recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Coal Loader Playset

* 2006
* 2005

The **Coal Loader Playset** is a playset. Turning the crank moves a conveyor belt which can transport coal loads up into the chute while coal can be seen rattling above. The track can be stored in the building along with up to seven vehicles.

## Contents

* Orange Cargo Car
* Two coal cargo loads
* Sodor Coal Company building
* Conveyor belt
* Two coal dusted Straight Track pieces (clear track in 2006)
* Three coal dusted Curved Track pieces (clear track in 2006, and one removed)
* Coal dusted Curved Spur Track piece (clear track in 2006 and one added)
* Male and Female Track Adapters (2006)

## Trivia

* The Coal Loader Playset is not listed on the 2005 European pamphlet despite being released over there that year. This also happened with the Milk Tanker and Caboose and Sodor Sawmill Playset.

## Gallery

2005 Coal Loader Playset2006 Coal Loader PlaysetCargo Car
Metallic Thomas

This article is about **Metallic Thomas**. You may be looking for **Blue Plated Thomas**.

## Metallic Thomas

* 2005
* 1998

## Details:

### Active:

1998, 2006 (UK)
1998, 2005, 2007 (US)
1998, 2005-2007 (AUS)

### Ranges:

ERTL 1:64 Scale Range
Take Along

### Portrait Number:

1 (ERTL)
02 (Take Along; AUS)

### Item Number:

4596 (ERTL)
LC76001M (Take Along; US/AUS)
LC76036 (Take Along; EUR)
LC76757 (Take Along; Target 2007)

### Asst. Number:

4581 (ERTL)

**Metallic Thomas** (also known as **Limited Edition Thomas** in ERTL, **Limited Edition Metallic Thomas** in Target and **Collectable Metallic Thomas** in Australia) is a metallic variant of Thomas.

## Product Description

### **1998 ERTL collector card**

*Thomas is a cheeky, fussy little engine. He often gets into scrapes, usually by being over-eager to do things best left to bigger and more sensible engines. But clouds never last long in Thomas' life and he's soon bustling about again, playing his part in the yard and on his very own branch line, of which he is extremely proud.*

### **Historical Note**

*Thomas is based on the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway 0-6-0E2 with extended side tanks.*

### **2005 US Take Along collector card**

*Name: Thomas*

*Color: Blue*

*Bio: Sometimes described as a cheeky and fussy engine, Thomas proudly travels his very own branch line with his faithful coaches Annie and Clarabel.*

### **2006 UK Take Along collector card**

*Thomas is a cheeky, fussy little engine. He often gets into scrapes, usually by being over eager to do things that should be left to bigger and more sensible engines.*

## Timeline

* 1998 (pin-hook couplings, metal smokebox, Britt Allcroft licensing)
* 2005 (two-way magnets, side rods removed, metallic wheels, name embossed on chassis, Gullane licensing)
* 2006 (name printed on chassis)

### Components

* 2008 (plastic smokebox; only available in Steamies Gift Packs)

## Availability

* Limited Edition Gift Pack
* Metallic Limited Edition Assortment
* Steamies Gift Pack 1
* Steamies Gift Pack 2
* Steamies Gift Pack 3

## Trivia

* The Take Along Metallic Thomas may have been created for the 60th Anniversary of *the Railway Series*.
* The Australian Take Along Metallic Thomas features an exclusive collector card.

## Gallery

ERTL Limited Edition ThomasLimited Edition Thomas boxLimited Edition Thomas collector cardTake Along Metallic Thomas2006 UK Metallic Thomas box
Engine Launcher

The **Engine Launcher** is an accessory shaped like Thomas. Up to four vehicles can be loaded through the back of Thomas and launched out the other side by pressing the cab roof. It can also connect to Take Along track.

## Product description

*Place up to 4 engines inside the Train Launcher. Press the top of Thomas' cab to launch the trains out onto the track for hours and hours of of imaginative play!*
2003

* UK
* US

**2003** was the second year of The ERTL Collection and Take Along Thomas. It was also the year HiT Entertainment took over the Thomas and Friends franchise, but some items released during the start of this year were still labeled "Gullane". The classic pin hook coupling system was completely replaced with the U-hook couplings introduced in the previous year.

## Trivia

* A Limited Edition Sterling Silver Thomas was also released as an employee gift to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Thomas Wooden Railway range in 2003.
Derek

**Derek** (also labeled as **Derek the Diesel**) is a friendly diesel who has problems with his cooling system.

## Product Description

### **1999 ERTL collector card**

*Derek the Diesel was formally known as Paxman Diesel. The twins, Bill and Ben, who work the quarries and claymines near Brendam Docks, discovered that as much as they dislike diesels, Derek is a kindly soul and they felt sorry for him after he tried his best to help them.*

### **Historical Note**

*Introduced in 1962, 117 of these 900hp, Type 1, Bo Bo engines for light goods duties were built. They were not succesesful due to re-opening engine problems and most lasted barely a decade in service on British Rail as D6500 - 8616. None survived to receive TOPS computer Class 17 numbers. D8568 is preserved on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.*

### **2002 ERTL collector card**

*The Twins Bill and Ben discover that as much as they dislike diesels. Derek is a kindly soul and they feel sorry for him after he tried his best to help them.*

## Timeline

* 1999 (pin-hook couplings, Britt Allcroft licensing)
* 2001 (Gullane licensing)
* 2003 (U-hook rear coupling; only available in the UK)

## Trivia

* Derek's prototype had a darker livery than the final product.
* The logo on Derek's side reads *Thomas Tank* instead of *British Railways*. This was probably done due to legal concerns.
* Derek's ERTL Collection portrait depicts him with a black bufferbeam, gold warning panels, black top, green roof and truck-like axels. The black bufferbeam was also the case with The Diesel.

