Big Mac (TUGS)

Big Mac is a fictional character who appeared in the 1988 television series TUGS, created by the producers of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.

Big Mac is Captain Star's second tug, who sports a distinctively broad Glaswegian accent. He is used for a variety of tasks around Bigg City Port, usually, because he is the second strongest, usually means he supporting heavy loads. Big Mac is based on the tugs of San Francisco waters from the 1920's, and his name doesn't have any connection with McDonald's famous trademark. His name is more likely to derive from the fact that he is big, and speaks with a broad Scottish accent.

Big Mac can come across a rude and stubborn tug, but he has a heart of gold, despite his tendencies to be macho, gruff and tough at times. He is very much willing to set aside his own safety for the sake of others, and usually (but not always) remains level-headed when implementing a strategy. Big Mac works mainly with Warrior, a tug who resembles him in many ways.

As opposed to his gruff personality, he is fitted with a rich and melodic chime whistle.

Big Mac is without a doubt an essential character to tugs, he is, after all, the strongest harbor tug of the fleet and despite his sometimes abrasive manners, he can be kind and gentle. He is always willing to help out someone in trouble, and uses his great strength to help wherever he can.

Big Mac is voiced by British actor Nigel Anthony, who also voices: Zebedee, Hercules and the Fire Tug.

In the Japanese version he was voiced by Keiji Fujiwara.

In Sunbow's "Salty's Lighthouse" Big Mac's name was changed to "Big Stack" which rhymes with Mac and was played by Paul Dobson.