The Hoppers are used for transporting large amounts of bulk material such as coal, ballast, and stone. They are commonly used for construction on Sodor, such as when the Harwick Branch Line was being built. During that time, several hoppers of ballast loads were seen in the Construction Yard. Hoppers are mostly used at quarries or mines.
BR 22 Ton Hoppers
The North Western Railway owns a selection of BR 22 Ton Hoppers. In the Railway Series, these hoppers have been seen being pulled by James, carrying ballast for trackwork along The Main Line. In the television series, these hoppers are commonly used by quarries, such as the Blue Mountain Quarry and the Ffarquhar Quarry.
Technical Details
Basis
These hoppers are based on BR 22 ton iron ore hoppers.
Add a photo to this galleryLivery
In the Railway Series, these hoppers have been seen painted yellow, purple, red, and grey. In the television series, they are painted black.
Appearances
ZFV Dogfish Hoppers
In the television series, the North Western Railway owns some ZFV Dogfish hoppers. These hoppers are often used to carry ballast from Arlesburgh West and were heavily used during the construction of the Harwick Branch Line.
Technical Details
Basis
These hoppers are based on British Railways' ZFV 'Dogfish' ballast hoppers.
Livery
These hoppers have been seen in varying shades of green, red, orange, and grey. From the seventeenth series onwards they are painted grey with brown frames.
Appearances
ICI Hoppers
In the television series, the North Western Railway owns an ICI bogie hopper named Hector.
Technical Details
Basis
These hoppers are based on ICI bogie hoppers.
Livery
Hector is painted black with "HECTOR" painted on both sides in cream, and white wheel rims.
Trivia
- To date, Hector is the only hopper that has been named and seen with a face.
Merchandise
- Take Along (discontinued)
- Take-n-Play (discontinued)
- TrackMaster (discontinued)
