What Characters Would You Like To See Return?

If George returns there should be a sequel to Steam Roller. It would also give Sir Handel a staring role.

To be honest I'd actually love to see that.

Honestly I'd like to see the Pack characters again. They would make for some great comedy relief on most episodes, as they seem to make a lot of mistakes, especially Ned. I'd like to see them in a few episodes.

And it might make a few plot points, like instead of having the signalmen fall asleep, maybe the Pack were working on the bridge ahead.

SO I think at this point (in no particular order), we want the following to return:

BoCo
Duke
Arthur
Murdoch
Various Pack members

People apparently want Terence back too and I've heard a few say Elizabeth too.

Oh yes, I forgot Terrence; thanks Don.

When Terrence returns, I think that will make it that all of the original rail vehicles have returned (Bertie, Terrence, Trevor)

Well, I've just spent half an hour looking through all 16 pages of this thread, and tallying up which characters we want to see. These are my results: (There were 300 total 'votes'.)

10. Stepney (10 'votes'/3% of total)
Stepney is a character that I wouldn't mind returning to the series, as I've always liked him. However, considering that he's a real engine, perhaps they should make that clear if he does return, or just have him visit again.

9. Molly (12/4%)
I'm surprised that Molly is so high. I like how she looks, and I like her overall, and indeed, wouldn't mind seeing her return, but that she was liked more than some other characters (for instance, Elizabeth) is quite surprising!

8. George (14/5%)
George, in my opinion, should indeed return. His rivalry with the engines would add quite a lot to the series, and would make for some interesting scenes.


7. The Remaining Pack Members (14/5%)
With Alfie, Oliver, Max, and Monty returned in SLOTLT, I don't think it's too much to ask for the rest of them to return! Ned, for one, would work well together with Marion.

6. Trevor (23/8%)
Trevor is a classic character – saved from scrap, he has warmed many a heart. Perhaps this could add something for the series; Trevor finds someone about to be scrapped, and saves it...?

5. Murdoch (24/8%)
Murdoch is one of the best characters from Season 7. He is the strongest engine on the Island, and thus would be quite useful with heavy loads. Perhaps he gets into a rivalry with Spencer?

4. Arthur (25/8%)
I was surprised to see how popular Arthur was, but it makes sense – he and Henry could work together quite well when it comes to the Flying Kipper, as Arthur actually likes fish.

3. Terence (25/8%)
Terence is definitely an underdone character. He hasn't appeared very often, even in the Railway Series. If he returned, he would most definitely add something to the show. Perhaps a flashback to "Thomas, Terence and the Snow"?

2. Duke (25/8%)
Duke is a beloved character who only got a spotlight in four episodes. If he returned, it would definitely be nice to hear him talk of 'the old days', as he's one of the oldest – and wisest – engines on Sodor.

1. BoCo (30/10%)
Not surprised here! BoCo is one of the most mentioned characters when it comes to returning to the series. He last appeared in Season 5 – not very long for a character, and despite being somewhat bland, it would be nice to show that some diesels aren't bad at all; nay, quite the opposite. I'd definitely like to see him return, and it's nice that he got the top spot here.

if they do return, here's what I think would be good voice actors:

Elizabeth: Sandra Dickinson

Caroline: Morwenna Banks

Duke: Bob Golding

Murdoch: Matt Wilkinson

Mighty Mac: Keith Wickham [Mighty], and Rob Rackstraw [Mac]

Fearless Freddie: Same as Duke

Bertram: Rasmus Hardiker

Personally, I'd rather Mighty Mac not return. I mentioned this once on SiF, so it is relevant here too:

The problem with Mighty Mac is, he's pretty much run his course. His initial, starring episode illustrated exactly what the writer intended to show- how two engines of entirely different personalities, yet are stuck together, have to work together in order to be really useful. Case and point- the subsequent episodes Mighty Mac appeared in- about 16 episodes or so between Season 9 and 12, he always appeared in a cameo capacity, either not speaking, or saying something but not really contributing anything to the plot.

In short, while I do like the uniqueness of the double Fairlie, I just can't get past Mighty Mac's one-dimensional character and lack of potential.

Frankthetriviaman wrote:Personally, I'd rather Mighty Mac not return.  I mentioned this once on SiF, so it is relevant here too:

The problem with Mighty Mac is, he's pretty much run his course. His initial, starring episode illustrated exactly what the writer intended to show- how two engines of entirely different personalities, yet are stuck together, have to work together in order to be really useful. Case and point- the subsequent episodes Mighty Mac appeared in- about 16 episodes or so between Season 9 and 12, he always appeared in a cameo capacity, either not speaking, or saying something but not really contributing anything to the plot.

In short, while I do like the uniqueness of the double Fairlie, I just can't get past Mighty Mac's one-dimensional character and lack of potential.

