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Description
I've heard many people call this engine emotionless and totally devoid of character. Is it because the engine was modified so much from the well tank it used to be in 1949? Is it because of its boxy, not-quite-Vale-Of-Rheidol aesthetic? Is it because it's not an original Talyllyn engine? Is it because the engine only appeared in one Thomas the Tank Engine story and didn't say anything? Is it because... It's, uh... Irish?

I think the real answer is that all of the above are true, but that's what makes the character of Tom Rolt. It struck me today after an emotional breakdown that I have recovered from. Tom Rolt isn't inauthentic or soulless. Tom is just a quiet locomotive. He doesn't tip-toe through the fields like Edward Thomas, he doesn't race along like Sir Hadyn does with her "big" wheels, he doesn't have a wild time like Douglas, and he doesn't stroll through old age like Dolgoch or Talyllyn. He takes a morning jog to stay fit. He's a strong, physically fit Irish guy who doesn't say anything unless provoked.

This epiphany sounds like lunatic train dork chatter, and it probably is, but I felt like sharing, I guess.

Oh, by the way, I did see the real Tom Rolt in June, when they were doing the first boiler tests. Apparently, today, it's running again and it delivered a refrigerator.

Description
I've heard many people call this engine emotionless and totally devoid of character. Is it because the engine was modified so much from the well tank it used to be in 1949? Is it because of its boxy, not-quite-Vale-Of-Rheidol aesthetic? Is it because it's not an original Talyllyn engine? Is it because the engine only appeared in one Thomas the Tank Engine story and didn't say anything? Is it because... It's, uh... Irish?

I think the real answer is that all of the above are true, but that's what makes the character of Tom Rolt. It struck me today after an emotional breakdown that I have recovered from. Tom Rolt isn't inauthentic or soulless. Tom is just a quiet locomotive. He doesn't tip-toe through the fields like Edward Thomas, he doesn't race along like Sir Hadyn does with her "big" wheels, he doesn't have a wild time like Douglas, and he doesn't stroll through old age like Dolgoch or Talyllyn. He takes a morning jog to stay fit. He's a strong, physically fit Irish guy who doesn't say anything unless provoked.

This epiphany sounds like lunatic train dork chatter, and it probably is, but I felt like sharing, I guess.

Oh, by the way, I did see the real Tom Rolt in June, when they were doing the first boiler tests. Apparently, today, it's running again and it delivered a refrigerator.