## Gallery

Prototype Derek the Diesel1999-2000 Derek the Diesel box1999-2000 Derek the Diesel collector card2000-2002 Derek box2003-2004 Derek the Diesel box2002-2004 Derek the Diesel collector card
Diesel D7101

**Diesel D7101** (also known as *Bear*) is a kind diesel engine known for his growling engine.

## Product Description

### **2003 ERTL collector card**

*Diesel D7101 was teased because of his growling at first. He can't help it; it's not that he is cross. The other engines gave him his nickname of Bear because of his growling.*

## Gallery

Diesel D7101 boxDiesel D7101 collector card
Jock

**Jock** is the strongest engine on the Arlesdale Railway.

## Product Description

### **2004 ERTL collector card**

*Jock was built to help Rex, Bert and Mike carry all the passengers on the Arlesdale Railway. He is stronger than the other engines and people come to the Railway just to see him.*

## Trivia

* Jock was the last item to be made by ERTL before the line was discontinued.
* Jock's collector card mentions Mike, Rex and Bert, although they were never made in ERTL.
	+ Mike was planned for 2005, but the range was discontinued before he was released.
* Jock's portrait depicts him with a black cab roof.
* Jock's tender is based on the single illustration where it incorrectly has a dip at the back.

## Gallery

June 2003 prototype JockTwo prototypes of JockJock boxJock collector card
6-Piece Gift Set 3

This article is about **the third 6-Piece Gift Set**. You may be looking for the **first**, **second**, **fourth** or **fifth** gift set.

## Details:

### Active:

1996-1998 (US)
1997-1999 (UK)

### Item Number:

4936

The **6 Piece Gift Set** is a 6 pack which includes Thomas, Toby, Terence, Bertie, Rheneas and Duncan.

## Gallery

6 Piece Gift Set 3 in Shining Time Station box
Brakevan

This article is about **the British brake van**. You may be looking for the **Sodor Line Caboose**.

## Details:

### Active:

2002-2004 (UK)
2002 (AUS)

### Item Number:

34623

The **Brakevan** (otherwise known as the Spiteful Brakevan) is a rude and troublesome brake van.

## Product Description

### **2002 ERTL collector card**

*Brakevan is a brown Guard's engine. He is a disagreeable engine who always causes trouble. He does however work very hard with Donald & Douglas to keep the trucks in order.*

## Timeline

* 2002 (U-hook rear coupling)
* 2003 (stronger U-hook coupling)

## Trivia

* The Brakevan's collector card erroneously refers to him as an engine. It also states that he *works very hard with Donald & Douglas to keep the trucks in order,* whereas he was actually causing trouble for them and was smashed by Douglas.
* The Brakevan is depicted as brown, whereas in the book and show, he was grey.
* The Brakevan is dated 2001 on his chassis, despite being released in 2002. It is likely that he was planned for release in 2001, but got delayed to 2002.
	+ This could also explain why his prototype model had the original pin coupling hook, whereas the final product had the new U-hook coupling.

## Gallery

Prototype Brakevan2002-2003 Brakevan boxBrakevan collector card
Kevin

* 2019
* 2017
* 2015
* 2010

**Kevin** is a friendly crane who works at the Sodor Steamworks with his boss, Victor.

## Timeline

* 2010 (red hook, two way rear magnet, made in China)
* 2013 (updated details, made in Thailand)
* 2014 (yellow hook, hollowed out counterweights, clip connectors; only available in select countries)
* 2015 (yellow hook, one way magnets, hollowed out counterweights, redesigned shape with engine chassis)
* 2017 (clip connectors, removed hazards on footplate)
* 2019 (added side details, larger hook, shorter height, farther apart wheels)

## Variants

* Kevin's Oil Spill
* Muddy Kevin from Hard at Work
* Neon Kevin

## Availability

* Kevin's Helping Hook
* Percy and Kevin to the Rescue
* Sodor Steamies
* All Around the Railway
* Ultimate Engine Collection

## Trivia

* Kevin's 2010 Take-n-Play prototype has a more accurate hook and simpler wheels.
Donald and Douglas

This article is about **Donald and Douglas**. You may be looking for **Donald** or **Douglas**.

## Details:

### Ranges:

ERTL 1:64 Scale Range (Shining Time Station)

### Item Number:

4099

**Donald and Douglas** are Caledonian twin engines. They have often been released individually as Donald and Douglas, although ERTL also released them in a twin pack in the US in 1993.

## Product Description

### **Shining Time Station collector vard**

*The Scottish twins hate to be parted and they enjoy a joke - especially when outsiders can't tell them apart.*
Thomas and Happy Holidays Snow Globe Car

This article is about **Thomas and Happy Holidays Snow Globe Car**. You may be looking for **Reindeer Express with Snowglobe Train** or **Thomas Holiday Express**.

## Details:

### Item Number:

LC76033

**Thomas and Happy Holidays Snowglobe Car** is a European exclusive Christmas-themed multi-pack. It features Thomas with a snowplough and a Snowglobe Car.

## Product description

### **2005 UK Take Along collector card**

*Thomas has a very important job to do! Travelling through the snow, Thomas makes sure the reindeer arrive on time to make some very special holiday deliveries.*
Mavis

* 2013
* 2010
* 2003
* 1993

**Mavis** is a black, small quarry diesel with side plates and cowcathers like Toby.

## Product Description

### **1993 ERTL collector card**

*Mavis is a young diesel engine who works at the quarry. She is full of her own ideas and doesn't take kindly to advice! She has a lot to learn about trucks, but with Toby's help she is learning to be a Really Useful Engine.*

### **Historical Note**

*Mavis is a 0-6-0 Drewry diesel/mechanical locomotive.*

### **Shining Time Station collector card**

*Mavis is a feisty young diesel engine who is high spirited and full of her own ideas. Her lack of experience often leads her into trouble, but she' s smart and learns from her mistakes.*

### **2002 ERTL collector card**

*Mavis is a feisty young diesel engine who works at the quarry, She is full of her own ideas, doesn't take kindly to advice and has a lot to learn about the trucks.*

### **2003 US Take Along collector card**

*Name: Mavis*

*Color(s): Black*

*Bio: Mavis is a feisty young diesel engine who works at the Ffarquar Quarry and, with Toby's help, is learning to be a Really Useful Engine.*

