Yong Bao

"Wow! Have you ever seen such a spectacular looking engine? Strong, sleek, and steamy! "

— The Announcer, Meet the Contenders

Yong Bao勇寶
Class: Chinese Railways RM Builder: Sifang Locomotive Works Built: Sometime between 1958 and 1966 Configuration: 4-6-2

Yong Bao (勇寶) is a Chinese engine who takes part in The Great Railway Show, competing in the Best Decorated Engine parade.

Bio

Yong Bao was invited to take part in the Great Railway Show's Best Decorated Engine Parade. He, along with the other eleven contenders, accidentally arrived on Sodor after the rail ferry they were on made a wrong stop at Brendam Docks instead of England. Yong Bao promptly returned to the ferry after realising this. At the Great Railway Show, Yong Bao participated in the Best Decorated Engines Parade along with Rajiv, Carlos, Emily and James, but ended up losing the event to Rajiv. After the show was over, Yong Bao returned home with the other international engines (bar Ashima).

Persona

Yong Bao is a kind and faithful tender engine from China, who pulls passenger coaches. He may not be the biggest tender engine or the strongest, but he once cleverly diverted an accident saving hundreds of passengers. Yong Bao was decorated for his bravery and painted bright red, which is a color that symbolizes celebration and happiness. Painted on his tender is a tiger which incites a sense of awe and admiration. Like Yong Bao, the tiger is full of life and embodies the spirit of being driven to achieve and make progress. These qualities make Yong Bao a Really Useful Engine.

Basis

Yong Bao is based on a Chinese Railways RM class 4-6-2 Pacific, which were built by CSR Sifang Co Ltd between 1958 and 1966. Used in passenger service, these engines were eventually taken out of service by more powerful steam and diesel locomotives on the Chinese rail system. Two members of this class have been preserved; 1001 is on display at the Beijing Railway Museum and 1163 is preserved in Aioi, Japan.

Livery

Yong Bao is painted red with yellow lining on his smoke deflectors and boiler, and his running board is painted green. His name is written on the sides of his cab in Chinese, and the design of a tiger is painted on his tender. He also bears a dragon face on the front of his funnel.

Appearances

Specials:

• The Big Race

Trivia

• In Chinese, his name means "brave treasure".
• Yong Bao's main colours - red, green and yellow - are considered to be the luckiest colours in China.
  • Yong Bao's whistle is Rheneas' at a lower pitch.