Bertie has a great deal in common with Thomas. Ever since their Great Race, they have been the firmest of friends. Bertie's strongest characteristic is his friendly grin and his readiness to help any engine prepared to admit that - - just sometimes - - roads have their uses as well as rails

Bertie is a single-decker front entrance bus, with a direct line of descent from the English charabanc of the 1930's and 40's.