Ten Cents the Tank Engine

Ten Cents the Tank Engine is a Thomas and TUGS parody.

Ten Cents (Star Railway Engine No. 1)
Ten Cents is Captain Star's first engine, a tank engine who is used for a wide variety of tasks around Bigg City Railway. Ten Cent's capabilities range from the towing of trucks to coaches docking operations. Like the rest of the Star Fleet, Ten Cents is based on LBSCR Billington E2-Class 0-6-0T.

Ten Cents is one of the younger Star Engines. He has a tendency to be somewhat cheeky at times, but he is strong willed and it takes a lot of break him. He is quick-witted and takes action swiftly without hesitation. He never lets other engines bully him and never fails to stand up for others. He is always willing to set aside his own safety for the sake of others.

Unlike the other engines of Bigg City, Ten Cents' whistle/hooter was modelled to resemble a face complete with a red flat-cap like Sunshine's - it's tone is strident but middle-pitched and Ten Cents almost always sounds it in a quick double-or-triple-bursts. He speaks with a strong East End Cockney accent.

Ten Cents works mainly with Sunshine, the Star Fleet's second and smaller tank engine. They have shared many adventures, almost to the extent that it is impossible to imagine one without the other. Hercules often relies on Ten Cents to look after others such as Lillie or the Duchess.

Big Mac (Star Railway Engine No. 2)
Big Mac is Captain Star's second engine, and a big express engine, who sports a distinctively broad Glaswegian accent. He is used for a variety of tasks around Bigg City Port, usually, because he is the second strongest, usually means he supporting heavy loads. Big Mac is based on LNER Gresley Class A1/3 with a two-cylinder design, a smooth running plate, Stanier underframes, "Black-5" wheels and cylinders, squared-off side windows, rectangular buffers and a Fowler-style tender, and his name doesn't have any connection with McDonald's famous trademark! His name is more likely to derive from the fact that he is big, and speaks with a broad Scottish accent.

Big Mac can come across a rude and stubborn engine, but he has a heart of gold, despite his tedencies to be macho, gruff and tough at times. He is very much willing to set aside his own safety for the sake of others, and usually (but not always) remains level-headed when undergoing a strategy. Big Mac works mainly with Warrior.

As opposed to his gruff personality, he is fitted with a rich and melodic chime whistle.

Big Mac is without a doubt an essential character to engines, he is, after all, the strongest tug of the fleet and despite his sometimes abrasive manners, he can be kind and gentle. He is always willing to help out someone in trouble, and uses his great strength to help wherever he can.

OJ (Star Railway Engine No. 3)
OJ is a steam tram engine, the only one of his kind remaining in Bigg City Railway, and Captain Star's eldest engine. He is often described as "versatile, but slow". He is indeed capable of a variety of tasks, but is sometimes restricted by his age and mechanical condition. As Captain Star once said, "he had given many years of good service, but time was catching up on him". Prior to an overhaul during the year of the 'heat wave', OJ's aged engine was the cause for a number of mishaps, including an accident that resulted in the sinking of the Fulton Ferry. OJ's weakness and age has often placed him on the receiving end of jokes and insults from Star Tugs and Z-Stacks alike. For a period, he was the primary target of Burke and Blair, the evil-minded scrap dealers who attempted on a number of occasions to persuade Captain Star into selling OJ and his engine for a cheap price. But after OJ's quick thinking prevented Ten Cents from having to enter Quarantine, Captain Star sent the scavengers on their way.

OJ's whistle is the deepest of the Star Tug's, and has a distinct 'warble' in it, sounding very much like a distress klaxon sounded for short bursts. As the Star Fleet's 'wise elder', OJ possesses unbeatable wisdom. He has extensive knowledge and experience of harbour life and manoeuvres, and because of this, Captain Star often places him in charge of large operations, such as ocean liner docking maneuvers. On various occasions, OJ has demonstrated his ability to devise swift and clever strategies to help himself and his fellow Stars out of predicaments. He does not stand for nonsense, and is quick to correct the younger tugs if they make mistakes. Despite his occasionally harsh approach, OJ cares for his brothers as a grandparent would for their grandchildren.

He speaks with a Welsh accent. He is based on the LNER Class J70 tram.

Top Hat (Star Railway Engine No. 4)
Top Hat is Captain Star's fourth engine, a 'railway engine', an uppity and snobbish character with a monocle and a Upper Class (Posh English) accent who looks down on everyone, both his friends and his foes.

Although he tries to avoid any job that will make his paint dirty, he is used for a wide variety of tasks around Bigg City Railway, mainly distributing railway rolling stock with his engines Frank and Eddie. Top Hat is based on the L&YR Aspinall Class 27/Hughes Class 28 2-6-0 hybrid with a Fowler tender His name derives from his trademark hat. Dispite his problem with dirty jobs he is often used to tow Lord Stinker the garbage engine in episodes such as High Tide or Warrior. In High Tide he gained a great respect for the engine. Yet in other episodes he complains about the garbage itself. And oftern teases Warrior for his garbage smell.

