Rusty's Ghost Engine

Rusty's Ghost Engine was a narrow gauge saddle tank engine who supposedly worked on the Skarloey Railway.

Biography
According to legend, the engine was returning home one misty night. As the engine was travelling across the Old Iron Bridge, he suddenly lost control and fell off the bridge, plunging into the Cattle Creek ravine below. No one was able to find his remains. However, in the light of the full moon, several workmen claimed to have seen his ghost constantly trying to cross the bridge, only to disappear half way every time never reaching the other side.

Rusty told the story to Duncan, after Duncan teased Peter Sam for allowing his trucks to derail and fall into the ravine. At first Duncan did not believe the story, but the next day Peter Sam and Duncan's crew arranged a plan to teach him a lesson.

While crossing the bridge during a full moon, the crew secretly threw a large rock from the cab into the ravine and fireflies for unknown reasons formed into the shape of an engine. Duncan believed that the bridge was haunted and the engine was trying to cross the bridge at the same time as him. This frightened Duncan, and he quickly ran back to the safety of his shed.

In the magazine story, Creepy Cutting, the ghost engine was mentioned by Skarloey who suspected that he was haunting Echo Pass.

Basis
The Ghost Engine is based on the Talyllyn Railway's "Talyllyn", a Fletcher Jennings Class C 0-4-2 tank locomotive that Skarloey is also based on.

Livery
Rusty's Ghost Engine was painted black prior to his demise, while the ghost apparition was bluish white all over. The firefly formation was gold.

Appearances
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Thomas & Friends

 * Series 5 - Duncan Gets Spooked

Music Videos
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 * Series 6 - Boo! Boo! Choo-Choo

Books

 * 2005 - Thomas the Tank Engine Encyclopedia

Magazine stories
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 * 2000 - Creepy Cutting!
 * 2005 - Mine Mystery

Whistle
In Duncan Gets Spooked, Rusty's Ghost Engine reuses and shares Percy's whistle.

Trivia

 * The Ghost Engine reuses and shares the same whistle sound as Percy.
 * Unlike other ghost engines in the series, it is never revealed whether the ghost engine was real or not.
 * The engine formed by the fireflies resembles Rheneas, Smudger and Dolgoch.
 * His actual livery was unknown until Behind the Scenes footage was released.
 * The Ghost Engine is the only engine with a face that is never seen.
 * The Ghost Engine is the only engine to be shown perishing on screen.
 * His driver was seen in the Behind the Scenes footage but not crossing the bridge it is most likely that he jumped out of the cab before crossing the bridge.

Quotes

 * "A long time ago, a little engine was returning home. It was a misty, moonlit night. As the engine crossed the old iron bridge, he suddenly lost control and plunged over the side into the swamps below. He was never found again. But many a workman will tell you that when the moon is full, they have seen the little engine trying to get home... but he never reaches the other side."