Why Thomas is called an E2
Thomas being an an LBSCR E2 is one of STH 1's tricks. An E2 numbered 105 was scheduled to arrive in June 1915, but in a wartime mix-up, a NER E1 arrived instead. The E2 was supposed to be driven to a NER goods yard to pick up a train containing parts needed to finish the Vicarstown bridge. While there the LBSCR crew would hand over the train to a ROD crew that would take the locomotive and consist to Barrow in Furness. A small shunter, a new NER E1 numbered 2203, worked the yard and had spent the afternoon shunting the consist together, and was left dozing as its crew went to gossip with the yard master. 105 was running late, as the class tended to oscillate at speed, and so had missed her path. The Rod crew arrived to find their train sitting on a siding with a small new 0-6-0t asleep napping at the head, unaware their engine was running late. The crew woke 2203, who confirmed that, yes this train was for Barrow and that it was an “E” class tank engine. Satisfied with its answers, the ROD crew reported to the station master that they had their locomotive and consist, and soon the train rolled out of the station, with the 2203 at the head happily singing about its first train. 105 would arrive nearly 30 minutes late, right as a German zeppelin, blown north of its intended target, dropped its payload on the yard. Miraculously, 105 and her crew survived the encounter, but she was too damaged to continue and was loaded on a flatbed to be taken back to Brighton for repairs. Meanwhile the NER and ROD crews surveyed the yard, and found the siding that 2203′s crew said they had left their engine on, had been directly hit. for dozens of yards there was nothing but twisted rubble and the remains of trucks. Both parties were forced to conclude the 2203 most likely had been hit directly, leaving no piece large enough to identify, and its number was given to a new C7 Atlantic. By this time 2203 was pulling triumphantly into yards in Barrow. The NWR’s CME ( furture TFC) had already been informed of the attack, immediately realized what had happed. Rather than risk losing the engine if he revealed the mix-up, STH sent word to the ROD that the consist had arrived safely. 2203′s was quickly put to work building the NWR’s mainline. He did such a good job he was soon given a new coat of blue paint, which “accidentally” covered up his old number lettering. In 1920 the NWR approached the LBSCR about purchasing the engine they had been sent during the war. The LBSCR knew the engine on Sodor wasn’t theirs, but were far more averse to the idea of their wartime records being audited than they were in figuring out who Hatt was really scheming, especially since it wasn't them! “E2 110″ was sold to the NWR for a nominal price and officially became NWR #1 Thomas. In 1923, Thomas emerged from his overhaul with a new shape, including extended side tanks, dipped front running board, an new smokebox saddle, and more. These change further muddled the locomotives identity as he now looked like a mini E2 .The NWR has claimed Thomas is an E2 ever since, and has the paperwork to prove it!