Like OJ, Top Hat's whistle is very deeply pitched, but softened somewhat in comparison with OJ's - he is also fitted with a fog-horn as shown in the episode 'Ghosts'.

Top Hat cares mainly about himself and saving his own neck. He is often ridiculed by his companions, particularly Ten Cents and the villanous Z stacks. Also by Frank in Munitions.

Warrior (Star Railway Engine No. 5)
Warrior is Captain Star's fifth engine, who is used for a wide variety of tasks around Bigg City Railway. Warrior usually works with his close companion, friend and colleague Big Mac. He often is clumsy but tries not mess up. He speaks with a deep voice and a probably South London accent.

His capabilities range from the towing of truck, mainly that of Lord Stinker, (a garbage engine who is an associate of Warrior's) to major liner docking operations, including Princess Alice and The Duchess. Warrior is based on the LMS Class 5MT with a Fowler tender, originally GNR Ivatt Class C1/LNER Gresley Class A1/A3 hybrid 4-6-0, his name obviously means he is pure of courage, bravery and knows how to put up a fight, which is quite ironically nothing at all like Warrior! In some scenes it seems as though he has a bit of hair sticking out from under his cap.

Warrior's whistle has a single note and is very nasal, much like a factory hooter.

Hercules (Star Railway Engine No. 6)
Hercules is Captain Star's sixth engine, an 'ocean-going' engine who is often used for large-scale operations and important contracts. During periods of bad weather he is out at sea answering distress calls, and is often sent out to escort large coaches into the port. He is often considered to be one of the fleet's main leaders, and is often placed in charge of large operations. Hercules is based on the Furness Railway Class K2 with a Fowler tender. He is named after a commonly known mythological figure (see Hercules), although he may have been named after the well-known British war vessel, HMS Hercules.

Character-wise, Hercules is a cool-headed fighter. He speaks with a clear, soft tone and a politically correct (P.C.) English accent, but his words are often hard. Nothing can break him and not even the antics of the Z-Stacks and Bluenose can set him back. He is held in high regard by most of the tugs in the harbour, and even Zorran knows that he cannot win a confrontation with Hercules. Hercules is famously known for referring to his fellow Star Engines as "ma' dears", "darling" and "sweet-heart". He is the only character to have sideburns. He is recognised for his 'discreet' relationship with Lillie Lightship, and his 'lady's man' personna.

Like Big Mac, Hercules is fitted with a chime whistle, but one with a 'cleaner' sound and a two-tone signiture.

Sunshine (Star Railway Engine No. 7)
Sunshine is Captain Star's seventh engine, a small tank engine who is used for a wide variety of tasks around Bigg City Railway. Sunshine was introduced in the pilot episode of the same name, which is considered by many fans as one of the best episodes made. He has many capabilities that range from the towing of barges to liner docking operations, in his first assignment from the Star Fleet he was pushed by evil Z-stack Zorran who caused the whole thing to be a disaster. Sunshine is based on the GWR Avonside Class 1340 with No. 1430 "Trojan" body shape and 1361 bunker.

Sunshine can be occasionally cheeky at times, but he is very strong willed nethertheless. He is quick-witted and takes action swiftly without hesitation (usually).

Sunshine also can figure things out very quickly, as in "Jinxed" where he points out that each of jinxed tug Boomer's unfortunate mishaps occurs right after Ten Cents sounds his steam hooter, suggesting a cause-and-effect relationship. On the subject of whistles, Sunshine's is middle-to-high pitched and has a distinct 'whooping' sound which could best be described as 'upbeat', suiting his personality and name.

Sunshine works mainly with Ten Cents, the Star Fleet's first and larger tank engine. They have shared many adventures, almost to the extent that it is impossible to imagine one without the other.

Sunshine has a rather soft Newcastle (or Geordie) accent and (most of the time) he whistles when he speaks, because he is missing some of his front teeth.

Grampus (Star Railway Engine No. 8)
Grampus is a Great Western engine once owned by the navy. He is a close friend with the Star Fleet and has helped them out in various situations. He appeared for the first time in Pirate, in which he helped to prove Ten Cents innocence. In Regatta, he was nearly blown up by Bluenose the naval engine having been branded as 'too old' for further service. He speaks with a Central English accent (with a noticeable lisp). Grampus is based on the GWR 57xx class.

He was thankfully swiftly rescued by the Star Fleet. On the same day, he was bought by Captain Star and joined the Star Engines as their first star Great Western engine.

Frank and Eddie (Star Railway Engines No. 9 and 10)
Frank and Eddie are a pair of twin railway tender engines who work with Top Hat the railway engine. They are very quick-witted and are among the few that can deal with Top Hat's superiority. Both of the twins speak with Cockney accents.

On a side note Frank speaks in a voice Similar to former President Richard Nixon.