We'll kill you!
yes we will!

Okay, I'm a bit biased here since I grew up pretty much on top of the old PRR, and it's a long shot, but I'd say Hank.

1) We have Connor and Caitlin, both of whom are based off of contemporaries of Hank's basis (and rivals in the NYC-CHI market). Creates potential for some rivalries and is very much reminiscent of the old TRS-based episodes. With the new writers, this could get very interesting.
2) The two surviving locomotives in his class have already been accounted for. This leaves his backstory very much up for grabs. Was he a wreck bought at a knockdown price and operationally restored, for instance?
3) He only appeared in one episode, and that was a pre-CGI episode at that. Characterization is completely up for grabs and putting him into scenarios other than the one bottle episode he was in would help. For instance, apart from a rivalry with Connor and Caitlin, how would he interact with Gordon or Flying Scotsman?
4) His absence helps a complete character retcon or reboot. We already know how he was a flat character in his only appearance, but taking him out of the bottle episode and putting him in a larger cast would only help character development. Remember that TRS was originally created as a way to entertain a kid when he was sick with the measles with secondary moral characteristics. His sole appearance in a "pride goeth before the fall" episode did not fulfill any character development beyond "big American loco".

Frankthetriviaman wrote:Personally, I'd rather Mighty Mac not return.  I mentioned this once on SiF, so it is relevant here too:

The problem with Mighty Mac is, he's pretty much run his course. His initial, starring episode illustrated exactly what the writer intended to show- how two engines of entirely different personalities, yet are stuck together, have to work together in order to be really useful. Case and point- the subsequent episodes Mighty Mac appeared in- about 16 episodes or so between Season 9 and 12, he always appeared in a cameo capacity, either not speaking, or saying something but not really contributing anything to the plot.

In short, while I do like the uniqueness of the double Fairlie, I just can't get past Mighty Mac's one-dimensional character and lack of potential.

Yeah I don't really see how any characters introduced between Seasons 9-12 who haven't appeared in the CGI series yet would return.

GeorgeCarlin wrote:Okay, I'm a bit biased here since I grew up pretty much on top of the old PRR, and it's a long shot, but I'd say Hank.

1) We have Connor and Caitlin, both of whom are based off of contemporaries of Hank's basis (and rivals in the NYC-CHI market). Creates potential for some rivalries and is very much reminiscent of the old TRS-based episodes. With the new writers, this could get very interesting.
2) The two surviving locomotives in his class have already been accounted for. This leaves his backstory very much up for grabs. Was he a wreck bought at a knockdown price and operationally restored, for instance?
3) He only appeared in one episode, and that was a pre-CGI episode at that. Characterization is completely up for grabs and putting him into scenarios other than the one bottle episode he was in would help. For instance, apart from a rivalry with Connor and Caitlin, how would he interact with Gordon or Flying Scotsman?
4) His absence helps a complete character retcon or reboot. We already know how he was a flat character in his only appearance, but taking him out of the bottle episode and putting him in a larger cast would only help character development. Remember that TRS was originally created as a way to entertain a kid when he was sick with the measles with secondary moral characteristics. His sole appearance in a "pride goeth before the fall" episode did not fulfill any character development beyond "big American loco".

I think the thing with Hank is (correct me if I'm wrong) that he's too big to fit on Sodor. Otherwise, other fans might like him better.

Frankthetriviaman wrote:Personally, I'd rather Mighty Mac not return. I mentioned this once on SiF, so it is relevant here too:

The problem with Mighty Mac is, he's pretty much run his course. His initial, starring episode illustrated exactly what the writer intended to show- how two engines of entirely different personalities, yet are stuck together, have to work together in order to be really useful. Case and point- the subsequent episodes Mighty Mac appeared in- about 16 episodes or so between Season 9 and 12, he always appeared in a cameo capacity, either not speaking, or saying something but not really contributing anything to the plot.

In short, while I do like the uniqueness of the double Fairlie, I just can't get past Mighty Mac's one-dimensional character and lack of potential.

I think there's still potential with him, if not as a main character, than as a secondary or background character. The writing team we have now is utterly brilliant - I'm sure that they could do something with Mighty Mac.

Diesel 11 wrote:

GeorgeCarlin wrote:Okay, I'm a bit biased here since I grew up pretty much on top of the old PRR, and it's a long shot, but I'd say Hank.

