This page is for the buses that have appeared in The Railway Series.
Notable Buses[]
The following buses have their own separate pages:
Single-Decker Buses[]
These are single-decker buses that are owned by Sodor Roadways and provide a guaranteed connection with the North Western Railway.
Biography[]
Many buses took passenger traffic away from Toby's Old Tramway, in East Anglia. During those days, Toby and Henrietta were unhappy with the buses, but they temporarily got their passengers back when a green bus crashed through some roadworks. However, competition from the cars, buses and lorries forced the tramway into bankrupty in 1951.[1]
The Ffarquhar station's forecourt is a regular calling place for Sodor Roadways buses, such as Bertie, whose timetable and that of the Branch Line are co-ordinated to make connections with all trains possible.[2]
After the partial collapse of Henry's Tunnel, Bertie and his friends helped pick up visitors who wanted to see the bust of the Thin Clergyman unveiled at Tidmouth.[3]
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
Many of the single-decker buses are based on AEC Regal "T Class" buses and Leyland Tiger TS/PS series buses.
Livery[]
The single-decker buses are painted in different liveries, such as red, green, yellow and blue. They often have black, yellow, white, red and cream stripes.
A dark blue bus has a triangle painted on its sides in white along with a white rooftop and appeared in the story, Toby and the Stout Gentleman. A blue and cream bus appeared in the story, Old Faithful.
The red livery is based on the famous red bus livery used by London Transport.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series
Companion Volumes
|
Trivia[]
- Bertie and Algy are the only known single-decker buses to be officially named.
Double-Decker Buses[]
These are double-decker buses that are owned by Sodor Roadways and provide a guaranteed connection with the North Western Railway.
Biography[]
A double-decker bus was at Elsbridge when Thomas and Gordon were talking.[4]
When Percy collided into the luggage trolley, a double-decker bus was seen on the bridge above. The bus had an advertisement for The Railway Series book, Troublesome Engines.[5]
Bulgy was a double-decker bus with an ideological opposition to railways. He tried to steal passengers from Duck and Oliver under false pretenses. Bulgy got his comeuppance when he was wedged under a railway bridge. Eventually, he was converted into a henhouse and placed near the said bridge.[6]
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
Many of the double-decker buses are based on the AEC Regent III, AEC Regent V and Leyland Titan double-decker buses.
Livery[]
The double-decker buses are painted in different liveries, such as red, maroon and cream, blue, and black. They also have banners on their sides such as "Smiths", "Troublesome Engines", "Watneys Pale Ale" and "Dunlop The World's Master Tyre".
Bulgy is painted red and cream. He carried the banners "Join the Anti-Rail League", "Railway Bus", "Baleful Rust" and "Free the Roads".
The red livery is based on the famous red bus livery used by London Transport.
Appearances[]
The Railway Series
Companion Volumes
|
Audio Files[]
Horn
First used | Last used | Sound Effect |
---|---|---|
Further Railway Stories | Further Railway Stories |
Trivia[]
- Bulgy is the only known double-decker bus to be officially named.
- Wilbert Awdry had a model of a maroon and cream double-decker bus on his Ffarquhar Branch layout. It had banners advertising "Watneys Pale Ale" and "DUNLOP The World's Master Tyre" on its sides. The model was sourced from a Dinky Toys Leyland Double Decker bus #290.
- In the My Thomas Story Library books, Bulgy's Friend is portrayed as a red double-decker bus with white and cream window surrounds.
The Charabanc[]
The Charabanc is an early motor vehicle that belongs to the Summer Circular Tours.
Biography[]
As part of the Summer Circular Tours, a Charabanc picks up holidaymakers from the mountains, then crosses the moors to Cronk for a return service to Crovan's Gate via the North Western Railway.
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
A Charabanc is a type of early motor coach, usually open-topped, common in Great Britain during the early part of the 20th century. It has "benched seats arranged in rows, looking forwards, commonly used for large parties, whether as public conveyances or for excursions".
The specific basis for the "Summer Circular Tours" charabanc is unknown.
Livery[]
It is unknown what livery the charabanc would have been painted in.
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- The Charabanc was mentioned as part of the Narrow Gauge Rails in Sodor Lecture by Wilbert Awdry.
- Bertie is referred to as "a direct line of descent from the English charabanc of the 1930s and 40s" on The Official Website, ERTL and Trading Cards description.[7]
Gallery[]
The Railway Series[]
Miscellaneous[]
References[]
- ↑ RWS #7: Toby the Tram Engine - "Toby and the Stout Gentleman"
- ↑ RWS: The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways
- ↑ RWS #42: Thomas and his Friends - "Centenary"
- ↑ RWS #5: Troublesome Engines - "Tenders and Turntables"
- ↑ RWS #6: Henry the Green Engine - "Percy and the Trousers"
- ↑ RWS #24: Oliver the Western Engine - "Bulgy"
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/19980117104449/http://www.thomasthetankengine.com/engine/bertie.htm Bertie's Engine Depot page on The Official Website
Road vehicles | Terence | Bertie | Trevor | George | Caroline | 040 BMC | Bulgy | Bulgy's Friend | JTK 62 | Willie's Tractor | Tractors | Post Van | Murphy | Buses | Soft-sided Lorries | Taxis | Fire Engines | Ambulances | Crawler Tractors | Forklifts | George's Friends | |
---|---|---|
Aircraft | Harold | Aeroplanes | |
Watercraft | Nancy and Violet | Bulstrode | P.S. Cumberland Road | S.S. Kathryn | North Star | S.S. Roxstar | Barges | Salvage Boats | Canal Boats | |
Cranes | Cranes | |
Others | Trailers |