Lightweight Coaches

These are a special type of lightweight bogie coaches used for high-speed trains.

BR MK3 Coaches
The British Rail Mark 3 is the family designation for the third standardised designs of passenger railway coaches built by British Railways.

The Railway Series
Pip and Emma pull at least five of these coaches coupled between their ends. They were used to take the Prince of Wales and some other important guests to Tidmouth for the Golden Jubilee of The Railway Series.

In 2011, the Fat Controller purchased Pip, Emma and their coaches to run a faster express service to London following privatisation.

Basis
These coaches are based on British Rail (BR) Mark 3 variants used by high-speed trains. These are distinguished from locomotive-hauled stock by their lack of buffers. These coaches have proven to be very successful, as they have been used in other countries, such as Ireland (albeit changed the gauge to 5'3"), Denmark and Switzerland.

Livery
Pip and Emma's coaches are painted in the British Rail standard coach livery; Rail Blue with pearl grey window surrounds and dark grey rooftops. The High-Speed Post Train's coaches are painted blue and purple with red and yellow stripes.

Appearances
 Railway Series=

The Railway Series

 * Gordon the High-Speed Engine - Gordon Proves His Point
 * Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines - Golden Jubilee
 * Thomas and his Friends - Thomas and the Swan, Gordon's Fire Service and Centenary

Companion Volumes

 * 2005 - Sodor: Reading Between the Lines
 * -|Other Media=

Annual stories

 * 1998 - Toby and the Mail Train

Settebello's Coaches
These coaches are part of the "Settebello", a famous and luxurious Italian high-speed express train.

Biography
During his visit to Italy, Thomas met the Settebello locomotive. He had these coaches coupled to his end.

Basis
The coaches are based on the ones used or the real Setebello high-speed express train. They provided a high-speed luxury train service between Milan and Rome. They have since been withdrawn from service.

Livery
The coaches are painted cream with green window surrounds and a green skirting.

Videos

 * Really Useful Around the World - Thomas Visits Pompeii

JNR 481 Series Coaches
These coaches help make up the Japanese National Railways (JNR) 481 Series limited express electric multiple units (EMU).

Biography
During his visit to Japan, Thomas met 2 high-speed Japanese Engines. They had these coaches coupled to their ends.

Basis
These coaches are based on the passenger cars used for the early 481 series electric multiple units, built by a number of manufacturers and introduced by Japanese National Railways in 1968. While their basis is cape gauge, they appear to be standard gauge.

Livery
These coaches are painted cream with red window surrounds and chassis. Their rooftops are painted dark grey.

Videos

 * Really Useful Around the World - Thomas Travels to Japan

Trivia

 * Though the first JNR rolling stock in the franchise, Tomy's Motor Road and Rail and Capsule Plarail toy lines recycle several moulds based on JNR stock, notably the mail vans, fuel tankers and Express Coaches.