Plank trucks are open-topped wooden trucks used to transport goods and other things. Ones with faces may be Troublesome Trucks.
Short Wheelbase Plank Trucks
In the television series, these trucks are derived from Tenmille's NG (16mm scale) short wheelbase open wagon kit. The kit is described as "a freelance design but typical of NG railway practice".
Personalities
They are often depicted as Troublesome Trucks.
Types of sentient trucks in the television series
Technical Details
Basis
These small wagons were regauged from a freelance narrow gauge design.
Types of truck design
Technical Details
Livery
These trucks have mostly been painted black, brown or grey.
Appearances
Trivia
- In the second series episode, Percy's Predicament, one truck had the Spiteful Brake Van's angry face mask on.
- One of these trucks had raised buffers to match the engines and other rolling stock.
NBR Diagram 43 Tube Wagons
NBR Diagram 43 tube wagons are a type of open wagon used to transport pipes and other long loads and they have also been used to carry stone and maintenance supplies. These trucks appeared in the first and third series, one of which was used to carry equipment when Henry was too ill to take the early morning passenger train. A pipe truck with a face was seen in the third series episode Heroes, as well as an extended scene from the third series episode, Oliver Owns Up.
Personalities
Sentient trucks fall under the category of Troublesome Trucks.
Technical Details
Basis
These trucks were made by Milbro, who modelled them on LNER 20-ton tube wagons. Only one model of this type of wagon was acquired and used for production of the first series, this being slightly modified by the modelling crew.
Upon closer inspection, this one truck appears to be based on a North British Railway Diagram 43/LNER Diag 77B, 10-tons, four-plank tube wagon. It was a scratch-built model from a second-hand source, just like the "L M S" 4 plank wagon.
Livery
These trucks are dark grey with the letters "N E", with "TUBE WAGON" written in small letters above, and weight code "10 Tons" on the sides in white.
Appearances
Thomas & Friends
- Series 1 - Thomas and Gordon, Edward and Gordon, Edward, Gordon and Henry, Thomas' Train, James and the Coaches, James and the Express, Thomas, Terence and the Snow (deleted scene), Trouble in the Shed and Down the Mine
- Series 3 - Gordon and the Famous Visitor, Diesel Does it Again, No Joke for James, Oliver Owns Up (deleted scene) and Heroes
- Series 6 - Salty's Secret
Henry's Lucky Trucks
One icy winter, Henry was the only engine to make his deliveries on time. Thomas attributes this to the big green engine having lucky trucks. However, one day Edward took them and when Henry finally caught up with him, he ran into the trucks, destroying them. Henry realised that his trucks were not lucky after all.
They only appeared in the eleventh series episode, Henry's Lucky Day.
Technical Details
Basis
Henry's Lucky Trucks are based on 7-plank mineral wagons often found on the eastern and midland regions.
Livery
These trucks were painted black.