## Timeline

* 1993 (pin-hook couplings, metal grill, front cab windows, Britt Allcroft licensing, made in China)
* 2001 (Gullane licensing)
* 2002 (U-hook rear coupling; only available in the UK and Australia)
* 2003 (two-way magnets, name embossed on chassis; only available at Target until 2005)
* 2003 (stronger U-hook coupling; only available in the UK)
* 2006 (name printed on chassis)
* 2008 (plastic grill)
* 2010 (updated details, CG style face)
* 2013 (slightly updated face, cheaper metal, hollowed out counterweights, made in Thailand)

## Variants

* Gold Rail Mavis (cancelled)
* Mini World Mavis from Mavis and Troublesome Trucks

## Availability

* 6-Piece Gift Set 2
* Calling All Engines! Collector Pack
* Jack Jumps In Collector Pack
* Lights and Sounds Wellsworth Station
* Roundhouse Deluxe Pack
* Percy and Mavis
* Totally Tidmouth
* Steamies vs. Diesels

## Trivia

* Mavis's first ERTL prototype depicts her with a printed image of her face from the show.
* Mavis and Diesel 10 were the first pre-existing characters to be redesigned with U-hook couplings.
* Mavis's Take Along prototypes had white wheels and a second face overlapping the other one. One of them also had red sideplates. Duck's prototype also had white wheels funnily enough.
* Mavis's Take Along collector card uses one of her promotional images from series 5.
* Mavis's 2013 Take-n-Play model doesn't have a CGI face unlike most other Take-n-Play models which did. This is also the case with Spencer and Talking Henry.
	+ She is also one of three Take-n-Play characters not to receive a CGI face despite appearing in the CGI series of the show, the others are Alfie and Rocky.
Gordon's Special Coach

* 2003
* 2000

**Gordon's Special Coach** is a coach pulled by Gordon or Spencer for special visitors. It was bundled with a standard Express Coach.

## Timeline

* 2000 (pin-hook couplings, Britt Allcroft licensing)
* 2001 (Gullane licensing)
* 2003 (U-hook rear couplings)

## Trivia

* Despite being called Gordon's Special Coach, it’s actually a two pack featuring two coaches, the other is an ordinary express coach.
* The prototype special coach had a lighter shade of red, yellow lining, a different style roof, detailed undercarriage, white buffers and a red coupling pin.

## Gallery

Prototype Gordon's Special Coach2000-2002 Gordon's Special Coach box
Jeremy

**Jeremy** is a jet plane.

*Colors: White and Blue*

*Bio: Jeremy is a jolly jet who has a slightly inflated view of himself and enjoys doing things the Steamies cannot. When push comes to shove, he is always ready to help out the team.*

### **UK Take Along collector card**

*Jeremy is a jolly jet who has a slightly inflated view of himself and enjoys doing things the Steamies cannot. When push comes to shove, he is always ready to help out the team.*

## Trivia

* Jeremy's collector card uses an image of a faceless blue plane from *Calling All Engines!* rather than Jeremy or his toy.
* Jeremy and Billy are the only two HiT era characters that weren’t rereleased in Take-n-Play.

## Gallery

Prototype JeremyUS Jeremy boxUK Jeremy box
James Goes Buzz Buzz

This article is about the ****multi-pack****. You may be looking for the **engine**.

## Details:

### Item Number:

LC76076

**James Goes Buzz Buzz** is a pack based on *Buzz Buzz*. It includes James with a surprised face, red nose, and covered in bees, and a bee hive car with moving bees.

## Product Description

### **2006 Take Along collector card**

*Name: James Goes Buzz Buzz*

*Colors: Red*

*Bio: James ignores Boco’s warning about getting stung, and ends up with a red nose. After getting stung, James safely returns the bees to the Vicar’s orchard.*

## Timeline

* 2006 (metal smokebox on James)
* 2008 (plastic smokebox on James)

## Trivia

* The stock image of James Goes Buzz Buzz shows the bee hive car between James and his tender.
* James Goes Buzz Buzz's collector card mentions BoCo, although he was never made in Take Along.
Engine Works Portable Playset

2003

The **Engine Works Portable Playset** (originally known as **Sodor Engine Works** and also known as **Engine Works Playset** and **Sodor Engine Works Playset**) is a set. It includes a Sodor Engine Works building which features moving engine wash rollers and a switchable open/close sign. The set can be stored by tucking the track and vehicles in the storage space, closing the building, and shutting the door.

## Product Description

### **2003 box description**

*Fun! on the Run*

*Whether Thomas and his friends need a complete tune-up or just a quick clean-up, the Sodor Engine Works is just the ticket. Good thing your workshop is completely portable so you can do repairs anywhere!*

## Contents

* Coal dust Percy (2003-2006)
* James (2006-2009)
* Diesel (bonus item; 2009)
* Sodor Engine Works
* Two Curved Track pieces
* Two curved Spur Track pieces
* Male Old Track Adapter (2006-2007)
* Female old track adapter (2006-2007)

## Availability

* Roundhouse Deluxe Pack
* Small Playset Assortment with Sodor Sawmill Playset

## Trivia

* The prototype shows a regular Percy instead of the coal dust variant that’s included.
* Thomas and Lorry 1 appear on a prototype picture.
* The 2003 international and 2006 UK Sodor Engine Works boxes list the door of the building as an individual piece.

## Gallery

Prototype Sodor Engine WorksSodor Engine Works closed upCoal dust Percy2005-2006 US Sodor Engine Works box2006-2007 UK Sodor Engine Works box
2006

**2006** was the fifth year of Take Along Thomas. The track system was redesigned during this year to a more realistic design with male and female connections while the vehicles names on their chassis was changed from embossed to printed due to budget cuts and the logo changed in the US with a lighter text colour. It was also the first year of Metallic Engines in the UK since 1999.
Coal Hopper Car

The **Coal Hopper Car** is a yellow hopper. Rotating the hopper fills it with coal. Pressing the button empties it.

