Ada, Jane and Mabel/Behind the Scenes

The Railway Series
Ada, Jane and Mabel are fictional narrow gauge open-topped coaches created by the Rev. W. Awdry. They belong to the Skarloey Railway.

They first appeared in The Railway Series book, The Little Old Engine, which was published in 1959. Their last appearance was in Very Old Engines and The Railway Series: Surprise Packet.

A fourth open carriage was seen in the Surprise Packet. This may have been an illustration error, as a fourth coach is not mentioned in any other material.

Illustrations of Ada, Jane and Mabel:

Television Series
Ada, Jane and Mabel were not introduced in Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. Their roles in the television adaption of Home at Last were omitted. However, a number of 4-wheeled coaches with open sides appeared in the fourth series that resemble Ada, Jane and Mabel, but with added roofs. These coaches were painted green and cream.