Steam Shovels

The Steam Shovel is a large steam-powered excavating machine designed for lifting and moving material such as rock and soil. It is the earliest type of power shovel or excavator.

Ned and Marion are the only known sentient steam shovels on the Island of Sodor. Ned is an example of a road-based steam shovel, whereas Marion is rail-based. The Scrap Monster, constructed by Reg, was made from parts of a steam shovel. In addition, diesel-powered shovels can be found at at the Blue Mountain Quarry.

The Railway Steam Shovel
The railway steam shovel was an old piece of rolling stock. It had a short wheelbase and was originally accompanied with a flat truck to rest the arm when it was stationary.

In Series 3, it was seen derailed at the China Clay Works, Brendam Docks, and Crocks Scrap Yard. By the events of Series 5, it was already scrapped and its remains could be found before the junction leading to the Sodor Ironworks.

Basis
The railway steam shovel's design is influenced by American rolling stock, however, its basis is unknown.

Livery
The railway steam shovel was painted charcoal brown. It originally had a grey roof.

Appearances
Television Series= {{Scroll box|

Thomas & Friends

 * Series 3 - Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party and One Good Turn, Heroes
 * Series 5 - Stepney Gets Lost

Music Videos
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 * Series 5 - Every Cloud has a Silver Lining
 * Series 6 - Little Engines
 * Series 7 - The Whistle Song

Trivia

 * The steam shovel first appeared in the Thomas & Friends' sister show, TUGS. It was used as rolling stock for the Dock Railway and seen in a few episodes, notably Regatta.
 * In all of its appearances in Thomas & Friends', the model was used as set dressing and was always seen derailed. It was also missing its roof and door.
 * The shovel would later be repurposed for a caterpillar crane at the China Clay Works in the third series episode, Heroes.
 * In reality, the steam shovel would be too large for the British loading gauge.

The Misty Island Steam Shovel
This steam shovel is owned by the Misty Island logging company.

The steam shovel is mounted on four Jobi Wood with a fixed chassis consisting of double-flanged concave wheels. It travels for some distance across two wooden poles as railing.

Basis
The Misty Island Steam Shovel resembles an American Hoist and Derrick Steam Log Loader modified as a steam shovel and a larger exhaust pipe. Ol' Wheezy shares a similar design.

Livery
The Misty Island Steam Shovel is painted bluish-gray with brown wheels, and shows signs of rust.

Appearances
Television Series= {{Scroll box|

Thomas & Friends

 * Season 14 - Jumping Jobi Wood!
 * Season 15 - Let it Snow

Specials

 * 2010 - Misty Island Rescue

Music Videos
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 * Misty Island Rescue - Misty Island Rescue

Other Steam Shovels
On Awdry's North Western Railway layout, there was a steam shovel model seen at Knapford Quarry.

In the Railway Series book, Thomas and Victoria, a diesel-powered face shovel was illustrated working at the Ffarquhar Quarry in the story "Overloaded".