Spamcan and Bowler

"I don't know it is with you two and talking over the railway. You just can't seem to leave the Sodor Island alone."

- Sir Topham Hatt to Spamcan and Bowler, Sodor's Last Stand

Spamcan/D199

Introduced 1996-2000 2005-2008 2013-2014

Bowler/Class 40/The Diesel/D261

Introduced 1998-2003

Character Overview

Name(s)

Spamcan
Bowler

Title

Spamcan the Class 46
Bowler the Class 40

Nicknames

Diesel 199
Class 40
Diesel 261
Old stuck up
old reliable
The Diesel
Bowler

Gender(s)

Males

Country

The Mainland

Current Status

All Operational

Friends

Enemies

Bear

Percy

the works Diesel

Henry

James

Duck

Stepney

Oliver

Thomas

Technical Details

Basis

BR Class 46 "Peak" (Spamcan)
BR Class 40 (Bowler)

Gauge

Standard Gauge

Power type

Diesel-electric

Vehicle

Locomotives

Fuel type

Diesel

Configuration

1Co-Co1DE

Wheels

16

Top Speed

90 mph

Designer(s)

British Railways (Spamcan)
English Electric (Bowler)

Builder(s)

BR Derby Works (Spamcan)
Vulcan Foundry (Bowler)

Year built/Age

1963 (Spamcan, age 55)
1960 (Bowler, age 58)

Visited Sodor

1967, 2009, 2015 & 2016 (Spamcan)
1962, 2009, 2015 & December 2018 (Bowler)

Left Sodor

1962, 1967, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015

Number

BR D199 (Spamcan)
BR D261 (Bowler)

Railway

British Railways

Spamcan and Bowler are two very troublesome evil diesels. Spamcan is also known as Diesel 199, and Bowler is also known as Class 40, Diesel 261 and or just simply The Diesel. They are recurring antagonists of the series.

Bio[edit | edit source]

We first met them in the episode "Duties of The Diesels", when they where sent away after shoving Henry into the back of the shed and shoving Gordon into the sea. Then they made an appearance in Donald Visits The Scrapyard,and then appeared in the seventh season episode,The Final Fate of Spamcan.

The two went into a life of crime, stealing the NW Brakevan and some trucks. These schemes where stopped by Donald, however the two escape into the Old Engine Shed.

When Sir Topham Hatt tooked for the two, he forgets to check the shed. The diesels try to escape, but ram into themselves after taking the wrong track to the Exit of the Railway. In Season 6, Spamcan tried to cause trouble on the railway after hearing about a "Ghost Diesel". These plans were spoiled by Flying Scotsman, and Spamcan is caught by Sir Topham Hatt. In Season 7, Class 40 and Spamcan stole Toad and tried to push him into the sea. However, Diesel wanted the credit and shoves the two into the ocean. Bowler and Spamcan floated to the other railway, where Diesel 10 found them. He had them help him take over the railway, and they where givin the job of pulling the express. Later, they helped Diesel 10 trap Thomas and Lady, but they ran away after seeing the breaking bridge.

They where later caught and sent away to the Other Railway via the Magic Buffers.

In season 9 it was revealed that they helped Diesel 10 launch a revolt against the Other Railway controller, which was a success.

Basises[edit | edit source]

Spamcan is based on a diesel from Spamcan's class.

Bowler is based on a Class 40 1Co-Co1. Old Stuck-Up is another member of this class.

Appearances[edit | edit source]

Season 1: Duties of The Diesels (both)
Season 3: Donald Visits The Scrapyard (both)
Season 4: The Unseen Diesels (both) and Henry's Tunnel (episode) (both)
Season 7: The Final Fate of Spamcan
[[Season 12|: Mystery train (Bowler only; cameo)

Season 15: Polar Express Coming Through! (Bowler only)
Season 16: Bad News Bear (Bowler only), Bowler Strikes Again (Spamcan not named; mentioned; Bowler speaks) and Paxman Pulls Through (Bowler only)

Specials:

Trivia[edit | edit source]

These diesels appear most out of all the antagonists in his series, other than Diesel, 'Arry, and Bert.
Bowler was originally named Class 40 but this was later changed to Bowler. Spamcan was originally called Diesel 199.