Flatbeds, Conflats and Well Wagons

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Flatbeds, conflats and well wagons are used for transporting large and heavy loads. They have also been referred to as flat trucks and flat cars.

They have been seen many times in both the The Railway Series and television series.

Flatbeds

Flatbeds
Background Information
First appearance	Duke the Lost Engine (RWS) Thomas and Gordon (T&F)
Last appearance	Great Little Engines (RWS) Gordon and Rebecca, Coming Through! (T&F)
Character Overview
Country	Island of Sodor England (formerly for some)
Technical Details
Basis	TVR Macaw G
Vehicle	Rolling stock
Type	Flat goods wagons
Wheels	8 wheel bogies
Designer(s)	Taff Vale Railway
Builder(s)	Taff Vale Railway
Year built	Between 1913 and 1938
Railway	North Western Railway

Flatbeds are bogie wagons with a flat surface. They are mainly used for transporting large loads such as girder beams, rails, timber, pipes and scrap metal. Some are also used for transporting small loads such as cargo and equipment.

On Misty Island, there are flatbeds specially designed for transporting logs.

Personality

Though always faceless these flatbeds can be spotted amongst the trucks singing Pop Goes the Diesel. Some flatbeds once broke away from Edward and they were described as Troublesome Trucks.

Basis

The flatbeds are based on the Taff Vale Railway Macaw G and heavily modified SECR Utility Vans.

GWR J28 Macaw B, A similar flatbed.

SECR Utility Vans

Types of flatbed designs

SECR utility van (4 wheels)

SECR utility van (8 wheels)

TVR Macaw (with 4 poles)

TVR Macaw (with 8 poles)

TVR Macaw (without poles)

TVR Macaw (shortened)

TVR Macaw (extended)

Livery

These flatbeds are often painted grey, while others are painted black with rusty bogie frames.

A grey Macaw

A black Macaw

A dark grey Macaw with red bufferbeams

Appearances

• Railway Series
• Television Series

The Railway Series

• Duke the Lost Engine - Sleeping Beauty
• Great Little Engines - Sir Handel Comes Home

