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Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia
Thomas the Tank Engine Wiki
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Minor Vehicle Characters

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This page is for minor vehicle characters who have appeared in the Railway Series, Thomas & Friends, the annual stories and the magazine stories. These characters were either unseen and only mentioned, or simply appeared as background characters without any speaking roles and were nameless.

The Green Bus


The Green Bus was a passenger bus that worked in East Anglia.

Biography

The green bus was one of the buses who took passenger traffic away from Toby's Old Tramway, causing Toby to have no more passengers. During those days, Toby and Henrietta were unhappy with the buses taking all their passengers, but they temporarily got their passengers back when the bus crashed through some roadworks and into a big hole. The bus was eventually repaired, and competition from the buses, as well as lorries, forced the tramway to close in 1951. Toby later told the story of his old tramway and the bus to Thomas and Percy.

Technical Details

Basis

The green bus is based on an AEC Regal "T Class" London Country Area bus. 8 of these buses are known to survive in preservation. One of them, T31, is believed to have been the first bus to be privately preserved in the UK. Bertie and formerly Algy share the same basis.

Livery

In the Railway Series, the bus was painted dark green. In the annual stories, the bus is painted lime green with a big white stripe on his sides.

Appearances

The Railway Series

Companion Volumes

Thomas & Friends

Annuals


JTK 62

In the sixth illustration of Steamroller, a blue car with the number plate JTK 62 can be seen. This references both the initials of the illustrator, John T. Kenney, and the year in which the book was published, 1962.

Technical Details

Basis

JTK 62 is based on a 1962 Wolseley.

Appearances

The Railway Series

Companion Volumes

Trivia

  • A green cattle-truck appeared in a book called Tootles the Taxi illustrated by John T. Kenney with a similar number plate reading JTK 954[1].


Bulgy's Friend

Bulgy's Friend is a red double-decker bus that is one of Bulgy's closest friends. Although he was not seen in the Railway Series or the television series, he did appear in the My Thomas Story Library story, Bulgy. However, he appeared to be faceless.

Personality

Bulgy's Friend was mentioned by Oliver as being rude, just like Bulgy, as he was trying to take Bulgy's passengers home so that Bulgy can steal Duck and Oliver's passengers.

Technical Details

Basis

Bulgy's Friend is based on an AEC Bridgemaster bus, like Bulgy. The Special Bus Service and the Australian Buses also share this design.

Livery

Bulgy's Friend is painted similar to Bulgy, red and cream, though he has a light grey middle section.

Appearances

The Railway Series

Companion Volumes

Thomas & Friends

Books

  • 2003 - Bulgy (does not speak; faceless)


The Orange Caterpillar Crane

This article is about the Railway Series crane. You may be looking for the television series cranes.


The Orange Caterpillar Crane is a mobile crane that is owned by some workmen. He/she was once seen working near the Ffarquhar Branch Line.

Biography

When the water level in a stream near Hackenbeck rose to a dangerous level, the wooden bridge across the stream started to break apart and eventually collapsed. The line was closed down whilst the bridge was in progress of being mended, some workmen and the orange caterpillar crane owned by them helped to mend the broken bridge.

Technical Details

Basis

The orange caterpillar crane's design is unknown.

Livery

The orange caterpillar crane is painted orange with black lining and dark grey caterpillar tracks.

Appearance

The Railway Series

Companion Volumes


George's Friends

George's Friends are steamrollers and friends of George. Like George, they are anti-rail and are known for ripping up railway lines and turning them into roads.

When George worked near Thomas' Branch Line, he told Daisy that his friends have paved roads over old railway lines and he was eager to do the same on Sodor.

Appearances

The Railway Series

Companion Volumes


Nancy and Violet

This article is about 'the boat'. You may be looking for the human character.


Nancy and Violet were two cargo ships featured on the Reverend W. Awdry's layout of Tidmouth - Knapford. Nancy is a coastal steamer, while Violet is a trawler.

Biography

Nancy and Violet regularly delivered coal and machinery to Tidmouth Harbour for the North Western Railway. They also brought fish, which was loaded onto The Flying Kipper.

