FriendsTM: Railway Adventures" - where you'd velcro Thomas' controls to your computer keyboard and drive Thomas around the Island of Sodor doing odd jobs such as chasing Diesel for postbags, helping Toby out of an improbable rail maze, and having to endure Percy's snide passive-aggressive remarks as you help save him from where he's stuck - full of HATE. Great video as always! :)

[@D.O.T.D.]

Aw man I love that game

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

I love that game. I need to find my disk, and see if the controls fit on my wireless mechanical keyboard.

[@eliotreader8220]

this sounds very familiar to the day I spent cleaning up on the Watercress line after a Day out with Thomas event back in 2011. one of the jobs we had to do was taking the engine faces off the engines and putting them in the boiler shop. I let one fall off the trolley by accident. we was using to transport them as I miss heard our orders and got told off for it. it was quite the eventful day as I made a few more mistakes after that especially the one I made during our tea break and having some trouble getting down off a engine that I was helping to clean up.

[@khuhruzhsvethmeorv8318]

This comment mate me laugh a lot, ty 😂

[@TheEldritchHyena]

Oh my god I remember that game! I could never figure out what I was supposed to do in that game, but the nostalgia is still there!

[@MonsterSteam]

The analogy of engines as giant pets of the sort makes me laugh but it makes a lot of sense. They want the people to see them more as companions than servants. Edward would be an easy pick for both practical and sentimental reasons. lol

[@BotherRed]

lmao, that bit "This was not in the job description"

[@_RandomPerson_]

I think Victor Tanzig put the universe in a good twist (creator of The Stories of Sodor series). They are able to run on their own for short periods of time. The reason why they have crews is because they need someone to fuel the fire and they can alert someone if there is an accident or if they break down. They have rights. (mainly it's the final say if the should be sold to a new railway/museum or put to rest then scrapped.) They can feel pain, but that helps the repair crew get their job done faster by telling them what's wrong. He even gave them the train equivalent to cancer: metal fatigue.

[@_RandomPerson_]

@@thomasmiller158 I was planning to add more to my "list". I don't recall remembering anything about them being able to have control over their couplings.

[@thomasmiller158]

@@_RandomPerson_ What I meant was that Another thing that they need crews for is attaching and detaching roiling stock

[@_RandomPerson_]

@@thomasmiller158 ah..

[@MrJoeyWheeler]

I personally dislike that universe's rules. I like his stories but I prefer WildNorWester's approach where the engines can't do that and, at most, they can maybe use their whistles (though IMO, they shouldn't).

[@Yourfriendlyneighbourhoodboi]

victor tanzig da goat

[@PaulfromChicago]

It would be terrifying. Stuff is forever going wrong on Sodor. Signals fail, cars and trucks break away. Thomas once went through a G-D mine that was more rollercoaster than train track. Seriously. The odds of surviving one year as an engine driver on Sodor are probably less than 4:1.

[@Switchblade-sh3kx]

I would have to say I would like to be on the foot plate of Henry mainly for the Kipper, being to run before the sun sounds wonderful....although I may ask for a different assignment in the winter....just in case. The only locomotives I would stay clear of would be Bill and Ben.

[@voltsiano116]

Aside from the obvious choices of Edward or Toby, I feel like Oliver would be nice to work with. He seems a determined engine looking to get things done.

[@3xfaster]

I’ll maybe take the Caledonian twins. Their theme is always my favorite to whistle to, they never take kind to bullies, and they never shy away from work, maybe along with Duck, and all his Great Western ways included. Diesels that I would like to work with? Bear. Modest fellow who enjoys doing his work and has respect for those that came before him, such as Henry!

[@Gamerguy826]

I would probably avoid Gordon like the plague. As much as I like him his ego would easily get on my nerves. As for who I would like to drive the most... I'm going to say Henry. No passengers to worry about and we have some things in common. Plus he was my favorite growing up.

[@yogabumm]

@@HenrikofEldenbright yea just about to say that myself. If you driving gordon sometime after or around wrong road you'll probably be ok. Hes aged enough by around that time to not be a stupid pompous moron. But id be annoying driving him back in the day when he thought he was the best thing to hit the rails since the first wagon ways had trucks.

[@comicfan1324]

Man that Talyllyn event looks awesome. Sadly I won’t be able to attend but to anyone who is going I wish them the best and please say hi to Duncan for me.