1) We have Connor and Caitlin, both of whom are based off of contemporaries of Hank's basis (and rivals in the NYC-CHI market). Creates potential for some rivalries and is very much reminiscent of the old TRS-based episodes. With the new writers, this could get very interesting.
2) The two surviving locomotives in his class have already been accounted for. This leaves his backstory very much up for grabs. Was he a wreck bought at a knockdown price and operationally restored, for instance?
3) He only appeared in one episode, and that was a pre-CGI episode at that. Characterization is completely up for grabs and putting him into scenarios other than the one bottle episode he was in would help. For instance, apart from a rivalry with Connor and Caitlin, how would he interact with Gordon or Flying Scotsman?
4) His absence helps a complete character retcon or reboot. We already know how he was a flat character in his only appearance, but taking him out of the bottle episode and putting him in a larger cast would only help character development. Remember that TRS was originally created as a way to entertain a kid when he was sick with the measles with secondary moral characteristics. His sole appearance in a "pride goeth before the fall" episode did not fulfill any character development beyond "big American loco".

I think the thing with Hank is (correct me if I'm wrong) that he's too big to fit on Sodor. Otherwise, other fans might like him better.

Rule of thumb: If it's American or Canadian, the loading gauge is too big for Sodor. Really, the only exception to this is Rosie, because her basis was American-built but designed for export to Britain. If Hank goes due to loading gauge, there go Connor and Caitlin (to say nothing of Sam-apparently Lady's coal dust keeps Sodor from tipping over as well).

I'm pretty sure that Brenner, Moore, et al are aware of the loading gauge problem and have already dismissed it as confusing to younger viewers. You've already got track gauge worked into the plot, loading gauge would just induce migraines on kindergarteners, and we can't have that, now, can we?

GeorgeCarlin wrote:

Diesel 11 wrote:

GeorgeCarlin wrote:Okay, I'm a bit biased here since I grew up pretty much on top of the old PRR, and it's a long shot, but I'd say Hank.

1) We have Connor and Caitlin, both of whom are based off of contemporaries of Hank's basis (and rivals in the NYC-CHI market). Creates potential for some rivalries and is very much reminiscent of the old TRS-based episodes. With the new writers, this could get very interesting.
2) The two surviving locomotives in his class have already been accounted for. This leaves his backstory very much up for grabs. Was he a wreck bought at a knockdown price and operationally restored, for instance?
3) He only appeared in one episode, and that was a pre-CGI episode at that. Characterization is completely up for grabs and putting him into scenarios other than the one bottle episode he was in would help. For instance, apart from a rivalry with Connor and Caitlin, how would he interact with Gordon or Flying Scotsman?
4) His absence helps a complete character retcon or reboot. We already know how he was a flat character in his only appearance, but taking him out of the bottle episode and putting him in a larger cast would only help character development. Remember that TRS was originally created as a way to entertain a kid when he was sick with the measles with secondary moral characteristics. His sole appearance in a "pride goeth before the fall" episode did not fulfill any character development beyond "big American loco".

I think the thing with Hank is (correct me if I'm wrong) that he's too big to fit on Sodor. Otherwise, other fans might like him better.

Rule of thumb: If it's American or Canadian, the loading gauge is too big for Sodor. Really, the only exception to this is Rosie, because her basis was American-built but designed for export to Britain. If Hank goes due to loading gauge, there go Connor and Caitlin (to say nothing of Sam-apparently Lady's coal dust keeps Sodor from tipping over as well).

I'm pretty sure that Brenner, Moore, et al are aware of the loading gauge problem and have already dismissed it as confusing to younger viewers. You've already got track gauge worked into the plot, loading gauge would just induce  migraines on kindergarteners, and we can't have that, now, can we?

Nope!


TBH, I don't really care what the writers do. I even like the 'Dark Era' (outside of some really bad episodes, like "Wonky Whistle", and really bad characters, like Billy), so I personally would be fine if he did return.

I would like to see BoCo return the most.

JLT090 wrote:I would like to see BoCo return the most.

if so, voice him by Richard E. Grant pleez!

Neverlander22 wrote:

JLT090 wrote:I would like to see BoCo return the most.

if so, voice him by Richard E. Grant pleez!

That would be nice.

But I would like to see his personality done right, because I don't want a BoCo that is like James or Gordon.

Although, I expect the current team to do a good job with his personality though.

Out of all the characters I want to return, I want BoCo and Duke (in a tie) the most.

ThomasSirHandel wrote:Out of all the characters I want to return, I want BoCo and Duke (in a tie) the most.

me too. and bring back Fearless Freddie

I really want Duke to return, along with maybe several other Skarloey Railway engines.

Finn Tracy wrote:I really want Duke to return, along with maybe several other Skarloey Railway engines.

me too

No, Fearless Freddie should not return, for three reasons-

1) He was basically a lazy replacement for Duke

2) His backstory makes no sense- How can he be older than Skarloey and Rheneas and "know the old lines" when Skarloey and Rheneas are at least 40 years older than him and have been there longer than most other engines

3) Ivo Hugh should be number 7, not Freddie

if Ivo Hugh does appear in the show, Freddie would feel a bit jealous.