HOME | DD

Description
AU History: First built in 1907 as No. 4004, Morning Star for the Great Western Railway, he was rebuilt in 1948 as a late addition to the May batch of the GWR Castles, out-shopped from Swindon Works. He became a ‘jack of all routes and trades’ for the Western Region, spending his working life without much significance to his peers or management.
In the late 1950s, he worked an RCTS Rail Tour, which ended up at Tidmouth. By this point, the locomotive was tired, suffering neglect and needed attention. The engine had recently been reallocated, and his new Controller (a friend of Sir Charles Topham Hatt) feared that if the locomotive returned in this condition, he would be in line to be scrapped. So with some collusion with the Fat Controller, the engine was given the care and attention it required. Noticing that he carried no nameplates due to losing them sometime ago, the workmen cast some new ones especially which read ‘Sodor Castle’ and placed them on the loco before sending him home.
The Railway Executive wasn’t impressed with what happened between Swindon and the NWR behind their backs, and arranged for the engine to be worn down and withdrawn as soon as possible. As a result, the engine’s final run – a last high speed run to break the speed record – went through difficulties when the firebars began to melt as a result of overexertion. The locomotive was withdrawn officially two days later and left awaiting scrap. He remained there for quite some time until he was purchased by a heritage group, backed and directed to him by the Sudrian Railway Society. Sodor Castle was slowly restored over the years on the museum complex, getting his ‘big break’ in the mid-1980s when a shed-mate, Flying Fox, was side-lined following an incident, and he took over his rail tour. After that, he became a semi-regular performer on railtours, often stepping in for other engines in the event of failure.
In 1985, the Museum suffered a blow when a major backer went bankrupt. Noting the historical significance between them, they invited Sir Topham Hatt II and III along to a railtour. The Museum group were hoping to gain funds by the NWR, but they offered to buy Sodor Castle restore it as part of the Steam Trust locomotives that would be re-entering service. There was some reluctance from the Museum group, but they saw the locomotive’s best interests at heart and agreed to the sale to keep their finances afloat.
Sodor Castle was brought to Crovan’s Gate Works for maintenance, but the care of the museum left little to be repaired. The workmen had him ready for service in the spring of 1986, and ‘Sodor Castle’ was unveiled as the first new steam engine to join the fleet since Oliver’s rescue in 1967. It was then that Gordon needed a heavy overhaul, and Sodor Castle took over as the main express engine before Gordon’s return to service in 1988. After this, they shared the responsibility of the services, though not without a friendly rivalry.
In 2003, Sodor Castle’s ten year overhaul was sponsored by a former museum member who originally purchased him in the 1960’s, who wished to use him for railtours on the Mainland. This took Sodor Castle off the island for around six months as he ran numerous routes, before returning to usual duties. He’s worked on semi-express duties with the growing high-speed fleet, but proved to be more than satisfied and capable of any train he’s given.

(Now I know most of you ERS Fans will probably be horrified by this change to the backstory, but this is purely a liberty I took from 'Sudrian Histories', purely in order to avoid unwanted criticism from SIF Officials. I was purely inspired by how some GWR Star Class Locos were rebuilt into Castles, which did give me the idea: What if my take on Sodor Castle wasn't a newbuild, but a Rebuild? So I did some tweaks and Voila! Also the first I ever witnessed a story about him was through 'The Gravy Train' by Tardisrescue. And like Winston and other ERS Characters I plan on including as well, I did not wish to cause any contradiction or criticism, so if any members of the ERS in general are reading this, then I solely assure you that I am quite respectful.)

Link to the ERS Book (Audio Narration): soundcloud.com/aledonian812/se…

Modified from GWR #4004: Sodor Castle (Evolution) by LocoSprites on DeviantArt

Thomas & Friends owned by Mattel.

Sodor Castle, The Extended Railway Series (C) Sodor Island Forums & The Railway Series (C) The Awdry Family.

