Background Information
Television Series
In 1998, Cranky was introduced in Season 5 of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. The season placed a great focus on him, as well as several other new characters. Since his introduction, Cranky has been depicted as an extremely grumpy crane, as he is kept awake throughout the whole day without rest. Even with this problem fixed, he still retains his grumpiness, and his a extreme dislike of Salty's Tales. However he is shown to be kind, helping the other engines, in their times of need. When the show transitioned into full CGI in 2009, Cranky continued to appear as usual, and has appeared in every season of the television series since his introduction. Cranky is a freelance design, primarily based off of various cranes from the 1920's to 50's.
Main Model
Cranky only had one model during the model era, that was used for all scenes, including closeups. Like the engines, the model included various interchangeable faces, of which Cranky had a total of 15. Cranky's model was designed by art director Robert Gauld-Galliers and built by model-maker Chris Lloyd. The model was constructed out of plastic molding and styrene card. Cranky had two motors, one which was used to enable his wheelhouse to turn 360 degrees round, and the other to control his winch system, but of these features were accessed from one remote-control. Cranky's model was formerly on display at Nitrogen Studios in Canada, it is likely in storage with various other props right now. Cranky's model that was seen alongside the Gauge 1 Engines, also had the ability to lift engines such as Harvey's Prop, or Crates for example.
Cranky's Animated Models
Cranky had several different animated models created for use in things such as video-games and other animated features. Cranky received different animated models, for video-games such as The Great Festival Adventure, Trouble on the Tracks, Thomas Saves the Day, the Thomas The Tank Engine Kids Station video game, and the Unten Thomas Deluxe Set Game, Hero of the Rails video game, and the Thomas & Friends: Adventures! Video Game. Cranky featured a model that was for the majority the same in The Great Festival Adventure & Trouble on the Tracks. Cranky also had an animated model that briefly appeared in a Learning Segment once.
CGI Model
Cranky's full CGI model first appeared in the special Hero of the Rails, when the show transitioned to CGI, and has appeared ever since.
