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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 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 light green with a big white stripe on his sides.
Appearances
The Railway Series
Companion Volumes
- 1986 - Annual (does not speak)
- 1996 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection (cameo)
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
- Gallant Old Engine - Steam Roller (cameo)
Companion Volumes
- 1970 - Twelve Happy Engines (cameo)
- 1996 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection (cameo)
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, 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.
Livery
Bulgy's friend is painted similar to Bulgy, red and cream, though he has a light grey middle section.
Appearances
The Railway Series
- Oliver the Western Engine - Bulgy (mentioned)
Companion Volumes
- 1996 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection (mentioned)
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
Livery
The orange caterpillar crane is painted orange with black lining and dark grey caterpillar tracks.
Appearance
The Railway Series
- Thomas Comes Home - Washout! (cameo)
Companion Volumes
- 2007 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection (cameo)
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
- Thomas Comes Home - Thomas Comes Home (mentioned)
Companion Volumes
- 2007 - Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection (mentioned)
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.
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 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
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
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
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.
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
Voice Actors
- Rob Rackstraw (UK/US)
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 applaud 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.
Livery
These buses are painted dark green and yellow akin to Bulgy when he was a vegetable bus.
Appearances
Voice Actors
- Tim Bain (UK/US)
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 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 USA military caterpillar 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.
The Chinese Cargo Ship
The Chinese Cargo Ship is a cargo ship that Thomas once met on his visit to China.
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.
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
Livery
The utes are painted blue and red with white lining and silver fittings.
Appearances
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 and Bulgy's Friend 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
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
- 1998 - The Best Bus (does not speak)
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
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
Trivia
- Their faces resemble those of Troublesome Trucks.
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
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.
| 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) |
| Locomotives | Shane | Tamika | Edith | Tracy | City Circle Tram | |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Aubrey and Aiden | |
| Non-Rail Vehicles | Ace | The Australian Buses | Isla | Gary | Gary's Friends | |
| People | Doctor Claire | Madeline | Madeline's Parents | Ranger Jill | |
| Locations | Real Landmarks | The Outback (The Outback Mine) | Kakadu National Park | Uluru | Adelaide River Station | Katherine | The Kuranda Rainforest | Cairns | Flinders Ranges | Alice Springs | Darwin |
| Fictional Landmarks | Pine Tree Station | The Old Rickety Bridge | Shane's Station (Shed) | |
| Locomotives | Yong Bao | Hong-Mei | The Big Mean Engine | The Small Mean Engine | Da Li | Xiao Hu | Yen | The Chinese Diesel | |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | An An and Yin-Long | Lei | |
| Locations | Real Landmarks | Great Wall of China | Zhangye Danxia | Himalayas (Shunting Yard) | Chang Jiang River |
| Fictional Landmarks | Cherry Blossom Runby | The First Chinese Station | The Chinese Railway Bridge | Chinese Railway Sheds | The Second Chinese Station | The Chinese Town Halt (Tunnel) | The Bamboo Forest (Nature Reserve) | Tu Zi Quan | Town Square | The River Station | |
| Locomotives | Gina | Lorenzo | Settebello | |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Beppe | |
| Non-Rail Vehicles | Ester | Stefano | The Italian Construction Vehicles | |
| People | Allicia Botti | Mia | Dame Bella Canto | Dame Bella's Orchestra | |
| Locations | Real Landmarks | Pisa (Leaning Tower) | Rome (Colosseum) | Pompeii (Ancient Ruins) |
| Fictional Landmarks | Museum of Archeology (The Museum Station) | The First Italian Station | The Italian Construction Site | The Italian Seaside Station | The Old Italian Mines | The Italian Shunting Yard | The Second Italian Station | The Italian Scrapyard | |
| Locomotives | Duck | Donald and Douglas | Oliver |
|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Alice and Mirabel* | Isabel and Dulcie* | Branch Line Coaches** | Express Coaches** | Old Slow Coach** | Slip Coaches** | Toad | S.C. Ruffey | Fred Pelhay* | Quarry Trucks* | Judy and Jerome** |
| Vehicles | Bulgy | Bulgy's Friend | Algy*** | Skiff** |
| People | Captain Joe** |
| Locations | Tidmouth (Beach, Tunnel, Beach Village**, Harbour, Hault**, Hault Sheds**, Town Square**, Town Square Library**) | Dilly's Pond | Haultraugh (Bulgy's Bridge, Bulgy's Field) | Bluff's Cove** | Arlesburgh (West, Engine Sheds*, Harbour**, Maritime Museum**) | Callan ** |