Description
AU History: First built in 1907 as No. 4004, Morning Star for the Great Western Railway, he was rebuilt in 1948 as a late addition to the May batch of the GWR Castles, out-shopped from Swindon Works. He became a ‘jack of all routes and trades’ for the Western Region, spending his working life without much significance to his peers or management.
In the late 1950s, he worked an RCTS Rail Tour, which ended up at Tidmouth. By this point, the locomotive was tired, suffering neglect and needed attention. The engine had recently been reallocated, and his new Controller (a friend of Sir Charles Topham Hatt) feared that if the locomotive returned in this condition, he would be in line to be scrapped. So with some collusion with the Fat Controller, the engine was given the care and attention it required. Noticing that he carried no nameplates due to losing them sometime ago, the workmen cast some new ones especially which read ‘Sodor Castle’ and placed them on the loco before sending him home.
The Railway Executive wasn’t impressed with what happened between Swindon and the NWR behind their backs, and arranged for the engine to be worn down and withdrawn as soon as possible. As a result, the engine’s final run – a last high speed run to break the speed record – went through difficulties when the firebars began to melt as a result of overexertion. The locomotive was withdrawn officially two days later and left awaiting scrap. He remained there for quite some time until he was purchased by a heritage group, backed and directed to him by the Sudrian Railway Society. Sodor Castle was slowly restored over the years on the museum complex, getting his ‘big break’ in the mid-1980s when a shed-mate, Flying Fox, was side-lined following an incident, and he took over his rail tour. After that, he became a semi-regular performer on railtours, often stepping in for other engines in the event of failure.
In 1985, the Museum suffered a blow when a major backer went bankrupt. Noting the historical significance between them, they invited Sir Topham Hatt II and III along to a railtour. The Museum group were hoping to gain funds by the NWR, but they offered to buy Sodor Castle restore it as part of the Steam Trust locomotives that would be re-entering service. There was some reluctance from the Museum group, but they saw the locomotive’s best interests at heart and agreed to the sale to keep their finances afloat.
Sodor Castle was brought to Crovan’s Gate Works for maintenance, but the care of the museum left little to be repaired. The workmen had him ready for service in the spring of 1986, and ‘Sodor Castle’ was unveiled as the first new steam engine to join the fleet since Oliver’s rescue in 1967. It was then that Gordon needed a heavy overhaul, and Sodor Castle took over as the main express engine before Gordon’s return to service in 1988. After this, they shared the responsibility of the services, though not without a friendly rivalry.
In 2003, Sodor Castle’s ten year overhaul was sponsored by a former museum member who originally purchased him in the 1960’s, who wished to use him for railtours on the Mainland. This took Sodor Castle off the island for around six months as he ran numerous routes, before returning to usual duties. He’s worked on semi-express duties with the growing high-speed fleet, but proved to be more than satisfied and capable of any train he’s given.

(Now I know most of you ERS Fans will probably be horrified by this change to the backstory, but this is purely a liberty I took from 'Sudrian Histories', purely in order to avoid unwanted criticism from SIF Officials. I was purely inspired by how some GWR Star Class Locos were rebuilt into Castles, which did give me the idea: What if my take on Sodor Castle wasn't a newbuild, but a Rebuild? So I did some tweaks and Voila! Also the first I ever witnessed a story about him was through 'The Gravy Train' by Tardisrescue. And like Winston and other ERS Characters I plan on including as well, I did not wish to cause any contradiction or criticism, so if any members of the ERS in general are reading this, then I solely assure you that I am quite respectful.)

Link to the ERS Book (Audio Narration): soundcloud.com/aledonian812/se…

Modified from GWR #4004: Sodor Castle (Evolution) by LocoSprites on DeviantArt

Thomas & Friends owned by Mattel.

Sodor Castle, The Extended Railway Series (C) Sodor Island Forums & The Railway Series (C) The Awdry Family.