Edward

"'Oh? But I didn't think you needed any help from me.'"Though he’s the oldest of several siblings, Edward was very shy as a child. His father, a Scoutmaster, enrolled him in Scouts and it was only then that Edward started to develop more confidence. This was shortly after he’d begun volunteering on the North Western Railway. Tragically, Edward lost his father in an archery accident just as he was entering adulthood. Sir Topham Hatt lost his own father around the same time. The railway had deteriorated and desperately needed maintenance. Edward volunteered even while he went to university. When Topham decided to reopen it as a fully functioning railway, Edward moved to work there full time. The young drivers are his responsibility and he cares deeply for them. Because of this, he’s widely considered the “dad” of the railway.

Past

 * Family's been in the UK a long time, several generations, so Edward isn't as familiar with his Indian heritage. He knows family in India, but he's very British himself
 * shy as a little lad, but came out of his shell after he joined Scouts
 * his father's a scoutmaster and encouraged him
 * being in Scouts really helped him develop some confidence, and he also went into ballet
 * started volunteering on the NWR as a teenager
 * spent more and more time on the railway, kept volunteering when he went to university to go into men's ballet
 * then dad died, he had to be there for his mom and siblings, started looking to Topham as a mentor. Especially because he wouldn't be able to go to university to go into ballet, which was what he really wanted
 * Got a job as an office clerk, kept contact with Topham though
 * Around the same time, Topham's own father died
 * Topham invited him for lunch, asks how his new job is, Edward says he really doesn't like it but it puts food on the table
 * Topham says he's restoring the railway and needs paid workers, offers Edward a job
 * Edward accepts and comes to work for him
 * natural accent is Northern/Lancashire, puts on a slightly posh accent to avoid being teased. Isn't actually insecure but doesn't want to deal with Gordon. Puts it on largely out of habit now, has trouble switching it 'off'

The Attack

 * While he was in his 20's he was walking home at night, holding hands with his then-boyfriend. the two were followed and cornered by a pair of men. They attacked, Edward's boyfriend managed to escape but they got ahold of Edward and cut off two of his fingers, threatening that if they saw him holding hands with another man "they'd take his whole hand next time"
 * The incident was pretty traumatizing and to this day he gets nervous holding his partner's hand in public or showing any form of pda
 * James respects it and is helping him overcome that fear

Present

 * Still worried about Thomas recovering from the Great Race, but as Thomas appears to be healing, Edward's concern shifts to Gordon
 * Thinking about his age as well, and about settling down, whether he wants to get married or not

Future

 * In the future he will have a daughter (Iris Rosemore) with James

Past jobs

 * volunteered on the railway since he was in his teens, meanwhile worked in public transport? went to uni ? probably

Current job

 * Edward began volunteering on the North Western Railway as a teenager, and began officially working there in his 20's.
 * boy's a driver, but also an inspector
 * He drives the NWR No. 2, but will work as a driver, fireman, or guard for other characters' trains if necessary.

Familial
He feels very fatherly towards the Shining Time children, especially Thomas and Percy. Bill and Ben are his legally adopted sons.

Platonic
Though they get into disagreements a lot, he's long time friends with Gordon and Henry.

Romantic
He's in a committed relationship with James.

Negative
For a while he had a rivalry with Cranky, but it was very one-sided. Edward is not fond of Spencer, who tried to break Edward and James up so he could date James.

Personality

 * Was a bit more outgoing when he was younger, now he's more reserved
 * Very kind hearted, the point of sometimes having trouble saying "no" or standing up for himself
 * lowkey insecure of his hand
 * Polite and very well mannered, but can also be surprisingly clever with retorts

Interests

 * knitting
 * DInner parties
 * Wine
 * Previously in ballet
 * Interested in space/astronomy, stargazing

Physical

 * physical description from other pages/old version
 * include the incident with his hand (either here or in "past")

Uniform
Please see the following visual reference;

Quotes

 * "All of this grumbling spreads bad atmosphere in the yard."
 * "Aren't you even going to say ' thank you'?"
 * “So I thought I’d offer dinner again. But at my house this time. I’ll cook, and I’ll make sure Bill and Ben stay out of sight.”
 * "James, stop default dancing on my engine!"

Trivia

 * Edward being a shy child is inspired by his canon basis being described as a "shy steamer"
 * The inspiration for Edward's surname came from a street near the artist's hometown
 * Inspiration for Edward's mom's name: closest thing to Edward's irl basis is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furness_Railway_K2, also nicknamed "larger seagulls." Latin name for seagull is Larus canus. Similar name to Larus is Lorna. Dad's name comes from the designer of the class, W T Pettigrew