BoCo

BoCo is a friendly mixed traffic diesel engine, who works on Edward's Branch Line. He has only one remaining brother, this makes him sad.

BoCo was built for British Railways in 1958, and he and the rest of his class worked in the Barrow-in-Furness area from 1962. In 1965 he got lost and eventually found his way to the Brendam Branch Line. Sir Topham Hatt wanted to buy him, and British Railways allowed him to keep the engine for trials. Eventually BoCo was purchased and gained the number "D2."

Personality
BoCo is a tame diesel engine, who is sensible, kind, and has a decent sense of humour. He is also very disciplined, as seen as he stops Bill and Ben from their pranks. Upon his arrival, he was unfortunate enough to be set upon by the mischievous Bill and Ben, when, thinking he had intentionally stolen their trucks, they pretended to be one engine and nearly made his eyes pop out. BoCo is now wise to the tank engine twins' pranks though he still somewhat humours them to a point. He is also good friends with Bill, Ben, Edward, and Duck. He is a true friend and is often willing to stick up for the underdog. BoCo is firm, but fair and friendly in his nature, not being afraid to speak his mind. Even Gordon soon thought of him in high regard when he "saved" him from Bill and Ben's antics. BoCo upholds a more praiseworthy and respectable, likeable image for diesel engines everywhere, being happy to show the more pompous steam engines that diesels have their uses. BoCo helps bring good order across Edward's Branch Line, even occasionally pulling Main Line trains, as the Fat Controller recognises how versatile he is.

Basis
BoCo is based on a British Rail (BR) Class 28 Co-Bo diesel-electric engine. Diesel 5701 is also based on this engine. BoCo's name is derived from his Co-Bo wheel arrangement, though reversed as the Rev. W. Awdry thought "BoCo" sounded more affectionate. These engines were initially used on the "Condor" express freight services but the class's Crossley engines quickly proved problematic. They suffered frequent failures, and in 1961 the entire class was handed back to the manufacturer for remedial work on the engines, and to cure problems with cab windows falling out while running. Upon return to service in 1962, all members of the class were allocated to Barrow-in-Furness. BoCo was susceptible to the mechanical failures of his class - according to the Awdrys, however, the Fat Controller eventually found a fix to prevent these malfunctions. The real engines were not so fortunate, and most were withdrawn and scrapped by 1969.

BoCo's number belonged to a real BR Class 28. The real D5702 was built in 29 September, 1958, and was withdrawn on 7th September, 1968, before being scrapped at J. Cashmore Scrapyards the following year.

In the annuals, BoCo mentions a brother of his - Diesel 5705, a real preserved engine, who is the last surviving Class 28. In another annual, BoCo claimed to have a twin called "CoBo" in order to play a trick on Bill and Ben.

Livery
BoCo is painted in BR Brunswick green with yellow warning panels. In the television series, he is painted in a more vibrant shade of green without yellow warning panels. His number D5702 is painted on the sides of his cab in white.