Toad

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

- Oliver, Busy Going Backwards, fifth season

    Toad  Toad is a Great Western brakevan who escaped from scrap with Oliver and Isabel.
 * Number: GW 53681
 * Class: GWR 20-ton brakevan

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. In the Railway Series, Toad asked to be Douglas' brakevan as a show of thanks. In the television series, Toad is Oliver's brakevan rather than Douglas'.

When S. C. Ruffey 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 S. C. Ruffey apart and won back the respect of the trucks.

In the television series, Toad was tired of always going backwards and wanted to be a leader for a change. The trucks decided to teach Toad to be careful what he wishes for by breaking away from Oliver on Gordon's Hill, and as a result, he narrowly avoids James, crashes into some level crossing gates, and stops by taking a plunge into a pond. Afterwards, Toad decides that always going backwards isn't bad after all.

Later in the television series, Toad was with Oliver up in the hills when they asked Gordon if he needed some help.

Persona
Unlike the rest of the trucks, Toad is devoutly respectful of the engines - he even addresses them as "Mr." and is 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 grey with "GW 56831" written on the side in white.

Railway Series

 * "Enterprising Engines" (does not speak)
 * "Oliver the Western Engine"

Television series

 * Season 3 - Escape (does not speak) and Oliver Owns Up (cameo)
 * Season 4 - Toad Stands By and Mind that Bike (cameo)
 * Season 5 - Gordon and the Gremlin (cameo), Oliver's Find, and Busy Going Backwards
 * Season 7 - Emily's New Coaches (cameo), James and the Queen of Sodor (cameo), and Snow Engine
 * Season 12 - Gordon Takes a Shortcut

He was to appear in the sixth season, but was was cut out for unknown reasons.

He also cameoed in two eighth season songs.

Trivia

 * Toad's name originates from a nickname ("toad") given to brakevans on the Great Western Railway.
 * In the television series, Toad remains Oliver's brakevan.
 * Toad's original Wooden Railway model incorrectly stated that he was a 16-ton brakevan.
 * Toad's model, without a face, is on display at Drayton Manor.

Merchandising

 * ERTL (discontinued)
 * Learning Curve Wooden (re-introduced in 2006)
 * Bandai Tecs
 * TOMY/TrackMaster
 * Take-Along
 * My First Thomas
 * Hornby
 * Wind-up Trains
 * Brio (discontinued)