Frank and Eddie are based on the Caledonian Railway 812.

Zorran (Zero Railway Engine No. 1)
Zorran is perhaps the most devious and well-known of all the Z Stacks and he is Captain Zero's first engine. He is the fleet's leader. He is a diesel engine.

He is a scheming and evil diesel and his lackeys (who are usually Zug and Zip) do his dirty work to keep him happy. He has a love/hate relationship with another diesel Izzy Gomez. Zorran is based on the BR Class 08, one of the most preserved British locomotives. He speaks with a neutral English accent (with lashings of Cockney). His deep, aggressive horn sounds more like the air-horns fitted to modern diesel locomotives, trucks and ships.

He has a major roles in most episodes, and a majority of stories focus on him as a leading, scheming villain in some way. Although he is undoubtedly the smartest of the Z-Stacks, his plans usually end up backfiring - either through the incompetence of the other Z-Stacks or through his own overconfidence. He doesn't appear to be afraid of anyone other than Hercules, and has even been known to show insolence to his boss, Captain Zero.

Despite his malign characteristics, there is a very good reason for Zorran's role as leader of the Z-Stacks - he's easily the most competant and (when not scheming) sensible of the fleet, best shown in the episode 'Munitions' when he was given responsibility for overseeing a large delivery of explosives. Zorran ensured the other Zs followed all correct safety precautions and saw that the job was carried out efficently. Later at the Naval Pool he sided with OJ when arguing with the officious navy engine Bluenose over common sense vs. orders, and when a massive fire broke out was concerned enough to urge rival tug Ten Cents to get out of the danger zone. True to his more oppurtunistic nature however Zorran then sat back to enjoy the impromtu fireworks display as the naval tramp steamer Krakatoa blew itself apart.

Zebedee (Zero Railway Engine No. 2)
Zebedee is one of the devious Z-Stacks, he is Captain Zero's second engine and a diesel engine, a who is used for a wide variety of tasks around Bigg City Railway. Like Zorran, Zebedee is based on BR Class 08. He speaks with a Liverpudlian accent.

Zebedee is one of the more complex characters, mean and vindictive on the outside, but on the inside there is much to his personality. In the episode 'High Winds' his guilty conscience proves he has good in him, when he helps the Star fleet tow the engine Princess Alice. The lighter side of Zebedee was never examined again in the series, but it was an interesting factor that might have been further revealed had the series continued..

Although loud, Zebedee's horn produced a single flat note with a sound that would best be described as 'bwaa-!'

Zak (Zero Railway Engine No. 3)
Zak is the third member of Captain Zero's Z-Stack fleet, he was used for a wide variety of tasks around Bigg City Railway. Zak's main role was that of a flunky to the devious Zorran and is usually seen working with his companion Zebedee. Like Zorran and Zebedee, Zak is based on the BR Class 08. He is a thuggish character, often aggressive and threatening. Publicity material for the series indicated that he saw himself as a potential leader of the Z-Stacks.

Zak is the Z-Stack equvilent to the Star fleet's Hercules, in that he is rarely ever seen in the remarkably short span of episodes, had there been a second series, his character would need major developing. He has no major roles in any episodes, but is usually seen either assisting the Z-Stacks in their devious schemes and insulting the Star Tugs. His horn sounds like Warrior's whistle, but only deeper with two tones.

Zak's most prominent appearance was in 'High Tide', when he and Zebedee competed with Big Mac and Warrior for a big steel contract. Engine trouble that Zak had neglected to get treated however forced the two Zs to take a shortcut through Bigg City's canal network - what Zak saw as a very clever ideas however resulted in disaster when Zebedee's tall load struck and collapsed a railway bridge.

Zak speaks with a gruff Cockney accent.

Zug (Zero Railway Engine No. 4)
Zug is Captain Zero's fourth engine, a tank engine who is used for a wide variety of tasks around Bigg City Port. Zug's capabilities range from the towing of trucks to coaches docking operations. Zug is based on Bagnall 0-4-0STs. He speaks with a Eastern European accent (thought to be Estonian).

Zug is a scheming and vindictive engine, he mainly works with Zip and is the brains of the operation, whereas Zip tends to be rather thick! Zug is obviously scared of the main Z-Stack Zorran and has a tendency to be somewhat nervous and jittery around him. Zug and Zip are the Z-Stack equivalents of Ten Cents and Sunshine, in that they are the smaller tugs of the fleet, who work together, just like them and are often, plotting against them. Zug is not all that smart but compared to Zip he sure is.

Zug's whistle had a hooting quality that sounded very much like a squeezy horn, but deeper.

Zip (Zero Railway Engine No. 5)
Zip is Captain Zero's second tank engine. It is safe to presume that he is also the newest addition to the fleet, as well as the youngest. He works, nearly always, with Zug (No. 4) and together they are often used to win minor contracts (such as the freighting of quarried bolders) and other such duties. Like Zug, Zip is based on the Bagnall 0-4-0ST. He speaks with a neutral English accent.

