Stepney is a minor character in the TV series, Thomas and Friends. He is an ochre gold 0-6-0 tank engine who was rescued by from the Other Railway by Rusty the diesel engine and brought over to Bluebell Valley on Sodor.
He was voiced by George Carlin and later Alec Baldwin in the US dub, and by Michael Angelis in the UK dub.
What Makes Him a Base Breaking Character?[]
What Do People Like About Him?[]
- He has some of the most exciting episodes of Thomas and Friends, including "Rusty to the Rescue" where he is rescued from scrap by Rusty, and "Stepney Gets Lost" the darkest episode of the series where he faces a near death experience at the hands of 'Arry and Bert, some of the nastiest characters ever introduced.
- His has one of the catchiest theme tunes ever composed in the series.
What Do People Hate About Him?[]
- Fans of the original Railway Series dislike how the TV series portrays a narrow-gauge diesel rescuing Stepney, knowing that it was the representatives of the Bluebell Railway who saved Stepney in real life, as shown in the book "Stepney the Bluebell Engine". They have even scoffed at the idea of a narrow-gauge railway running all the way to the other railway.
- Whereas the Bluebell Railway in real life is a popular tourist attraction in the Southeast of England with over 30 steam locomotives and 4 stations, the TV series version is a single line railway that was running out of business without more engines to run the line. This is another element in the TV series that has disgusted fans of the books.
- In the Railway Series, Stepney is portrayed as a strong character who can stand up to diesels, whereas in the TV series, he is easily victimized by diesels who are willing to scrap him.
- Several of his detractors dislike how the last two episodes in his story arc, "Train Stops Play" and "Bowled Out", were switched around on the Australian and New Zealand VHS, Thomas and the Special Letter and Other Stories.
- His detractors have also criticized how he hasn't had a major speaking role since Season 5 and has been treated rather poorly on rare occasions where he does come back. In "Edward's Brass Band", Edward is very rude and doesn't even bother to say hello to him, and in "Rosie's Funfair Special", he is hit with a sugar truck due to Rosie's carelessness.