Bulgy

This article is about 'the character'. You may be looking for 'the episode or the Story Library book'.

“I call him, Bulgy. He's painted bright red and shouts `Down with railways'.”

― Oliver, Bulgy, Oliver the Western Engine

Bulgy
Model Series (S7 onwards) Model Series (S3-S7) Railway Series
Registration Number: BLG 1 Class: AEC Bridgemaster double-decker bus Builder: Associated Equipment Company Built: sometime between 1957 and 1962 Drivetrain: 4WD

Bulgy is a double-decker bus, who was once very opposed to railways.

Bio

Bulgy hated railways, and believed that some day they would all be replaced by roads. He even carried a poster on his side telling people to "JOIN THE ANTI-RAIL LEAGUE". His favourite phrase is "Free the roads!"

Bulgy tried to steal Duck and Oliver's passengers by pretending to be a railway bus. Bulgy was determined to get the passengers to Tidmouth before Duck, but got stuck under a bridge after attempting to take a short cut. After Duck safely brought his passengers across the bridge and back to their destination, Bulgy's lies were exposed, and soon "nobody would believe his destination boards". Eventually he was turned into a henhouse and placed near the bridge, now nicknamed "Bulgy's Bridge".

Bulgy was later given a second chance and was brought back to the road to help with passengers while Thomas and Emily needed repairs, but after his driver brought him back to his field for the night after he was restored, the chickens who had lived in him nestled in his luggage racks and caused trouble the following morning. He was then turned into a mobile vegetable stand. Bulgy enjoys his work delivering vegetables, because they do not lay eggs and they never complain. Despite this he has been seen multiple times back in his original livery.

The Official Website states that he is now a refreshment stand. However, this could be a mistake.

In magazines, he has been converted into a playbus and a greenhouse.

Persona

Bulgy was a very rude and bad-tempered double-decker bus. He firmly believed that the roadways were superior than railways, and would occasionally lie to get himself out of trouble. After being restored, he saw the error of his ways and changed his attitude.

According to the "Character Cube" bonus features in the "Thomas Gets Bumped", "Thomas and the Jet Engine", "Thomas and the Toy Workshop" and "Thomas and the Treasure" DVDs, Bulgy has no scruples and knows how to tell a lie when he is in a tight jam, and is good friends with Diesel.

Basis

Bulgy is based on an AEC Bridgemaster bus.

Livery

Bulgy was previously painted red and cream, but after becoming a vegetable bus he was painted green and cream. He has since gone back to his old livery. He had a sign on his left side reading "Railway Bus" and another sign on his right side reading "JOIN THE ANTI-RAIL LEAGUE". He also has a sign on his front and back, reading "FREE THE ROADS". When he was repainted, the signs on his sides were replaced by green ones reading "MOBILE GROCERY STORE" in white.

Appearances

Railway Series

Oliver the Western Engine

Television Series

Season 3 - Bulgy
Season 4 - Train Stops Play (cameo) and Mind that Bike (cameo)
Season 6 - Harvey to the Rescue (mentioned)
Season 7 - Bulgy Rides Again and Best Dressed Engine (cameo)
Season 10 - Follow that Flour (cameo) and Topped Off Thomas (poster cameo)
Season 12 - Excellent Emily (cameo)

Specials:

Thomas and the U.K. Trip (does not speak)

Learning Segments:

Season 10 - Which Outfit for Which Occasion? (cameo) & Percy's Story (poster cameo)

Magazine Stories

1994 - The Nature Bus!
1998 - The Greenhouse Bus!, The Open Top Bus (mentioned) and The Best Bus (mentioned)
2001 - A Special Story About Bulgy (does not speak)
2003 - Playbus and Broken Bridges (does not speak)
2004 - Bulgy's Back!, Train Stops Play (cameo) and Back on the Road
2006 - Sow and Grow, Bulgy's Back and Stop and Shop
2011 - Market Day and Pecking Order
2013 - Bulgy's Back

Bulgy also appeared in the magazine stories, Bulgy's Bridge, Bulgy's Dream, Holiday Havoc!, and Special Bus Service.

Annual Stories

1986 - You Never Know (mentioned)

Voice Actors

Daisuke Gōri (Japan; third and seventh seasons)

Trivia

Bulgy has a special nameboard that was shown only on airings in Japan.
Bulgy and Diesel are apparently good friends.
Bulgy's model (in original red livery) has been put on display at Drayton Manor. His front bumper has been removed.
Bulgy uses Dunlop brand tyres.
In the UK narration, Bulgy develops a nasally voice in the seventh season.
According to the magazine story, Playbus, Bertie and Bulgy are cousins.

Quotes

The bus watched the passengers happily milling round the Small Railway.

"Stupid nonsense! I wouldn't have brought 'em if I'd known. I'd have had a breakdown or something."

"I'm glad you didn't," smiled Duck. "You'd have spoilt their fun. Look how they're enjoying themselves!"

"Pah!" snorted the bus. "Enjoyment's all you engines live for, taking the petrol from the tanks of us workers. Come the revolution," he went on fiercely, "railways'll be ripped up. Cars 'and coaches'll (buses) trample their remains. Free the roads from Railway Tyranny!"

- Bulgy argues to Duck, and talks about the 'Road Revolution', "Bulgy", "Oliver the Western Engine".

Duck's train was to be first out, but he had few passengers. He was soon to know why!

"Look!" shrilled Oliver. "Look at Bulgy! He's a mean Scarlet Deceiver!"

Bulgy had turned to leave. They could now see his other side. It had on it RAILWAY BUS.

"STOP!" yelled Staff and engines; but too late.

"Yah! Booh! Snubs!" jeered Bulgy.

He roared away. The unsuspecting passengers waved happily.

"Come on!" puffed Duck.

He, Alice and Mirabel trundled unhappily away. Alice and Mirabel chattered crossly.

"The nasty old thief, he's stolen our people!"

- Bulgy steals Duck and Oliver's passengers, "Bulgy", "Oliver the Western Engine".