Thomas & Friends Series 1 - Thomas and Gordon, Thomas and the Trucks, James and the Coaches, Troublesome Trucks, James and the Express, Trouble in the Shed, Coal, The Flying Kipper, Dirty Objects, Off the Rails and Down the Mine Series 2 - Thomas, Percy and the Coal, Saved from Scrap, Old Iron, Thomas and Trevor, Percy and the Signal, Duck Takes Charge, Percy and Harold, The Runaway, Percy Takes the Plunge, Pop Goes the Diesel, A Close Shave, Better Late Than Never, Break Van, The Deputation, Thomas Comes to Breakfast, Percy's Predicament, The Diseasel, Wrong Road, Ghost Train, Woolly Bear and Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree Series 3 - Gordon and the Famous Visitor, Donald's Duck, Thomas, Percy and the Dragon, Henry's Forest, Buzz, Buzz, One Good Turn and Oliver Owns Up Series 4 - Sleeping Beauty, Henry and the Elephant and Thomas and the Special Letter Series 5 - Cranky Bugs, Horrid Lorry, James and the Trouble with Trees, Gordon and the Gremlin, Bye George!, Baa!, Put Upon Percy, Haunted Henry, Double Teething Troubles, Something in the Air, Thomas, Percy and Old Slow Coach, Oliver's Find, Happy Ever After, Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday, Make Someone Happy, Busy Going Backwards and Rusty and the Boulder Series 6 - Salty's Secret, No Sleep for Cranky, A Bad Day for Harold the Helicopter, Elizabeth the Vintage Lorry, It's Only Snow, Twin Trouble, The World's Strongest Engine, Scaredy Engines, Middle Engine, James and the Red Balloon, Jack Frost, Gordon Takes a Tumble, Percy's Chocolate Crunch, Toby Had a Little Lamb, Thomas the Jet Engine and Edward the Very Useful Engine Series 7 - Emily's New Coaches, Percy Gets it Right, Edward's Brass Band, What's the Matter with Henry?, James and the Queen of Sodor, The Spotless Record, Toby's Windmill, Bad Day at Castle Loch, Salty's Stormy Tale, Snow Engine, Something Fishy, Peace and Quiet, Bulgy Rides Again, Harold and the Flying Horse and Best Dressed Engine Jack and the Sodor Construction Company - A Happy Day for Percy, A Tale for Thomas, Percy Helps Out and Mud Glorious Mud Series 8 - Thomas to the Rescue, Henry and the Wishing Tree, Thomas Saves the Day, Percy's Big Mistake, Thomas, Emily and the Snowplough, Don't Tell Thomas, Edward the Great, Squeak, Rattle and Roll, Thomas and the Circus, As Good as Gordon, Fish, Emily's Adventure, Halloween, James Goes Too Far and Percy and the Magic Carpet Series 9 - Thomas and the Rainbow, Respect for Gordon, Thomas and the Toy Shop, Thomas and the New Engine, Thomas Tries His Best, Thomas and the Statue, Henry and the Flagpole, Emily Knows Best, Thomas' New Trucks, Saving Edward and Flour Power Series 10 - Thomas and the Jet Plane, Percy and the Funfair, The Green Controller, Thomas' Tricky Tree, Toby's Afternoon Off, It's Good to be Gordon, Seeing the Sights, Fearless Freddie, Toby's New Shed, Big Strong Henry, Which Way Now?, Thomas and the Shooting Star, Edward Strikes Out, Topped Off Thomas, Wharf and Peace, Thomas' Frosty Friend, Emily and the Special Coaches, Thomas and the Colours, Thomas and the Birthday Mail, Missing Trucks, Thomas and the Treasure, James the Second Best and Thomas and Skarloey's Big Day Out Series 11 - Dream On, Gordon and the Engineer, Henry's Lucky Day, Thomas and the Lighthouse, Thomas and the Big Bang, Don't be Silly, Billy, Edward and the Mail, Hide and Peep, Thomas and the Runaway Car, Thomas in Trouble, Thomas and the Stinky Cheese, Sir Handel in Charge and Ding-a-Ling Series 12 - Thomas and the Billboard, Steady Eddie, Rosie's Funfair Special, Henry Gets it Wrong, Heave Ho Thomas!, Excellent Emily, Saved You!, James Works it Out, Tram Trouble, Gordon Takes a Shortcut, The Man in the Hills, Thomas Puts the Brakes On and Push Me, Pull You Series 13 - Creaky Cranky, The Lion of Sodor, Tickled Pink, Double Trouble, Slippy Sodor, The Early Bird, Play Time, Thomas and the Pigs, Time for a Story, Percy's Parcel, Toby's New Whistle, A Blooming Mess, Thomas and the Runaway Kite, Steamy Sodor, The Biggest Present of All, Henry's Good Deeds, Buzzy Bees and Hiro Helps Out Series 14 - Thomas' Tall Friend, James in the Dark, Pingy Pongy Pick Up, Charlie and Eddie, Toby and the Whistling Woods, Henry's Health and Safety, Thomas in Charge, Being Percy and Henry's Magic Box Series 15 - Percy's New Friends, Edward the Hero, James to the Rescue, Henry's Happy Coal, Let it Snow, Surprise, Surprise, Stop That Bus!, Kevin the Steamie, Wonky Whistle and Tree Trouble Series 16 - Ol' Wheezy Wobbles, Express Coming Through, Percy and the Monster of Brendam, Thomas and the Rubbish Train, Thomas Toots the Crows, Bust My Buffers!, Salty's Surprise, Sodor Surprise Day, Emily's Winter Party Special, Muddy Matters, Whiff's Wish, Welcome Stafford!, Happy Birthday Sir! and The Christmas Tree Express Series 17 - Wayward Winston, Henry's Hero, The Thomas Way, Away From the Sea and Gone Fishing Series 18 - Flatbeds of Fear, Toad's Adventure, Thomas the Quarry Engine, Missing Gator, Toad's Bright Idea, Emily Saves the World, Marion and the Dinosaurs, Samson at Your Service and Millie and the Volcano Series 19 - The Truth About Toby, Toad and the Whale, Very Important Sheep, Den and Dart, Helping Hiro, The Little Engine Who Raced Ahead, Philip to the Rescue, Diesel's Ghostly Christmas, The Other Side of the Mountain, No Help at All and Goodbye Fat Controller Series 20 - Diesel and the Ducklings, Pouty James, Letters to Santa, Love Me Tender, Cautious Connor, All in Vain and Henry in the Dark Series 21 - Springtime for Diesel, A Most Singular Engine, Dowager Hatt's Busy Day, Stuck in Gear, Cranky at the End of the Line, New Crane on the Dock, Philip's Number, Emily in the Middle and Terence Breaks the Ice Series 22 - Confusion Without Delay, Thomas Goes to Bollywood, Outback Thomas, Seeing is Believing, The Water Wheel, Samson and the Fireworks, Thomas' Animal Ark, Counting on Nia and Hunt the Truck Series 23 - Steam Team to the Rescue, All Tracks Lead to Rome, Wish You Were Here, First Day on Sodor!, Too Loud, Thomas! and Diesel Glows Away Series 24 - Thomas and the Forest Engines, A New Arrival, The Inventor's Spectacular Bridge, Yong Bao and the Tiger and Gordon and Rebecca, Coming Through! Other - Thomas & Friends in 4-D: Bubbling Boilers Specials 2000 - Thomas and the Magic Railroad 2005 - Calling All Engines! 2008 - The Great Discovery 2009 - Hero of the Rails 2010 - Misty Island Rescue 2011 - Day of the Diesels 2012 - Blue Mountain Mystery 2013 - King of the Railway 2014 - Tale of the Brave 2015 - Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure 2016 - The Great Race 2017 - Journey Beyond Sodor 2018 - Big World! Big Adventures!