## Product description

### **2005 UK Take Along collector card**

*Watch as this car magically loads and unloads its cargo of coal from the mines.*

## Timeline

* 2005 (embossed name)
* 2006 (printed name)

## Trivia

* The Coal Hopper Car's prototype had less weathering than the final version.
* The Coal Hopper Car's tooling was also used for the Rock Hopper Car.
Lorry-2

This article is about **Lorry-2**. You may be looking for **Lorry 1** or **Lorry-3**.

## Details:

### Active:

1999-2001 (UK/AUS)
2000-2001 (US)

### Asst. Number:

36362

**Lorry-2** (previously labelled **Lorry 2**) is a horrid lorry who once visited Sodor and harassed the engines. His brothers are Lorry-1 and Lorry-3.

## Product Description

### **1999 ERTL collector card**

*Lorries 2 and 3 were built at the same time time and consider themselves 'brothers' — but to the engines they are just 'horrid lorries'. The lorries have a bad attitude towards the engines and threaten to take their work away from them, but they get their comeuppance in various ways — much to the amusement of all the engines.*

### **Historical Note**

*Lorry 2 is based on a famous Foden design. Fodens of Sandbach in Cheshire, began building diesel lorries in 1931, with a continuous development for over 30 years. Lorry 2 dates from designs of the 1940's and 1950's.*

## Timeline

* 1999 (Britt Allcroft licensing)
* 2001 (Gullane licensing)

## Trivia

* Lorry 2's prototype has a worried face and white cargo.

## Gallery

Prototype Lorry 21999-2000 Lorry 2 boxLorry 2 collector card2000-2001 Lorry-2 box
Bill and Ben

This article is about **Bill and Ben**. You may be looking for **Bill** or **Ben**.

## Bill and Ben

* 2010
* 2004
* 1993

## Details:

### Active:

1993, 2004-2012 (US)
2004-2012 (AUS)
2008, 2010-2011 (EUR)

### Ranges:

ERTL 1:64 Scale Range (Shining Time Station)
Take Along
Take-n-Play

### Item Number:

4098 (ERTL)
LC76017 (TA)
T4830 (TNP)

**Bill and Ben** are mischievous twin engines. They have often been released together, although they were also sold individually as Bill and Ben.

## Product Description

### **Shining Time Station collector card**

*Bill and Ben are twins: identical in every respect and (it is fair to say) probably the most teasing and mischievous characters.*

### **US Take Along collector card**

*Name: Bill & Ben*

*Color(s): Yellow*

*Bio: Bill and Ben are twins in every way, and enjoy teasing and playing tricks on any engine that comes to the clay pits of the Sodor China Clay Company.*

### **UK Take Along collector card**

*Bill and Ben are twins in every way, and enjoy teasing and playing tricks on any engine that comes to the clay pits of the Sodor China Clay Company.*

## Timeline

* 1993 (pin-hook couplings, metal funnels, Britt Allcroft licensing, made in China)
* 2004 (two-way magnets, lowered buffer beams, names embossed on chassis, Gullane licensing; only available at Target until 2005)
* 2006 (names printed on chassis)
* 2010 (updated details, upgraded faces, plastic funnels, higher buffer beams)

## Availability

* Thomas's New Trucks
* Favorite Friends 3 Pack with Diesel

## Trivia

* Bill and Ben's photo on their Take Along collector card is from a promotional shot from the episode *Buffer Bother*.
* Bill and Ben's Take Along models were initially sold separately in Europe before being rereleased together for a brief period in 2008.
* Bill and Ben's Take Along models always had metal funnels, even when most characters had their smokeboxes changed to plastic.

## Gallery

Prototype ERTL Bill and BenBill and Ben boxPrototype Take Along Bill and BenTake Along/Prototype Take-n-Play Bill and BenTake-n-Play Bill and Ben
D199

* 2011
* 2009
* 1995

**D199** (also known as **199 Diesel** in ERTL) is a pompous and rude diesel from the Other Railway who once visited Sodor on trial with Bear.

## Product Description

### **1995 ERTL collector card**

*199 thinks he's so good - much more reliable than all the steam engines. But he broke down 1 day and his nickname quickly changed from "Old Reliable" to "Spamcan". Everyone was rather pleased when he was sent back from the Island of Sodor to the Other Railway.*

### **Historical Note**

*"199" is 1 of the Class 44 to 46 Diesels, used mainly on the routes from St. Pancras to Leicester, Derby, Sheffield, Leeds and Carlisle. They have now been replaced by High Speed Trains.*

### **Shining Time Station collector card**

*"199" thought he was much more reliable than all the steam engines. However, 1 day he broke down and quickly lost his nickname, "Old Reliable." In fact, everyone was rather pleased when he was sent from the Island of Sodor to the another railway.*

### **2009 US Take Along collector card**

*Name: D199*

*Color: Blue*

*Bio: D199 is a blue diesel engine with a bright yellow face. D199 thinks that all important jobs should be left to diesels, and steam engines are only good for parts.*

### **2009 UK Take Along collector card**

*D199 is a blue diesel engine with a bright yellow face. D199 thinks that all important jobs should be left to diesels, and steam engines are only good for parts.*

## Timeline

* 1995 (pin-hook couplings, blacked out windows, 1-Co-Co1 arrangement, static bogies with axle boxes, Britt Allcroft licensing)
* 2001 (Gullane licensing)
* 2009 (two-way magnets, detailed interior, Bo-Bo arrangement, axle boxes removed, mobile bogies, name on chassis)
* 2011 (updated details, taller chassis)

## Trivia

* D199's ERTL prototype has a black cab, is longer, and has a flatter face compared to the final release. The prototype is now owned by ThomasTankMerch of Twitter.
* On D199's ERTL promo art, his face takes up space where his buffer beam should be. As a result, his buffers and coupling hook are conjoined to his face. This aspect was also seen in his prototype, as its front and rear couplings are yellow instead of red in the released model.
* D199's ERTL coupling is merged into his face.
* D199 was the first character exclusively from the Railway Series to be released.
* D199's ERTL model would later be recycled for Diesel 10.
* D199's Take Along model was released in the smaller style box in the UK, but was released in the larger style box in the US. This also happened with Daisy.
* D199's side details on his Take Along and Take-n-Play models are reversed compared to illustrations and other toys.

