Cromford

Cromford, also known by his number 2650, is a small but powerful goods tank engine who lives on the Bluebell Railway.

Biography
"Cromford" worked as a goods engine at the Cromford and High Peak Railway. He was later saved from scrap and brought for preservation by the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society.

When Stepney visited the Island of Sodor in 1962, he mentioned Adams in a conversation with Edward. He and Adams did not have names then, so the other engines nicknamed him "Cromford", after the railway he once worked at. According to Stepney, his controller was unaware of this name change and intended to keep it a secret between the engines.

Personality
Stepney describes Cromford as a tough engine, as he was capable of pulling trucks on the Cromford and High Peak Railway in Derbyshire, known for its steep inclines.

Real-life History
Cromford is based on the real No. 2650, a real North London Railway Class 75 0-6-0 tank engine. 2650 was built in 1880 and was used to shunt and pull light passenger trains around Derbyshire. After being withdrawn in 1960, 2650 was kept at Derby until being sold to the Bluebell in working order in 1962 for £890. He was loaned to Barrow Hill Engine Sheds in 1999, and returned to the Bluebell Railway in 2008. He is currently numbered 58850, and is in need of an overhaul.

Unlike his counterpart in The Railway Series, he does not retain the name "Cromford".

Livery
Cromford is painted in the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) black with red, cream and grey lining livery. His buffer beams are painted red with black buffers. Subsequently, Cromford's livery would be adopted by British Railways as its standard mixed traffic black livery.

In The Railway Series, Cromford's LNWR number (2650) is painted on his smokebox door in white.

Appearances
Railway Series=

The Railway Series

 * Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine - Bluebells of England and Stepney's Special

Companion volumes

 * 1972 - The Railway Series: Surprise Packet
 * 1996 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection
 * -|Other Media=

Documentaries

 * 2005 - Hashire! The "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends" Steam Locomotive is Alive!