60114 was built in 1948, entering traffic in the August of that year. It was allocated to several sheds throughout its career, including Copley Hill (56C), Grantham (35B) and Doncaster (36A). It was finally withdrawn in the December of 1964. No members of the Peppercorn A1 class were preserved, but the 50^th member of the class – 60163 Tornado, has been built by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, and is currently in operation.

The inspiration for Allen came from a chance conversation between the series creator and a close friend. Allen was originally to be named Arthur (after A.H Peppercorn), and was to be of class A2 – the model used was a Bachmann A1 pacific, at which point it was suggested to use Allen, rather than Arthur – and make Arthur a separate locomotive that could provide a contrast between the two outwardly similar, but inwardly different classes. Thus, after a few trailers as “Arthur”, Allen was born!

 Stephen is a Gresley rebuild of a Stephen Holden B12 locomotive – numbered 61572, Stephen is a hard working locomotive who works suburban traffic in and around the Leeds/Liverpool areas. Stephen is the oldest member of the Copley Hill stud (being built in 1911), and is the wise old sage who recounts times past, and gives useful advice when it is needed. Stephen currently wears British Railways mixed traffic black livery, though he has also appeared in LNER green, and BR express Passenger blue (which is not a livery the class would have actually carried). Wise and sensible, Stephen is the only character to have appeared in every episode of the series so far. He has established himself quite firmly as the fans' favourite character.

 Built in 1911, in reality 61572 was never allocated to Copley Hill shed (nor named) – however lots of locomotives of its wheel arrangement (4-6-0) were, such as the B4s and B16s. 61572 was allocated to London Stratford (30A), Ipswich (32B) and Norwich Thorpe (32A) throughout its life, being withdrawn for preservation in 1961, and currently at the time of writing, under overhaul on the North Norfolk Railway.

Simon Martin, the series' creator, had had an old Hornby B12 model, that had been named Stephen by his father for as long as he could remember – the reason? The original designer of the real class was Stephen Holden, and he and his father being steam enthusiasts, gave it an appropriate name. The engine itself was quite elderly, so it was natural that the character of Stephen would be the oldest of the engines in the series. He first appeared in episode one, and has appeared in every episode since – and remains the only engine to do so.

Sir Ralph's character had probably the most complicated of beginnings. Originally, this was to b a locomotive that at the end of the series would be a preserved example of the A4 class, and it was originally Sir Nigel Gresley, 60007, that was chosen (and indeed, for every episode up to episode 10, the nameplates read “Sir Nigel Gresley” not “Sir Ralph Wedgwood” - the model bought to represent Sir Ralph originally being 60007. It has since been renamed, renumbered and weathered). The series very much needed a locomotive with almost obvious character flaws (haughty, pompous and at times, rude), but at the same time give the series a much needed set of running gags, and a lengthy story arc. Early research showed that there had been two Sir Ralph Wedgwoods, A4s 4466 and 4469 taking on the name (with 4466 replacing 4469 after it was destroyed in a bombing raid at York during the second world war). This was expanded upon, eventually forming – if not the most popular, then certainly the most sensational of the episodes so far – Episode 10, The Legacy of Gadwall.

Herbert is a nervous V2 locomotive, a Gresley design, who is afraid of cows – he has struck up a close friendship with Stephen and Allen, and idolises Nigel as his hero (after being 'saved' from a herd of cows, and a single curious bull). Herbert, as a mixed traffic locomotive, pulls a variety of traffic, and can be seen pulling anything from passenger trains to fast goods trains. Although in reality 60903 was not named, the character of Herbert was named after his designer, Herbert Nigel Gresley (better known as Sir Nigel Gresley). Herbert's first appearance came in "Veto a V2!"

60903 is another locomotive that, in reality, was never allocated to Copley Hill, though other V2s were throughout the shed's British Railways days. It was allocated to Kings Cross (34A) for the whole of its life, so by sheer coincidence, was indeed allocated to the same shed as Sir Ralph Wedgwood, 60006. 60903 was one of a few V2s which were fitted with a double chimney. 60903 was built in 1940, and withdrawn from traffic in 1963. One was preserved, 60800, Green Arrow, which gave its name to the class V2 – the “Green Arrow” class of engines.

The Inspiration 

Herbert's involvement in the series was pure chance. A model of fellow (and preserved) V2, 60800 Green Arrow, had been bought on a whim by series creator, Simon Martin, for running on his layout – like Nigel (who came into being first, but appeared later in the series), he took his name from his designer: Herbert Nigel Gresley.

