| This article is about the engine. You may be looking for the crane or the Story Library book. |
Colin[1] was an apple green tender engine who once worked on the London and North Eastern Railway.
Biography
Colin was built on 31 July, 1923. He was around whilst Toby was working at a harbour in East Anglia as part of the London and North Eastern Railway. In June 1939, he was involved in an accident at Hilgay level crossing, and was rebuilt by Sir Nigel Gresley with modified footplating. Colin was kept in immaculate condition as one of the dedicated Royal locomotives hauling the Royal Trains from King's Cross to Wolferton for Sandringham. He also had a copper capped chimney. However, despite the locomotive's rank, Colin was withdrawn from service on 31 August 1958 and scrapped on 31 January 1959.
Technical Details
Basis
Colin was based on a Gresley-designed LNER D16/3 class "Claud Hamilton" locomotive of the same number. None survived into preservation. However, there was a project to build a replica of one of the original engines, run by the Claud Hamilton Locomotive Group, before they cancelled it in 2024. Interestingly, the group had chosen to build a replica of engine No. 8783 and intended to name it Phoenix. Molly from Thomas & Friends is also based on this design.
Livery
Colin was painted in LNER apple green. The number 8783 was painted on both sides of his cab in yellow and the company's initials, LNER, was painted on both sides of his tender, also in yellow. He also had golden nameplates placed on both sides of his front splashers.
Appearance
Miscellaneous
The real 8783 was indirectly mentioned on Molly's Engine Depot page on The Official Website.[3]Trivia
- In The Railway Series, Colin has nameplates on his front splashers, however the original 8783 did not have a name in real life. However, during the engine's working life as a royal engine, the engine was nicknamed "Royal Claud".[2]
- In December 2025, illustrator Clive Spong christened him with the name "Colin", although given that he shares the same name as the Thomas & Friends character it may be subject to change.[1]
Gallery
The Railway Series
Main Series
Real Life
