TNENW - Bella the Bloomer

Name: Bella

Class: LNWR 2-2-2 'Small Bloomer' Class

Number: None (formerly 377)

Gender: Female

Orientation: Straight (taken by Edward)

Line of work: Utility services on the Brendam branchline

Build year: 1861

Arrived on Sodor: 1864

Bella is an old, motherly but firm, single-wheeled tender engine. She was part of a class of engines called "Bloomers" which were first built in the early 1950's by the LNWR, Bella in particular was built in 1861 and has the honour of being the first female steam engine to ever be built.

In 1864, she was purchased by the Sodor & Mainland Railway to become their third officially owned engine and became their main passenger engine from that point onwards. Despite her pride in her work, she was a firm but fair engine with a kind heart, always putting others before herself and had a sort of motherly quality to her. In 1915, she helped to build the North Western Railway and often did odd jobs once the railway was complete. She became good friends with the engines from the Wellsworth and Suddery and Tidmouth Knapford and Elsbridge Railways, but she became very fond of Edward. The two old engines formed a strong bond and became very close...

Unfortunately, in 1925, the railway board began selling off its older engines, Bella being one of them. Edward refused to let this happen, and hid her away on an abandoned siding on the Brendam branch, promising her that they would meet again one day before saying goodbye...

Several years later in 1970, BoCo would rediscover Bella by complete accident when he got diverted onto the wrong line while taking an excursion train. The Fat Controller was delighted to hear she had been found and ordered her to be restored at once. She soon emerged from Crovan's Gate in a new purple livery with silver buffers. She also was assigned to the Brendam branch as a utility engine, where she finally reunited with Edward, and the two of them have never left each other's side since...

TIMELINE:

1. LNWR Black (1861-1864)

2. S&M Green (1864-1925)

3. Lost to Time (1925-1970)

4. NWR Vintage Purple (1970-present day)

Sprites by Princess-Muffins, Cj-The-Creator, Dusk-Stargazer, Newobanproductions19 and LeatherBootlace