## References

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/ThomasTankMerch ThomasTankMerch

## Gallery

Early prototypes of 199 Diesel, Edward, Gordon, Duck and DieselPrototype ERTL 199 DieselERTL 199 Diesel1995-2000 ERTL 199 Diesel box1995-2000 ERTL 199 Diesel collector card2000-2001 ERTL 199 Diesel boxPrototype Take Along D199Take Along D199Prototype Take-n-Play D199Take-n-Play D199
Flying Scotsman

The **Flying Scotsman** is Gordon's brother from the Mainland and the most famous engine in the world.

## Product Description

### **2002 ERTL collector card**

*The only engine with two tenders. He was friends with everyone except Henry who was jealous. He is famous for being the second engine to go 100 miles per hour.*

## Timeline

* 2001 (pin-hook couplings)
* 2003 (U-hook rear coupling; only available in the UK)

## Trivia

* Flying Scotsman is actually his brother Gordon painted light green. Due to this, he has a Fowler tender (unlike the real one) and oval buffers.
* Flying Scotsman has a black buffer beam, which is also inaccurate. A similar case happened with BoCo and Fergus.
* Despite the Flying Scotsman having two tenders, his ERTL model only features one, most likely because it would be hard for the model to turn around track curves since in ERTL, the engines with tenders are conjoined all in one model.
	+ However his collector card still mentions his two tenders.
* Flying Scotsman is the fifth real engine produced by ERTL. The others being City of Truro, Stepney, Wilbert and Bluebell.
* Flying Scotsman's ERTL Collection portrait depicts him without a front coupling.

## Gallery

Prototype Flying Scotsman2001-2002 Flying Scotsman box2002-2004 Flying Scotsman box2002-2004 Flying Scotsman collector card
Collector Vehicle Pack

* 2004
* 2005
* 2006

**Collector Vehicle Pack** is the name of an assortment of multi-packs which include 4 vehicles. They have been released exclusively in Target or Walmart, the latter being exclusive to their Canadian stores.

## Contents

### 2004 Target exclusive pack

* Duck
* Trevor
* Duncan
* Sodor Line Caboose

### 2005 Target Australia exclusive pack

* Limited Edition Thomas
* Metallic Percy
* Lady
* Sodor Line Caboose

### 2005 Walmart Canada exclusive pack

* James
* Percy
* Diesel 10
* Chinese Dragon

### 2006 Walmart Canada exclusive pack

* Fergus
* Arthur
* Harvey
* Thomas
Curved Track

## Curved Track

### Active:

2002-2004 (UK)
2002 (AUS)

### Item Number:

40599

The **Curved Track** is a track pack.

## Timeline

* 1996 (simple grey design, only in packs and sets)
* 2002 (detailed design, coloured track and plant surrounding)

## Availability

* Branch Line Playtrack
* Turntable Playtrack
* Deluxe Playtrack
* Stationhouse Playtrack
* Starter Set
* Engine and Curve Track Assortment
* Circle Line Set
* Real Sounds Playset
* Station House Playtrack Giftset
* Quarry Loading Accessory Set
* Thomas and the Magic Railroad Gift Set
* Thomas Playset
* Sodor Mainline Playtrack
* Roundhouse Portable Playset
* Sodor Mining Co.
* Roundhouse and Carry Case Deluxe Set
* Brendam Docks Electronic Playset
* Sodor Viaduct Bridge Playset
* Sodor Quarry Set
* Timber Yard Portable Playset
* Harold's Heliport Remote Control Portable Playset
* Add-on Track
* Coal Loader Playset
* Center Island Quarry Portable Playset
* Sodor Warehouse Electronic Playset
* Train Yard Set
* Working Hard Set
* Really Useful Engine Set
* Roundhouse Deluxe Pack
* Curved and Straight Track Pack
* Cross and Switch Track Pack
* Up and Away Track Pack

## See also

* Track
* Straight Track
* Points Track

## Gallery

2002-2003 Curved Track box2003-2004 Curved Track box
Circle Line Set

The **Circle Line Set** is a playset. It is currently unknown what is included in this set as it has yet to surface on the internet. However, it does include Percy, the Express Coaches and pieces of Curved Track.

## References

1. ↑ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1HTxLvcwLu\_H8nm79qksROCJAyftIURzpbvkXKz6XnpQ/htmlview#
Metallic Gordon

**Metallic Gordon** (also known as **Limited Edition Metallic Gordon** in Target and **Collectable Metallic Gordon** in Australia) is a metallic variant of Gordon.

## Product Description

### **2005 US Take Along collector card**

*Name: Gordon*

*Color: Blue*

*Bio: Although Gordon is the largest and fastest of Sir Topham Hatt's engines, he has a good heart and is always willing to help out the smaller engines.*

### **2006 UK Take Along collector card**

*Gordon is the senior member of the engine family. He is the fastest and most powerful of Sir Topham Hatt's engines - and he knows it!*

## Timeline

* 2005 (embossed name)
* 2006 (printed name)

## Trivia

* The Collectable Metallic Gordon's Australian collector card mistakenly uses an image of Edward.
Holiday Henry

**Holiday Henry** is a cancelled variant of Henry. It depicts Henry with a Santa hat and Christmas decorations. It is unknown when it would have been released, but it’s possible it was planned for 2005 alongside Holiday Gordon, plus it would've featured the Snowflake Caboose, which was actually released in other packs.

## Trivia

* Currently three copies of Holiday Henry are known to exist, one is owned by user @TheOldIron\_ on Twitter.
Culdee

* 2014
* 2006
* 1995

**Culdee** is a mountain engine named after Culdee Fell, the mountain his railway climbs. He has his own coach named Catherine.