Merchandise

• TrackMaster (discontinued)
• Motor Road and Rail
• Capsule Plarail
• Wooden Railway (various versions; all discontinued)
• Bachmann (discontinued with paint drums; re-used for Sodor Logging Company Flat Wagon with Logs)
• Hornby (discontinued)
• Ertl (with logs; discontinued)
• Take Along (discontinued)
• Take-n-Play (discontinued)
• Tomica

Conflats

Conflats
Background Information
First appearance	Very Old Engines (RWS) Saved From Scrap (T&F)
Last appearance	Thomas and the Great Railway Show (RWS) Thomas' Animal Friends (T&F)
Character Overview
Country	Island of Sodor England (formerly for some)
Technical Details
Basis	BR 13-ton conflats
Vehicle	Rolling stock
Type	Flat wagons
Wheels	4
Designer(s)	British Railways
Builder(s)	Crewe, Darlington, Derby, Doncaster or Horwich Works
Year built	1957 and 1958
Railway	North Western Railway

Conflats are small, four-wheeled wagons. They are used for transporting lighter and smaller loads, such as crates, short logs and small locomotives.

Basis

Though their overall look resembles British Railways 13-ton conflats, their models were made from the frames of a tanker and a van.

Appearances

• Railway Series
• Television Series

The Railway Series

• Very Old Engines - Crosspatch
• Thomas and the Great Railway Show - Not the Ticket

