Gordon the Big Engine is a bit of a jerk. Honestly, if you grew up watching the original series or reading the classic Wilbert Awdry books, that’s probably your first thought. He’s loud, he’s arrogant, and he spends about 40% of his time complaining about how "tender engines don't pull trucks." But here is the thing: without Gordon, the Island of Sodor falls apart. Not just because he’s the only one fast enough to pull the Express, but because he’s actually the most complex character in the whole franchise.
If Thomas is the wide-eyed kid and Percy is the naive younger brother, Gordon is the aging athlete who knows he’s the best but is secretly terrified of being replaced. That’s a heavy vibe for a children’s show about talking trains.
The Secret History of the "Experimental" Engine
Most people think Gordon is just a generic big steam engine. He's not. In the lore of The Railway Series, Gordon was actually a prototype for the famous LNER A1 Pacific. You might know his "brother" in real life—the Flying Scotsman.
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Gordon was built at Doncaster Works in 1921 as an experimental engine. He had some mechanical "hush-hush" issues that needed fixing, so he was sold to Sir Topham Hatt for a bargain. Imagine being the literal brother of the world's most famous locomotive but getting shipped off to a tiny island because you were "faulty." It explains a lot about his ego. He’s constantly trying to prove he’s still the "Pride of the Line" even though he’s technically a reject.
In 1939, he actually went to Crewe for a massive rebuild because his conjugated valve gear (a very nerdy steam engine detail) was acting up. He came back as a hybrid—part Gresley design, part Stanier. He’s a mechanical Frankenstein’s monster, but he wears it like a bespoke suit.
Why Gordon the Big Engine is the True Soul of Sodor
You've probably noticed that Gordon treats the smaller engines like garbage sometimes. He calls Thomas a "little tank engine" and mocks Edward for being old. It’s classic workplace bullying. But have you ever noticed what happens when things actually go wrong?
Whenever there’s a real crisis—like when Thomas falls down a mine or Henry gets stuck—Gordon is usually the one who stops grumbling and puts his weight into the rescue. He’s got this weird code of honor. He’ll insult you to your face, but he won’t let you stay stuck in a ditch.
The Arc Nobody Talks About
Most characters in kids' shows stay exactly the same for forty years. Gordon doesn’t. In the books, Gordon eventually gets old. There’s a heartbreaking and beautiful transition where he realizes he can’t pull the Express forever. He eventually "retires" to pulling slower passenger trains, handing over the high-speed duties to Pip and Emma. He handles it with a grace you wouldn’t expect from the engine who once tried to jam a turntable just to avoid a job he didn’t like.
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It’s a lesson in aging. You don’t see that in Paw Patrol.
The Voices Behind the Whistle
The way Gordon sounds changed how we perceived him. In the early days, you had narrators like Ringo Starr and Michael Angelis giving him that deep, gravelly, Northern English "boss" energy.
Then came the CGI era. Keith Wickham (UK) and Kerry Shale (US) took over. Wickham played him like a pompous aristocrat who secretly liked a good laugh. Shale’s version was often a bit more "booming American general." Both captured that specific Gordon-ness: the sound of a steam engine that is very, very tired of your nonsense.
Interesting bit of trivia: Neil Crone voiced him in the 2000 movie Thomas and the Magic Railroad. His version was a bit more neurotic, which made sense given that the plot involved a terrifying giant claw-machine (Diesel 10) trying to murder everyone.
What Most People Get Wrong About Gordon
People think Gordon hates the other engines. He doesn't. He’s just a "Type A" personality in a world of "Type B" steam shovels.
- The "Galloping Sausage" Incident: Diesel once called him this to mock him. Gordon didn't just get mad; he felt a deep existential crisis. His dignity is his armor.
- The Ditch: When Gordon ran into the ditch to avoid pulling a goods train, he wasn't just being lazy. He was protesting a violation of his "rank." It’s silly to us, but to a 1920s-era steam locomotive, pulling freight was basically like asking a Ferrari driver to haul manure.
- His Relationship with Thomas: It’s not a bully/victim dynamic. It’s a mentor/protege rivalry. Thomas pushes Gordon’s buttons because he knows Gordon can take it.
Key Facts You Can Use to Win a Trivia Night
- Number: 4 (painted in yellow on his tender).
- Color: NWR Blue with red stripes.
- Real-Life Basis: LNER A1/A3 Pacific (4-6-2).
- Best Episode to Watch: "Gordon Takes a Tumble" (Season 6) or "The Big Freeze" (Season 1).
- Most Famous Quote: "Oh, the indignity!"
How to Enjoy Gordon the Big Engine Today
If you’re a parent or a collector, Gordon is still everywhere. The All Engines Go reboot changed his look significantly—making him more of a "father figure" than the grumpy uncle—but the core is still there.
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If you want the real Gordon experience, track down the original Railway Series books by Wilbert Awdry. The illustrations by C. Reginald Dalby and later Peter and Gunvor Edwards show a Gordon that looks powerful, heavy, and slightly annoyed. It’s much more atmospheric than the bright plastic toys you see in Target.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Parents:
- For Collectors: Look for the "Bachmann" Gordon model if you want accuracy, or the vintage "Tomy" blue track version for pure nostalgia.
- For Parents: Use Gordon’s stories to talk about "humility." He’s the perfect example of how being the best doesn't mean you’re better than everyone else.
- Watch Recommendation: Check out the "Great Race" movie to see Gordon get streamlined. It’s a rare look at him trying to be "The Shooting Star," and it captures his competitive spirit perfectly.
Gordon isn't just a train. He's a reminder that even the biggest, strongest, and fastest among us have bad days, get their feelings hurt, and eventually have to learn how to let the next generation take the lead. Just don't ask him to pull trucks. Seriously. He'll never hear the end of it.