Appearances

The Railway Series

Companion Volumes


Trivia

  • Nancy and Violet were built by Wilbert Awdry's brother, George Awdry.
  • They never appeared in any of the Railway Series stories, but were in Awdry's model railway scrapbook, as part of the Awdry Study at Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Tywyn.

External Links


The Charabanc

The Charabanc is a vehicle that belongs to the Summer Circular Tours,

Biography

As part of the Summer Circular Tours, The Charabanc picks up holidaymakers from the mountains, then cross the moors to Cronk for a return service to Crovan's Gate via the North Western Railway.

Trivia

  • The Charabanc was mentioned as part of the Narrow Gauge Rails in Sodor Lecture by Wilbert Awdry.


The One-eyed Truck

The One-eyed Truck is a ghost Kelly told a story about.

Biography

According to the tale, it was an old steam lorry who had one of his headlamps stolen by a loader. The loader managed to get away, but, according to legend, the one-eyed truck still haunts Maithwaite Forest looking for a new headlamp.

After teasing Alfie and Percy about the story, Max and Monty were sent to dump some dirt at Maithwaite Forest. They heard a shrill whistle and saw a single headlamp, becoming convinced that it was the one-eyed truck. They ran away in fright, but soon they felt silly when they realized it was Thomas.

Appearances

Thomas & Friends

Trivia

  • The one-eyed truck is based on the fable tale about "the One-eyed Jack".


The Loader

The Loader is a construction vehicle Kelly mentioned in the story about the one-eyed truck he told Percy and the Pack.

Biography

Thomas & Friends

According to the tale, the loader had stolen a headlamp from the one-eyed truck. The one-eyed truck chased the loader into the deepest and darkest part of Maithwaite Forest. The loader managed to get away, but, according to legend, the one-eyed truck still haunts the forest looking for a new headlamp.

Appearances

Thomas & Friends


The Italian Construction Vehicles


The Italian Construction Vehicles are friends of Ester, who she mentioned whilst talking with Thomas.

Biography

Thomas & Friends

The Italian Construction Vehicles were intended to work at the Italian Construction Site alongside Ester, however with their work delayed they later became busy with their own jobs, leaving Ester to prepare the site on her own. Eventually, Thomas' talk about the Sodor Construction Company leads to Ester having the idea of having them arrive to help, though she pinned the credit on Thomas, who didn't directly state or think of the idea.

Appearances

Thomas & Friends


The Road Finisher

The Road Finisher, nicknamed "The Roadinator", is a crawler road paving machine who appears in a fantasy sequence.

Biography

Thomas & Friends

When the Sodor Construction Company were busy working on a new road, Miss Jenny announced the arrival of a new machine. Jack, Alfie, Oliver and Brenda began speculating what type of machine it would be, and the four envisioned "the Road Finisher". He introduces himself as "the ultimate roadinator". The four are amazed by his capabilities and follow him as he begins paving a road. However, the new machine is actually later revealed to be a tunnel boring machine named Darcy.

In Japanese version, Roadinator is regarded as his real name.

Personality

The Road Finisher is a parody of the Terminator from the Terminator franchise, as portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger. All of his dialogue is lifted from the Terminator films as well; his line “Come with me if you want to pave” is a reference to the line “Come with me if you want to live”, and he also quotes the famous line “I’ll be back”.

Technical Details

Basis

The Road Finisher has no specific basis and is a freelance design.

Livery

The Road Finisher is painted blue and grey with yellow arms and wheels. His lower half is painted green at the rear and his arms each have a green ring around them.

Appearances

Thomas & Friends

Voice Actors

Trivia

  • The Road Finisher's caterpillar treads are a modified version of Brenda's.


The Australian Buses

There are twenty-five double-decker buses from Australia which Ace planned to jump over.

Biography

Thomas & Friends

Ace was going to jump over twenty-five double-decker buses in the Outback for a super show. Two of these buses saw Ace rehearsing and were worried when after Ace had an accident. The buses did not arrive for the show, so Thomas, Shane, Tamika, Aubrey and Aiden took their places instead. Two of the buses arrived after Ace's jump and applauded him.

Technical Details

Basis

These buses are based on the AEC Bridgemaster double-decker bus. Bulgy, Bulgy's Friend and the Special Bus Service are also members of this class. In real life the AEC Bridgemasters were used in Australia and their liveries are similar to the ones used in Australia.