## Product Description

### **1995 ERTL collector card**

*Culdee is the sensible one of the Mountain Railway. He and his coach Catherine are a fine team and are favourites with the passengers. But he does like a bit of excitement, and tells great stories about the other engines.*

### **Historical Note**

*Culdee is based on a traditional mountain railway engine manufactured around the 1890's by the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Co., pioneers in mountain "rack and pinion" railways.*

### **Shining Time Station collector card**

*Culdee is the sensible one of the Mountain Railway. He and his coach Catherine are a fine team and are favorites with the passengers. But he does like a bit of excitement and tells great stories about the other engines.*

### **2006 UK Take Along collector card**

*Culdee, a sensible mountain railway engine, has a face at each end which allows him to safely keep an eye on the rails.*

## Timeline

* 1995 (pin-hook couplings, metal smokebox, gold safety valve, 0-4-2 arrangement, Britt Allcroft licensing, made in China)
* 2001 (Gullane licensing)
* 2006 (two-way magnets, yellow safety valve, added buffers, 0-6-0 arrangement, side rods removed, name on chassis)
* 2014 (updated details, CG style face, plastic funnel, shorter funnel and cab, flattened gold safety valve, hollowed out wheel pins, made in Thailand)

## Availability

* Roundhouse Deluxe Pack
* Lights and Sounds Waterfall Tunnel
* Really Useful Engines 2 Pack with Rheneas
* No. 1 MEGA Playset

## Trivia

* Culdee's ERTL prototype had a purple rear coupling. This was also the case with Godred and Lord Harry.
* Culdee's Shining Time Station box refers to him as a "Special Edition Engine" along with City of Truro and Godred.
* The Take Along and Take-n-Play Culdee have buffers, a feature he does not have in the Railway Series.
* Culdee's Take Along collector card features an image of his model on a background featuring the tower windmill from the television series.
* Culdee's Take Along model always had a metal funnel, even when most characters had their smokeboxes changed to plastic.
* The prototype Take-n-Play Culdee features a lighter shade of purple.
* The prototype Take-n-Play box uses a prototype image of the Take-n-Play Culdee.
* Culdee, Stepney, Class 40, Arthur, Fearless Freddie, and Big City Engine are the only characters with a pseudo-CG promo, despite them not actually appearing in the CG series of the show.

## Gallery

Culdee and Godred test modelsFirst prototype ERTL CuldeeSecond prototype ERTL CuldeeERTL CuldeeERTL Culdee rear1995-2000 ERTL Culdee box1995-2000 ERTL Culdee collector card2000-2001 ERTL Culdee boxTake Along CuldeeTake Along Culdee rear2006 UK Take Along Culdee box
Thomas and Paint Car

**Thomas and Paint Car** (originally known as **Thomas and the Paint Car**) is a pack based on the movie, *Calling All Engines!*. It includes a surprised paint-splattered Thomas and a Sodor Paint Works tanker with liquid inside.

## Product Description

### **2005 US Take Along collector card**

*Name: Thomas & Paint Car*

*Color: Multi-colored*

*Bio: As seen in the video "Calling All Engines", Thomas gets splattered in a rainbow of colors after Diesel tries to derail his efforts to help rebuild the airport and bumps him through cans of paint.*

## Timeline

* 2005 (embossed names)
* 2006 (printed names)

## Availability

* Bonus Free Engine Assortment with James

## Trivia

* The first prototype features red paint in the Paint Car instead of green paint.
* In the movie, Thomas didn’t pull a paint car, he pulled a flatbed with paint cans on it. Because of this, the paint car is photoshopped onto the collector card.
* Some versions of Thomas and the Paint Car include a standard faced Thomas instead of a surprised one.

## References

1. ↑ *Thomas & the Paint Car* in earlier prints

## Gallery

First prototype Thomas and the Paint CarSecond prototype Thomas and the Paint Car2005 UK Thomas and the Paint Car box
BoCo

* 2001
* 1993

**BoCo** is a wise and friendly green diesel.

## Product Description

### **1993 ERTL collector card**

*BoCo originally came to the island of Sodor on loan from British Rail, and stayed. After an initial run-in with Bill and Ben, BoCo quickly settled down and proved himself to be a decent diesel with a sense of humour. After all, anyone who can deal with Bill and Ben must have a remarkable personality.*

### **Historical Note**

*BoCo is based on a Metropolitan-Vickers Co-Bo, class 28, type 2, with electrical transmission.*

### **Shining Time Station collector card**

*BoCo, a diesel engine, has proven himself to have a remarkable personality and true sense of humor.*

### **2002 ERTL Collector Card**

*BoCo originally came to the island of Sodor on loan from British Rail, and stayed. After an initial run-in with Bill and Ben, BoCo quickly settled down and proved himself to be a decent diesel.*

## Changes

* 1993 (pin-hook couplings, Britt Allcroft licensing)
* 2001 (Gullane licensing)
* 2003 (U-hook rear coupling; only available in the UK)

## Trivia

* BoCo is incorrectly depicted with black buffer beams. Ironically his prototypes have the correct red buffer beams. A similar case happened with Bluebell, Flying Scotsman and Fergus.
* BoCo's first prototype model is noticeably shorter and taller than his second prototype and released model.
* BoCo's name on both 1993 collector cards are spelt incorrectly as *Boco* missing the capital *C*.
* Despite not being made in the range, BoCo is mentioned on the Take Along collector card for James Goes Buzz Buzz and his wheel arrangement was used for Daisy's prototype due to her mistakenly wearing his front bogie in a series 3 promotional picture.

## Gallery

First prototype BoCoSecond prototype BoCo1993-2003 BoCo1993 BoCo box1993-2000 BoCo box1993-2000 BoCo collector card2000-2002 BoCo box2001 BoCo2002-2004 BoCo box2002-2004 BoCo collector card
Advertisement

Over the years, various **Advertisements** have been released for the Thomas die-cast lines. They have either advertised new products, existing products, or contests with prizes. Advertisements have been created and published by production companies as well as third-party retailers.

