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The Old Coaches are small 4-wheeled coaches, which were once used on local passenger trains on the North Western Railway.

Biography

Thomas & Friends

The old coaches were usually found at Knapford.

After being allowed to go out, Edward got to pull a train of old coaches. They were very proud and impressed with Edward and his crew. [1]

When Gordon, Henry and James went on strike, Thomas got to pull a train of old coaches as he had to do the big engines' work. [2]

Henry had pulled a train of old coaches a few times. Once, due to his old shape, Henry had trouble pulling a train of old coaches and had to stop at Wellsworth. Edward had to take the train the rest of the way for him. [3]

James had pulled a rake of old coaches twice. [4]

They were likely scrapped after the events of Series 1 due to their age, as they were not seen again afterwards. The red coaches were introduced, starting Series 2, which seemed to replace the Old Coaches.

Personality

In Edward and Gordon, these coaches were described as sentient as they thought Edward was very kind. Their merchandise descriptions state they are of similar age to Annie and Clarabel.

Technical Details

Basis

The old coaches are based on the Great Northern Railway ‘Metropolitan’ carriage, no. 903.

Livery

The old coaches were painted emerald green with cream window surrounds and black rooftops, and white buffers. One of the composite coaches had an additional cream stripe under the windows. Due to the other side not being repainted they were regularly turned around for the filming of the first series but in episodes "Thomas and Gordon", "Edward and Gordon" and "Coal" the teak livery could be spotted.

In the ERTL merchandise range, the brake coaches had "1" and "2" on their sides in yellow, indicating their class.

In the postcards illustrated by Clifford Meadway, the old coaches are painted brown with tan window surrounds and grey rooftops.

Appearances

Official Description

From Official Media:[1]

Old Coaches: The Old Coaches are of a similar age to Annie and Clarabel. They are based on passenger coaches built in the 1930's. Because they were so sturdy they continued in service for a very long time.

Trivia

  • Three Gauge 1 models of the Old Coaches were made for production of the First Series of Thomas & Friends.
  • In the first series episode Edward and Gordon, the old coaches are mentioned as being sentient, despite not having visible faces or proper speaking roles.
  • In the magazine story, Clarabel's New Friend, a sentient coach painted green with cream windows resembling the old coaches appeared nicknamed The New Coach.
  • The Ertl toys of the old coaches are both brake coaches and are recycled from Annie and Clarabel's Ertl toys.
  • For budgetary constraints, the old coaches' models had one side painted in green and cream, and the other in teak to depict as two seperate groups of coaches.

Merchandise

References



--- Dropped | * 1991-1994 maps only | ** 2014 map only
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