Lightweight Coaches

These are special type of lightweight bogied coaches used for highspeed trains.

BR MK3 Coaches
The British Railways Mark 3 is the family designation for the third standardised designs of passenger railway coaches built by British Railways.

The Railway Series
Pip and Emma pull at least 5 of these coaches coupled between their ends. They were used to take the Prince of Wales and some other important guests to Tidmouth for the Railway Series' Golden Jubilee.

In 2011, the Fat Controller purchased Pip, Emma and their coaches to run a faster express service to London following privatisation.

Basis
These coaches are based on the real BR MK3 coaches, and were constructed with corridors at each end.

Livery
The coaches are painted blue with white window surrounds and dark grey rooftops.

Appearances
 Railway Series=

The Railway Series

 * Gordon the High-Speed Engine - Gordon Proves His Point
 * Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines - Golden Jubilee
 * Thomas and his Friends - Thomas and the Swan, Gordon's Fire Service and Centenary

Companion Volumes

 * 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines

Settebello Coaches
These coaches are part of the "Settebello", a famous and luxurious Italian high-speed express train.

Thomas & Friends
During his visit to Italy, Thomas met the Settebello locomotive. He had these coaches coupled to his end.

Basis
The coaches are based on the ones used or the real Setebello high-speed express train. They provided a high-speed luxury train service between Milan and Rome. They have since been withdrawn from service.

Livery
The coaches are painted cream with green window surrounds and a green skirting.

Videos

 * Really Useful Around the World - Thomas Visits Pompeii

JNR 481 Series Coaches
These coaches help make up the Japanese National Railways (JNR) 481 Series limited express electric multiple units (EMU).

Thomas & Friends
During his visit to Japan, Thomas met 2 high-speed Japanese Engines. They had these coaches coupled to their ends.

Basis
These coaches are based the passenger cars used for the early 481 series electric multiple units, built by a number of manufacturers and introduced by Japanese National Railways in 1968. While their basis is cape gauge, they appear to be standard gauge.

Livery
They are cream with red window surrounds and chassis. They also have dark grey rooftops.

Videos

 * Really Useful Around the World - Thomas Travels to Japan