Stepney (T&F)/Behind the Scenes

Background Information
In 1995, Stepney was introduced in the fourth series of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. Stepney's introduction in the television series greatly contrasts to his introduction in the Railway Series and what happened in real life. Unlike the Bluebell Representatives, he was rescued from scrap by Rusty and taken to Sodor where he was rescued by what appeared to be the Bluebell Railway that is referred to as his branch line. Nonetheless, he still reprised his roles from the last three stories from the book Stepney the Bluebell Engine and has been recognised as a major character in the Thomas franchise.

Stepney's home was still referred to as the Bluebell Railway regardless of the inaccuracy from what happened in real life. His last official speaking role in the television series to date was in the fifth series episode, Stepney Gets Lost. In the sixth series, he appeared primarily as a non-speaking character and his appearances in the seventh series was made primarily of stock-footage.

Since the eighth to eleventh series, he was widely absent along with many other characters since the stories primarily focused on the Steam Team (and to some extent, the narrow-gauge engines). Stepney did however have a minor role in the twelfth series episode, Rosie's Funfair Special, where he was hit by a runaway truck of sugar that broke away from Rosie's train.

Stepney has not appeared in the television series since 2008.

Gauge 1 model
Stepney’s model was custom built to run on gauge 1 track for the fourth series. The model was built from brass. It was painted using glossy car body paint and lined with red and gold automotive pinstripe tape.

The chassis was constructed from scratch (CNC). It had a motor powered by electricity from the track via the pickups on the metal wheels.

The eye mechanism had two servos, one for up and down movement and one for left and right movement. The up/down servo was attached to the body. The left/right servo had a rod attached to the arm, which connected to a bracket. The eye balls were coupled to the bracket and locked in by the face-plate, so whenever the servos were powered, the eye balls would move however the crew member desired.

Stepney has had modifications throughout the television series. These include:
 * Series 4:
 * In most of the US version of Thomas and Stepney, his whistle sound changed to Smudger's. Although his usual one that he shared with Rheneas is heard once.
 * Series 5:
 * His whistle sound changed again and reused Skarloey's whistle sound.
 * Series 6:
 * His paint was given a matte finish.
 * His smokebox saddle was painted yellow.
 * Series 12:
 * His paint or livery became a bit shinier.
 * His whistle sound changed again to Thomas', but at one step higher-pitched. It's also Bill's, but twelve steps lower-pitched.

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, Stepney's model would stay under HiT and later Mattel's ownership.

Stepney's model used to be on display at Drayton Manor and wore a duplicate joyful face made during the HIT era but was removed from the layout in December 2018. Despite this several of his wheels remain on the layout although these are spares and not the originals. Sam Wilkinson indirectly confirmed the full model along with the duplicate joyful face was sent back to Mattel's storage unit in Southampton England where it currently resides today during various fan events.

Close-up model
Close-up shots of Stepney's cab was required for scenes in where he had to interact with close-up scale figures. It was also used for close-up whistle shots; smoke would emit from the whistle when required. The model was not complete and only the back half of Stepney was built.

It appeared in the fourth, fifth and twelfth series.

Fonts
• Clarendon Medium (number)

Voice Actors

 * Bin Shimada