Livery

These buses are painted dark green and yellow akin to Bulgy when he was a vegetable bus. Unlike Bulgy, their roofs are light grey.

Appearances

Thomas & Friends

Videos

Voice Actors

Trivia

  • Twenty-five double-decker buses appear in Thomas' fantasy sequence, however only two appear in the Outback.
  • The bus which speaks is credited as simply "Bus" in the end credits.


The Chinese Cargo Ship

The Chinese Cargo Ship is a cargo ship that Thomas once met on his visit to China. He and Yong Bao raced the ship down the Chang Jiang River.

Technical Details

Livery

The cargo ship has a red hull with a black stripe at the top, a white cabin area and a red funnel with a black stripe around the top similar to the hull.

Trivia

  • He and Stefano are two of the only cargo ships with faces.


The Chinese Caterpillar Crane

The Chinese Caterpillar Crane works alongside a railway in China. He was once taken by Yong Bao to lift Da Li back onto the rails.

Technical Details

Basis

The Crane is based on a Ruston-Bucyrus RB 17/19 Crawler Crane.

Livery

The crane is painted yellow with a black roof.


The Chinese Helicopter

The Chinese Helicopter is a rescue helicopter that works in China.

Technical Details

Livery

The helicopter is painted red and white.

Trivia

  • The helicopter has a near-identical face to Yong Bao.


Gary's Friends

Three red and blue utes (or pick-up truck) appear in Thomas' Aussie Football Adventure, during Thomas's visit during his visit to Australia. They accompany Gary during the AFL Premiership Cup.

Technical Details

Just like Gary, the utes are based on the Ford Ranger (T6).

Livery

The utes are painted blue and red with white lining and silver fittings.

Appearances

Thomas' Aussie Football Adventure


The Special Bus Service


While the majority of the railway was closed down for repairs, buses were called upon to look after the passengers. One was a red double-decker bus called the "Special Bus Service". He teased Bertie for being small until they had a race, which Bertie won because he was able to go under a low railway bridge. By the end of his visit, the Special Bus Service had learned that Bertie was useful despite his size.

Personality

The bus seemed to be boastful and arrogant as he teased Bertie for his small size until he was taught that Bertie's size does not define how useful he is.

Technical Details

Basis

The Special Bus Service is an AEC Bridgemaster bus. Bulgy, Bulgy's Friend and The Australian Buses°are other members of this basis.

Livery

The Special Bus Service is painted red, and has a sign on his side reading "Special Service". He also has a sign on his front reading "VIP".

Appearance

Magazine Stories

The Special Bus Service only appeared in the magazine story Special Bus Service.


The Open Top Double-Decker Bus

This article is about 'the character'. You may be looking for 'the magazine story'.


The Open Top Double-Decker Bus was a bus that was once taking most of Bertie's passengers, much to the concern of Thomas, however, when the heavy rain came, the passengers decided to have a nice dry ride aboard Bertie.

Technical Details

Basis

The bus is based on a roofless AEC Bridgemaster bus.

Livery

The Open Top Double-Decker Bus is painted yellow with maroon destination boards.

Appearances

Magazine Stories

The Open Top Double-Decker Bus also appeared in the magazine story The Open Top Bus.


The White Van


The White Van came to Sodor to deliver items that the engines could not, but only caused trouble when he and his driver made fun of the engines.

The White Van ended up being clamped and taken off the road after parking in the Fat Controller's parking space. It is driven by the White Van Man.

Appearances

Magazine Stories

The White Van only appeared in the magazine story White Van Man.


The Dodgems

This article is about the characters. You may be looking for the magazine story.


The Dodgems are a group of bumper cars that only appeared in the magazine stories. There are six of them.

Biography

Percy once had the job of delivering the Dodgems to the fairgrounds. They were rather troublesome, territorial, and single-minded. They only enjoyed the fun of the fair, believing it to be the only place to have fun. However, when one of the dodgems plunged into the sea by mistake, he enjoyed it and the rest of the Dodgems learned that there can actually be fun outside of the fair.

Appearances

Magazine Stories

The Dodgems appeared in the magazine story The Dodgems.

Trivia


The Float Lorry

The float lorry is a red lorry who only appeared in the magazines.

