Rusty (RWS)

Rusty is a little narrow gauge diesel engine. He carries out maintenance work and odd jobs around the Skarloey Railway. He is the second diesel engine to appear in the Railway Series and the first diesel engine to become a permanent resident of Sodor.

Biography
Rusty was built by Ruston and Hornsby Ltd. in Lincoln, England. He was bought by Sir Handel Brown direct from the builders in 1957 to assist Sir Handel and Peter Sam. A generally reliable engine, Rusty is used for track maintenance and breakdowns. Rusty is also occasionally used in an emergency for light passenger traffic.

When Sir Handel pretended to be ill, Rusty was asked to assist Peter Sam with the slate trucks, and later that day had to perform a rescue operation at the quarry when Peter Sam had an accident on the incline.

Following the return of Skarloey, Rusty was put back on maintenance duties but had an argument with Duncan about taking care of a "bad bit" of track south of Cros-ny-Cuirn. While initially refusing to help the conceited Duncan when he derailed, Skarloey reminded Rusty of his responsibility towards the passengers and he set out at once, later making up the quarrel with Duncan. Later that year, Rusty and Mr. Hugh were chosen to demonstrate to a television crew how they maintained the line at Quarry Siding.

In 1961, Rusty and Mr. Hugh discovered a washed-out section of track south of the tunnel and the railway was closed temporarily while he and the workmen repaired the line. He was later present when Rheneas finally returned home.

In 1965, the Lakeside loop line extension was opened in a grand ceremony at Quarry Siding. Rusty was asked to bring visitors to celebrate the occasion.

In 1982, Rusty was in charge of carrying away tree branches and other cuttings, which were being trimmed from the line so that passengers could get a better view.

In 1996, Rusty was put in charge of the weedkiller train, a job he disliked because it required slow speeds. The weedkiller later created trouble for Rheneas, who could not get a firm grip on the wet, greasy rails. He later had to take Sir Handel's trains after Sir Handel's fire bars collapsed. For unknown reasons, he and Fred did not attend Ivo Hugh's naming party in 1996.

Basis
Rusty is based on the Talyllyn Railway's Midlander, a Ruston 44/48HP diesel. Unlike his counterpart Rusty was never rebuilt with a differently-shaped radiator.

Livery
Rusty is painted charcoal-black with yellow lining around his windows. His name is written on his bonnet in yellow, while his number (5) is placed on his side in black-backed brass plates. He has a black running board and red bufferbeams.

In the DVD The Thomas Way, the Mr. Perkins segment features a re-illustrated version of Trucks!. In this, Rusty is painted orange, like in the television series.

Appearances
Railway Series= {{Scroll box|

The Railway Series

 * The Little Old Engine - Trucks!, Home at Last, Rock 'n' Roll and Little Old Twins
 * Gallant Old Engine - Special Funnel, Steam Roller and Gallant Old Engine
 * Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine - Bluebells of England
 * Very Old Engines - Duck and Dukes
 * Duke the Lost Engine - Sleeping Beauty
 * Great Little Engines - Peter Sam and the Prickly Problem
 * New Little Engine - Speedkiller and Sir Handel's Plan

Companion Volumes
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 * 1972 - The Railway Series: Surprise Packet
 * 1976 - Famous Engines and Railway Map of the Island of Sodor
 * 1987 - The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways
 * 1995 - The Thomas the Tank Engine Man
 * 1996 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection
 * 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines
 * 2007 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection