If you’ve spent any time watching Journey Beyond Sodor, you know the vibe is... different. It’s industrial. It’s gritty. It's basically the "dieselpunk" entry of the franchise, even though the stars are very much steam-powered. Right at the center of that weird, experimental energy is Thomas and Friends Hurricane. He isn't your typical Sodor resident. He doesn't puff around picking up passengers or grumbling about "disgraceful" behavior. He’s a massive, experimental tank engine with an extra set of wheels and a personality that honestly catches a lot of parents and long-time fans off guard.
Most people see him and think "villain." It’s an easy label. He works at a creepy steelworks, he traps Thomas, and he sings a catchy but slightly manipulative song about how great the mainland is. But if you actually look at the design and the history behind Hurricane, the "bad guy" narrative starts to fall apart. He’s more of a tragic figure—a hard worker stuck in a decaying industrial environment who just wanted a friend. Or a slave. It's a fine line in the Steelworks.
The Real-Life History Behind the Hurricane Design
Hurricane wasn't just some random doodle by an animator trying to make a "cool" engine. One of the best things about the Thomas & Friends franchise, even in the later CGI years, was the commitment to actual locomotive history. Hurricane is based on the GER Class A55, better known as the "Decapod."
The Decapod was a beast. Built in 1902 by James Holden for the Great Eastern Railway, it was an experimental 0-10-0 tank engine. Why the ten wheels? It was a flex. The railway was trying to prove that steam could accelerate as quickly as the new electric trains popping up in London. It worked, too. The engine could hit 30 miles per hour in just 30 seconds while hauling a massive load. But there was a catch. It was way too heavy for the existing bridges and tracks.
So, the real Hurricane was basically a prototype that didn't have a home. He was a mechanical marvel that the world wasn't ready for.
When you see Hurricane in the movie, his design reflects that struggle. He’s got that 0-10-0 wheel arrangement, which makes him look incredibly powerful but also a bit clumsy in tight spaces. It’s a brilliant bit of visual storytelling. He’s an engine built for a purpose that no longer exists, working in a place—the Steelworks—that feels like it’s frozen in time.
Is Hurricane Actually a Villain?
Let’s talk about the Steelworks. It’s a nightmare. Molten metal everywhere, no safety rails, and two engines (Hurricane and Frankie) who seem obsessed with "recruiting" new workers.
Hurricane is the muscle. Frankie is the brains.
🔗 Read more: Junior Bake Off: Why the Kids Are Better Bakers Than the Adults
When they trap Thomas, it feels like a kidnapping. Honestly, it is a kidnapping. But Hurricane doesn’t act out of malice. He’s genuinely enthusiastic about the work. He loves the heat, the sparks, and the sheer scale of the Steelworks. His "villainy" is really just extreme corporate loyalty mixed with a desperate need for a social life. He and Frankie are lonely. They’ve been stuck in that soot-covered prison for who knows how long, and they’ve convinced themselves that the only way to get help is to force it.
There's a specific moment in Journey Beyond Sodor that changes how you view him. It’s during the climax. Hurricane sees Thomas in danger from a stream of molten steel. Does he let Thomas get melted? No. He pushes him out of the way and takes the hit himself.
His wheels literally melt.
Think about that. In a world where engines are defined by their ability to move, Hurricane sacrifices his very foundation to save a "friend" he barely knows. That’s not a villain. That’s a hero with a really bad boss. He survives, obviously—this is still a kids' show—but that act of self-sacrifice is the turning point for his character. He moves from being a creepy obstacle to a sympathetic, overworked engine who just needs a vacation.
Why the Toy Market Loves Hurricane
If you’re a collector or a parent, you know the struggle of finding a "TrackMaster" or "Wood" version of a specific character. Thomas and Friends Hurricane became a fast favorite in the toy aisles because of his unique look.
The ten-wheel design translates really well to toys. It feels substantial. In the TrackMaster line, Hurricane is a "long" engine, which makes him great for pulling heavy loads but a total nightmare on those sharp plastic curves. It’s a funny bit of art imitating life; the toy struggles with track geometry just like the real Decapod did in 1902.
