Bill and Ben are tank engine twins who work in the China Clay Pits near Brendam Docks.
Biography[]
Stories of Sodor[]
In the winter of 1957, Bill and Ben were purchased to work on reconstructing the China Clay Pits which were abandoned nine years earlier due to flooding. The twins played a trick on Edward, who reminded them that work comes before pranks. Despite being avid pranksters, they worked hard within the next couple months and the Clay Pits were reopened in early 1958.
Soon afterwards, a new prototype called BoCo arrived on the Island, and Bill and Ben found a patch of oil he left behind at Brendam. Some workmen explained to the twins and Donald about BoCo's condition, instructing Bill and Ben to search for any more oil all the way to Wellsworth, where BoCo was held up. Having found no more oil, Bill and Ben decided to trick BoCo by teasing him about "stealing" their trucks. Edward showed up and tried to defuse the situation, learning that BoCo believed the steamies were prejudiced against diesels. Edward explained that such is not the case, and Bill and Ben explained how they had not found any more oil. BoCo apologized for assuming the steamies were being prejudiced, and Bill and Ben apologized for their trick. Edward had Bill and Ben double-check for oil back to the junction for a special train later that night.
The following year, Bill and Ben were afforded a visit by the French Ambassador and his dog, Fifi, which brought to light the fact that Bill doesn't like dogs ever since one relieved itself on his wheels. When Fifi went missing, Bill was among those who assumed she was responsible for farm animals being attacked, while Ben held that it was an unfair accusation. Bill managed to find Fifi but didn't know any French. Upon finding Edward and Joey at Brendam, Bill learned that a child was attacked and that Fifi might have to be put down due to being on the loose for too long. Bill opted to not tell Joey and instead learned French for "jump in my cab" from Edward in order to pick up Fifi. Back at the clay pits, Bill explained what happened to Ben and Edward, who encouraged him to fess up to Joey. Bill did, during which he vouched for Fifi's innocence, which payed off when Fifi was proven to not be the assailant of the farm animals (a wolf) or the child (a cat).
In the Preview, which takes place in February 2015, Bill and Ben have a race to see who has to shunt the other's trucks for the next week. After Bill won, they decided to surprise Edward the same way they did when they first arrived, only for Edward to surprise them.
In Non-Faceless Vehicles, Bill, being too proud to retire, is shown solemnly opting for a Final Firing, much to Ben's shock. Edward explains that this is a valid reason behind a non-faceless vehicle choosing to die. Although it is not shown, it's likely that he was scrapped afterwards, as that is what happens after a Final Firing.
Sodor Shorts[]
When Gordon wanted to engines he went to teach Bill and Ben and Diesel but it did go as plan. Bill and Ben are some of the engines who punched Diesel 10.
They played April Fools Pranks on Edward, Salty, Drollan, Eric and Douglas, even painting the latter pink. The twins had written profanity on a wall as well as writing a tattoo on Gordon's tender. In payback for this, the engines gave them a truck filled with bees.
On Halloween, Bill and Ben helped Douglas go back to his original black livery when Bill slammed a tar tanker into Douglas.
Personas[]
Bill and Ben are rather cheeky and love to tease other engines but they can get grumpy sometimes.
Livery[]
Bill and Ben are both golden yellow with red lining and brass nameplates with yellow writing, "SCC" written on both sides in yellow and "Brendam Bay" on the front of their saddle tanks. In the Railway Series, they have number plates reading 1 and 2 respectively above both the back of their cabs and their faces.
Basis[]
Bill and Ben are based on the Bagnall 0-4-0STs "Alfred" and "Judy" of Par, Cornwall, who are both preserved and in working order at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway. Alfred and Judy are painted in a green coat of paint, with yellow lining, although the former was once repainted in a yellow coat of paint, very similar to Bill and Ben's yellow coats of paint.
Trivia[]
- Bill and Ben are the first characters to speak in the series.
Appearances[]
The Stories of Sodor[]
Season 1[]
Season 4[]
- Diagnosis
- Prototypes
- Secrets
- Aviation (cameos)
- Diplomacy
- Relationships (do not speak)
- Dieselisation (Bill only)
- Return (Ben only)
SCPs of Sodor[]
- Prologue (cameos)
Sodor Shorts[]
- Song (cameos)
- Switch
- Teacher
- Rivalry (cameos)
- Remembrance (do not speak)
- Siege (Ben only, does not speak)
- Update (in the new intro)
- Prank
- FRANKenstein
- Remake
- Gaffe (Ben only, cameo)
- Glitch
- Bills (Bill only, does not speak)
- Overreaction
Sodor Specials[]
- Non-Faceless Vehicles (cameos)
Miscellaneous[]
- The Stories of Xmas (only one of them; cameo)
Gallery[]
