Toby is old-fashioned, both in looks and outlook. Every engine, no matter how old, wants to be Really Useful and having once nearly been scrapped, Toby is always happy to work. He's not above being temperamental sometimes, but since he works mainly up an outlying quarry line, he can work off his moods without causing grief to anyone except his own faithful coach Henrietta. Sir Topham Hatt brought Toby to his railway to help out with Thomas' branch line.