Fred Pelham

For other uses, see Fred (disambiguation).

Fred Pelham
Background Information
First appearance	Oliver the Western Engine (1969)
Last appearance	Oliver the Western Engine (1969)
Creator(s)	Rev. W. Awdry Gunvor and Peter Edwards
Character Overview
Name	Fred Pelham
Title	Fred the Orange Coal Car
Gender	Male
Country	Island of Sodor
Affiliation	The Little Western
Technical Details
Gauge	4'8½" (1,435 mm; standard gauge)
Vehicle	Rolling stock
Type	Open wagon
Wheels	4
Owner(s)	Fred Pelham

Fred Pelham, named after the company who owns him, is a privately owned truck who is used for transporting ballast on the Little Western.

Biography

When Oliver was pushed into the turntable well by the troublesome trucks and later returned from the Works, Fred Pelham was one of the trucks who teased him. They stopped their teasing towards Oliver when he pulled S.C. Ruffey, their leader, apart.

Personality

Like most trucks, Fred appears to be troublesome and delights in the engines' misfortunes, as he is seen laughing at Oliver after his mishap with the turntable. This is also reflected in his official merchandise biography.

Technical Details

Basis

Due to his lack of detailing in his sole illustration, it is unknown what type of truck Fred Pelham is. His Wooden Railway toy depicts him as a 6-Plank Truck.

Livery

Fred Pelham is painted bright orange with "FRED PELHAM" painted on his sides in white. While there are some other words painted under his name, it is unknown what they read; however, based on context, one can assume that they read "BALLAST CONTRACTOR", like S.C. Ruffey.

On his Wooden Railway toy, the words "FRED PELHAY COAL CO." are painted on his sides in white.

Appearances

• Railway Series
• Other Media

The Railway Series

• Oliver the Western Engine - Toad Stands By (not named)

Books

• 2005 - Thomas the Tank Engine Encyclopedia (not named)

Official Description

• 1997-2002

From Official Media:[1]

“

Fred the Orange Coal Car: Fred the Orange Coal Car loves to cause mischief as he transports a load of coal around the Island.

”

Trivia

• Fred Pelham is one of the few Troublesome Trucks to be named.
• Fred Pelham's name is misspelled as Fred Pelhay in merchandise and on his character card, likely due to the size of the writing on his side in the illustration he appears in. He is also misidentified as a coal truck rather than a ballast truck.

Merchandise

• Wooden Railway (discontinued)
• Bachmann (cancelled)

Gallery

The Railway Series

Main Series

Fred Pelham in The Railway Series

Merchandise

Wooden Railway prototype

Wooden Railway

References

The Little Western

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Locomotives		Duck | Donald and Douglas | Oliver
Rolling Stock	Passenger	Alice and Mirabel | Isabel and Dulcie
	Goods	Toad | Fred Pelham
	Former	S.C. Ruffey
Non-Rail Vehicles		Bulgy | Bulgy's Friend
Stations		Tidmouth | Haultraugh | Arlesburgh West