A post van, also known as a mail van, is a type of delivery vehicle that is used to transport post.
Sodor Mail Van
Tom Tipper had a post van, also known as the Sodor Mail Van, which he uses to collect and deliver mail. The van was once taken away and replaced with a bike while Tom was ill, as the postmaster saw it as too old and expensive. However, when Percy accidentally ran the bike over, destroying it beyond repair, Tom received a new van after the postmaster decided that it was worth the expense after all.
Technical Details
Basis
The Sodor Mail Van is based on a Morris Commercial J-type van, built between 1949 and 1961. Approximately one-eighth of J-type vans built were bought by the General Post Office, which used them for mail collection and deliveries in country areas all over the United Kingdom. The Sodor Bakery Van, Sodor Brass Band Van, the T. Drysdale Signwriter van and the Wooden Railway Ambulance are also based on these vans.
Livery
The Sodor Mail Van is painted red with a light grey rooftop and black fenders. It has the "SODOR MAIL" logo on its sides in white lettering and a yellow crown emblem. Before its restoration, its hubcaps were painted black, but have now been repainted red.
In the some magazine stories and the Railway Adventures video game, the Post Van's rooftop is painted red. In some magazines, it is illustrated with yellow and black lettering.
Appearances
Books
Magazine Stories
Video Games
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Official Description
From Official Media[1]
“ | Sodor Mail Van: The Sodor Mail Van is used for mail collection and deliveries on the Island of Sodor.
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” |
Audio Files
Horn
Only used | Sound Effect |
---|---|
Mind that Bike |
Trivia
- Despite the fact it is faceless and apparently not sentient, the Sodor Mail Van was given a nameboard. It is also the only faceless vehicle to have one.
- In some shots from the fourth series episode Mind that Bike, the Sodor Mail Van has silver rims on its wheels, for most of the episode the hubcaps are entirely red, then in the fifth series, one of the front hub caps was silver with red trimmings.
- The Sodor Mail Van's model had a cast made for the Sodor Bakery Van, and began sharing its chassis with the latter.
- The Sodor Mail Van's model used to be on display at Drayton Manor, but it was sent back to storage in early 2020. The model was then redisplayed at the second "Clearwater Event" in August 2022.
Merchandise
- Ertl (discontinued)
- Thomas Engine Collection Series (with flatbed; discontinued)
- Capsule Plarail (normal, advertisement with Mr. Bubbles, and metallic)
- Nakayoshi (with postbox; discontinued)
- Pocket Fantasy (discontinued)
Sodor Mail Van (CGI)
Following the twenty-fourth series, Tom Tipper drove a new Sodor Mail Van to this design.
Technical Details
Basis
The second Sodor Mail Van is based on a post-war 1934 Trojan Senior Van, built with a special body designed to carry groceries. These vans were also used by the London and North Eastern Railway's Express Parcels Service.[5]
Livery
The second Sodor Mail Van is painted red with a light grey rooftop and black fenders. It has the "SODOR MAIL" logo on its sides in white lettering and a yellow crown emblem.
Appearances
Trivia
- The second Sodor Mail Van's CGI model was originally made under Nitrogen Studios, however the model went unused until the twenty-fourth series.
Sodor Mail Van (magazines)
Once, this mail van broke down on its way to deliver food to the Wellsworth station's Christmas party. Thomas then helped to transport the delivery driver and his goods to party instead.
Technical Details
Basis
The mail van is loosely based on a 1932-1938 Morris Commercial Royal Mail van and 1930s Ford Model A Royal Mail van.
Livery
The mail van is painted red with black fenders. It has "SODOR MAIL" written on its sides in white lettering.
Appearances
Sodor Mail Parcel Van
This parcel van was once driven by Tom Tipper in the magazines.
Technical Details
Basis
The parcel van is based on a Morris Commercial PV-type (Parcel Van), built between 1939 and 1953.
Livery
The parcel van is painted red. It has "SODOR MAIL" on its doors in white lettering.
Appearances
Royal Mail Van
One of these mail vans was briefly seen travelling across on the Ben Glass, while Sir Handel and George were involved in an altercation.
Technical Details
Basis
The Royal Mail Van is based on a Morris Minor 1000 mail van, built between 1953 and 1973. Royal Mail was the biggest operator of these Minor vans, with dedicated fleets for both postal deliveries and telephone engineers.
Livery
The Royal Mail Van is painted red with the "ROYAL MAIL" logo on its sides.
Appearances
References
Locomotives | Steam | Thomas | Percy | Toby |
---|---|---|
Diesel | Mavis | |
Former | Glynn | Coffee Pots | Daisy | |
Rolling Stock | Passenger | Annie and Clarabel | Henrietta | Hannah |
Non-Rail Vehicles | Terence | Bertie | Harold | Bulgy | Caroline | Bulstrode | Tiger Moth | Elizabeth | The Hot Air Balloon | Cleo | |
People | Mrs. Kyndley | Farmer Finney | Farmer McColl | Farmer Trotter | Ruth | |
Affiliates | Toby's Branch Line | Ffarquhar Quarry Company | |
Infrastructure | Stations | Knapford | Dryaw | Toryreck** | Sports Field Halt** | Elsbridge | Maithwaite** | Hackenbeck | Ffarquhar | New Harbour* |
Sheds | Elsbridge Engine Sheds (Carriage Shed) | Hackenbeck Shed | |
Tunnels and Bridges | The Valley Bridge* | Elsbridge Viaduct | Bulgy's Bridge* | The Watermill | Hackenbeck Tunnel |