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feigeroman · 4 years ago

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Thomas OCs: Jesse

Number: 32 Class: Hunslet Jessie 0-6-0ST Built: 1937 Arrived on Sodor: 1948 Service (Shed): Vicarstown Steelworks (Vicarstown) Livery: NWR Local Passenger Green

Jesse is probably one of the most obscure engines working on the NWR (and considering we’ve hardly ever seen three quarters of them, that’s saying a lot). He initially appeared out of nowhere, seemingly left just as abruptly, and didn’t make much of an impression in the interim.

The truth, as ever, is slightly more complicated, but only just. Jesse was originally built in 1937, to work at a steelworks somewhere in England. He worked there until just after the War, when the demand for iron and steel became so great that Jesse became too worn out to cope. The steelworks decided he would be too expensive to overhaul, and decided instead to sell him on.

By coincidence, the NWR was on the lookout for new engines - the War had left many of their existing engines similarly worn out, and a backlog of overhauls and heavy repairs ensued. What was needed were engines who could keep things running while the backlog was cleared. Somehow, Jesse came to their attention, and he was duly purchased in late 1947 - although he wouldn’t officially enter service until early 1948.

To begin with, Jesse was tried out as station pilot at Tidmouth - ever since Thomas had taken charge of the Ffarquhar branch in 1925, there had been a constant struggle to keep his old position filled. At this time, this job was the responsibility of Percy, but he was one of the engines requiring serious work, and so Jesse was drafted in to cover for him.

Below: This is the only known illustration of Jesse, from the 1984 pop-up book James The Red Engine & The Troublesome Trucks. Obviously this is wrong on two counts: Firstly, the events of this book actually took place in 1925, whereas Jesse didn’t arrive until 1948; Secondly, the engine involved in this incident was actually Sarah (NWR #29).

It was hoped that Jesse might be able to permanently take over as station pilot, allowing Percy to be transferred to lighter duties on his return. Sadly, for whatever reason, it never worked out, and upon Percy’s return, Jesse was transferred instead, to Tidmouth Harbour, where he worked unseen and unsung for a number of years.

In the early 1960s, the NWR entered into an agreement to provide motive power for the Vicarstown Steelworks, it having no engines of its own. After numerous unsuccessful trials with various other engines, Jesse was approached and offered the job, which he accepted on the spot. It’s believed that he took the position to get away from some local trouble, but as of yet nothing’s been proven. In his time at the Steelworks, Jesse has ended up fading into such obscurity that the other engines are convinced that he was either sent away altogether, or never really existed to begin with.

Jesse’s obscurity is such that little is known about his personality. However, most engines who knew him at Tidmouth remember him to be extremely cheeky - moreso, perhaps, than Thomas. This is most likely what contributed to the rumour that he was sent away. In the years since then, though, Jesse has mellowed considerably, and those who still know him report that he’s a much quieter engine now.

Trivia

Jesse is obviously based on the Percy-alike seen in the illustration above. He’s actually stayed very much the same since I first came up with him, the only real difference being his name:

Initially, he was known as Todd, and he remained at Tidmouth Harbour following his transfer there.

Then he was renamed Lord Stackpole, which I’d previously used for another OC, based on the Hudswell Clarke engine Lord Mayor. He carried this name right up until fairly recently - while I was putting together my NWR Stocklist post, as a matter of fact.

Finally, the name Jesse came purely from taking the name of his real-life basis, and changing the spelling to reflect the masculine variant of the name.

#thomas the tank engine #the railway series #sodor #island of sodor #north western railway #ttte headcanon #ttte analysis #ttte oc #original character #jesse the steelworks engine

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miriadonline · 8 years ago

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EVENT: Refinding: Jessie Flood-Paddock with Kenneth Armitage, 5 May, The Tetley, Leeds

You are invited to the launch of the forthcoming exhibition Refinding: Jessie Flood-Paddock with Kenneth Armitage on Friday 5 May from 6-8pm

The Tetley exhibition brings together new and recent works by London-based artist Jessie Flood-Paddock, with the Oak Tree series of sculptures, drawings and prints by the celebrated 20th century sculptor, the late Kenneth Armitage.

Flood-Paddock’s past work has often been organised into sculptural environments through which the viewer is invited to find their own path. Refinding features a significant new commission that fills The Tetley’s triple-height Leeds Beckett Atrium.

Refinding forms part of the Armitage Centenary programme in his home city, which also includes the exhibition Kenneth Armitage: Sculpture and Drawing of the 1950s at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery (until 15 July).

A catalogue accompanying the exhibition will be published in June.

EXHIBITION EVENTS JESSIE FLOOD-PADDOCK IN CONVERSATION WITH LISA LE FEUVRE Saturday 6 May, 2pm, FREE, all welcome. Booking essential. Reserve your place here. REFINDING CATALOGUE LAUNCH Saturday 3 June, 2pm, FREE, all welcome.

PAVILION PRESENTS LEEDS ART WALK Wednesday 7 June, 5.30PM For more information, please visit www.pavilion.org.uk.

THE PYRAMID VIEW ON REFINDING Wednesday 19 July, 6pm, FREE. Supported by Leeds inspired. For more information, please visit http://pyramid-of-arts.org.uk/news/refinding/

Refinding is supported by The Kenneth Armitage Foundation and Carl Freedman Gallery. Jessie Flood-Paddock’s new commission is supported by the Henry Moore Foundation, The Elephant Trust and The Artists’ General Benevolent Institution.

The Tetley Hunslet Road, Leeds LS10 1JQ Telephone: 0113 3202323 [email protected] www.thetetley.org

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