There are at least two types of Utility Vans seen in the television series.
They are also simply known as vans or trucks in the UK narration, and boxcars or cars in the US narration.
SR Diagram 3101 CCT (4 wheels)[]
These vans are rolling stock used for transporting goods and merchandise throughout various railways. They have four wheels.
These vans were slowly phased out by the fifth series and replaced with bogie variants, as they ran easier on tighter turns.
Biography[]
Thomas & Friends[]
A utility van was used for carrying passenger's luggage, which was a part of Henry's express train.[1].
Most of these vans have often been used for the Flying Kipper and have been involved in many accidents and adventures of Henry, Duck or Thomas whilst being a part of the train. Various accidents include derailing into a stationary goods train[2] and being completely submerged underwater after travelling on a line eroded by high tides[3].
Henry once used these vans to transport letters and parcels from the Mainland to Percy's Post Train[4].
Personality[]
Sentient vans fall into the category of Troublesome Vans.
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
The utility vans are based on the Southern Railway Diagram 3101 Covered Carriage Truck (CCT), introduced in 1925. This van was derived from the earlier SE&CR Diagram 960 PMV, It remained in production until 1955, remaining in regular service until 1986, with a few surviving on departmental duties into the 1990s. These vans were used primarily for the transportation of letters and parcels.
Livery[]
These vans were originally painted dark brown with light brown vents. They were repainted in a faded black in the third series.
Appearances[]
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Books[]
- 1984 - Percy Runs Away and Thomas and the Breakdown Train
- 1985 - More Adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
- 1986 - [[Thomas's Train
- 1987 - Pop Goes the Diesel and Dirty Work and A Close Shave and Thomas' ABC Book
- 1989 - Meet Thomas the Tank Engine and His Friends
- 1990 - Percy Runs Away and James and the Troublesome Trucks
- 1992 - Diesel's Devious Deed and Other Thomas the Tank Engine Stories, James and Toby and Your Favourite Thomas the Tank Engine Story Collection
- 1993 - Time for Trouble
- 1994 - A Scarf for Percy
- 1995 - The Mischievous Twins
- 2000 - Thomas Sorts It Out
- 2004 - Thomas and the Rumors and other Thomas the Tank Engine Stories
- 2005 - Thomas Goods Encyclopedia
- 2006 - Edward's Exploit and Other Thomas the Tank Engine Stories, Gordon Takes a Tumble and Thomas' Big Storybook
- 2007 - When Two Quarrel...
- 2011 - Thomas Bedtime Stories
Magazine Stories[]
- 1988 - The Flying Kipper
- 1998 - Thomas and the Trucks!
- 2004 - A Fishy Adventure, Lost Luggage! and Too Big for his Buffers!
- 2005 - Turntable Trouble
Trivia[]
- The model for this type of van was constructed out of a Tenmille kit. The light brown model used for the bogie variants was sometimes used for the 4-wheel variants.
- Though they are usually faceless, a utility van with a Troublesome Truck face was once briefly seen in the third series episode Oliver Owns Up.
- In the Hornby merchandise range, this van was incorrectly marketed as the Works Unit Coach. Furthermore, the van reused the same tooling from the Lima CCT parcels van.
- The SR CCT Chassis Flatbed was modified from a Tenmille kit of this type of van. In the middle of the second series' production, the flatbed's original wheels were replaced by Tenmille AG115 bogies.
Merchandise[]
- Hornby (discontinued)
- Motor Road and Rail (discontinued)
SR Diagram 3101 CCT (bogie wheels)[]
These vans are rolling stock used for transporting goods and merchandise throughout various railways. They are quite common.
These vans replaced the four-wheel variants, as their bogies allowed them to run easier on tighter turns.
The Mail Train and the Flying Kipper primarily consist of these types of vans.
Biography[]
Thomas & Friends[]
One of these vans was part of Thomas' long goods train. The trucks grew cross with Thomas and pushed him down Gordon's Hill[5].
Henry once used one of these vans to transport letters and parcels from the Mainland to Percy's Post Train. [6].
One of these vans helped form part of the Circus Train. James was given the honour of pulling the train, much to the dismay of Gordon and Henry[7].
Percy used one of these vans to carry Flynn's special hose. Den and Dart offered to deliver the van but dumped the hose in the garage instead as ordered by Diesel 10[8].
Personality[]
Though faceless one of these vans once pushed Thomas down Gordon's hill, thus making them troublesome trucks.
Technical Details[]
Basis[]
The utility vans are based on the Southern Railway Diagram 3101 Covered Carriage Truck (CCT) with added bogies. The mail vans share the same basis.
Types of designs:
Livery[]
These vans are painted maroon, cream, dark grey and blue.
There have also been vans with special liveries depicted with logos for various businesses and companies.
Appearances[]
Official Description[]
From Official Media:[1]
| “ | Live Lobsters Car - The Live Lobsters car carries it's precious load from Tidmouth Beach on Duck's Branch Line to all points on the Island of Sodor. | ” |
Trivia[]
- In the CGI series, the number of vents on the front and back of utility vans were reduced.
- From the third to fifth series, the mail vans were made out of Tenmille gauge 1 Utility van kits. From Thomas and the Magic Railroad to Series 12, they were scratch built. This explains why their appearance was altered from the original utility vans they were based on.
- In the TrackMaster and Hornby merchandise ranges, the cream utility vans are erroneously depicted with four wheels. Furthermore, the Hornby vans reused the same tooling from the Lima CCT parcels van.
Merchandise[]
- Bachmann (sold as "Live Lobsters Car" and "Green Mail Car")
- TrackMaster (discontinued)
- Kabaya (discontinued)
Other Utility Vans[]
Several types of freelance utility vans have appeared throughout Thomas & Friends have appeared throughout books, annuals and merchandise ranges.
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.png "UtilityVans(MyThomasStoryLibrary).png (947 KB)")
.png "UtilityVans(MyFirstThomas).png (1.13 MB)")
Appearances[]
Books
Annual Stories
Miscellaneous
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Trivia[]
- In the My First Thomas, My Thomas Story Library and Engine Adventures book ranges, they are loosely based on their counterparts from The Railway Series.
- In a rare Time-Life promotional artwork, a four-wheel van was illustrated as a Troublesome Van.
Merchandise[]
- Wooden Railway (discontinued; sold as "Baggage Cars")