Eric

Eric
Number	8
Built	1962 (age 61)
Arrived on Sodor	August 1962
Color	Purple
Configuration	0-4-2RT
Works at	Culdee Fell Railway

Eric is the number 8 on the Culdee Fell Railway.

Bio

Eric was built in Winterthur, Switzerland in 1962 along with Patrick and Alaric. (The plaque on his was incorrectly labeled, Eric's type was designed in 1922). He arrived on Sodor in August of the same year, shortly before Culdee returned from his overhaul. Eric had a brief overhaul in 1996.

In 1998, he took the first run of the "Tea Train". It did not go too well, as the Fat Controller accidentally spilled tea on him. However, after the Fat Controller landed in a cake after a sudden jolt in the train, the two made up.

Persona

According to Ernest and Wilfred in Mountain Engines, Eric is nice a quiet. However, when he does speak he can be very loud, especially when irritated.

Trainz Model

Since The Slopes of Culdee Fell the Joanteers model of Eric is used. Prior to that, SI3D‘s model of Lord Harry was used.

Basis

Eric is based on "Eryri" from the Snowdon Mountain Railway. This locomotive was withdrawn from service in 1992 and dismantled. Her boiler has been scrapped, dismantled and stored off-site. It has been stated that it is very unlikely that the engine will be repaired and resume service anytime soon.

Appearances

The Engines of Sodor

Season 5

• Goatbusters

Specials

• The Search for Smudger (Part 1 only)
• Revenge of the Ghost Train (appears in flashback, cameo)

Thomas1Edward2Henry3's Railway Series

The Slopes of Culdee Fell

• Niles the Mouse (cameo)
• The Tea Train
• Cliffhanger (cameo)
• Godred the Number 1

Thomas1Edward2Henry3's Remakes

• Danger Points (does not speak)
• Devil's Back (not named; mentioned)

Voice Actors

• Thomas1Edward2Henry3: The Search for Smudger-Present.

RWS Appearances

Along with Shane Dooiney, Eric never physically appeared in the book Mountain Engines. However, unlike Shane, he was mentioned in a conversation between Culdee, Wilfred, and Ernest.

Trivia

• Eric's role in The Search for Smudger is likely the first time anyone in the fandom, especially Trainz, has had Eric in their fan story, let alone speak.
• In The Search for Smudger, Eric had an English accent, similar to Patrick's current voice. However, in The Slopes of Culdee Fell, it was changed to Italian. All engines had unique accents to differentiate them. Italian is one of the main languages of Switzerland, where Eric was built.
• Eric was the last steam engine to be built for the Culdee Fell Railway, as well as the last engine to be built in Switzerland. Niles was built at Crovan's Gate.