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The SR 25 Ton Brake Vans are a standard type of goods brake van.

These brake vans are added to the backs of goods trains and a guard operates them. Each brake van is equipped with a strong brake to assist with slowing and stopping the train. From here, the guard can keep an eye on the train in case of problems, such as hot axle boxes, or trucks becoming uncoupled while running.

Biography[]

Thomas & Friends[]

These brake vans are seen on the back of goods trains. They serve as Sodor's main type of brake van. The brake vans have also been used as part of the Mail Train, the Flying Kipper and the Circus Train.

When Percy lost control of his Troublesome Trucks, the brake van and trucks came off the rails at Bulgy's Bridge. Luckily no one was hurt, but the trucks and brake van had blocked the roadway. Harvey was sent to rerail the train. [1]

One of these brake vans was once part of Gordon's goods train. When the train was mistakenly sent through a branch line, Gordon failed to abide the "Go Slow" signs. He and the train topped off the tracks and into a field. [2]

Technical Details[]

Basis[]

These brake vans are based on the real Southern Railway (SR) Diagram 1579 25 Ton brake vans. These brake vans are nicknamed "Pillbox".

Livery[]

These brake vans are commonly painted in different shades of grey. But they have also been seen in white, dark brown and dark green colours.

Appearances[]

Thomas & Friends

Specials

Trivia[]

  • A few brake vans are on display; a gauge 3 brake van was previously on display at the British Museum in 2015 and it was then put on display at the Clearwater exhibition in October 2021, and a few gauge 1 models at the Hara Model Railway Museum. One of the models were for a time on display at Drayton Manor during construction.
  • The brake vans seen from the second to the fifth series were made out of modified Tenmille gauge one kits. These kits are still distributed by Tenmille today.
  • One of these brake vans was modified into a flatbed for use on Thomas & Friends' sister show TUGS. After TUGS ended, it was returned to the Thomas & Friends studio and had continued use as a flatbed, notably in Series 3-5.
    • In the third series it retained side poles added for its use on TUGS, but these were removed by the fourth series so it could transport road vehicles such as Caroline and the Horrid Lorries.

Merchandise[]

References[]



* RWS only | ** T&F only | --- Dropped
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