The "Trucks" are the sole pieces of non-passenger stock on the Culdee Fell Railway, consisting of a drop-sided open wagon and a flat wagon with a guard's compartment and water tank at the front. They are used for goods and maintenance duties.
Biography
The "Trucks" are flat wagons made in the Works from the wheels and frames of two former open-sided coaches. At the front is a small passenger and guard's compartment, with a water tank behind. Partitions can be pegged onto the rest of the "flat" in suitable positions to hold any type of load required.
First thing in the morning every day from Easter to Michaelmas, the "Trucks" are loaded with 400 gallons of water and 1 ton of coal while station men and the staff of Summit Restaurant climb aboard with whatever stores they are likely to need during the day. They must reach the top whatever the weather at Devil's Back and must be brought down again in the evening.
The "Trucks" are also liable to be called out at any time in case of accident, rescue or other emergency. They are therefore important vehicles and always kept available on their own road in the shed.
Although they are not allocated to any specific engine, there was a period when they worked exclusively with No. 6 when the Manager took him off passenger duties and took his name away. They once battled through a gale on Devil's Back in order to rescue some injured climbers at the Summit.
Technical Details
Basis
The "Trucks" are based on the Snowdon Mountain Railway's maintenance rolling stock, also known as "the Trucks".
Livery
The "Trucks" are primarily painted light grey. The guard's compartment of the front vehicle is brown with a light grey roof.
Appearances
The Railway Series
- Mountain Engines - Danger Points (do not speak) and "Devil's Back" (do not speak)
Companion Volumes
- 1976 - Famous Engines (cameos)
- 1979 - Annual (cameos)
- 1987 - The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways (mentioned)
Official Description
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | The "Trucks": Two other vehicles are stored in the Carriage Shed. The Staff call them the "Trucks". Basically they are flat wagons made in the Works from the wheels and frames of two former open-sided coaches. A small passenger and Guard's compartment is at the front, then comes a water tank, and on the rest of the "flat" partitions can be pegged in suitable positions to hold any type of load required. For instance every day, first thing in the morning from Easter to Michaelmas, the Truck is loaded with 400 gallons of water, and 1 ton of coal while Stationmen and the Staff of Summit Restaurant climb aboard with whatever stores they are likely to need during the day. They must reach the top whatever the weather at Devil's Back, and they must be brought down again in the evening. The "Trucks" are also liable to be called out at any time in case of accident, rescue, or other emergency. They are therefore important vehicles and always kept available on their own road in the shed. | ” |
Merchandise
| Range | Released | Discontinued | Highlights | Photo |
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Trivia
- In some illustrations, the "Trucks" are erroneously depicted as being conjoined.
- Both parts of the "Trucks" were released under Wooden Railway, however the guard's compartment was depicted with Catherine's face and released under her name.
- The "Trucks" were originally planned to be made under ERTL and had several prototypes made, but was eventually cancelled due to the discontinuation of the range.
Gallery
The Railway Series
Main Series
Miscellaneous
Merchandise
References
| Locomotives | Godred | Ernest | Wilfred | Culdee | Shane Dooiney | Patrick | Alaric | Eric |
|---|---|
| Rolling Stock | Coaches | Catherine | The "Trucks" |
| People | Lord Peter Barrane | Lord Harry Barrane | Walter Richards |
| Locations | Kirk Machan (Engine Sheds) | Shiloh | Poll-ny-Chrink | Skarloey Road (Viaduct) | Devil's Back | Culdee Fell Summit |