Hank

This article is about the character. You may be looking for the Story Library book.

Hank is a large, strong American tender engine who is both helpful and confident.

Biography

Thomas and Percy first met Hank at Brendam Docks when he arrived. Thomas was impressed by his size, until Hank told him he was "one of the finest little engines he'd ever seen." Thomas misinterpreted the comment as mockery of his size, and became determined to pull all of Hank's loads himself. While Thomas tired himself out pulling the heavy loads, Hank insisted that he should help Thomas with the train. Under the strain of his load, Thomas eventually cracked a cylinder and finally decided to accept Hank's offer for help. Hank pushed Thomas to a welcome party at Knapford, where the other engines greeted Hank enthusiastically. ^[4]

Personality

Hank is large, and bold. While he may come across as brash in his cheery confidence and enthusiasm, Hank is used to being easily seen or heard. In his jolliness, he may seem a little goofy and kooky, especially with so many bells and whistles and a Cowcatcher, but Hank has a big heart and is more than happy to lend a helping hand. Using his might, strength, and power to assist others is something that only comes all too naturally to him and he takes it in his stride, without second thought. Hank can become concerned about his friends though, as he gladly keeps an eye out for the other little engines. The only trouble with being Hank is that virtually every engine is smaller than him.

Technical Details

Basis

Hank is based on a Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) K4s Class Pacific. Two K4s are preserved: No. 1361 is currently undergoing another attempt at a restoration to operational condition following a catastrophic failure sometime after a previous restoration to operation in 1987, and No. 3750 is on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania near the Strasburg Rail Road and are recognized as the Official State Steam Locomotives of Pennsylvania. Hank was based on the PRR K4s' post-war appearance hence the cast steel pilot. Hank's tender is specifically a PRR 110-P-75 type.

A streamlined version of this class, more specifically K4s No. 3768, nicknamed “The Torpedo”, would serve as inspiration for Gordon's streamlined casing in The Great Race. Coincidentally, Hank's basis was the inspiration design of Gordon's basis.

In reality, Hank would be too large for the British loading gauge. However, he has been re-scaled to avoid technical issues, although Hank is only partly modified to work on Sodor. His running plate has been altered, he is missing a headlamp, and he has buffers on his tender and screwlink couplings, yet he retains his cowcatcher (which has a lone front coupling hook).

Livery

Hank is painted ultramarine blue with red wheels, lining and a cowcatcher in front. This livery represents the colours of the flag of the United States of America. His smokebox and cab roof are painted dark grey.

Appearances

Official Description

Audio Files

Theme

Whistle

Hank's whistle is Gordon's, but at an octave lower in pitch.

Trivia

• Hank's theme is an instrumental version of Hail to the Chief.
• According to Sodor Island Fansite (SiF)'s interview with model maker and designer John Lee, Hank was originally designed to have an older face with a handlebar moustache. However, at HiT Entertainment's request, John made Hank look slightly younger and more jolly.^[5]
• According to early sketches by Philip Reeves, Hank was originally planned to be a Delaware and Hudson Challenger Class.
• Hank was the first new engine introduced when the show started to use CGI for engine faces and people.
• Hank's crew was never seen in CGI. His driver and fireman were only seen once and they were in their model form.
• Hank's Wooden Railway and Take-n-Play toys do not have front couplers, despite them being present in the television series, this is most likely because the magnet would obscure the cowcatcher.
• Hank is the first character in the franchise (both The Railway Series and television series) whose basis has never run in the United Kingdom.
• Hank's chassis was made from the same tooling as Spencer's, but with different cylinders.
• One of Hank's television series models used to be on display at Drayton Manor.
• Hank, along with Colin, Flora and Dennis are the only characters introduced in the HiT Entertainment model era without a Capsule Plarail toy.

Merchandise

• Wooden Railway (discontinued)
• TrackMaster (discontinued)
• My Thomas Story Library (discontinued)
• Take-n-Play (discontinued; reintroduced in 2014)

References