Annie and Clarabel

Annie and Clarabel are Thomas's faithful coaches. They are the only character in the series to have faces painted on rather than a true, grey 3 dimensional face. Annie travels infront carrying passengers, and Clarabel rides behind, capable of taking passengers, luggage and a guard. They have been described by Rev. W. Awdry, their creator, as being old and in need of new paint. However, Thomas loves them dearly and would never dream of being separated from them. Not only do they carry passengers for Thomas, but they also act as advisors and confidantes. On several occasions they have warned him about potential hazards, and Thomas invariably runs into trouble when he ignores their warnings.

The coaches first appeared in the 1946 book 'Thomas the Tank Engine', in which they were awarded to Thomas along with his branch line. In this first, brief appearance, they were not named. In 'Tank Engine Thomas Again' (1948), they were given names and their characters were greatly expanded upon. They appeared in the first season of the television programme Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends and have been in every season since. In the television series, they are a pair of four-wheeled coaches, easily told apart by the fact that their names are painted on their sides. Annie is generally depicted as having a slightly shocked expression, while Clarabel usually appears smiling. In The Railway Series, they are a pair of bogie coaches (i.e. each one is supported on a pair of four-wheeled "trucks").

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