Zip is famously described as 'Zug, only worse'. His head is often in the clouds, and he is well known for being a coward. He is easily scared and sometimes speaks out of turn. He is very quick to back down when engaging in an argument, and is easily dominated. Zip is often described as being 'slow in the head', for it will often take him a while to catch onto things, even basic terms and phrases like devious. He is mostly out of plans, but may do his own, screwing up the original.

Zip's whistle, much like Star switcher Sunshine, had a 'whooping' sound, but was deeper, with a middle-to-low pitch.

Whilst Zip and Zug are a similar wavelength, and have often been comparied with Ten Cents and Sunshine, Zug is much more skeptical of the pair, whilst Zip is quite the opposite. He will often follow along with Zug's plans in any situation, even if the concept of doing so causes him to loose his nerves. Zug often takes advantage of Zip's naivity to keep himself out of danger.

Zip is not seen as often as the other Z-Stacks, though his roles in various episodes have always brought much-needed comic relief.

Captain Star
Captain Star is the star engine railway controller and the most prominent character in the whole series, due to the fact that he narrates it. He narrates, and in a way that makes it clear that he is no longer at the helm of the fleet.

He is obviously a veteran controller and owns the Star Fleet. He takes great pride in his fleet, but he knows that it is important to be hard on them in order to succeed. He is usually very defiant and is always very strict if something doesn't go as shipshape as it's suppose too. He has seven tugs and one submarine (this is from 4th July onwards), they are: Ten Cents, Big Mac, OJ, Top Hat, Warrior, Hercules, Sunshine and Grampus.

Captain Zero
Captain Zero is Captain Star's main rival, and the zero engine railway controller, and he is owner of the Z-Stack/Zero Fleet. He speaks with a Scottish (exact region uncertain) accent.

Very little is known about him, although it is often implied that he has a criminal gangster background, especially in the episode High Winds which featured Johnny Cuba. He is always looking for ways of getting ahead of Captain Star, and will often resort to 'devious' ways in order to do so.

He has five tugs in his fleet: Zorran, Zebedee, Zak, Zug and Zip, who fear him greatly and follow orders obediently.

Izzy Gomez
Izzy Gomez is a diesel shunter from Mexico and a regular sight in Bigg City Railway, bringing in large loads of imported bananas.

Distinguishable by his stereotypical Mexican accent and sombrero, Izzy is infamous for trying (and failing) to convince the engine to give him a cheap tow and trucks into railway. He has landed himself in various troublesome situations, but once redeemed himself by testifying on Sunshine's behalf when the latter of accused of sabotaging a coach docking operation. During his time in Bigg City Railway, Izzy has been subjected to ghosts and potential sinking. He is close friends with Warrior of the Stars, and appears to have a love/hate relationship with Zorran. On his hull he comes from a place that is in Spanish but in English it means big port. Maybe sort of equal to bigg railway.

Izzy Gomez is based on the Bullied 11001.

Lillie Lightengine
Lillie Lightengine is a special and much-loved lightengine (an engine with a light beacon for a cab), placed at Dender Rocks to warn shipping of potential hazard. The Star Fleet have the contract to provide her with the necessary fuel to keep her light shining.

She appeared for the first time in a small cameo role in Sunshine, although she had more important roles in later episodes, particularly '4th of July/Regatta', in which she was hit by a blinded diesel that made a hole in her side. She was saved by Grampus, and repairs at Lucky's Yard allowed her to view the annual regatta. Lillie's light failed for a second time in Bigg Freeze, which meant that the Star Fleet needed to find another source to guide Hercules into the estuary with the coach Vienna. Hercules appears to have 'a hard-on' for Lillie.

Lillie Lightengine is based on the GNR Stirling Single 4-2-2 with light beacons mounted as navigational aids.

Sea Rogue
Sea Rogue is also known as "The Pirate". In darker times he stole truck for two mysterious green eyed diesels, who had captured Sea Rogue's Uncle, and threatened to scuttle him unless Sea Rogue stole more trucks for them. The Green-Eyed Pirates were later caught out by Ten Cents, Sunshine, Grampus, and Sea Rogue himself, who divised a plan to capture the two fiends. Sea Rogue had been previously mistaken as the pirate himself, hence his nickname and he later forgave the Star Engines for ever thinking that about him. He then returned to a peaceful life with his uncle.

Sea Rogue is based on the GWR Class 14xx.

Sea Rogue's appearance was intimidating, especially his eye patch, a typical pirate trademark. He was a completely green engine in colour, and didn't seem to work for any particular fleet, although the "Mi" symbol on his stack suggests that he worked for the munitions company, as the same symbol is seen on the factory and warehouse doors.

