- “Cora is a guard's van. She isn't as big as Beatrice, and she hasn't a ticket window, but I like her best. She was my guard's van in the old days.”
- ― Peter Sam, The Little Old Engine
Cora is a tool van, and occasionally a guard's van, who works on the Skarloey Railway. She formerly worked on the Mid Sodor Railway
Biography
The Railway Series
Cora was built by the Falcon Works for the Mid Sodor Railway, where she was a tool van, though she served as Stuart's guard van for a time. She was acquired by the Thin Controller in the sale following the closure of the MSR in 1947. She was used as a guard's van whenever Beatrice was unavailable, though she eventually returned to her original use after Millicent's arrival in 1955.
Skarloey took Cora to rescue Duncan after he got stuck in Rheneas Tunnel for doing "Rock n Roll". When Skarloey took Duncan home, Cora was left in a siding for the workmen to inspect the tunnel. When a documentary was made about the Skarloey Railway, Ada, Jane, Mabel and Cora had the honour of carrying the television equipment and cameras.
Duncan later took Cora to help repair one of Skarloey's coaches after it derailed.
Technical Details
Basis
Cora is based on a brake van from the Corris Railway that now runs on the Talyllyn Railway.
Livery
Cora is painted periwinkle blue, with the letters "SR" painted on her sides in white.
Appearances
The Railway Series
- The Little Old Engine - Trucks! (cameo), Home at Last (does not speak) and Little Old Twins (cameo)
- Gallant Old Engine - Steam Roller (cameo) and Passengers and Polish (cameo)
Companion Volumes
- 1972 - The Railway Series: Surprise Packet (does not speak)
- 1987 - The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways (mentioned)
- 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines (mentioned)
Books
- 1996 - Bumper Colouring Book (cameo)
- 2005 - Peter Sam (cameo)
- 2011 - The Ultimate Diesel Guide (cameo)
Videos
- Mr. Perkins Storytime - Trucks! (cameo)
Trivia
- With permission from Christopher Awdry, Cora was featured in the Corris Railway's newsletter, known as the "Corris-Pondent". Cora is depicted as a brake van who worked on the Corris Railway but moved to the Talyllyn Railway.
- Rev. W. Awdry's original model of her is presently on display at the Narrow Gauge Museum in Tywyn, Wales.
Gallery
| Locomotives | Duke | Stanley* | Smudger** | Falcon | Stuart | Albert* | Jim* | Tim* | The Mine Engine* | |
|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Coaches | Saloon Coaches* | Coaches** | Cora* | Trucks (Slate Trucks) | Breakdown Train** | Gunpowder Wagons** | Flatbeds | Conflats | V-Tipper Wagons* | Brake Vans |
| People | The Mid Sodor Railway Manager |
| Locations | Arlesburgh (West, Bridge Street) | Ffarquhar Road | Marthwaite | Arlesdale Green | Arlesdale (Engine Sheds, Mines) | Cas-ny-Hawin | The Mountain Road | Ulfstead Road | Ballamoddey | King Orry's Bridge | Bertram's Old Mine** | Elm Farm** | Duke's Old Village** |