City of Truro (T&F)/Behind the Scenes

Background Information
In 1991, City of Truro was introduced in the third series of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. He did not have a speaking role or a face and was only referred to in dialogue as a famous visiting engine, although his name appeared on a banner and on his nameplates. Because he was a one-off character, his model was put into storage following the production of his sole appearance and was later turned a scrap piece. He later appeared in pictures in the eighth series episode, Edward the Great inside Spencer’s Coach, and the sixteenth series episode, Flash Bang Wallop! in a photo book.

Gauge 1 model
City of Truro's gauge 1 model was scratch-built from plastic using model railway drawings and book illustrations for reference. Due to budget constraints, the model was not powered. City of Truro was the first engine in the television series to not have a face, and his smoke box door was recycled from a Märklin German BR 80 class (also known as “Märklin Engine”). After filming of the third series wrapped up, the model was put into storage. It is worth noting that the boiler on the model is considerably smaller at the front, giving a closer appearence to the Atbara class, which the Cities evolved from.