Drivers (T&F)

There are two types of drivers which specialise in operating engines, buses and many other vehicles.

Engine Drivers
The engine drivers (sometimes called engineers in some US narrations) together with firemen, make up the crews that operate and maintain the engines on a railway. They keep their assigned engine in control and provide company, as well as a voice of reason when it is being difficult.

Uniform
A North Western Railway steam engine driver's uniform consists of dark blue trousers, a black tie, a white shirt with a blue jacket with light blue accents over it and a blue peaked cap. This dress code is the same for drivers on the Arlesdale Railway.

Diesel engine drivers wear a similar, though less formal, uniform, with the Vicarstown Dieselworks logo on the jacket and a brown cap.

The drivers on the Skarloey Railway wear the same outfits but in grey instead of blue. In the CGI series, they wear a less formal uniform similar to that of a jumpsuit

Trivia

 * In the magazine stories, drivers on the Skarloey Railway wear the same colour uniform as those on the North Western Railway.
 * To date, eight drivers have been named:
 * Charlie Sand, Edward's driver.
 * Bob, Thomas' driver.
 * Franz, Hugo's driver.
 * Billy Twofeathers, Rainbow Sun's driver.
 * Mr. Arkwright, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Roberts and Archie Higginbottom.
 * Bob and Dave the signalmen (sometimes double as drivers).
 * There have been complaints about the lack of female drivers. Mary Creagh, a Labour Front-bencher, has said it was a negative stereotype and says it will make women less likely to become train drivers if they are put off in their early years. She also criticised the lack of female characters. HiT Entertainment responded saying there has been a "historical imbalance", but that there will be more female characters/engines in the future. However, Nia's driver is the first female driver to be introduced in the television series.
 * Douglas/Glynn's driver is the first driver in the series to have ginger hair.
 * In the 2004 magazine story, Emily's Slide Show, it is revealed that Emily had a different driver before she came to Sodor.
 * Donald's driver is one of the few to have grey hair in the model series.
 * The Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go reboot is the first time where drivers (and crews in general) are not present.
 * The drivers are not seen in Special Delivery, but their voices can be heard.

Merchandise

 * Wooden Railway
 * Brio
 * Motor Road and Rail
 * Capsule Plarail
 * Pocket Fantasy
 * Departing Now

Bus Drivers
"That will do, Bertie. A promise is a promise and we must keep it!"

- Bertie's driver There are several bus drivers who work for Sodor Roadways. In the model series, they were commonly accompanied by bus conductors.

In the magazine story, A Hole in One, the Fat Controller played golf with Bertie's driver.

Uniform
A bus driver's uniform consists of a light blue jacket over a white shirt and a red tie, light blue trousers and a red flat cap with a black brim.

Voice Actors
Bertie's driver:
 * Colin McFarlane
 * Shinobu Satouchi
 * Kunihiro Kawamoto

Bulgy's driver:
 * Ryō Horikawa

Trivia

 * Bertie's driver from Bertie's Chase has the same head as The Firelighter.
 * In Thomas and the Magic Railroad, live-action actors are used throughout the film. However, Bertie's driver appears as a figure instead. In the twelfth series, despite human characters being portrayed in CGI, Bertie's driver also remains as a figure instead.
 * In the model series, Bertie's driver had a moustache.
 * Bertie also has a conductor who collects the tickets. His figure is on display at Drayton Manor Theme Park.
 * In the sixth series his head had Old Bailey's body. In the seventh series his head had Mr. Hugh's body.

Merchandise

 * Motor Road and Rail
 * Wood

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