[@masterdragon2698]

I personally believe that the engines are capable of driving themselves, but the physical cab controls override that ability, which is why if the brake lever is not applied while the regulator is open, they will be a runaway, despite being a sentient being

[@spaceguy0258]

Hey guys, I'm the guy who made the animation at 5:27 I just wanna say... Thank you very much for featuring my animation in your video!! I really appreciate it! Many thanks! :)

[@Terrier55Stepney]

Thank you for letting me use it, I absolutely adore how you've Sodorified a dance like that, and it was an instant subscribe from me!

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

it was epic

[@Yourfriendlyneighbourhoodboi]

pov:20 years of driving thomas expierence would start tweaking the brain

[@crimsondynamo615]

“It’s all in me head. It’s all in me head.” That Chicken Run reference had me dying. Also i kind of felt that cleaning the smoke box out would be like telling the engine to open their mouth wide and just giving them a clean out like brushing their teeth or something similar.

[@eryhv]

To the surprise of no one, I'd like to drive Bear. Sure he may be tempermental (as am I), he's wide eyed and ready to do any job he's given well, and be a credit to his steaming ancestors.

[@TheRWS]

I feel very sorry for all the crews, would definitely opt for one of the SKR's engines (Even if it was Duncan or Sir Handel :l)

[@russellsales7796]

I feel like you’d get burnt out after having to listen to Duncan’s complaining almost every day.

[@ttteproductions7609]

I’d drive Luke he’s such s cute lil bean :3

[@TheOdst219]

For me, Rosie, mostly because of her American style cab, but because she would be used to following orders and keeping to time.

[@aidanwewilin]

Id love to work with Duck. Not thinking about his past mishaps, he’s a relatively calm and collected engine and he likes to get things done right. I feel like i could just have a chill day in the little western with him, lolol

[@AbsoluteDingus709]

But you’d have to put up with Duck’s “Great Western Way” that he insists on you doing

[@aidanwewilin]

@@AbsoluteDingus709 yeah, might get annoying if we disagree

[@Yourfriendlyneighbourhoodboi]

how would you survive the amount of times hearing "there are 2 ways of doing things: the great western way or the wrong way"?

[@ananggarrs6350]

Honestly, it's be awesome if you can actually achieve some sort of best friends/pals relationship with your engine. Like maybe the two of you are just as chaotic as each other I mean, in the episode "whistles and sneezes" it was henry's driver who first told henry to sneeze some ashes at the boys who threw rocks at him, to which of course henry agreed without a second thought ¯\_ʘ‿ʘ_/¯ and not to mention that whole stunt donald, duck, and their crews pulled in "donald's duck" lmao

[@gothnerd887]

I love that. Bonding with your engine like they're Trico and you're the tattooed kid (except for the hypnotising mirror).

[@Yourfriendlyneighbourhoodboi]

being friends with a train is crazy. they would be like colleagues

[@jiroup7390]

I lost it at the part of cleaning the ash pan

[@trainlandia697]

I would like to work with a calm, gentle, and wise engine like Edward, Toby, or Skarloey. I would not want to work with a reckless engine like Thomas or Duncan!

[@Theover4000]

That dancing animation is hilarious I love it.

[@AlecWheelweld]

I would gladly work with either Thomas or Henry. Both being based off two of my favorite locomotives and just being complete moods in general.

[@SodorTrain1225]

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Driving Thomas, or any Sudrian engine or vehicle, would be my dream. The next best thing would be to ride aboard Titanic 2 and Theodore Tugboat.

[@gavinanimations4460]

You Canadian eh?

[@SodorTrain1225]

@@gavinanimations4460 No. American.

[@gavinanimations4460]

@@SodorTrain1225 ?

[@SodorTrain1225]

@@gavinanimations4460 Yes. I'm confused.

[@streamlinedengine]

I love how you blasted the claims that engines are slaves and the Fat Controller is an oppressive overlord. The engines are just like us, and we all get our best gratification out of being really useful in life.

[@dshaynietheawesome]

I’d imagine sentient engines based on what I know of the show wouldn’t be able to apply their own breaks but they are required to put effort into moving and sometimes and prompt in expected movements or even shake or lurch

[@Mr_Gamer-Random]

Yo dahaynie, you're a Thomas fan?

[@dshaynietheawesome]

@@Mr_Gamer-Random just nostalgic only started watching these videos recently but its been pretty fun having all these memories from ages 3 - 8 flooding back to my brain as well as learning new things I never knew

[@Mr_Gamer-Random]

@@dshaynietheawesome ahh ok, makes sense you're nostalgic since from what I've seen you're at least like what 25

[@dshaynietheawesome]

@@Mr_Gamer-Random just turned 22 a couple months ago actually

[@Mr_Gamer-Random]

@@dshaynietheawesome oh, sorry if I offended you

[@midnightexpress3604]

You know I've always wondered if Sodor engineman needs to take Gymnastics to you know not to die/hurt them selves jumping out of a moving locomotive a 50mph. Now I've made you picture a Driver doing a double handspring, my work here is done.

