Tar Tankers (also referred to as Tar Wagons) are specialised wagons used for transporting tar.
History[]
A tar tanker was part of the goods train Henry collided with whilst hauling the Flying Kipper. The tankers derailed wreck was seen during the cleanup next morning.[1]
James once crashed into a line of tar tankers after running out of control with a goods train.[2]
When the roads near Hackenbeck needed repairing, some tar tankers meant for this job were left at Wellsworth station. After an accident, Thomas informed Edward about the missing tankers, leading to the roads finally being repaired.[3]
James later crashed into another train of tar tankers (this one being pulled by Henry after he was distracted while talking to Rebecca).[4]
Personalities[]
Sentient tar tankers fall into the category of Troublesome Tankers.
Type of sentient tankers
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
These tankers are based on standard 14-ton pre-war tankers common across most of regions of the United Kingdom.
Livery[]
The tar tankers are painted black. They have the word "TAR" painted in white on both sides.
Appearances[]
Official Description[]
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | Tar & Milk Wagons: Thomas and his friends from time to time pull the milk and tar wagons to different ports and stations so they can be pumped - nice break from pulling those Foolish Freight Cars!
|
” |
Trivia[]
- In the first two series, due to budget limitations, the tar tankers were only painted on one side, the other side being used for the milk tankers. Resultingly, the white from the milk wagons can be seen in some shots.
- During production of the sixth series, one of the tar tankers was repainted into an oil tanker.
- Eight tar tanker models used to be on display at the Discover Thomas & Friends Exhibition.
- Some tar tankers with faces appeared in Toad Stands By. The faces were sourced from the narrow gauge trucks. Some of these are owned by Twitter user ThomasTankMerch.
- The tankers had black lines going through their writing in the first series; these lines were re-positioned in the third series and removed completely in the tenth series. The lines were re-added on their CGI models, which were based off their first series design, albeit with the lines being slightly thinner.
- The tanker that was destroyed in Dirty Objects had "TAR" written on its front and back ends as well as its sides. This was the only tanker to be designed like this until the twenty-third series, where all of the tankers now include the extra writing.
- These tankers are the only ones that have writing, whereas all of the other tankers have labels to prevent translations
- They are also the second tankers to not be redesigned by Nitrogen Studios.
- In the Capsule Plarail merchandise range, they are JNR 3900 Series tankers.
- In the eighth series episode, Percy's Big Mistake, the tar wagons were portrayed as TVR Macaw G Flatbeds carrying black container drums.
Merchandise[]
- Capsule Plarail
- Motor Road and Rail
- Tomica
- Bachmann (HO and G scale)
- Boss (with Diesel 10; discontinued)
- De Agostini (discontinued)
- ERTL (with milk tanker; discontinued)
- Hornby (discontinued)
- Nakayoshi (discontinued)
- Take Along (discontinued)
- TrackMaster (discontinued)
- Wooden Railway (discontinued)
- Kabaya (discontinued)
References[]
- ↑ T&F S1 #19 "The Flying Kipper"
- ↑ T&F S1 #23 "Dirty Objects"
- ↑ T&F S3 #13 "Trust Thomas"
- ↑ T&F S23 #3 "Chucklesome Trucks"