## ERTL

1987 advertisement1989 advertisement1990 advertisement for Shining Time Station1991 advertisement showing prototype<nowiki>s of Duck, Bill, Ben, Diesel, Harold and Trevor1992 advertisement showing Daisy, BoCo, Mavis, Tar and Milk Wagons. Note: these items were new for 1993.1993 Miniatures advertisementMagazine advertisement for Miniatures4 March 1994 advertisement from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette1994 magazine advertisement for new items1994 Gold Rail advertisement1998 advertisement
Limited Edition Duncan

**Limited Edition Duncan** is a metallic variant of Duncan.

## Product Description

### **1998 ERTL collector card**

*Means well but will Rock 'N' Roll whenever the mood takes him. He tends to have a mind of his own which makes him obstinate and rude on occasions. He sees reason only after careful explanations. A great big heart but a little misguided. Duncan was brought in to assist on The Fat Controller's Narrow Gauge Railway, but feels that he is overworked.*

### **Historical Note**

*Duncan is based on a narrow gauge, industrial tank engine built in Scotland at the time of the First World War.*

## Trivia

* Since Duncan's running board is a separate piece from his body, it is not metallic.

## Gallery

Limited Edition Duncan boxLimited Edition Duncan collector card
Island of Sodor Playmat

This article is about the **Island of Sodor Playmat**. You may be looking for the **Deluxe Felt Playmat**.

## Island of Sodor Playmat

### Item Number:

LC76601

The **Island of Sodor Playmat** is an accessory. It is a 24" x 24" vinyl playmat with a trainyard scene on one side and a countryside scene on the other.

## Product description

*This Sodor playmat is designed to look just like the Island of Sodor, kids can conjure up loads of adventures when they add their own Thomas and Friends vehicles and playsets.*

## Timeline

* 2003 (trainyard scene on one side and a countryside scene on the other)
* 2005 (countryside scene removed)

## Availability

* Island of Sodor Playmat and Engines Set

## Trivia

* On the trainyard scene, illustrations of Tidmouth Sheds, Tidmouth Station, and the Engine Works can be seen. There are also signs for Brendam Docks, Center Island Quarry, Wellworth, and Misty Valley.
Gold Rail Series

## Range Guide:

The **Gold Rail Series** is a *Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends* toy range that was released by ERTL in the United States in 1992. It consisted of **Thomas Engine Collection Series** products by Bandai with a few small differences, most noticeably the lack of coupling rods on the engines and slightly different faces.
Branch Line Playtrack

The **Branch Line Playtrack** (also known as the **Branch Line Playset**) is a playset depicting Thomas's branch line.

## Contents

* Two Straight Track pieces
* Eight Curved Track pieces
* Left Hand Switch Track piece
* Siding Track
* Level Crossing
* Two Traffic Lights
* Four Signals

## Trivia

* The prototype features grey crossing gates.

## Gallery

Prototype Branch Line Playtrack1996-2000 Branch Line Playtrack box2000-2002 Branch Line Playset box
RC2 Corporation

RC2 logo

The **RC2 Corporation** is an American toy company and the owner of ERTL and Learning Curve.

## History

Racing Champions was founded in 1989 and pursued a vigorous acquisition strategy in the subsequent fifteen years, going public with stock issues in 1997. The company's name was changed to *Racing Champions/Ertl* in 1999 when it bought AMT/ERTL, in the process splitting the company back into its original components.

This rapid expansion resulted in a cumbersome collection of companies with subsidiaries creating unrelated product lines so a reorganization of Racing Champions/ERTL was initiated in 2003 following the acquisition of Learning Curve.

Renamed *RC2 Corporation* in 2004, the company opted to refocus onto its original product lines of die-cast toys and models, and, after it bought "Learning Curve International, Inc." (2003) and "The First Years Inc." (2004), on toys and learning material for the very young. ERTL was dropped from the company name and was relegated for exclusive use as a subsidiary brand. Product lines that did not fit the new company profile were liquidated or sold, which included model kits as carried by AMT and Polar Lights.

A vigorous acquirer of companies, RC2 was acquired by Tomy in 2011.
Smudger

**Smudger** was a rough, arrogant narrow gauge tank engine who worked on the Mid-Sodor Railway with Duke.

## Trivia

* Because they are the same class, Smudger uses the same tooling as Rheneas.
* Despite being numbered in the television series, Smudger's number is not shown on his model.
* Smudger's face actually changed a bit from his prototype. It had a simple smile with the final one sported a smirk.
* Smudger's ERTL Collection portrait depicts him with a black valve gear and no boiler bands.
Salty and Ocean Cars

## Salty and the Ocean Cars

**Salty and Ocean Cars** is a pack. It includes Salty and two Sodor Aquarium tankers - one with a hammerhead shark and one with electric eels.

## Product Description

### **US Take Along collector card**

*Name: Salty & Ocean Cars*

*Color: Brown*

*Bio: Salty is a hard worker who works at the docks. Today he has picked up some very special cargo cars filled with creatures from the ocean to take to the aquarium.*

## Trivia

* Some pamphlets list this pack as *Salty & the Ocean Cars*.
Limited Edition Sir Handel

**Limited Edition Sir Handel** is a metallic variant of Sir Handel.

## Product Description

### **1999 ERTL collector card**

*Brought up under instruction from Duke, the oldest of engines. Generally is of the opinion that he knows it all and should be boss. Given to the occasional tantrum and can be rather bad tempered, but gets on with the job none the less.*

### **Historical Note**

*Sir Handel is based on a narrow gauge, industrial tank engine, built in England in the 1870s.*

## Gallery

Limited Edition Sir Handel boxLimited Edition Sir Handel collector card
Sir Topham Hatt

**Sir Topham Hatt** (also known as **the Fat Controller**) is the controller of the North Western Railway. He is only available in his car, sets and packs.

## Product Description

### **Shining Time Station collector card**

*After he was awarded a knighthood for his services to the railway industry he became Sir Topham Hatt.*

## Changes

* 1990 (Britt Allcroft licensing)
* 2001 (Gullane licensing)

## Variants

* The Fat Controller Wind-Up Walking Figure
* Santa Claus from Thomas and the Christmas Tree Gift Set

## Availability

* Fat Controller and Porter
* Thomas, the Fat Controller and Porter
* Sir Topham and Lady Hatt
* Gift Set 1
* Sir Topham Hatt in Sir Topham Hatt's Car

## Trivia

* Sir Topham Hatt is the only human figure released in more than one figure pack.
Sodor Viaduct Bridge Playset

### Components:

32 pieces

The **Sodor Viaduct Bridge Playset** is a UK exclusive set.

