Bulstrode is an old, ill-tempered motorized sea-going barge. He is often rude to the engines, moaning and groaning that they are too slow. It seems the only time Bulstrode is happy is when he's sailing about with a full load.

After Percy and the Troublesome Trucks taught Bulstrode a lesson, he ended up "all washed up" as a Special Attraction on a local Sodor beach.