Callan/Behind the Scenes

Television Series
Callan is a fictional station on the Island of Sodor created by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton. The station acts as a stand-in for Arlesburgh West in the first few series of the television series.

Callan first appeared in the fourth series of the television series, in the episode Four Little Engines, which first aired in 1995. Its final appearance was in the sixth series episode Edward the Very Useful Engine, which first aired in 2002.

Gauge 1 model
The model for Callan station was first built for the fourth series. The station's design was based upon Arlesburgh West from The Railway Series as illustrated by Gunvor and Peter Edwards. Consequently, it is also based on Ravenglass station in Cumbria.

Close-up model
A close-up model of a small portion of Callan station was built to be used for scenes involving the close-up scale figures.

The close-up model's sign underwent a few changes between series:
 * Series 5:
 * The background colour changes to green.
 * The poles holding up the sign are closer together.
 * There is more space above and below the type.
 * The word "station" is omitted.
 * Series 6:
 * The space surrounding the type is lessened.
 * The poles at each end are further apart again.