The French engine originated as Bobo, a TGV (Train à Grand Vitesse or, in English, "high-speed train").
The 2018 revisions in Germany saw the introduction of our first female national, Coco the Eurostar.
Personality[]
Bobo is comically French in his character and over-the-top mannerisms. He would often ad-lib French phrases in reaction to the events around him.
Story[]
In the original London production, Bobo raced with Ashley in heat 3 and lost to Poppa. After Poppa asked Rusty to race in his place, Bobo argued that he should be allowed to compete instead.
In the 'New' Starlight Express, Bobo and Ashley qualified for the final, but were eliminated by Greaseball.
On Broadway and in subsequent productions, Bobo raced with Buffy instead of Ashley, and did not qualify for the final.
On tour in Japan and Australia, Bobo raced alongside an identical twin "brother" called Coco. Bobo raced Heat 1 with Volta 2, Volta's double in 1990. Coco raced with Ashley in Heat 2.
The Mexican production lacked a French Engine, while half the national engines being replaced with South-American engines.
A French engine did not feature in either the 2003 US or 2004 UK tours, which reduced the cast of characters overall.
Bobo stayed in Bochum from the start, racing with Buffy in Heat 2.
In 2018, the new French train, Coco, races Heat 2 with Belle the Bar Car.
Appearance[]
Gallery[]
Role[]
History[]
In the majority of all productions up until 2018, the French national was named Bobo.
Briefly in 1987 he had a male racing double named Coco who mirrored his bright orange design during the tour.
In 2018, the Bochum production underwent significant revisions for the show's 30th Anniversary. This included altering Bobo to the Coco Chanel-inspired token female National Engine, named "Coco", not to be confused with the previous engine of the same name in the Japan/Australia Tour.
Cast[]
London
| 1984 - 1985 | Tom Jobe / Marcus D'Amico |
| 1985 - 1986 | Nick Lloyd |
| 1986 - 1987 | Norman Warren |
| 1987 - 1988 | Greg Ellis / Robert Yeal |
| 1988 - 1990 | ? |
| 1990 - 1991 | David Ashley |
| 1991 - 1992 | Michael Gyngell |
| 1992 - 1993 | Stuart Scott |
| 1993 - 1994 | Matthew Cutts |
| 1994 - 1995 | Stuart Cross |
| 1995 - 1996 | David Hulston |
| 1996 - 1997 | Nicholas Bonner |
| 1997 - 1998 | Nigel Thomas |
| 1998 - 1999 | Stuart Sweeting |
| 1999 - 2001 | Barry McNeill |
| 2001 - 2002 | Richard Woodford |
Broadway
| 1987 - 1988 | AC Ciulla |
| 1988 - 1989 | Brian Carmack |
Japan / Australia Tours
| 1987 | Bobo | Mitch Sebastian |
| Coco | Stefan Reekie | |
| 1990 | Bobo | Tomotaka Sugimoto |
| Coco | Yuki Yasutoko |
Bochum, Germany
| 1988 - 1989 | Allan Edwards |
| 1989 - 1990 | Ramon Visser / T. Robert Pigott |
| 1990 - 1991 | Michael Petersson |
| 1991 - 1992 | Glenn Neate |
| 1992 - 1994 | Steven M Schultz |
| 1994 - 1995 | John Williford |
| 1995 - 1999 | Tom Moneypenny |
| 1999 - 2000 | Adriano Agostino |
| 2000 - 2001 | Philippe Hall |
| 2001 - 2002 | Michael Petersson |
| 2002 - 2003 | Greg Castiglioni |
| 2003 - 2005 | Pharic Scott |
| 2005 - 2006 | Duane McGregor |
| 2006 - 2008 | Lucas Glover |
| 2008 - 2009 | Nathan Sloan |
| 2009 - 2010 | Carl Patrick Morris |
| 2010 - 2012 | Austin Garrett |
| 2012 - 2013 | Matt Beadle / Tom Audibert |
| 2013 - 2015 | Jeffrey Socia |
| 2015 - 2017 | Darren John |
| 2017 - 2018 | Daniel Holley |
2018 on - replaced by Coco
US Tour 1989 - 1991
| 1989 - 1991 | Peter Liciaga |
Las Vegas 1993 - 1997
| 1993 - 1994 | Victor L. Butler |
| 1994 - 1995 | Buddy Casimano |
| 1995 - 1996 | ? |
| 1996 - 1997 | Leigh Bucknam |
US Tour 2003 - 2004 (Cut)
UK Tours 2004 - 2008 (Cut)
NZ Tour 2009 (Cut)
UK Tour 2012-2013 (Cut)
Fan Theories[]
See Here for Fan theories about Bobo.