Biography

Stephen and Bridget Hatt made a float for a carnival on Thomas' Branch Line. The Float Lorry was then chosen to carry the float with a replica of Thomas, which Stephen and Bridget built themselves. On the day of the carnival, as Thomas passed the procession, he spied the float that looked just like him.

Appearances

Magazine Stories

Trivia

  • The float lorry looks similar to the Horrid Lorries. However, the float Lorry was introduced four months before the fifth series episode, Horrid Lorry, in which the Horrid Lorries made their début appearances.
  • The float lorry is drawn with Bertie's face.


Non-rail vehicles
* RWS only | ** T&F only | *** Other Media only
Road vehicles Terence | Bertie | Trevor | George | Caroline | 040 BMC | Bulgy | Bulgy's Friend | JTK 62 | Willie's Tractor | Tractors | Post Van | The Orange Caterpillar Crane* | The Horrid Lorries** | Butch** |Thumper** | Elizabeth** | The Pack** | Nelson** | Jack** | Alfie** | Oliver** | Max and Monty** | Kelly** | Byron** | Ned** | Isobella** | Patrick** | Buster** | Nigel** | Madge** | Kevin** | Flynn** | Ace** | Ester** | Cleo** | Sir Topham Hatt's Car** | Buses | Dyson Lorries** | Soft-sided Lorries | Caterpillar Cranes** | Taxis | Fire Engines | The Ambulance | The One-eyed Truck** | The Loader** | Sodor Bakery Van** | Miss Jenny's Land Rover** | The Blue Mountain Quarry Vehicles** | Algy*** | Angus*** | The Green Bus*** | The Float Lorry*** | The White Van*** | The Dodgems*** | The Special Bus Service*** | The Ice-Cream Van*** | The Open-Topped Double-Decker Bus*** | The Wedding Car*** | The Police Car*** | The Excavator*** | The Combine Harvester*** | The Milk Float*** | The Coalman's Lorry*** | The Racing Cars*** | The Car-Train*** | The Signwriter's Van*** | The Sodor Animal Park's Buggy*** | Simon's Express Sandwich Service Van*** | Sodor Food and Drink Van*** | Baggage Transporters** | Crawler Tractors | Forklifts | George's Friends* | Cargo Lorries** | Sodor Mobile Library*** | Sodor Poster Colours Lorry*** | The Cement Mixer*** | The Fish and Chips Van*** | Sodor Sand and Grit Blasting Service Lorry*** | The Yardman's Car*** | The Vet's Car*** | Breakdown Lorries***
Aircraft Harold | Tiger Moth** | Jeremy** | Emerson** | Isla** | The Tandem Rotor Helicopter*** | Mitchell*** | The Hawker Hurricane*** | G-Hewi** | The Biplane** | Aeroplanes | The Hot Air Balloon** | The Airship** | The Light Aircraft*** | The Seaplane*** | Hang Gliders***
Watercraft Bulstrode | Captain** | Skiff** | Dilly*** | P.S. Cumberland Road* | S.S. Kathryn* | Mermaid Liverpool** | North Star* | Nancy and Violet* | S.S. Roxstar* | Lucinda** | Alysia** | Northlight** | Sodor Line** | Krystyna** | Barges | Boats** | The Japanese Ship** | Salvage Boats | Canal Boats | Lakesider III** | The Fultan Ferry** | Tramp Steamers** | Fishing Boats** | The Tug Boat*** | The Yacht*** | The Lifeboats*** | The Sodor Voyager*** | S.S. Sodor*** | Sir Topham*** | Steam Boat*** | Sodor*** | Speedboats*** | Seasprite*** | Lizzie*** | The Submarine*** | S.S. Sodor Queen*** | S.S. Sodor Steamline*** | Sodor Harbor*** | S.S. Mermaid** | Captain Calles' Pirate Ship** | Cutty Sark*** | The Mayor's Yacht** | Terrey** | The Old Ship** | The Old Dinghy*** | The Sea Farer*** | S.S. Stoten** | The Car Ferry***
