Bertram

Bertram

First Appearance: Genesis Built: 1879 Affiliation: Cynwrig Railway, Alun Railway Number: CR 2, AR 6 Relations: Duke (brother) Voiced by: Neil Lambert

“	The darkness, the close spaces, the shadows - they don't frighten me.''	”
—Bertram, Clash

Bertram is a courageous and loyal young tank engine and is the main protagonist of Bertram: Old Warrior. He is smart and intuitive, and a loyal friend who won't hesitate to stand up for what's right. What Bertram doesn't know, however, is that one day he will become a hero to many and be known by generations of engines to come as the "Old Warrior".

Bio[]

Built at Boston Lodge in 1879, following the hasty departure of his brother Duke, Bertram was informed by Gareth Heilwyn that he unable to be fitted with a tender and had instead been built as a tank engine and was to work on the Cynwrig Railway.

In 1905, Bertram helped prevent a serious accident involving a runaway train that had broken away from his friend, Gwydion. The following day however, the engines were informed by their deputy controller, Huxley Billingsworth, that their controller, Ellis Garth had died. Bertram was then unwillingly sold to Caderyn Gerralt to work on the Alun Railway.

Upon arriving on the Alun Railway, Bertram intended to run away but after befriending Proteus and saving him from the damaged Aberfa Bridge, he decided it wasn't so bad after all.

Bertram's good work meant Gerralt was happy for him to begin working in the mine. Bertram, on the other hand, was unnerved by its darkness and enclosed space and put off entering. He then made an enemy of Arwel, the Mine Engine, after standing up to him by helping the softer and meek Hywel. Arwel attempted to get back at him by pushing off the ballast chute but was interrupted by Matthew. Shocked and angry, Bertram went to confront him at the mine but, with Proteus's help, realised that he was better than Arwel and that he shouldn't stoop to his level. Bertram then saved Neb from a rockfall and, in doing so, entered the mine where he realised that he felt perfectly at home in the darkness and the shadows.

When Lloyd was chased to the Alun Railway by Woodham & Sons, Bertram risked everything to help him escape, after his hopes of getting him on the railway were scuppered by Albert Woodham's manipulations. He succeeded, and in the process, learnt to appreciate having a home on a safe railway.

Persona[]

Bertram is a brave and loyal engine with a natural intuition and charisma. An opposer of injustice, Bertram won't hesitate to stand up for what is right and fight evil. Bertram is selfless and friendly, but also hides a deep trauma after being supposedly abandoned by his brother, Duke, at Boston Lodge. After losing his controller, Bertram was unhappy with his move to the Alun Railway and became short-sighted and weary of his workload, but after meeting Lloyd, his perspective on life greatly changed and made him appreciate being safe on a working railway. He can sometimes be hot-headed and reckless but is willing to break the rules and risk his own safety for the good of others.