Arthur/Behind the Scenes

Television Series
Arthur is a fictional tank engine created by Paul Larson and Robert Gauld-Galliers with his name given by Luke Sharp.

In 2003, Arthur made his debut in the seventh series of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends in the episode, The Spotless Record. He later appeared in the eighth, eleventh and twelfth series and also in the special, The Great Discovery. He was absent for 2 years until he came back in the eleventh series.

Arthur has not appeared in the television series since 2008.

According to an early leak on the names of the seventh series characters, which has not been found yet, Arthur was originally going to be called Clarence. It was then changed to Arthur when a TV magazine ran a competition to give him an official name and that was the one chosen. Arthur was named after the late grandfather of competition winner, Luke Sharp. TV Times had advertised it since November 2003 which also announced the seventh series airing every Monday and Friday from 5th January to 25th February 2004.

Arthur is based on an LMS Ivatt Class 2MT tank engine developed for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (hence the initials on his tanks). Unlike his basis, Arthur lacks a top-feed cover.

According to Robert Gauld-Galliers' original artwork, he was originally going to have the number "41241" painted in yellow on his coal bunker and a top feed like his original basis. The number 41241 comes from a preserved 2MT on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and at one point, 41241 was painted in a maroon livery like Arthur. Three others are also preserved.

Gauge 1 Model
Arthur's model was scratch-built to run on gauge 1 track. The model was built from brass. It was painted in a matte finish and lined gold automotive pinstripe tape. The letters on his tanks were custom cut vinyl stickers.

Present Day
After production of the model series wrapped in 2008, most of the models and sets would be put into storage, with some being put on display at Drayton Manor Theme Park. All other models would be logged and referenced in 2009 by HiT Entertainment, from this HiT would decide on which models were to enter storage once again, which would be given to crew members and which to be disposed off. Due to only having one model made in gauge 1 scale, Arthur's model would stay under HiT and later Mattel's ownership.

In August 2021, Arthur's model was put on display at the 'Clearwater Weekend' event at the Midland Railway Centre with his content face. His worried and cross faces were also on display, along with a motion tracking faceplate. In October of 2021, his nameboard from the song Five New Engines in the Shed was added to go alongside it.

Model Changes
Arthur has had modifications throughout the television series. These include:


 * Series 8:
 * His paint became darker.
 * Series 9:
 * His whistle sound changed and shared the same one as Edward's.

Pantone colours
The following Pantone colours are used on Arthur's Gauge 1 model:
 * PMS 130 C
 * PMS 186 C
 * PMS 188 C

Fonts
The following fonts were used on Arthur's Gauge 1 model:
 * Georgia Bold

Close-up model
Several close-up shots of Arthur's cab was required for scenes in the seventh series, where he had to interact with close-up scale figures. Most of the engine was built, excluding the wheels, front running board, buffer beams and a visible face. However, only the cab was featured on-screen.

Voice Actors

 * Yasuhiro Takato
 * Shinichirō Miki