Thomas & Friends Series 2 - Saved from Scrap, Old Iron, Thomas and Trevor, Percy and the Signal, Duck Takes Charge, The Runaway, Percy Takes the Plunge, Pop Goes the Diesel, Dirty Work, Better Late Than Never, Break Van, Percy's Predicament, Wrong Road and Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree Series 3 - Donald's Duck, Thomas Gets Bumped, Diesel Does it Again (deleted scene), Henry's Forest, The Trouble with Mud, No Joke for James, Thomas, Percy and the Post Train, Trust Thomas, Toby's Tightrope, One Good Turn, Escape and Oliver Owns Up Series 4 - Home at Last, Train Stops Play and Bowled Out Series 5 - Cranky Bugs, James and the Trouble with Trees, Put Upon Percy and Happy Ever After Series 7 - Best Dressed Engine Series 8 - Spic and Span Series 10 - Big Strong Henry and Thomas and Skarloey's Big Day Out Series 11 - Thomas and the Runaway Car Series 12 - Henry Gets it Wrong Series 13 - The Lion of Sodor, Play Time, Thomas and the Pigs, Percy's Parcel, Toby's New Whistle, A Blooming Mess, Play Time, Steamy Sodor, Henry's Good Deeds and Buzzy Bees Series 14 - Thomas' Tall Friend, Pingy Pongy Pick Up, Charlie and Eddie, Toby and the Whistling Woods, Henry's Health and Safety, Diesel's Special Delivery, Victor Says Yes, Merry Winter Wish, Thomas' Crazy Day and Merry Misty Island Series 15 - Gordon and Ferdinand, Toby and Bash, Emily and Dash, Percy's New Friends, James to the Rescue, Up, Up and Away!, Henry's Happy Coal, Stuck on You, Kevin the Steamie, Percy the Snowman, Tree Trouble and Fiery Flynn Series 16 - Express Coming Through, Percy and the Monster of Brendam, Flash Bang Wallop!, Bust My Buffers!, Percy and the Calliope, Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor, Sodor Surprise Day, Emily's Winter Party Special, Whiff's Wish and Happy Birthday Sir! Series 17 - Kevin's Cranky Friend, Scruff's Makeover, Wayward Winston, Gordon Runs Dry, Steamie Stafford, Henry's Hero, Not Now, Charlie!, Percy's Lucky Day, Bill or Ben?, No Snow for Thomas, Santa's Little Engine, The Missing Christmas Decorations, Away From the Sea, Gone Fishing, The Afternoon Tea Express and Thomas' Shortcut Series 18 - Old Reliable Edward, Signals Crossed, Toad's Adventure, Toad's Bright Idea, The Perfect Gift and Timothy and the Rainbow Truck Series 19 - Who's Geoffrey?, Henry Spots Trouble, A Cranky Christmas, Den and Dart, Best Engine Ever, The Little Engine Who Raced Ahead, Philip to the Rescue, No Help at All and Goodbye Fat Controller Series 20 - Toby's New Friend, Three Steam Engines Gruff and The Missing Breakdown Train Series 21 - Cranky at the End of the Line, New Crane on the Dock, Terence Breaks the Ice and Confused Coaches Series 22 - Tiger Trouble, Apology Impossible and Counting on Nia Series 23 - The Other Big Engine, Heart of Gold, Diesel Do Right and Diesel Glows Away Series 24 - Emily's Best Friend and Thomas' Animal Friends Other - Thomas & Friends in 4-D: Bubbling Boilers Specials 2000 - Thomas and the Magic Railroad 2009 - Hero of the Rails 2010 - Misty Island Rescue 2011 - Day of the Diesels 2012 - Blue Mountain Mystery 2013 - King of the Railway 2015 - The Adventure Begins and Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure 2016 - The Great Race 2017 - Journey Beyond Sodor 2018 - Big World! Big Adventures!

Merchandise

• TrackMaster (discontinued)
• Capsule Plarail
• Ertl (with Lorry 1; discontinued)
• Wooden Railway (discontinued)
• Take-n-Play (discontinued)
• Collectible Railway

SR Brake Van Conflat

SR Brake Van Conflat
Background Information
First appearance	Thomas, Percy and the Dragon (T&F)
Last appearance	Henry Gets it Wrong (T&F)
Character Overview
Country	Island of Sodor
Technical Details
Basis	SR Pillbox brake van
Wheels	4 each
Railway	North Western Railway

This flatbed is a former SR brake van, which is often used to transport pipes, road vehicles and sometimes small engines such as Percy.

At first it had poles to keep the pipe loads in place, but later lost these. When transporting Caroline to the cricket field, it gained temporary wooden blocks to prevent Caroline rolling off during transit.

Basis

This flatbed is based on an SR brake van, nicknamed "Pillbox".

Types of flatbed designs

(with support poles)

(with wooden blocks)

(without poles or blocks)

Livery

This flatbed is painted black.

