<P> Later versions would revamp the story to have a more specific appeal for children--the stranded train is recast as a train of good food and anthropomorphic toys for the children across the mountain, thus in saving the train the little engine seems to be working for the benefit of the child reader, making the successful deed all the more triumphant . </P> <P> In these versions another character appeared and remained a key part of the story hereafter--the clown ringleader of the toys who attempts to find help with several locomotives but is rebuffed . The number of engines in the story also eventually became standard across the tellings: The happy locomotive on the toy train who breaks down and cannot go on, the pompous passenger engine who considers himself too grand for the task, the powerful freight engine who views himself as too important, and the elderly engine who lacks either the strength or determination to help the toys . The little blue engine always appears last and, although perhaps reluctant (some editions have the engine clarify her role as a switcher not suited for excursions), always rises to the occasion and saves the day for the children over the mountain . </P> <P> Each engine is defined by its appearance or function and is not given a name or personality beyond its role on the railroad . It is only in the 1991 film adaption that the engines' personalities are expanded on, including the granting of names: Farnsworth (the express engine), Pete (the freight engine), Georgia (the friendly engine of the toy train), Jebediah (the elderly engine) and Tillie, the titular "little engine that could". The clown was also named "Rollo" and a sixth engine character, Doc, appeared briefly to recover the broken - down Georgia and thus tie up the hanging story - thread of what happened to the failed engine of the toy train, which all other versions leave unaddressed . </P> <P> The tale with its easy - to - grasp moral has become a classic children's story and was adapted in November 1991 as a 30 - minute animated film produced in Wales and co-financed in Wales and the United States . The film named the famous little engine Tillie and expanded the narrative into a larger story of self - discovery . </P>

What color is the little engine that could