Rex (RWS)

Rex is a small green tender engine who lives and works on the Arlesdale Railway. He enjoys nothing more than teasing Mike. He is a hard worker, but sometimes has problems with traction.

Biography
Rex is based on a design by Henry Greenly, and was built by Davey, Paxman & Co. of Colchester in 1923 at the same time as River Esk was for the Ravenglass and Eskdale. He was found to be powerful but erratic and was sent to the Yorkshire Engine Co. for rebuilding in 1928 at the same time as River Esk, and for the same reasons. Walschaerts valve gear, substituted for the poppet gear originally fitted, gave beneficial results.

After Rex's old line in England closed down in 1967, he, Mike, and Bert were bought by Sir Topham Hatt and transferred to the Arlesdale Railway for mining and tourist traffic. Since coming to Arlesburgh, Rex has been found reliable and free steaming, but needs careful handling with any but the lightest loads, having an unfortunate tendency to slip. After the railway secured a deal to transport wool to Arlesburgh, Rex was chosen to pull the first train. But after Willie, a negligent farmhand spilled some wool bales on the rails, Rex hit them and derailed. His train was rescued, but Rex had to remain there for several days until he could be lifted out.

Rex, along with the other small engines were offered to be in the Reverend's next book if they behaved, when a rescue team went on a mission to look for Duke.

Rex later broke down when his steampipe was leaking, but when his driver used his radio telephone to contact for help, Frank was available, and took his train while Rex backed into a loop and went back home for his driver to mend his steampipe.

Thomas & Friends
Before Rex's Thomas & Friends counterpart was introduced in the 2015 special Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure, he had perviously appeared in Thomas & Friends merchandise. He appeared in the books Thomas' Giant Coloring Book and Thomas' Sticker Express and he appeared in the 2002 Trading Cards.

Personality
Rex is a playful green miniature engine with a strong sense of humour. He is a hard worker, and is the natural leader of the little railway engines (in spite of the fact that Mike prefers to think he’s the leader). Rex is very proud of his railway and a great friend to the other engines, but he can’t help teasing Mike to stop him getting too full of himself. Most of the time Mike manages to return the banter, but sometimes he gets a little wound up. Luckily Rex is very good at helping Mike see the funny side again, and is generally kindhearted and friendly.

Basis
Rex is based on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway's River Esk.

Livery
Rex is painted in the standard green livery used by the North Western Railway, with red and yellow lining. The word "ARLESDALE" is painted on his tender in yellow with a red outline. He has a black running board with red bufferbeams and valences. He also has a brass dome and brass nameplates with red backing. His wheels are painted black.

Appearances
Railway Series= {{Scroll box|

The Railway Series

 * Small Railway Engines - Ballast, Tit for Tat, Mike's Whistle and Useful Railway
 * Oliver the Western Engine - Donald's Duck and Bulgy
 * Duke the Lost Engine - Sleeping Beauty
 * Jock the New Engine - We Need Another Engine, Sticking Power, Jock and Teamwork
 * Wilbert the Forest Engine - Wired-Up

Companion Volumes
}} {{Scroll box|
 * 1970 - Twelve Happy Engines
 * 1972 - The Railway Series: Surprise Packet and Narrow Gauge Rails in Sodor
 * 1976 - Famous Engines and Railway Map of the Island of Sodor
 * 1979 - Annual
 * 1980 - Annual
 * 1987 - The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways
 * 1996 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection
 * 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines
 * 2007 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection
 * -|Other Media=

Books

 * 2003 - Duck
 * 2007 - Thomas' Giant Coloring Book
 * 2008 - Thomas' Sticker Express
 * 2011 - Duck the Great Western Engine

Annual Stories
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 * 1985 - Oliver Gets the Bird

Official Description
2002-2009= From Official Media:

From Official Website:
 * -|2015-2021=

Trivia

 * In Rex's trading card promo, he is incorrectly depicted as a 4-8-2 along with Mike and Bert.