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Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia
Thomas the Tank Engine Wiki
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in: Rolling stock, North Western Railway, The Little Western, Brake Vans

Toad (T&F)

Revision as of 22:47, 6 December 2016 by Negordon (Message Wall | contribs)
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This article is about 'the brake van'. You may be looking for 'the animal'.
“A pond is the only place for a toad, I suppose.”
― Oliver, Busy Going Backwards, fifth season

ToadCGIpromo2

File:ToadModel.png

File:ToadRWS.png

Toad
  • Number: GW 56831
  • Class: GWR 20-ton brake van
  • Builder: GWR Swindon Works
  • Built: 1940
  • Arrived on Sodor: 1967

Toad is a Great Western brake van who escaped from scrap with Oliver and Isabel.

Bio

Toad worked with Oliver on the Great Western Railway before being threatened with the prospect of scrapping. Oliver, Toad, and an autocoach named Isabel ran away for the greener pastures of the North Western Railway, but Oliver ran out of coal en route. Luckily, they were rescued by Douglas and brought back to Sodor. In the Railway Series, Toad asked to be Douglas' brake van as a show of thanks. In the television series, Toad remains as Oliver's brake van.

When S.C. Ruffey began to start a trend of disrespecting the engines, Toad had the idea for Oliver to show him and his lieutenants the error of their ways. This turned out better than expected, for Oliver pulled S.C. Ruffey apart and won back the respect of the trucks.

In the television series, Toad was tired of always going backwards and wanted to be a leader for a change. The trucks decided to teach Toad to be careful what he wishes for by breaking away from Oliver on Gordon's Hill and, as a result, he narrowly avoided James, crashed into some level crossing gates, and stopped by taking a plunge into a pond. Afterwards, Toad decided that always going backwards was not so bad after all.

While Gator was on Sodor, he once took some of Oliver's trucks with Toad, who kept insisting that Gator should stop and relight his lamp. After being briefly taken off the train after forcing them to stop with his brakes, Toad had the "bright" idea of giving Gator one of his lamps to replace his broken one. This idea worked, and Gator thanked Toad once they had finished their journey.

By Toad's Adventure, Toad had become bored of repeatedly hearing the story of Oliver's escape, and longed for an adventure story of his own to tell. His wish was granted when he went to work with James, who ran much too fast, and hit a fallen branch on Gordon's Hill, uncoupling his trucks. Toad managed to stop the trucks, and prevented a crash with Thomas and Percy. When he returned to the Yard, he told a disbelieving Oliver all about it.

Toad eventually began to sing during his journeys with Oliver, which the Western engine liked at first, but quickly got fed up of listening. Later, as they were passing Bluff's Cove, Toad spotted a whale stranded on the beach and tried to tell Oliver, but Oliver thought Toad was joking. But later that day when the two passed the same area again, Oliver saw the whale and apologised to Toad. They informed the Sodor Search and Rescue Centre, but after a few attempts at moving the whale proved unsuccessful, Toad had the idea of using a flatbed to transport the whale to Brendam, where Cranky gently placed the whale back into the water. Now whenever Toad passes through Bluffs Cove, he remembers his friend, and sings about him.

In Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure he, along with Oliver, helped to build the new Harwick Branch Line and attended the line's opening.

Persona

Toad is a polite, gentlemanly brake van. He is also somewhat imaginative and a bit of an optimist. Toad minds his manners well and always quick to refer to the engines as "Mr.", "Miss", or "Sir". He escaped from scrap with Oliver, with some help from Douglas. Toad is very loyal, keeps Oliver's trucks in order, and has his best interests at heart. He has a cunning streak within him should the trucks cause any particular bother and does like fun when it comes his way, but he is typically calm, obedient, and content in his work.

Basis

Toad is based on a GWR Standard 16-ton brake van. Early vans were just 10 or 16 tons weight, but this gradually increased to 20 and 25 tons.

Livery

Toad is painted grey with "GW 56831" written on his side in white. Before being repaired in Enterprising Engines, and in an illustration portraying him before Escape from the subsequent book, Toad was painted brown. In the Railway Series, his face is the same colour as his bodywork, but in the television series he has a light grey face.

Appearances

Railway Series

Television series

Specials:

He was to appear in the sixth season with Oliver, but was cut out for unknown reasons.

He also cameoed in two eighth season songs.

Toad's model, without a face, was used as a brake van for the circus train in the eighth season episode, Thomas and the Circus. His model also appeared in a deleted scene from the sixth season episode, James and the Red Balloon. His face was also used for eyes-closed and surprised on some trucks in the eighth and ninth seasons.

Magazine stories

Toad also appeared in the magazine stories, A Long Way Up!, The Great Race, The Snow Engine!, and Toad Returns.

Voice Actors

Trivia

  • One of Toad's model was previously on display at Nitrogen Studios and is on display at Drayton Manor.
  • Toad's ERTL model incorrectly states that his number is "5683".
  • Toad's name originates from a nickname ("toad") given to brake vans on the Great Western Railway. Toad is also based upon a brake van that carries the same number. It can also be considered a subtle pun: a brake van is 'towed' everywhere it goes.
  • When Toad returned in the eighteenth season, he had some modifications. These include:
    • Grey buffers.
    • Grey handrails as opposed to his original white handrails.
    • His glass windows were removed, replaced with open windows.
    • Only one side has the Great Western markings.
    • He is slightly longer than his model form.
    • He is a lighter shade of grey.
    • He is slightly taller than his model counterpart.
  • Both Toad's physical and CGI models deviate a bit from their real-life counterpart: in real-life, Toad's basis has sandboxes near the handbrake, and also has a white interior with a desk, seat, etc. Toad lacks these features, both in model and in CGI forms.
  • In Latin America, Toad gains an Argentine accent in Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure.
  • Toad is the first brake van in the TV series to have a name.

Merchandise

Gallery

Merchandise Gallery

See also

Template:NWR rolling stock

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