Breakdown Train (T&F)/Behind the Scenes

Thomas & Friends
The Breakdown Train was introduced the Series 1 episode, Thomas and the Breakdown Train, making many appearances since. It was always protrayed as faceless and non-sentient in the model series. When it made it's CGI entry in the 2015 special The Adventure Begins, it became Judy and Jerome who were voiced by Teresa Gallagher and Tim Whitnall receptively.

Gauge 1 model
The Breakdown Train was made from Tenmille's gauge 1 kit with custom roofs and vacuum formed ends.

CGI models
In 2009, the series introduced Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) as a replacement for the show's long-standing live-action models. The works unit coach was recreated from scratch in CGI by Nitrogen Studios whilst in 2015 Judy and Jerome were created by Jam Filled Toronto. Their models were "hand-sculpted" in Maya, a 3D animation and modelling software.

Photographs of works unit coach's Gauge 1 model were used for referencing. According to Greg Tiernan, every detail of the original television series models for each character is carefully reproduced in the CGI model. The models are subjected to many rounds of review before they are submitted to HiT Entertainment for final input and approval.

As it became Judy and Jerome, the Breakdown Train differ slightly in design from its original incarnation:
 * The cable to raise and lower their crane arms was moved to their roofs, rather than being attached to a smaller arm.
 * Their cabs are slightly taller and their crane mechanisms are slightly shorter to accommodate faces.
 * They have yellow hazard stripes, which were originally not present.