[@ThomasFan2002]

Such a funny video, these kinds of videos shows that the passion in our fandom is never going away!

[@SirLANsalot]

There is a reason the E2's that Thomas is modeled after were complete failures. Inner drivers made maintenance almost impossible.

[@VestedUTuber]

Never got why the UK did that on standard gauge equipment. I know they did it on narrow gauge to make regauging easier without making the locomotive oversized for its gauge, but on standard gauge equipment it just makes everything difficult.

[@kosmostimber1174]

I doubt anyone will see this, but I think one of the better engines to drive would be Boco. He might have a temperamental engine inside of him, but he is wise beyond his years and willing to cooperate for the greater good. Not to mention the quiet line to operate him on, also the fact that you don't have as much of a risk driving him as a steam locomotive; he can't really explode due to improper maintenance...

[@VestedUTuber]

I think you're underestimating just how much of a pain the Metropolitan Vickers Diesel Electric Type 2 was. There's a reason why all but one of them were scrapped within a decade of starting service IRL.

[@kosmostimber1174]

@@VestedUTuber Thats true, wasn't it stated though that Sir Topham had managed to rebuild him with a better prime mover after being purchased from BR though?

[@VestedUTuber]

@@kosmostimber1174 I don't remember any actual reference to that, and I double-checked the wiki and didn't find anything either. I think that might be fanon.

[@kosmostimber1174]

@@VestedUTuber I believe it was mentioned in the IOS: Its People, History and Railways book. I could be mistaken though. Also, you do realize this original comment is about a year old right..?

[@22Tesla]

I'm sure most days on Sodor would be kind of normal since it can't just be a wreck/runaway everyday. There are normal days, but we just don't talk about them since that's not a good story. If I could work on Sodor, I'd maybe work on the Little Western since not much happens there and the engines who work it are hard working and lack the drama/hot headed temper of the other lines. Or maybe I'd work on Skarloey so I could groan and complain with Duncan. XD

[@cjbalke8691]

Lack of drama and temper? Have you forgotten Donald and Douglas work that line? But I agree, we don't have as many stories about it which to me translates to less... incidents, shall we say!

[@22Tesla]

@@cjbalke8691 XD I didn't forget. They got temper, but nothing like say Thomas who's got a massive ego. And of course, the railway runs the way Duck likes it: the Great Western Way, which certainly works given the lack of accidents or incidents

[@nlmfilms6641]

This has to be my favorite TED talk!

[@SlimyPennies]

idk anything about thomas or trains, but this gave me a chuckle

[@jajproductionsfruitcakefil8489]

Thank you, internet person, for saying something that I don't hear often on the interweb. It always annoys me (and, if I'm honest, upsets me a little) when I hear someone saying that Thomas the Tank Engine is a sinister, dark, slavery promoting, oppressive work of evil that should be kept away from kids at all costs. It was something that I liked very much when I was little, and though I wouldn't call myself a 'Thomas fan' now like some people are, I still look back on it fondly and with appreciation. So, thanks.

[@sodorflubbs5000]

The thing is Sir Topham does care about his engines. They’re not just his slaves. That’s the point. He punishes the engines to teach them lessons so they can be better engines. He just asks them to be useful. I’d really want to be on the footplate of any of them.

[@skinner219]

I’d say Toby, but in the Classic Series. He doesn’t work on the Mainline, more out in the countryside. That works well for me, because I’m a nature lover. You’ve also got Henrietta, just one coach. You would also have the honour on taking Topham and his family on holiday. Toby can be put in dangerous situations, but he doesn’t have a lot of accidents. And… it’s Toby. He’s fun.

[@trainboss5801]

This is very accurate to working as a driver on sodor, and if I were to work with any other engine they would be Edward, Toby, Molly, Salty, Oliver, Skarloey, Peter Sam, Rosie, Sonny, and others

[@Mr-pn2eh]

For men I would only drive sodor diesels.

[@rmgilyard]

Same

[@eslm-studios2996]

Nice video, Max. As a guard on the Isle of Man Steam Railway, I can confirm that what you'll experience on a train pulled by a steam engine can be unpredictable. Land-side fires, animals on the line or a sudden breakdown to sort out. But that's what makes it fun to work on a railway if you ask me. If I were to drive an engine, I think I'd drive Skarloey. He always stuck out to me and there's just something about him which makes me want to work with him. However, I'm just a guard at the moment, and driving a locomotive is no picnic.

