Donald Finlay

Donald is a Scottish railway worker who drives the No. 9 Caledonian Class 812/652 Tender engine.

Appearance

Donald is a short, youthful looking man, despite being in his early 30s. He has a thin body shape ever since he was a young boy, ranging from his arms to his legs. He has no body hair to be seen.

His hair is strawberry blonde styled into a messy pompadour with sideburns. His face resembles his engine counterpart's face as seen in the CGI era of the television series with a pointy curved up nose.

Donald wears a dark grey shirt with a brown vest at work. He would occasionally wear a navy-colored jacket if the day is cold and/or wet. He also wears grey trousers with black shoes.

On casual days, Donald wears a navy shirt with the same trousers and shoes. The shirt reveals some of Donald's chest, but there isn't any cleavage.

Biography

Donald Athol Finlay was born two minutes older than his brother Douglas on September 10th, 1926. Their mother Donella died soon after, leaving their father Athol and uncle Fletcher to raise them. After ten years, Athol died of influenza and emphysema. The Finlay household in Glasgow were down to three, and Donald as well as Douglas and Uncle Fletcher looked after each other. That was when Donald and Douglas made a promise to themselves to not separate each other in brotherhood.

Donald would apply for a job as a railway driver for the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway, and Douglas followed pursuit when they turned 22 years. They both got the job and would work there until 1959, which was when the Fat Controller ordered a goods engine. Donald and Douglas both arrived on the Island of Sodor, thanks to Douglas' knowledge that his engine would be scrapped and he would be laid off. Donald moved in to Arlesburgh Rowhouses, where he became roommates with Duck. Things would turn for the worse as Donald crashed his engine into a signal box and Douglas accidentally broke a breakvan, which was operated by a spiteful guard who caused trouble earlier.

Despite those hardships, Donald's and his brother's professionalism remained strong enough to get support from their peers. As winter came by, Donald, Douglas, and the others discussed about whether or not the Scottish twins would stay on Sodor. If they returned to Scotland, they would run the risk of being laid off and their engines being scrapped. Percy would be the deputation talking to the Fat Controller on behalf of the twins. Soon, everyone heard the announcement that Donald and Douglas would be staying.

One night in 1964, Duck talked endlessly about how he enjoyed his new tasks on the Little Western Branch Line to a sleeping Donald in their room. Donald interrupted Duck by quacking at him and suggesting that he might have laid an egg. Offended, Duck soon started a prank war between him and Donald. At first, Duck sent a white duck into the water tank of Donald's engine. When Donald found the duck in the water tank the next morning, he was astounished but soon found it funny. The duck was friendly towards him and was allowed to ride on the engine's tender. That night, Donald consulted himself on how to pay Duck back. The next morning, Donald went to the bathroom where Duck finished his bath and was brushing his teeth. He carried a prop egg, jokingly claiming that Duck laid the egg in the outhouse the night before. Duck agreed that Donald won the prank war, and settled it by giving Donald a kiss on the lips. Duck then said to Donald that he and Donald can start a relationship together, and they have been a couple ever since.

On a romantic bath one night after some time into the relationship, Duck expressed his idea of adopting Skiff to Donald, in which he said that maybe it would happen. Eventually, Duck and Donald adopted Skiff from the orphanage and took him to their home as their own son. Skiff refers to Donald and Duck as Dad and Pop respectively.

Personality

Donald is peppery, practical, proud, and level-minded, yet he likes to play the occasional joke despite his maturity. He is happy to act as the brawn of the good-haulers on the Fat Controller's railway. Donald is the charming, witty one of the Finlay brother duo, and usually gets the last laugh.

Donald hates to be parted away from his brother Douglas in the economic sense. However, he does get into arguments with him and sometimes lead into squabbles. But at the end of the day, Donald reunites with Douglas over opinions.

Trivia

• Donald is the second person who works on the Northwestern Railway to have a regional dialect within the United Kingdom (albeit Scots).
• Donald's engine is painted a navy blue, just like his brother Douglas' engine. This is to show the pride of the former Caledonian Railway.
• Donald has ADHD.

Gallery

Moodboard (Stamps, blinkies, etc.)

Citations

1. Wikipedia, ig