| For other uses, see Billy (disambiguation). |
- "Stop telling me what to do, Thomas! You are a very bossy engine!""
- ― Billy's catchphrase
William, better known by his nickname Billy, is an enthusiastic but impatient, immature orange saddle tank engine with prominent buckteeth.
Biography
When Billy first arrived on the railway, Thomas was asked by the Fat Controller to show Billy around. But Billy misconstrued Thomas' advice for bossiness and so refused to listen to him, causing Billy to fail to complete his deliveries. At last, Thomas lost patience and told Billy to do his own thing. Billy was delighted, but his happiness was short-lived as he swiftly ran out of coal and water. In the future, Billy paid attention to advice, worked hard with every job he did and was happy that Thomas helped him as his new friend.
Personality
Billy is a bright orange tank engine who can be stubborn, impatient, and bratty. Although he is bubbling with enthusiasm and keen to get stuck in, he tends to act before he thinks things through, and can even end up keen to start one job before properly finishing another. He can be inattentive, does not always like being told what to do, and may try to work independently when, perhaps, it is best he does not. He is often boisterous and tends to be overconfident in his abilities, thinking he need not listen to advice from more experienced engines. Nevertheless, his enthusiasm is well-meaning and, when he keeps calm, thinks things through, pays attention and follows instructions carefully, Billy can properly harness his energy and focus on what he is doing so that he can be a Really Useful Engine. If he ever gets snappy, his infectious get-up-and-go and burning desire to be useful will shine through and make it hard for any engine to really stay upset with him for very long.
Technical Details
Basis
Billy is based on a Manning Wardle L Class 0-6-0ST. Charlie and Friendly Steamie are other members of this class.
Livery
Billy is painted neon orange with green and yellow lining. He has black nameplates with his name in gold on each side of his saddle tank.
Appearances
Thomas & Friends
- Series 11 - Don't be Silly, Billy
- Series 13 - Splish Splash Splosh (original script; dropped)
Books
My Thomas Story Library
Magazine Stories
Video Games
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Official Description
From Official Website[1]
| “ | Billy: Billy is a bright, boisterous, and bubbly orange tank engine who thinks he can do it all. Nothing is too daunting or too challenging for Billy. He is bursting with enthusiasm, which may rattle a few rods, but never upsets any engine for long.
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” |
Audio Files
Whistle
Billy's whistle is James', but at sixteen steps higher-pitched.
| First used | Last used | Sound Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Series 11 | Find That Freight! (Lift a Flap Sound Book) |
Trivia
- Billy was originally scripted to be in the thirteenth series episode Splish Splash Splosh before the role was given to Charlie.[2]
- According to a magazine article file fact, Billy's real name is William.
- Billy had a total of six facial expressions, one of which (a shocked face) was not used on-screen.
- Billy's joyful and angry faces and one of his chassis are now owned by Twitter user TomsProps.
- Billy was one of nine characters that was originally intended to return in the CGI series but was dropped, the others being Dennis, Splatter, Dodge, Derek, Colin, Patrick, Freddie and George.
Merchandise
- Wooden Railway (normal and talking railway versions; discontinued)
- Take Along (discontinued)
- TrackMaster (discontinued)
- My First Thomas (discontinued)
- My Thomas Story Library (discontinued)
- Capsule Plarail (Japan only)