Cranes Big Mickey** | Cranky** | Colin** | Owen** | Merrick** | Reg** | Beresford** | Carly** | Kobe** | Cassia** | Carter** |Cranes | Ol' Wheezy** | Hee-Haw** | Happy Hook**
Others Trailers | Bluebird***
Locomotives Victor | Sidney | Thirteen | Little Barford | Silver | The Blue Engines | The Flying Thistle | The Pier Train | The Cable Car | The High-Speed Post Train | River Mite | Prince | The Double Fairlie | The Coalbrookdale Locomotive
Rolling Stock Annie and Clarabel's Old Friend | The Animal Sanctuary Coach | The Station Coach | The Play Coach | The New Coach | The Posh Coaches | Old Bennett | The Naughty Pink Truck | Carols on Wheels | The Old Guard's Van | The Elderly Brake Van
Vehicles Angus | The Special Bus Service | The Open-Topped Double-Decker Bus | The Ice-Cream Van | The Float Lorry | The White Van | Bluebird | The Dodgems | Algy | The Tandem Rotor Helicopter
People Farmer Collett | Dave | Minor Human Characters (magazines) | Minor Human Characters (annuals)
International Characters
* RWS only | ** T&F only | ✦ Changed location
North America Canada Marshall**
Cuba ✦Victor**
Mexico Carlos**
USA Beau** | Natalie** | The Arizona Diesel** | Sam** | Vinnie** | ✦Stanley* | ✦Rosie** | ✦Bash and Dash** | ✦Caitlin** | ✦Connor** | ✦Ferdinand** | ✦Hank** | ✦Marion** | ✦Philip** | ✦Porter** | ✦Timothy** | ✦Lexi** | Carter**
South America Brazil Cassia** | Emerson** | Fernando** | Gabriela** | Gustavo** | Marcia and Marcio** | Raul**
Colombia Gator**
Europe Belgium Axel**
France Angelique** | Etienne** | ✦Millie**
Germany Frieda** | Hugo**
Italy Beppe** | Ester** | Gina** | Lorenzo** | Settebello** | Stefano**
Russia Ivan** | The Russian Engines**
Spain Nuria**
Switzerland Swiss Tank Engines**
Africa Kenya ✦Nia**
Tanzania Kwaku** | Kobe**
Asia China An An and Yin-Long** | Chinese Diesel** | Da Li and Xiao Hu** | Hong-Mei** | Lei** | Yen** | Yong Bao**
India Abiar** | Ashima** | Coran** | Noor Jehan** | Rajinda** | Rajiv** | Shankar**
Japan Hiro** | Hiro's Friends** | The Japanese Engines** | Kenji**
Australia Australia Ace** | Aubrey and Aiden** | Australian Garratt** | City Circle Tram** | Gary** | Isla** | Shane** | Tamika** | Tracy**
* RWS only | ** T&F only
Locomotives Steam Thomas | Percy | Toby | Bloomer*
Diesel Daisy* | Mavis
Former Coffee Pots | Glynn**
Rolling Stock Coaches Annie and Clarabel | Henrietta | Victoria* | Thomas' Special Coach* | The Quarryman's Coach* | Observation Saloon Coaches*
Trucks Quarry Trucks | Elsie* | Old-King Coal* | Suncole*
Non-Rail Vehicles Terence | Bertie | Caroline | The Orange Caterpillar Crane* | Cleo** | Harold | Tiger Moth** | Bulstrode
People Mrs. Kyndley | Farmer Finney | Kevin Volley* | Farmer McColl** | Farmer Trotter** | Ruth**
Affiliates Toby's Branch Line**
Locations Knapford (Harbour, Airfield) | Dryaw (Goods Station, Airfield, Goods Yard**, Football Club**) | Toryreck (Lead Mines, Engine Shed**) | Crowe's Farm | Elsbridge (Dairy, Viaduct, Cricket Field, Trek and Leisure) | Hackenbeck (Bridge, Tunnel, Cottage) | Finney's Farm | Ffarquhar (Engine Sheds, Mountain**, Loop**) | Ffarquhar River Bridge | The Quarry Tramroad | Anopha Quarry | The Windmill** | McColl Farm** | Sports Field Halt** | The Watermill** | Farmer Trotter's Pig Farm** | Maithwaite** (Quarry Mine, Forest, Showground) | The Narrow Gorge** | Arlesdale End** (Engine Sheds)
Categories
Languages
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