[@Yourfriendlyneighbourhoodboi]

ive been on your railway, bueatiful scenery. 10/10

[@eslm-studios2996]

@@Yourfriendlyneighbourhoodboi Thank you. I don't work on the railway now, but you're welcome there any time.

[@Yourfriendlyneighbourhoodboi]

@@eslm-studios2996 yippee

[@Thomas__Blue]

Great video. Really enjoyed the day in the life. I’d give anything to work with Thomas as his driver everyday.

[@Welovevloggingandtraveling]

I used to LOVE Thomas and Friends when I younger. ❤

[@Trainboy9681]

Well I grew up in GWR territory, so I'd 100% go for the Little Western or, more specifically, Duck. Good thing about Duck is he is a complete utilitarian tank engine - You can have him do more or less any job and he gets on with it, as the books say "Without fuss." While the cab might be a bit cramped, and I've been told a Pannier Tank's inside motion is the hardest to oil, I'd still enjoy working with Duck if only for the variety of work available to you

[@ThomasAndRandomRobloxGames]

"luckily no one was HUR-" ad roll

[@SaxonIVKGames]

5:56 made me laugh too much XD

[@GARILENA]

Henry's thing of being ill a lot would make him a hard engine to work, and duck would probably be the best shunter to operate. BTW, wonderful video.

[@MrHack4never]

With how trains need humans to handle "food"(in this case coal), wouldn't that mean the fireman are roughly the same as the bacteria that lives in the Human digestive system?

[@Terrier55Stepney]

I can't say I ever reached that level of thought.

[@growlie2676]

????

[@DiamondKingStudios]

Victor Tanzig in his series "The Stories of Sodor" at times goes in-depth about the ramifications of locomotives being alive. And other vehicles, which are grouped into the category of "non-faceless vehicles" along with the locomotives. Non-faceless vehicles are given certain legal rights as humans are, and can even be tried and imprisoned for crimes.

[@flashstudiosguy]

Like Peter and his war crimes. Which reminds me, anyone got any idea how many Schools and Hospitals Putin has hit as a result of "missing a Missile Silo"? I appear to have lost count....

[@xxrylanplayz4664]

Wow I actually found victor lol

[@xxrylanplayz4664]

Just realized I didn't put fans

[@chrisbruce5711]

I would also suggest wildnorwester. his story's are quite good as well

[@themenginez]

I think for my its the scottish twins, i love the class 812 plus they are my favorite characters, they tackle any job but also they don't complain alot minus the brother bickering.

[@pancakes590]

This actually is helpful for my geeky self who wants to write fanfics 🤓 this was both informative and funny and really gave a good perspective on the driver’s and fireman’s point of view.

[@LizProductions5784]

If I were to live on Sodor, I’d just be myself and be an artist, taking a local train to work. But if I were given a job on the railway, I’d go for Stationmaster. Sure it’s a lot of responsibility too but at least you aren’t in risk of getting hurt, and you have the privilege to see several characters stop in.

[@snug-fibbage7441]

6:00 its unerving seeing how big the trucks actually are

[@Jedi-ge6lr]

I don't know who I'd want to drive exclusively, so I'll give my choices of what line and railway I was on. Mainline: Henry Ffarquhar branch: Toby Brendam branch: Edward Tidmouth branch: One of the Scottish twins Skarloey railway: Skarloey, Rheneas or Duncan Mid Sodor railway (while it was still open): Duke Arlesdale railway: Rex Culdee Fell railway: Culdee

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

I think the safest bets would probably be Edward, Toby, or Peter Sam, as they are all fairly responsible and easygoing. I'd steer clear of James, Duncan, or Bill and Ben. Boco gets an honorable mention, because he'd be easy to work with, but isn't a steam engine, so that's cheating on this analogy. edit: on second thought, Duncan could easily go either way, especially later RWS Duncan. I have a similar philosophy on complaining, so we'd either end up constantly complaining about each other, or end up getting along famously and complain about everything else. His "plain speakin' engine who believes in plain speakin'" might go well with my "blunt as a 2-by-4 and honest to a fault."

[@VestedUTuber]

Boco would actually be a bad pick. Not because he's poorly behaved or anything, but because as a Metropolitan-Vickers Type 2, he's extremely unreliable. He'd break down a lot and that would only feed his low self esteem.

