BoCo

BoCo is a green mixed traffic diesel engine, who primarily works on Edward's Branch Line and occasionally on the Main Line.

History
BoCo was built for British Railways on 29 September, 1958, and along with the rest of his class worked in the Barrow-in-Furness area from 1962. In 1965 he found his way to the Brendam Branch Line. Sir Topham Hatt expressed interest in buying him, and British Railways allowed him to keep the engine for trials. These proved satisfactory, and BoCo was purchased.

BoCo once accidentally took Bill and Ben's China clay trucks. The twins decided to play a trick on him, playing on their identical looks to make the diesel think that one engine was vanishing and reappearing around him. Edward was nearby to sort out the confusion and Bill and Ben soon came to respect BoCo.

Duck, who was suspicious of diesels, but took quickly to BoCo when the diesel took trucks to Tidmouth and found out that he was good friends with Edward. The two were interrupted once when James arrived and referred to BoCo as a "buzz box." Later James was attacked by a swarm of bees, so BoCo had to take the Express. Gordon was furious that a mere branch line diesel got to pull a mainline train. Gordon was later stranded on Edward's branch line due to a signalmen's error. Bill and Ben were quick to tease Gordon and jokingly threatened to haul him away as scrap or dump him into the harbour. When BoCo arrived with some trucks, he sent Bill and Ben to work and the relieved Gordon felt he owed his life to BoCo.

When the first eight engines went to the Mainland, BoCo was part of a group of engines designated to take over the major jobs of the railway.

Eventually, BoCo lost his buffer in keeping the twins in line and the Fat Controller decided to bring in a new diesel, Derek. Derek, however, had major "teething" troubles and was prone to overheating. BoCo had to bring workmen to help Derek when he first broke down.

Personality
BoCo is a tame diesel engine, who is sensible, kind, and has a decent sense of humor. He is also very disciplined, as seen as he stops Bill and Ben from their pranks. Upon his arrival, he was unfortunate enough to be set upon by the mischievous Bill and Ben, when, thinking he had intentionally stolen their trucks, they pretended to be one engine and nearly made his eyes pop out. BoCo is now wise to the tank engine twins' pranks though he still somewhat humors them to a point. He is also good friends with Bill, Ben, Edward, and Duck. He is a true friend and is often willing to stick up for the underdog. BoCo is firm, but fair and friendly in his nature, not being afraid to speak his mind. Even Gordon soon thought of him in high regard when he "saved" him from Bill and Ben's antics. BoCo upholds a more praiseworthy and respectable, likable image for diesel engines everywhere, being happy to show the more pompous steam engines that diesels have their uses. BoCo helps bring good order across Edward's Branch Line, even occasionally pulling Main Line trains, as the Fat Controller recognizes how versatile he is.

Basis
BoCo is based on a British Rail (BR) Class 28 Co-Bo diesel-electric engine. BoCo's name is derived from his Co-Bo wheel arrangement, though reversed as the Rev. W. Awdry thought "BoCo" sounded more affectionate. These engines were initially used on the "Condor" express freight services but the class's Crossley engines quickly proved problematic. They suffered frequent failures, and in 1961 the entire class was handed back to the manufacturer for remedial work on the engines, and to cure problems with cab windows falling out while running. Upon return to service in 1962, all members of the class were allocated to Barrow-in-Furness. BoCo was susceptible to the mechanical failures of his class - according to the Awdrys, however, the Fat Controller eventually found a fix to prevent these malfunctions. The real engines were not so fortunate, and most were withdrawn and scrapped by 1969.

BoCo's number belonged to a real BR Class 28. The real D5702 was built in 29 September, 1958, and was withdrawn on 7th September, 1968, before being scrapped at J. Cashmore Scrapyards the following year.

Livery
BoCo is painted in a vibrant shade of green without yellow warning panels on his front and back end. "D5702" is painted on the sides of his cab in white.

Trivia

 * BoCo was originally planned to be played by Wolfy930. But due to so many people loving Amber's BoCo voice she decided to take the role.
 * Though to make this change fair Amber dropped one of her roles, which was given to Wolfy930 in return.