Sea Rogue's Uncle
Sea Rogue's Uncle was never named, although he was referred to as "Old Man" by his nephew Sea Rogue. He was an elderly tug with a blackish colour scheme, appearing only in "Pirate". He was kidnapped by the "Green-Eyed" tugs, who held him as ransom in order to make his nephew steal barges. He was later rescued by Grampus.

Sea Rogue's Uncle is based on the SR Class Q1.

Bluenose
Bluenose is a navy streamliner engine, who has a blue nose, hence his name. He plays precisely by the rules and acts as a kind of stereotypical army sergeant towards the other engine. He is annoying, pompous, and self-centered, and despite appearing in only two episodes of the series, he caused a major impact, and is often referred to as a major character. He speaks with a regimented Army English accent.

His major story line was involved with blowing up the Great Western Engine, Grampus who was saved at the last minute and later became a member of the Star Fleet. After the episode "Munitions", Bluenose was left a nervous wreck, after a terrible night at the docks involving the death of the naval tramp steamer Krakatoa.

Bluenose is based on the LNER Gresley Class A4.

Fire Diesel
The Fire Diesel was in his own right, quite a significant character, although he did not have his own individual name, he had a major role in the health, safety and well-being in Bigg City Railway. He is seen as an authoritarian figure and was often around when chaos was stirring in the Port.

The Fire Diesel is level headed and down-to-earth, he is usually bright eyed, although his stubble makes him appear quite rough, however he is alert and keen to get to work. He speaks with a Cockney accent.

The Fire Diesel is based on the BR Class 28.

Boomer
Boomer was found floating adrift in the episode "Jinxed", by the Star engines Ten Cents and Sunshine where he revealed he was a jinx, which Ten Cents was very sceptical about. After many incidents including sinking himself and his engine blowing up, just to name a few, Ten Cents finally believed that he had a bad luck streak. After he was repaired at Lucky's Yard, Captain Star decided that Boomer was to become a house engine, he now resides at "Dun Tuggin" were he can relax all day, and the jinx has finally left him.

Boomer was originally called Captain Harry, after his name was changed to Boomer, that was when the problem began. Boomer was the only engine except from the initial seven to become a Star Engine, even if it was only for a very short period. He also helped the Z stacks with a job, but after the trucks exploded Captain Zero got rid of him. He can be seen towing trucks in the background of the episode 'Up River' with this exception he was never featured in the series again.

Boomer speaks with a Irish accent. He is based on the LMS Ivatt Class 2MT.

Billy Shoepack
Billy Shoepack is an alligator engine. He is featured in the episodes "Up River" and "Trapped"; he was ridiculed a lot by the normal engines who found his appearance amusing. He had great courage and spirit which he proved to them, and changed their minds for the better. Billy has a fixation on dynamite which helped the engines out of very sticky situations. Billy speaks with a strong West Country accent.

Billy Shoepack is based on the Manning Wardle L Class.

Burke and Blair
Burke and Blair were notorious scrap dealers, and scavengers. Burke was the one with a moustache, and Blair wore the glasses. They were always seen together, and had small appearances in many episodes across the series. Their most notable storyline was that of the time they tried to convince OJ he was ready for scrap, but failed to break the determined OJ.

Their names come from the Edinburgh corpse sellers: Burke and Hare and they are sort of tugboat alternatives to their human counterparts, in that they deal in dead boats - not people.

Like Zorran, Zebedee and Zak, Burke and Blair are based on the BR Class 08. Their models are the pirates' model repainted.

The Pirates
A pair of villainous diesels who slipped into Bigg City Railway with the intension of stealing loaded truckss that could be sold off illegally for trade. To increase their security, they used Sea Rogue as their decoy, and to make sure that he performed their bidding, they took his uncle hostage and threatened to sink him if Sea Rogue disobeyed them. With the unexpected help of Zip and Zug, the Star Fleet and Sea Rouge were able to capture the pirate engines and hand them into the authorities. The pirate diesels were mysterious-looking diesels with black paint and a distinguishable pair of green-tinted spotlights. They are known among fans as 'The Green-Eyed Things'. The pirate diesels are among the few speaking tugboats among the cast that do not have faces.

Like Zorran, Zebedee, Zak, Burke and Blair, the Pirates are based on the BR Class 08. Their models were later repainted and modified to use for Burke and Blair.

The White Fleet
A fleet of engines who came to Bigg City Railway during the midst of winter. They came from 'northern waters' in search of an iceberg, and travelled about the harbour at night with engines 'off', listening for cracking ice. They were mistaken by the Star Fleet, Zorran and Izzy Gomez for being the phantoms of a engine fleet that crashed in the great storm of 1912-33. After an eventful night, Hercules revealed the truth behind the White Fleet. Since then, the Star Engines found they could laugh it off, but never forgot the night when fog nearly drove them crazy.

Salvage Fleet
Sunshine's former upriver engine fleet. With the exception of Sunshine and Billy Shoepack, none of the members were ever seen.