Then there’s the "Steelworks Hurricane" variants. You’ve got versions with "soot" deco and even some that come with "molten" accessories. It taps into that industrial aesthetic that kids seem to love. It’s not all bright primary colors and happy faces; it’s a bit messy.
The Dynamic With Frankie
You can't talk about Hurricane without mentioning Frankie. She’s a diesel, he’s steam. It’s a classic pairing, but their power dynamic is fascinating.
Frankie is clearly the one calling the shots. She’s the one who lures engines in, using her charm and wit to trap them. Hurricane is the enforcer. He’s the one who blocks the exits and does the heavy lifting. But you get the sense that Hurricane is a bit of a pushover. He follows Frankie’s lead because he doesn't know any better.
By the end of the film, after the whole "melting wheels" incident, the dynamic shifts. They realize they can’t just kidnap people. They have to actually ask for help. It’s a weirdly mature lesson for a show about talking trains. It tackles the idea of toxic workplace culture and the importance of setting boundaries, even if it’s wrapped in a story about molten slag and catchy musical numbers.
Key Takeaways on Hurricane's Character:
- Design: Based on the 1902 GER Decapod, a failed experimental engine.
- Role: The "enforcer" of the Mainland Steelworks.
- Redemption: Sacrifices his wheels to save Thomas from molten steel.
- Personality: Hard-working, loyal, but easily led astray by Frankie.
- Legacy: Remains one of the most visually distinct characters in the CGI era.
What Collectors Need to Know
If you're looking to add Hurricane to a collection, you have to be specific. There are a few different versions floating around on the secondary market.
- The TrackMaster (Revolution) Version: This is the battery-operated one. It’s powerful, but because of its length, it can derail on older tracks or steep inclines. Look for the "Steelworks" sets if you want the full experience.
- The Wood/Wooden Railway Version: These are harder to find now but are prized for their durability. The ten wheels are usually represented by a single long block with painted details, though some higher-end versions have actual moving parts.
- The Adventures (Metal) Line: These were smaller, die-cast models. They don't move on their own but are great for shelf display.
The most sought-after ones are usually the "dirty" versions that show the soot and grime from the Steelworks. They just look more "authentic" compared to the shiny, clean versions.
Looking Back at Journey Beyond Sodor
Is Journey Beyond Sodor the best Thomas movie? Maybe not. That title usually goes to The Adventure Begins or Blue Mountain Mystery. But it is the most interesting. It took risks. It introduced us to "Experimental Engines" like Theo, Lexi, and Merlin.
Hurricane was the anchor for all that weirdness. He provided the stakes. Without a formidable presence like him, the danger of the Steelworks wouldn't have felt real. He was the physical manifestation of the "Mainland"—huge, industrial, intimidating, but ultimately made of the same iron and steam as the engines on Sodor.
He taught us that your job doesn't define your soul. You can work in a literal hellscape and still have the capacity for kindness. You just might need a little push (and maybe some new wheels) to realize it.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Hurricane Research
If you’re trying to deep-dive into the lore, start by watching the "I Want to Go Home" and "The Hottest Place in Town" song sequences. Pay attention to Hurricane’s facial expressions. He’s rarely "angry." He’s usually just... intense.
Next, check out some of the behind-the-scenes "SiF" (Sodor Island Fansite) archives. They have great breakdowns of the CGI modeling process for Hurricane. Seeing how the animators translated the massive 0-10-0 frame into something that could emote is actually pretty cool from a technical standpoint.
Finally, if you have the toys, try recreating the Steelworks escape. It’s a great way to understand the physical limitations of his design. You’ll quickly see why he needed a specialized environment to function properly.
For those looking to expand their Sodor knowledge, focus on these next steps:
- Compare Hurricane’s 0-10-0 wheel arrangement to Murdoch’s 2-10-0 "9F" design to see how the show handles "heavy" engines differently.
- Research the history of the Great Eastern Railway to see why the Decapod was considered a "magnificent failure."
- Look for the "Big World! Big Adventures!" cameos, as Hurricane makes brief appearances after his main debut, proving he’s still working hard on the mainland.
Hurricane isn't just a "one-off" movie character. He’s a bridge between the historical roots of the series and the more fantastical elements of the later seasons. He's big, he's messy, and he's a reminder that even the strongest engines can get stuck in a bad situation.