## Includes

* Thomas
* Old Coach
* Sir Topham Hatt's Car
* Level Crossing
* Four Straight Track pieces
* Three Curved Track pieces
* Ten Single Curved Switch Track pieces
* Two Ascending Track pieces
* Sodor Viaduct
* Siding Track
* Four Signals
* Two Traffic Lights
Pullback Motorised Thomas

**Pullback Motorised Thomas** (also known as **Pullback and Go Thomas**) is a motorised version of Thomas.

## Trivia

* The overall design and face of Pullback Motorised Thomas are different of that on the standard and musical releases.

## Gallery

Pullback Motorised Thomas boxPullback and Go Thomas in Shining Time Station box
Murdoch

* 2010
* 2005
* 2004

**Murdoch** is a mighty but gentle locomotive who loves a bit of peace and quiet.

## Product Description

### **2004 ERTL collector card**

*Murdoch is a mighty engine with 10 drive wheels. He was brought to the island to help with the heavy workload and pull freight on the mainline. As shy as he is strong, Murdoch can often be found seeking peace and quiet.*

### **2005 US Take Along collector card**

*Name: Murdoch*

*Color: Orange*

*Bio: Murdoch is a mighty engine with 10 drive wheels. He was brought to the Island to help pull freight on the mainline. He is as shy as he is strong.*

### **2005 UK Take Along collector card**

*Murdoch is a mighty engine with 10 drive wheels. He was brought to the island to help with the heavy workload and pull freight on the mainline. As shy as he is strong, Murdoch can often be found seeking peace and quiet.*

## Timeline

* 2004 (pin and U-hook couplings, metal smokebox, painted windows, siderods, black tender wheels, axle boxes on tender, conjoint tender; only available in the UK)
* 2005 (two-way magnets, orange tender wheels, side rods and axle boxes removed, separated tender, name embossed on chassis)
* 2006 (name printed on chassis)
* 2008 (plastic smokebox)
* 2010 (updated details, black tender wheels)

## Trivia

* Murdoch was the only 2004 model that ERTL did not put up for auction with the prototype model as they deemed his prototype to be too badly damaged to be sold.
* Murdoch's front buffer beam on his Take Along, Diecast Metal and Take-n-Play models is lower than most vehicles.
* Murdoch's Take Along prototype has the uncovered part of his chassis painted orange.
* Murdoch's Take Along and Diecast Metal model's tender wheels were orange instead of black.

## Gallery

ERTL MurdochERTL Murdoch boxERTL Murdoch collector cardPrototype Take Along MurdochTake Along/Diecast Metal Murdoch2006-2007 UK Take Along Murdoch box2007-2008 UK Take Along Murdoch boxPrototype Take-n-Play MurdochTake-n-Play Murdoch
Sodor Fuel Wagon

This article is about **Sodor Fuel Wagon**. You may be looking for **Sodor Oil Trucks** or **Tar and Fuel Car**.

## Details:

### Item Number:

LC76130

The **Sodor Fuel Wagon** (also known as the **Fuel Car** internationally) is a tanker used to transport fuel. It was released in a two-pack with the Tar Tanker and individually in Europe.

## Product Description

### **UK Take Along collector card**

*The Sodor Fuel Wagon is often seen on the Sodor Railways. It assists the engines in transporting fuel.*

## Timeline

* 2004 (embossed name)
* 2006 (printed name)

## Availability

* Tar and Fuel Car
* Travel Tote (Target Australia exclusive)

## Trivia

* Much like the Tidmouth Milk Tanker, the Sodor Fuel Wagon's prototype has grey wheels, whereas the released version has the correct black wheels.

## See also

* Sodor Oil Trucks - ERTL release of two fuel tankers.

## Gallery

Prototype Sodor Fuel Wagon2005 Sodor Fuel Wagon boxSodor Fuel Wagon collector card
The Truck

**The Truck** is a maintenance truck that works on the Culdee Fell Railway, usually pushed by Lord Harry/Patrick. He was planned to be released by ERTL in 2005, but was cancelled due to the discontinuation of the range and shift to Take Along.

## Trivia

* The Truck's prototype has a similar face to BoCo.
* The Truck's cargo load is removable.
* The Truck's existence was unknown until the 2nd of November 2022 when he was sold on the auction website, Gildings Auctioneers along with many other prototypes, including Bertie, Mike, Agnes and Jemima.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.gildings.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-1162---four-ertl-thomas-the-tank-engine-pre-production-sample-models/?lot=81286&so=0&st=&sto=0&au=203&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=1&pp=48&pn=13&g=1#
2. ↑ https://www.gildings.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-1164---thirteen-ertl-thomas-the-tank-engine-pre-production-prototype-coaches-trucks-and-people/?lot=81289&so=0&st=&sto=0&au=203&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=1&pp=48&pn=13&g=1
2014

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## 2014

### Pamphlet

US/UK

Important!*This page is under construction; please be patient as we add to it. Or help finish it (Rules/Help), thanks.*
**2014** was the fifth year of the Take-n-Play range and the first year of the Collectible Railway range. Some Take-n-Play vehicles were released with larger round one-way magnets, shorter heights, and shorter tenders. This carried over across the whole line in the following year.
Toby, Henry and Henrietta

**Toby, Henry and Henrietta** (also known as **Toby, Henrietta and Henry**) is a 3 pack which includes Toby, Henrietta and Henry.

## Product Description

*Henry's favourite place on the Island of Sodor is the forest and he is very sad when a storm damages the trees. Toby the Tram Engine is old fashioned and always happy to work. He is sometimes temperamental and may cause grief on occasion to his faithful coach Henrietta.*

## Trivia

* The first half of the description on the back of the box could possibly be referencing the episode *Henry's Forest*.

## Gallery

Toby, Henrietta and Henry Shining Time Station boxToby, Henrietta and Henry 1997 boxToby, Henrietta and Henry back of box