The Coast Guard
The Coast Guard is a small engine who acts as customs officer for the railway. He often stands at the entrance to the estuary ready to question and check incoming shipping before clearance. On other occasions he stands by and over-looks large-scale operations, such as demolition and quarry work. He also doubled as a 'one-man' police-force. Despite his size, he has heavy influence and authority over the engines of the port. He has made numerous cameo appearances, but had minor speaking roles in High Winds, Warrior and Quarantine. He speaks with a neutral English accent.

The Coast Guard is based on the LB&SCR A1x Class "Terrier" 0-6-0T tank locomotive.

Fultan Ferry
The Fultan Ferry is a ferry steam tram used for freighting vehicles and goods across the harbour. It appeared in various episodes, but was finally named in Quarantine, when it was temporarily crashed in the middle of the railway after hitting a fire truck pulled by OJ. It was later salvaged by Mighty Moe.

The Fultan Ferry is based on a LNER Class Y6 tram whose model was later used for Pugwash.

Johnny Cuba
Johnny Cuba is a notorious and violent diesel gangster. His strong accent and dialect indicate that he is from Australia. He made his first appearance in Sunshine and his main appearance in High Winds. Johnny Cuba is based on a BR Class 42 "Warship"

Cuba had arrived at Bigg City Railway to make plans with fellow criminal friends during a period of strong and troublesome tempest weather. He threatened Zebedee and manipulated him into helping him into the port.

Cuba sent Zebedee on an errand to steal a barge of coal, and threatened to sink him if he landed either of them in trouble. Due to a feud between Cuba and Captain Zero that occurred in the past, Zebedee was placed in an awkward and dangerous situation, until Hercules discovered Cuba's hide-out in an abandoned dock. Zebedee struck up the courage to trap Cuba and have him arrested, and was forgiven. Despite Cuba's claim that "they can't hold Johnny Cuba!", they did. Johnny Cuba first appeared in High Winds, but his model made five more cameos in Sunshine, Quarantine, Ghosts, Munitions and Regatta. In Regatta it crashed in dender rocks after colliding with Lillie Lightengine.

Nantucket
A dirty old diesel and a notorious villain. His only appearance was in Quarantine, in which he attempted to trick Sunshine into taking him into port by pulling down the checkered quarantine flag. After his plan was foiled, he was sentenced by the Coast Guard to a further forty days in quarantine along with Zorran. He speaks with a Lancastrian accent, and is nicknamed "Old Dirt Bucket" by the tugs.

Nantucket is based on the BR Class 40 1Co-Co1.

Old Rusty
Old Rusty is possibly a naval diesel, he made only a brief appearance in Warrior, anchored out in the estuary. He said that he had been anchored there for two years. His name is painted on his side in Big Letters. He also wears an old navy cap and has glasses not unlike O.J's.

Old Rusty is based on the BR Class 17.

Little Ditcher
Little Ditcher is a small dirty crane engine, and is therefore, one of the smaller railway cranes to be found in the port. He is sometimes used dredging up-river at Mittsville or for oyster fishing in the estuary, as well as various other jobs. His size makes him unsuitable for rescue operations. He is good friends with the Star Engines.

Little Ditcher is based on an industrial crane engine - Dubs Crane Engine No. 4101.

Scuttlebutt Pete
Scuttlebutt Pete is a tender engine and a notorious gossip - hence his name. He believes in ghosts, and enjoys voicing superstitions and telling old sea stories, particularly when the fog comes around.

Although he can be grumpy, he is a friend to the Star Tugs. However, dredger detail is an unpopular task with the tugs, and is often given out by the Captains as punishment. He speaks with a Northern Irish accent.

Scuttlebutt Pete is based on the British Railway 9F Class.

Lord Stinker
Lord Stinker is an aged garbage engine, widely known for carrying a heavy stench, and notably wears a peg on his nose to avoid his own strong odor.

He works mostly with Warrior. He is a quick thinker and once devised an ingenious plan to save a train from disaster, which gained him a newfound respect from Top Hat. He has made numerous appearances, notably High Tide, Warrior, Munitions and Regatta. He is also mentioned in Bigg Freeze, when Warrior fails to find a garbage barge, "Even Lord Stinker, his favorite, was full".

Lord Stinker is based on the NER 2-2-4 "66" Aerolite found today at the National Railway Museum in York.

Sally Diesel
Sally is a diesel, friend of the Star Fleet who have the contract to provide her fuel. Sunshine appears to have a slight crush on her. She appears only briefly in a selected number of episodes and spoke only in Sunshine.

Sally's cab-number is S-ALLY.

Sally is based on the BR Class 04 shunter.

Emily the Vigorous
Emily is a American tank engine. She wears an old turquoise fishing hat that is very special to her. She loves to travel to different countries and discover new cultures and languages. Emily loves to be admired, but hates to look silly in front of her friends because they always have high expectations for her, and look up to her as a leader. Still she always comes to find that her friends are there to help her, even if she doesn't ask for their help. She usually gets into arguments with George, but they always resolve their differences in the end. No matter how upset Emily gets, she always shows her kind spirits and female strength. It is hinted that Emily has feelings for Theodore.

