There are two types of Gunpowder Wagons seen in Thomas & Friends.
D. Fusit Gunpowder Wagons
These gunpowder wagons are covered vans used for transporting gunpowder, owned by the D. Fusit Gunpowder company. Because gunpowder is very dangerous, engines must take the most careful way when shunting them, and they are usually put in the middle of trains for safety.
Biography
These wagons were used on the Mid Sodor Railway prior to it's closure[2]. They have also been seen quite frequently on the Skarloey Railway[3].
These vans carry gunpowder and similar explosives to the mines and quarries on the Island of Sodor. They are normally put in the middle of the trains to lower the risk of front or rear-end collisions[4].
Technical Details
Basis
These gunpowder vans are based on the Curtis & Harvey Number 152 gunpowder van used on the Ffestiniog Railway.
Livery
The gunpowder vans were painted black with "D. FUSIT" on the sides in white and "GUNPOWDER" underneath in red. The gunpowder vans' large scale model was painted a generic black colour with rust weathering
Appearances
Official Description
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | D. Fusit: D. Fusit is a gunpowder van who takes gunpowder and similar explosives to the mines and quarries on the Island of Sodor. He is normally put in the middle of trains to lower the risk of front or rear-end collisions!
|
” |
Trivia
- The name "D. Fusit" is a play on words of "De-Fuse It".
- Despite being portrayed as faceless and non-sentient wagons, the ERTL packaging refers to "D. Fusit" as a male sentient character[5].
- Only one model of the D. Fusit gunpowder wagon was made for the television series. However, a second wagon was produced in the ERTL merchandise range and illustrated for promotional artwork.
- In addition a large scale model was made sometime prior to the seventh series however it was only used as scrap dressing.[6]
Merchandise
Ffestiniog Gunpowder Wagons
These gunpowder wagons are seen at the Blue Mountain Quarry. They transport gunpowder use for blasting rock and mining.
Technical Details
Basis
The gunpowder vans are based on 2 foot gauge gunpowder vans used to carry gunpowder from Porthmadog to the Blaenau Ffestiniog quarries on the Ffestiniog Railway.
Livery
They are painted grey and dark green and have explosives hazard warnings on them.
Appearances
Merchandise
- Take-n-Play (discontinued)
- TrackMaster (discontinued)
- Collectible Railway (discontinued)
- Bachmann (coming soon)
References
| Locomotives | Duke | Smudger | Falcon | Stuart | Bertram |
|---|---|
| People | The Mid Sodor Railway Manager |
| Stations | Arlesburgh Harbour** | Arlesburgh Bridge Street** | Ffarquhar Road** | Bertram's Old Mine** | Marthwaite** | Arlesdale Green** | Duke's Station | Cas-ny-Hawin** | Ulfstead Road** | Elm Farm | Ballamoddey** | Valesbridge | King Orry's Bridge** |