Appearances

• Television Series

Thomas & Friends Series 3 - Thomas, Percy and the Dragon, Diesel Does it Again, No Joke for James, One Good Turn, Tender Engines, Escape and Oliver Owns Up Series 4 - Train Stops Play and Bowled Out Series 5 - Cranky Bugs, Horrid Lorry, Bye George!, Put Upon Percy, Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday and A Surprise for Percy Series 6 - Percy's Chocolate Crunch Series 7 - Best Dressed Engine Series 9 - Emily Knows Best Series 10 - Toby's Afternoon Off Series 11 - Smoke and Mirrors Series 12 - Henry Gets it Wrong

Trivia

• This variant of flatbed was created for Thomas' sister show TUGS. It featured prominently in the episode High Tide being pulled by the goods engine before falling into the canal in an accident.

Well Wagons

Well Wagons
Background Information
First appearance	Jack Jumps In (T&F)
Last appearance	Deep Trouble (T&F)
Character Overview
Country	Island of Sodor England (formerly for some)
Technical Details
Basis	GWR 35-ton Crocodile G
Vehicle	Rolling stock
Type	Flat wagons
Wheels	8 wheel bogies
Designer(s)	Swindon Works
Builder(s)	Swindon Works
Year built	between the 1920s and 1930s
Railway	North Western Railway

Well wagons are flat wagons with a lowered section in the middle. They are used for transporting loads that would otherwise be too tall for a normal flatbed, such as heavy machinery, vehicles and locomotives. Occasionally they have been used to convey narrow gauge and miniature gauge engines on the standard gauge system.

Personality

Though always faceless these were depicted as Troublesome Trucks in the Railway Series. James once had to shunt a goods train of wellwagons, but James had bumped the trucks who then slipped their brakes on to spite him. Two of the wellwagons were later involved in an accident, where they found themselves traveling sideways accross the points and knocking a signal over.

Basis

The well wagons are based on the Great Western Railway 35-ton Crocodile G.

Appearances

• Railway Series
• Television Series

The Railway Series

• Branch Line Engines - Percy's Predicament
• Gallant Old Engine - Gallant Old Engine
• Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine - Train Stops Play
• Mountain Engines - Mountain Engine, Bad Look-Out and Danger Points
• James and the Diesel Engines - Crossed Lines

Thomas & Friends Series 6 - Jack Jumps In, A Friend in Need, Scaredy Engines and Middle Engine Series 7 - Bill, Ben and Fergus and Not So Hasty Puddings Jack and the Sodor Construction Company - Jack Owns Up, Kelly's Windy Day, A Happy Day for Percy, A Tale for Thomas, Thomas and the Moles, Percy Helps Out, The Tortoise and the Hare, Thomas' Trusty Friends and Alfie Has Kittens Series 8 - Thomas Saves the Day and Halloween Series 11 - Gordon and the Engineer, Thomas and the Lighthouse, Thomas Sets Sail, Hide and Peep and Percy and the Left Luggage Series 12 - Excellent Emily and Tram Trouble Series 15 - Percy's New Friends, Happy Hiro and Stop That Bus! Series 16 - Thomas and the Rubbish Train, Whiff's Wish and The Christmas Tree Express Series 19 - Den and Dart Series 20 - Sidney Sings and Mucking About Series 23 - Free the Roads, Steam Team to the Rescue, Mines of Mystery and Deep Trouble Specials 2005 - Calling All Engines! 2008 - The Great Discovery 2011 - Day of the Diesels 2012 - Blue Mountain Mystery 2013 - King of the Railway Learning Segments Series 8 - Helping One Another Series 9 - What Route Should Thomas Take? and Which Load for Which Route?

Merchandise

• TrackMaster (discontinued)
• Capsule Plarail
• Ertl (Scrap Trevor and Chinese Dragon; discontinued)
• Bachmann (discontinued)
• Lionel Trains (with Harold; discontinued)
• Pocket Fantasy (discontinued)

North Western Railway

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* RWS only | ** T&F only | --- Dropped

Sodor & Mainland Railway

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United Kingdom

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* RWS only | ** T&F only