The Special Express Coaches are used for carrying and transporting special visitors across the Island of Sodor and the Mainland.
Special Coaches[]
The Special Coaches are a pair of non-corridor bogie coaches. They are often used as part of "The Special Express".
Biography[]
Thomas & Friends[]
Gordon once used the coaches to carry Dowager Hatt to Wellsworth. James had also used the coaches several occasions to transport people, such as Mrs. Kyndley and the Mayor. The coaches were later pulled by Spencer for private usage of the Duke and Duchess of Boxford.
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
The composite coach is based on the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Stanier Period III coaches. Whereas, the brake coach is based on the Great Western Railway (GWR) Collett Period coaches.
Livery[]
The coaches are painted maroon with silver buffers, grey roofs and red lining, bufferbeams and couplings.
Appearances[]
Books
Magazine Stories
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Official Description[]
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | Gordon's Special Coach: When Gordon is taking passengers on the main line, he usually pulls the Express Coaches. They are a great favorite with the passengers because they ride so smoothly and have extra comfortable seats.
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” |
Trivia[]
- Originally, Gordon's Special Coaches were created to be Spencer's coaches, however they were later replaced by the maroon coaches.[1]
- In the 2004 magazine story, Sounds Like Fun!, Spencer's coach is illustrated a Green Express Coach. Whereas, in the 2011 magazine story, Little and Light, it is a Red Express Coach.
- The special express coaches are based on different coaches in various merchandise ranges:
- In the Hornby range, these coaches are based on GWR Collett 'Bow Ended' Corridor coaches.
- In the Bachmann range, they are based on LMS Period 1 coaches.
- In the Capsule Plarail range, they were based on JNR Coaches from the mainstream Capsule Plarail range.
Merchandise[]
- Ertl Company (discontinued; sold as "Gordon's Special Coach")
- Wooden Railway (discontinued; sold as "The Duke and Duchess' Coach")
- Motor Road and Rail (discontinued)
- TrackMaster (discontinued)
- Bachmann (sold as "Spencer's Special Coach")
- Hornby (discontinued; sold as "Spencer's Composite and Brake Coach")
- My First Thomas (discontinued)
- Capsule Plarail
Pullman Coaches[]
The Pullman Coaches[2] are a special set of non-corridor bogie coaches.
Biography[]
Thomas & Friends[]
On the Mainland, Spencer has his own set of these coaches he uses primarily to transport the Duke and Duchess of Boxford to and from Sodor, though they have also been loaned to carry other important figures such as Sir Robert Norramby and the Deputy Minister. Thomas once borrowed one of Spencer's coaches so he could take Sir Topham Hatt to London to receive an award from the Queen. Duchess also has a pair of her own coaches which are used to transport the British Royal Family.
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
The coaches are loosely based on Pullman luxury coaches. They closely resemble the Pullman First Class Parlour Car "Topaz" of 1914, which is preserved at the National Railway Museum. Aubrey and Aiden, Connor's Coaches, Caitlin's Coaches and the International Express Coaches share the same basis.
Livery[]
The coaches are painted in the South Eastern and Chatham Railway red coach livery with gold lining and beige roofs. The buffers, bufferbeams and couplings are black. These coaches also carry the Boxford crest on the doors; however, this is absent on Duchess' coaches.
Appearances[]
Thomas & Friends
Specials
Music Videos
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Books
Annual Stories
Magazine Stories
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Trivia[]
The coaches illustrated as LMS Period 1 coaches.
- In the sixteenth series episode, Whiff's Wish, Spencer is seen with a third one of these coaches, as opposed to the usual one or two.
- In the magazine story, Airship, Gordon's express coaches are referred to as "Pullman Coaches".
- In the book, Best Birthday Ever!, these coaches are modified LMS Period 1 coaches.
Merchandise[]
- TrackMaster (discontinued)
- Motorized (discontinued)
- Kabaya Fold-Out Range (discontinued)
- Capsule Plarail
See Also[]
References[]
| Locomotives | Steam | City of Truro | Flying Scotsman | Spencer | Stephen's Competitors | Connor | Caitlin | Samson | Logan | Theo | Lexi | Hurricane | Merlin | Duchess | Flying Thistle | Thirteen |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | Class 40 | The Mainland Diesels | Frankie | |
| Rolling Stock | Connor's Coaches | Caitlin's Coaches | Bradford | |
| Non-Rail Vehicles | 040 BMC | Beresford | Tony | Mitchell | The Hawker Hurricane | |
| People | Elizabeth II | The Duke and Duchess of Boxford | The Thin Clergyman | The Fat Clergyman | Baz and Bernie | |
| Stations | Barrow-in-Furness | Brighton | Crewe | Victoria | |