Bertie (character)

Bertie is a red bus who works near Thomas' Branch Line.

Tank Engine Thomas Again
After Thomas stuck in a snowdrift, Bertie came to rescue Thomas' passengers. He later raced Thomas after claiming he was the faster of the two, but lost after having to stop at a traffic light.

Edward the Blue Engine
Bertie tried to catch up with Edward while carrying Thomas' passengers.

More About Thomas the Tank Engine
Bertie teased Thomas about being slow, but had to eat his words after breaking down.

Thomas and Victoria
Bertie was mentioned as being unable to help Toby and Henrietta with carrying the quarry workers.

Thomas and his Friends
Bertie was mentioned to have helped pick up visitors who wanted to see the bust of the Thin Clergyman unveiled after the partial collapse of Henry's Tunnel.

In the television series
Bertie is continuously alluding to his race with Thomas and how he could win next time. He actually raced Thomas again in the seventh season episode Three Cheers for Thomas, but only won because Thomas was sidetracked with collecting the sport medals.

Bertie and Thomas have seemed to continue this tradition of racing. However, in the seventeenth season, he was re-routed giving him an advantage. Thomas is still able to beat him occasionally.

Persona
Bertie is friendly and ready to help anyone in need, but can't resist teasing Thomas about being slow.

Basis
Bertie is based on an AEC Regal "T Class" London Country Area bus.

Livery
Bertie is painted in the common red livery of buses in the United Kingdom, mostly famously used by London Transport. His number plate, "CRD54", refers to the fact that it was first seen in Edward the Blue Engine, published in 1954, and illustrated by C. Reginald Dalby.

Trivia

 * In an original Awdry drawing, Bertie is depicted as a double-decker bus.
 * Bertie's television series model did not have eyebrows until the third season.
 * Bertie's model's eyes did not move with a motor until the seventh season.
 * From the eighth season onwards, Bertie has Caroline's horn sound.
 * In the thirteenth season, Bertie's radiator was missing, but from the fourteenth season onwards this error has been fixed, although current promo images still have his radiator missing.
 * Bertie is the only talking road vehicle to appear in every season of the television series.
 * Bertie's French name was Bertrand in the Classic Series.
 * In most merchandise ranges, Bertie is decipted in a maroon colour, despite being the same shade of red as engines like James.