| “ | Old engines can't pull trains like the young ones can. | „ |
| ~ Skarloey. |
| “ | WHAT DID YOU DO?! | „ |
| ~ Skarloey's breakdown as he angrily interrupts and shouts at Thomas after the latter reveals he spoke to Victor about Luke - his most famous and memetic quote.
|
Skarloey is a character from Thomas & Friends. He is a narrow gauge engine who lives on the Narrow Gauge Railway in the Hills of Sodor. He is the oldest engine on the Skarloey Railway. Talyllyn, from the Talyllyn Railway, is his twin and Rheneas is his brother.
He is voiced by Keith Wickham, who also voices Sir Handel, Edward, Gordon, Henry, Sir Topham Hatt, Mr. Percival and other male characters in the same show.
Physical appearance
Skarloey is a little engine who runs on narrow gauge tracks, a little different from Thomas and the others. He has a tall funnel, two large windows and a whistle on his dome. He has small round buffers and he has four driving wheels on the front and two small ones at the back. Skarloey also has a nameplate on his boiler. And he has a small number one near his cab.
Before the sixth series, Skarloey had a gold ring around his funnel, which was removed in said series. However, in "The Case of the Puzzling Parts", he regained it, along with a golden headlamp on his smokebox.
Personality
Skarloey is the sage of the Skarloey Railway and is an old, faithful little engine. Although once full of enthusiasm and his own ideas in his youth, Skarloey is now one of the oldest engines on the Island. He is a calm-natured, quaint and mature engine and may often try to guide or watch over less experienced narrow gauge engines in his firm but fair and friendly manner. He acts kindly to engines and passengers alike and always enjoys a gentle, smooth journey through the woods by the lakeside and stopping at all the gates and stiles he remembers so well.
In newer times, Skarloey had an occasional habit of being scared of delivering sheep in a storm, timid from being teased by the trucks at the Wharf, and clumsy when he accidentally bashed Rheneas' trucks. However, he went back to his older and more mature persona while working at the Blue Mountain Quarry and the railway.
Basis
Skarloey has a twin on which he is based off of, a Talyllyn 0-4-2 saddle tank locomotive, named Talyllyn, who, like Skarloey, is named after the railway he works on.
Quotes
| “ | It could have been worse. Luckily, Rheneas is still safe and in good working order. | „ |
| ~ Skarloey. |
| “ | WEEEE! | „ |
| ~ Skarloey's iconic scream from "Skarloey the Brave". |
Gallery
Trivia
- Skarloey's large scale model was used as Rusty's Ghost Engine in Duncan Gets Spooked.
- Johnny Morris and Keith Wickham give Skarloey a Welsh accent, reflecting his basis' origins.
- Though he was mentioned as Rheneas' brother in the Railway Series, the two have never been referred to as such in the television series.
- Since Counting on Nia, Skarloey has gained a headlamp that was originally Timothy’s, albeit minus the handle.
- Skarloey's original whistle sound was reused for Stepney in the fifth-seventh series.
- In the fifth-seventh series, Skarloey's original whistle sound changed pitch.
- In the ninth-twelfth series, Skarloey's whistle sound changed back to its original pitch.
- Skarloey has two popular internet memes surrounding him:
- His screaming in the ninth series episode "Skarloey the Brave", as he is going down the incline via winch, he lets out a prolonged, high-pitched scream. This scream has also been isolated and used online, primarily for its comedic timing and the character's exaggerated reaction in that particular moment.
- In the scene in the 2012 special "Blue Mountain Mystery", where Skarloey exclaims "WHAT DID YOU DO?!" when he interrupts Thomas upon discovering he had talked to Victor about Luke has gained memetic status. This line has gained popularity and became an internet meme in the 2020s because of how sudden and emphatic the delivery is. People use the sound or clip in videos and online posts, often in response to unexpected or surprising events.
- The meme has become popular online, often used to express surprise or outrage at unexpected or foolish actions. Many people create their own versions of the meme by editing a picture of a character doing something "bad or stupid" into a blank template next to Skarloey's angry face.
- It is often used as a reaction to chaotic, nonsensical, or disastrous situations.
External Links
- Skarloey on the Thomas the Tank Engine Wiki.
