Stepney is an engine from the Bluebell Railway in Sussex.  He was the first engine on his new Heritage Railway to be ‘saved’ from scrap, and remains a popular fixture on the railway to this day.  Stepney first made an appeared in his own Railway Series book No.18 – Stepney the Bluebell Engine, promoting the efforts of the Bluebell Railway.  His stories were later adapted into the television series where he was rescued from scrap by Rusty the little Diesel.  Stepney is cheerful, enthusiastic and loves to work.  During his visits to Sodor, he has run a special train for an important person – which caused Thomas to be shunted on his own branch line; accidentally held up a Cricket match when he took their ‘one and only ball’ for a ride down the line, and helped Duck pull a heavy train when a boastful Diesel became indisposed... however, he almost came to a sticky end when he met ‘Arry and Bert at the Smelters... but luckily, he was saved again by the Fat Controller!

	Spoilt and big headed, Spencer is the Duke and Duchess of Boxford’s Private Engine, and he takes them everywhere they go. Gordon felt threatened when he learned that Spencer was the fastest engine in the world - faster than him even! But in spite of his endless bragging, it doesn’t take too long before Spencer is put in his place, thanks to his own self-importance and stupidity.  However, while often portrayed as a buffoon, he has shown that he does have a level of cunning and intelligence when he tried to stop Thomas from getting Hiro repaired...

	Like most visiting Diesels to Sodor this one proved no exception to the rule of being rude and rather above his station!  However, like all of his kind, he got his just deserts when a bowler hat was sucked into his air-intake during an inspection, and prevented him from pulling the Express, which Duck and Stepney had to take for him instead! He left without saying goodbye to anyone and left two things behind - a battered bowler hat and a rather nasty smell!

	City of Truro is reckoned to be the first British locomotive to exceed 100 Miles per Hour, acheiving a speed debated to this day as 102.5mph.  He and Duck were supposed to get on famously during his stay on Sodor, talking about all things Great Western.  However, like Henry and Flying Scotsman, City of Truro sparked jealousy within Gordon and gave the big blue engine ambition to break City of Truro's record.  He did this to no avail, and instead lost his dome in the process as it was blown off by a strong gust of wind! City of Truro, like Flying Scotsman, is part of the National Collection.

	Hiro is a gentle giant engine who came from an Island very far away to work on the Sodor Railway when it first opened many years ago.  Hiro was the strongest engine on his Island, and earned the name, 'Master of the Railway' both there and on Sodor.  But Hiro began to break down and he was laid aside to await the arrival of parts from his Island... which sadly never came.  Hiro was lost for a very long time, but was eventually rediscovered by Thomas who tried to restore him to his former glory.  Hiro became a friend to all of the engines throughout this time, but he eventually wanted to go home to his Island.  But Thomas was keen to remind him - Sodor would always be his home too.