Tom Tipper the postman had a Post Van which he used for collecting and delivering mail. The van was once taken away and replaced with a bike while Tom was ill, as the postmaster saw it as too old and expensive; but it was soon renovated and put back into service after Percy accidentally ran the bike over.
Technical Details
Basis
In the television series, the Post Van is based on the Morris Commercial J-type van, built between 1949 and 1961. Approximately one-eighth of J-type vans built were bought by the General Post Office, which used them for mail collection and deliveries in country areas all over the United Kingdom. The Sodor Bakery Van and the Signwriter's Van are also based on these vans.
Livery
The Post Van is painted red with a light grey rooftop. In the Railway Series, it carries the "Royal Mail" logo on its sides, whereas in the television series, it carries the "Sodor Mail" logo. Before its restoration, its hubcaps were painted black, but have now been repainted red.
In the video game Railway Adventures, the rooftop is depicted red.
Appearances
Thomas & Friends
- Season 4 - Mind that Bike
- Season 5 - Toby and the Flood, Toby's Discovery and Oliver's Find
- Season 6 - Thomas the Jet Engine and Edward the Very Useful Engine
- Season 7 - Bulgy Rides Again
Specials
- 2008 - The Great Discovery
Magazine Stories
- 2008 - Percy's Post!
- 2010 - Pulling the Post
- 2011 - Steam on Stamps
Video Games
- 2001 - Railway Adventures
Trivia
- The Post Van's model was later remodelled into the bakery van.
- The Post Van's model is currently on display at Drayton Manor.
- Despite the fact it is faceless and apparently non-sentient, the Post Van was given a nameboard.
Merchandise
- ERTL (discontinued)
- Thomas Engine Collection Series (with flatbed; discontinued)
- Capsule Plarail (normal, advertisement with Mr. Bubbles, and metallic)
- Nakayoshi (with postbox; discontinued)
- Pocket Fantasy (discontinued)
References