Nigel is a Gresley V3 locomotive, and is a powerful mixed traffic tank engine. Wearing plain black with a cycling lion crest, Nigel is, like Herbert, named after his designer, Herbert Nigel Gresley. He is known to listen to the cricket matches on his driver's old wireless set. His first appearance came in episode 4, "Nigel, Herbert and the Cows".

This series of “prairie tank” were first built in 1928, and originally envisaged to work ex-Metropolitan Railway traffic. Gresley V3s found themselves all over the Eastern Region, and particularly pulling suburban traffic from London, and in Scotland, but the largest contingent of V3s were based in the Leeds area (near Copley Hill). The class became extinct in 1964.

The Inspiration

Nigel's model was an old Bachmann V1/3 tank engine picked up at a boot fair – it had a broken middle axle, which was fixed after Episode 3 – allowing the model to make its début in Episode 4, with a newly cast face, renumbered and running sweetly. The prototype's association with Copley Hill meant that it was a sure-fire candidate for appearing in the series.

Tavish is a Gresley J39 locomotive, and is the only six coupled tender engine in the series so far. Scottish in origin, Tavish has a strong Scottish accent and a hard working nature. Tavish first appeared in Episode 7, and has been a firm fans favourite ever since.

The most numerous of Sir Nigel Gresley's designs (numbering 289), J39s were allocated mainly to the North Eastern and Scottish regions of the British Railways, however could be seen from time to time in several different locations. It is not unlikely that some would have been stabled at Copley Hill from time to time, especially given Copley Hill's status as a “C” shed. The J39s were first built in 1925, and were continued to be built by various manufacturers for the LNER, all the way up to 1937. The last J39, 64747, survived as a stationary boiler until 1964.

The Inspiration

Tavish is one of two BRWS characters that have The Railway Series counterparts, and his is either Donald or Douglas, or both! The association of the Scottish region and the ex-LNER locomotives is well known, and it was thought (rightly so), that a Scottish locomotive would help balance the series somewhat in terms of the character's traits, locomotive design, and accents*. However, when the series is remade in a better format, years from now, Tavish will be tactfully changed from a J39 to a North British built J37, as originally intended by the author of the series. This is an example of working with you have: no J37s are available “ready to run” so a J39 was substituted.

*Simon's Scottish accent in Tavish's narration is admitted to be, by Simon, the worst part of the series, and he'd like to take this opportunity to apologise to the whole of Scotland for a shameful portrayal of their accent!!!

 Scott is a Gresley A3 pacific, better known as Flying Scotsman. Numbered 60103, Scott made his full debut in Episode 8 "Scott and the Herring Gull!" although he has appeared in the background of other episodes. Scott at present is a very tense, angry character, and has been portrayed as being similar to Sir Ralph in terms of character, although there appear to be some more devious tendencies than the haughty A4 pacific. Scott has been the subject of an ongoing trilogy in which he accused Sir Ralph of being an impostor - happily it has been resolved, and the two engines are friends once more.

Hawk is a very hard working pannier tank from the ex-Great Western region of British Railways. He is powerful, a supreme shunter and likes nothing more than to talk about his favourite place in the world – Swindon! Hawk first appeared in Episode 3, and reappeared in Episode 11 – and remains the only character to date to have his name appear in more than one episode of the series (Episode 3 Hawk Aye! And Episode 11 Hawk Eyed! Being the episodes in question).

Arthur is a hard working Peppercorn A2 class pacific, who came to Copley Hill after Hawk mistook him for a thief...

He has a lot to learn, but has a big heart. He loves the highlands of Scotland, where he normally works, and has found in Tavish the J39 a great Scottish friend.

60525, A.H Peppercorn, was allocated to Doncaster for the first year of its working life (1948), and spent the rest of its life in Scotland, at Aberdeen, Ferry Hill (61B), until withdrawn in 1962. As one of only fifteen Peppercorn A2 pacifics, 60525 was the first of the batch, and one of the few which did wear LNER apple green livery from new. While 60525 was withdrawn and then scrapped, one Peppercorn A2 was preserved, 60532 Blue Peter, which is currently awaiting an overhaul. The two locomotives had several detail differences including the chimney arrangement: Arthur, being the prototype for the A2 class (like Allen is for the A1 class), was fitted with a single chimney which it kept until withdrawal. Blue Peter is one of the few members fitted with a kylchap exhaust and double chimney.

The Inspiration:

An old Trix model A2 pacific, an unused Hornby A3 replacement chassis, and an unused name from the series' main character (Allen). Arthur was scratch made, painted and finished, tested in Episode Nine, and allowed to make his first appearance in Episode Twelve.