David Eves was the special effects and model supervisor. He was the one who chose prototypes for the characters from the fifth season to Hero of the Rails. He also came up with the idea for the Sodor Steamworks. He, Stephen Asquith and Nigel Permane hold the record for working the longest on the show, with a total of 24 years. He began work when the show began in 1984 (although his name did not appear in the credits until 1991) and left after production moved to Nitrogen Studios.