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

@@VestedUTuber not post rebuild. It's cannon that they managed to sort him out.

[@Rob1_5]

I would love to work with Edward, i would listen to advice and ask him of his days when he was young on the Furness Railway and when he first arrived on the island.

[@GeneralLiuofBoston1911]

As a driver, I think Duck or Oliver would be a nice option to work along the Little Western line. As a fireman, possibly Gordon for the sake of the excitement of tending to a big engine like him.

[@TravTrevTV]

When you realise the this video is about drive: ITS ABOUT DRIVE ITS ABOUT POWE-

[@user-te9th4gk9c]

I think bear or Bo co would be my option. They seem quite friendly. I think bill or Ben would be my worst options since they pull pranks and crash into each other unlike the Scottish twins

[@CassandraPantaristi]

I would like to driver either James or Rosie. James would be entertaining to listen to, while Rosie would just be all like laid-back and easy going to work with.

[@harrymu148]

Prolly Emily. Her mechanics are cool. That's it. You might peep me showing up in that canadian anti-grizzly suit but still definitely signing up to be her footplate crew.

[@Khalif-AllahEntertainment]

I would drive Stepney because he's always happy and willing to work rather than doing nothing.

[@bcbdjane]

imagine being a train driver and suddenly hearing your train talk

[@twistedaxles9126]

I'd probably go with driving Henry, i dream of riding in the cab while delivering the Flying Kipper in the cold morning, after finishing the job, id probably sit down with him to have a nice chat and talk about his problems in the past and motivating him before heading back home.

[@Mr-pn2eh]

I would want drive either boco or Paxton or Bear or Rusty.

[@eliotreader8220]

don't forget to clean the boiler tubes out either or you'd be in big trouble

[@MartinAsleep]

Its great to be an engine, but its not so great to be an engine DRIVER! Great Video!

[@Thomas_Morse]

To answer the question, I’d stay clear of certain Diesels but there are still some who I could probably get along with. If I could choose an engine, I at least know I have options on sodor!!! I’ll be more than happy to provide my options if anyone wants to know, and I won’t complain if I didn’t get chosen to one of them… just knowing that there’s still some engine I could help make useful will put me in a good mood.

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

I am thin and frail enough to do the prep work on Edward, since he's a 19th century inside motion 4-4-0 and the underside would be close quarters. My ideal locos would probably be Emily (Fun 19th century thing with the least amount of stuff to oil, not expected to pull much, I can show up to work in period attire) or Gordon, though if the Peel Godred has old school DC electrics, oh, I'd be over the moon!

[@Thomas-be1ui]

I guess I'd like to drive either Skarloey, Peter Sam or Rheneas, because Skarloey and Rheneas are old and wise and help you if you need it and Peter Sam is so moodlifting. Also working on the Skarloey would lead to know the people and it's not as stressful as it's on the mainline.

[@SassyBloomers]

In the illustration where George smashed in to Sir Handel I never realize that George looked drunk

[@fishpop]

I'd probably try to avoid the fussier engines like Gordon, James or Thomas. I wouldn't mind driving Toby. I like Toby.

[@jamesgroccia644]

I'd prefer working with Henry or Toby. They're both reliable workhorses, and like taking things slow every now and again. Yes they can be temperamental, as all engines are, but in a pinch they'll pull through and get back home.

[@jamestheredenginefan5268]

Worker: Et’s Oll In Me Ed Et’s Oll In Me Ed Skarloey: Wot’s In Your Head?

[@kingofthepod5169]

Yeah steam engines are temperamental. So is every machine, today my forklift decided it was a good day to drop 3500 pounds of concrete off its forks from 20 feet in the air. (1 and 3/4 tons, 15 meters, give or take). I was shaken and stirred.

[@jonah6404]

I'd work with Arry and Bert and go around the area trolling other engines and blast the horns lol

[@wselander]

First introduction to your channel - splendid video!

[@OfficialTrainzGod]

I'd want to drive Edward, the engine never gives up on a job Edit: He also knows how to control the trucks.

[@gmanstudios11905]

If I were to take a shot for every reference or joke in this video I would be wasted by the 6 minute mark.

[@JosephRailwayStudios2000]

Very nice Max I really liked that video it was so fascinating!

[@heronimousbrapson863]

I always figured that engines that were capable of talking could drive themselves; I never understood why they needed drivers at all...

[@newbienoah9461]

Probably in the case if they couldn't stop themselves.

[@tanjoy0205]

Gordon would be a pain to drive but really fun if he’s in a good mood like a snarky supercar on steroids !