Hank (t&f)

Hank is an American steam locomotive that works on the island of Sodor, Hank is based on a Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) K4s Class Pacific. Two K4s are preserved: No. 1361 is currently undergoing another attempt at a restoration to operational condition as of January 30, 2022 following a catastrophic failure sometime after a previous restoration to operation in 1987, and No. 3750 is on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania near the Strasburg Railroad, and are recognized as the Official State Steam Locomotives of Pennsylvania. Hank was most likely based on the PRR K4s' post-war shape, more specifically that of #1361 as it appeared when it was returned to operation in 1987. A streamlined version of this class, more specifically K4s No. 3768, nicknamed “The Torpedo”, would serve as inspiration for Gordon's streamlined casing in The Great Race. Coincidentally, Hank's basis was the inspiration design of Gordon's basis.