Harold (RWS)

Harold is a white helicopter who patrols the skies of Island of Sodor, searching for emergencies.

Biography
When Harold first met Percy, he stated that railways were "slow and out-of-date", but was proven wrong when Percy beat him in a race. Harold also dropped hot drinks for Percy's crew when they were stranded in a flood.

When Thomas' brakes failed while boarding at a station, Harold chased him down the line with an inspector. For Christmas that year Harold brought Father Christmas to the party at Tidmouth Station.

Personality
When Harold was first introduced, he was shown to be very proud of being able to fly and the speed and versatility this gives him. He somewhat tended to be cocky, as he believed that "railways are slow and quite out of date". This caused a bit of rivalry between him and the engines, particularly Percy and he is usually nicknamed "whirlybird" for that, but he usually got his comeuppance in the end. Sometimes, he finds himself in need of Percy's help after he teases him for being slow. Despite this, he still works hard and deep down, he knows that the engines on the Fat Controller's railway, including Percy, are just as useful as he is. He is always helpful and highly alert whenever there is an emergency, especially on patrol. Because of this, he remains a friend to the railway.

Harold also speaks in a manner reminiscent of an RAF pilot, using terms such as "wizard" and "old chap" in conversation.

Basis
Harold is based on a Sikorsky S-55 helicopter (also known as Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw), built in the UK as the Westland Whirlwind. These were used by the United States Air Force to transport US troops during the Korean War. He has added floats. Around 70 of these still survive in some form.

Livery
Harold is painted white with red lining. His name is painted on his sides, near his tail, in red. In the later Railway Series books illustrated by Clive Spong, the area below Harold's red stripe is light grey.

Appearances
Railway Series= {{Scroll box|

The Railway Series

 * Percy the Small Engine - Percy and Harold and Percy's Promise
 * More About Thomas the Tank Engine - The Runaway
 * Thomas Comes Home - Snow Problem

Companion Volumes
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 * 1976 - Famous Engines
 * 1986 - Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree and Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection
 * 1987 - The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways
 * 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines
 * 2007 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection
 * -|Other Media=

Books

 * 1989 - Thomas's Book of Colours