Emily is based on the USA SR dock tank.

Theodore (Theodore Railway Engine No. 1)
Theodore is the first narrow gauge engine who lives in the Theodore Railway with all of his friends. He's one of the narrow gauge engines that wears a red baseball cap, and is sometimes offended if someone calls him "cute" or "small". He and his closest friend Hank are the only two narrow gauge engines that are not yet "narrow gauge engine" (tugs that are eligible to work outside of the harbour). They both share the railway side of the gauge and love working together. He's a kind little engine that is always friendly to the other engines in the railway, with the goal of becoming friends with everyone he meets. He loves to sway back and forward to show that he's happy. His biggest dream is to become an railway engine and to travel across the sea to different railway. But before he does, he works as hard as he can to make the Theodore Railway the friendliest railway in the world. That's why he is always there whenever someone needs him.

Theodore is based on Talyllyn Railway's "Talyllyn".

Hank the Volcano) (Theodore Railway Engine No. 2)
Hank (the Volcano, as he sometimes calls himself) is the funniest, fastest engine in the Theodore Railway. He wears a blue tuque and loves to make funny faces and noises as a way of getting attention. He can be very sensitive too, and usually gets ignored for being the smallest. But whenever he feels down, he always turns to Theodore for help or guidance. Sometimes Hank is the one to give a good idea without even knowing it. He also loves to use the word "fresh" to describe something. But out of all the other tugboats, Hank is special because of his good humour and nature to learn and grow from his mistakes.

Hank is based on Talyllyn Railway's "Dologch".

George the Valiant (Theodore Railway Engine No. 3)
George is the narrow gauge saddle tank engine. He wears a purple baseball cap on his head backwards. George loves to show off and can sometimes be a little rude without knowing it. He's somewhat stubborn and always struggles to admit that he is sometimes wrong. He especially loves to tell stories to the other engines, mostly about himself. Whenever he gets irritated, he blows up a lot of smoke from his funnel and makes loud noises with his powerful engines. But most of all, George is a hard worker, and never finishes a job until it's done, and always stands up for his friends.

Foduck the Vigilant (Theodore Railway Engine No. 4)
Foduck is the railway's safety narrow gauge engine. He wears a red fireman's hat and is equipped with extra bright spotlights, sonar transceiver and a fire hose. Foduck is always very serious and makes sure all jobs are being performed safely. Foduck is a V engine like George and Emily, meaning he is fully qualified to make ocean voyages, but is content with staying in the harbour to keep it safe. Because of his strong work ethic, Foduck usually doesn't express his feelings, but deep inside, he has a soft spot for everything and everyone in the harbour.

The Shrimpers
The Shrimpers appear in various episodes, they had a note-worthy role in Ghosts, when a group of four or five were accidentally led into a mud-bank whilst following Warrior back to port, using him as a guide through the fog.

They also were in "Warrior" when Warrior nearly ran into them.

Like the ordinary trucks, the shrimpers are based on 7-plank mineral wagons

Mighty Moe
Mighty Moe is Bigg City Railway's largest railway crane, well known for his booming voice. He is used for many salvage operations, in which he usually takes charge. Appeared for the first time in Jinxed, in which his hawser jammed whilst lifting Boomer out of the water.

Mighty Moe is based on a Ransomes and Rapier 45-ton steam crane.

Pearl
Pearl is an oyster coach, she made her only brief appearance in Warrior, working with Sunshine and Little Ditcher out in the estuary.

Pearl is based on a Wisbech and Upwell 4-wheel passenger coach.

The Duchess
The Duchess is the first coach we encounter in the series - in the very first episode Sunshine. She only appeared in two separate scenes in the whole of that episode: when the Star's were towing her in - and in the nighttime firework celebrations following a successful journey.

The Duchess is based on an SR bogie coach.

Princess Alice
"Princess Alice" is a tender engine- she appeared in three episodes ("High Winds", "High Tide", and "4th of July"), in High Winds she was in need of repair and the Stars (and Zebedee) all fought against the heavy winds to bring her safely into railway. When she appeared in the 12th episode 4th of July, she was fully repaired - and was celebrating Independence Day heartily with the other vessels whilst being loaded by Big Mickey.

Princess Alice is based on the GWR 3700 Class.

Vienna
"Vienna" was the most vague, but at the same time most beautiful coach ever to come into Bigg City Railway. She was pale mauve in colour and, much to Lillie Lightengine's jealousy - certainly captured Hercules' breath! She appeared in the episode Bigg Freeze where the Star Tugs and Z-Stacks alike were eagerly awaiting her return. She performed a hearty rendition of a segment of the TUGS theme tune (with added dialogue of course).

Vienna is based on a SR bogie coach.

