Toad

""A pond is the only place for a toad, I suppose."

- Oliver, "Busy Going Backwards", fifth season

    Toad the Great Western Brakevan 
 * Class: GWR 20-ton brakevan
 * Build date: 1940
 * Weight: 20 tons
 * Gauge: 4' 8.5"

Toad is a Great Western brakevan who escaped from scrap with Oliver and Isabel.

Bio
Toad worked with Oliver on the Great Western Railway before being threatened with the prospect of scrapping. Oliver, Toad and an autocoach named Isabel ran away for the greener pastures of the North Western Railway, but Oliver ran out of coal en route. Luckily, they were rescued by Douglas and brought back to Sodor, where Toad asked to be Douglas' brakevan to thank him.

When Scruffey began to start a trend of disrespecting the engines, Toad had the idea for Oliver to show Scruffey and his lieutenants the error of their ways. This turned out better than expected, for Oliver pulled Scruffey apart and won back the respect of the trucks.

Persona
Unlike the rest of the trucks, Toad is devoutly respectful of the engines - he even addresses them as "Mr." - and incredibly polite. Toad is also somewhat imaginative and a bit of an optimist.

Basis
Toad is based on a GWR Standard 20-ton brakevan.

Livery
Toad is painted gray with "GW 56831" written on the side in white.

Appearances
In the Railway Series, Toad only appeared in "Oliver the Western Engine"; he previously appeared in "Enterprising Engines" with no dialogue.

In the television series, Toad was introduced in the third season, but only had speaking roles in the fourth, fifth, seventh and twelfth seasons. He also made a cameo in the eighth season.

Merchandising

 * ERTL model (discontinued)
 * LC Wooden (discontinued then re introduced in 2006)
 * Bandie Tecs model
 * TOMY/Trackmaster model
 * Take Along model

Trivia

 * Toad's name originates from a nickname given to brakevans on the Great Western Railway.
 * In the television series, Toad remains Oliver's brakevan.