Thomas, Blue and Red Tank Engine

Thomas the Tank Engine was based on the E2 Class was a class of 0-6-0T steam locomotives designed by Lawson Billington.

This type of locomotives were mainly used for shunting, as their small coal bunkers made them unsuitable for long trips. They were used at Victoria Station for shunting carriages. However, they are perhaps best known as shunters at Southampton Docks, in which capacity they were used until their replacement by the SR USA Class shunters.