Star Line Oil Tanker
This tanker was only seen in "Munitions". Ten Cents was sent to Lucky's Boat Repair Yard to collect it, but on the way Bluenose scrapes it. The tanker exploded after its load of petrol catches fire, caused by the huge inferno on the quay caused by Bluenose. Ten Cents pushed it out to sea where it blew up, nearly taking him with it.

Fire trucks
These trucks are used to put out fires, and are deployed in conjunction with the Fire Diesel, as well as sharing a railway. They were mainly seen in Munitions when Zorran helped the Fire Diesel try to save Krakatoa, and when Zug and Zip used them to trap Ten Cents and Sunshine.

Light Truck
An emergency light truck seen in Bigg Freeze when Ten Cents and Sunshine couldn't get Zorran to give them coal for Lilly. It is stored Up River.

Buoy Truck
There are several bell buoy truck's to be found across Bigg City Railway, most of them yellow. Notably, one appeared very briefly in Pirate, having been 'silenced' by the pirates in order to make their escape. Also, in the episode Jinxed, a "Wreck" Buoy appeared very briefly, as well as when Ten Cents hoots his whistle to test the Jinx, a nearby marker buoy crashes. This was the only appearance of these two buoys.

Other truck
Seen throughout the whole series. These trucks didn't have a hat, name or a face but were used for carrying lighter items. They were also used for rescue operations such as in High Tide where Top Hat used it to keep the bridge in tact. Another operation includes when Boomer was going to be lifted out. Also in the episode Jinxed, when Boomer crashes, Sunshine states that "He's come to rest on that old, sunken, garbage truck." This indicates that there was a garbage truck that had crashed there. This was the only mention of this truck.

Coast Guard's Messenger
A small crawler tractor with a shrill whistle, he appeared only briefly in Regatta to inform the Star Fleet of Lillie Lightengine's predicament, having been sent by the Coast Guard to deliever the message. He was in this form before 4th Of July, as he appears in the coaches scene of Warrior in Sunshine. He is located beside the Fire Launch.

Coast Guard's Messenger is based n a 1934 vintage Caterpillar Model Seventy.

Jack the Excavator
Jack the Excavator is a garbage excavator who works at the Municipal Garbage Corporation quay for garbage trucks and engine, particularly Lord Stinker. He assisted in the organisation of the 'Municipal Garbage Corporation' float for the annual regatta. He only appears three times in the series, first in the episode Munitions as a cameo, once in the episode 'Regatta' (in which he briefly wore an Uncle Sam-style top hat) and once in the episode Bigg Freeze, in which he had a cold.

Jack is based on a 1960 K1C10&K excavator.

Puffa
Puffa is a railway bus who works on the roadway at Bigg City Railway. Used for a variety of tasks within the road and at the rock up rail, he is a trusted friend of the Star Fleet and Warrior in particular. He has two named appearances in Up River and Munitions, and an unnamed cameo in High Tide. Other buses seen around Bigg City have the same horn-sound and feature similar stylings to Puffa. In Munitions, the character was warned by Ten Cents, OJ, Zorran, Zak and Zeebedee to escape from a railway fire. In the episode Up Rail, he raced down river from the logging camps inland to warn Top Hat, Warrior & OJ that runaway logs were heading their way.

Puffa is based on an AEC Regal "T Class" London Country Area bus.

The Goods Traction Engine
A road vehicle other than Puffa appeared in Tugs was a traction engine which made several cameo appearances, most noteably in 'High Tide' where it was identified as 'the goods engine'.

The Goods Traction Engine is based on a William Foster and Co. eight-ton traction engine built in the 1920s for farm work and hauling heavy loads.

It was also later made into Kulu.

Budgie
Budgie is a small blue helicopter with a big yellow cap covering his entire airframe. He lives and works at the Big City Airfield.

Other Cranes
There were other cranes whom didn't have any names but were used all around the harbour and railway. Most of them were shore cranes owned by the Steel Company and (like Big Mickey) have made numerous appearances on Thomas and friends. In the episode Trapped, Sunshine mentions a floating crane who resided in "TopTown" (Up River) but was scrapped. This was the only mention of this crane.

Big Mickey
Big Mickey is described as 'the Railway's biggest crane', he was once stationed at the steel works quay for loading and unloading operations when the Star and Zero fleets were competing for the steel company contract. He was later transferred to the naval dock for the loading of the naval tramper Kraka toa. He has two note-worthy appearances in 'High Tide' and 'Munitions'. Even Zorran said that "nobody tells Big Mickey what to do."

Big Mickey's model is the same as Cranky from Thomas and Friends.

Krakatoa
This naval tramp steamer made her first appearance in "Ghosts" and her final appearance in Munitions. Due to a fuel drum falling onto some explosives after Bluenose hit Zorran's truck, the dock caught fire, thus setting off the explosives and fuel loaded in her at the time. Since she was nearly full, the contents did indeed "rip her apart" as Zorran predicted, and she sank into the bay.