Bradford

**Bradford the Officious Brake Van** is a supporting character in the Seventyverse and is owned by the Rolling Hills Railway, where he is Samson's brakevan.

## Backstory

Bradford was used on the front lines during the war and was once on a goods train full of petrol. However, they didn’t have enough. Then, on the way to pick up some more, the engine was suddenly destroyed in an air. After that tragic event, Bradford became hyper focused on getting everything perfect as he didn't want the same fate to befall anyone else as it did to his old friend.

Bradford was brought to Sodor by Samson. When he noticed Thomas struggling with his Troublesome Trucks, Bradford offered to be his brake van for the day. Once coupled up, Bradford quickly took charge of the trucks and barked at them to behave. Thomas and the other engines were very impressed, until they found out how strict Bradford liked to stick to the rules of the railway. This made the trains that they were pulling with him very late and ended up with Thomas deciding to take a train without Bradford. However, he ended up running into trouble with the trucks, and collided with Percy at Gordon's Hill. Bradford eventually went back to the Mainland with Samson.

Bradford later returned with Samson and when Douglas helped them up the hill, the officious brake van kept barking orders out, which triggered Douglas' memory of Old Spiteful's death and the Scottish engine went into shock. Oliver was furious with both Samson and Bradford and decided to work with Bradford for the time being whilst Toad tackled Samson. The following morning, Oliver takes Bradford with him and whilst at Arlesburgh, Oliver caught with Rex and Douglas, who was now feeling better. Bradford then overheard Douglas mentioned how Old Spiteful is bothering them anymore. Bradford is shocked and asks about his him but Douglas and Oliver rebuked him. Just as Oliver prepares to collect Gladys for his passenger run, Bradford asks what happened with Douglas. Oliver doesn't want to tell him but after Bradford says he wants to prevent this from happening again, Oliver agrees and explains about Douglas' history with Old Spiteful. Then, Bradford opens up about his past and Oliver, remembering how Douglas saved him and Toad from scrap, assured Bradford that they can all help each other through these hard ships. After that, Bradford and Samson (who opened about his past to Toad) apologised to Douglas, who was most surprised. The other engines and rolling stock were surprised too but since that day, both Samson and Bradford had made a vow to change for the better.

## Personality

Bradford is an officious and strict brake van who adheres to every railway rule, no matter how minor the rule might be. Although he means well and does his best to keep the trucks in order, his overzealous and military-like attitude makes his trains commonly run very late. Because of this, the engines find him annoying. He is also quite conceited, as he claimed he knew how much the engines "appreciated" him. Despite his usual rigidity, Bradford also has a caring side, as the reason for his superzealous behaviour was to prevent other engines from meeting the same fate as his old friend.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Bradford is based on a standard LMS 20 ton brake van. A handful today survive in preservation on heritage railways.

### Livery

Bradford is painted two-tone green with a red stripe across his sides. The number "0919" is painted inside his stripes in gold