Salt Vans

There are at least two known types of Salt Vans seen in the television series.

They are also known as Salt Wagons, or more simply vans or trucks in the UK narration or cars in the US narration.

Salt Vans
These type of Salt Vans are rolling stock used for transporting fish and are often used in fish trains throughout various railways.

The Railway Series
When Diesel came on trial to the North Western Railway, he attempted to shunt some old, rusty and empty vans. Diesel found it difficult to move the vans and was very forceful with them, as they had stiff joints and some of their brakes were on. He got so frustrated with the trucks that he accidentally overturned some when their brakes finally snapped. Diesel could not move the remaining trucks and was forced to give up, as a result, he was made into a laughing stock by the other trucks.

Thomas & Friends
When Diesel failed to pull a line of old trucks, some of these vans were seen singing a rude parody of "Pop Goes the Weasel" called Pop Goes the Diesel, much to Diesel's fury and annoyance.

When Oliver fell into the turntable well, they were one of several trucks who teased him when returned from the works. They stopped their teasing towards him, when he pulled S.C. Ruffey, their leader, apart.

Most of these vans have often been used for the Flying Kipper and have been involved in many accidents and adventures of Henry, Duck or Thomas whilst being a part of the train.

According to Salty, these were one of the vans that knew his secret.

These vans later encouraged Diesel  to pull a line of 20 trucks, with their brakes on unbeknownst to Diesel. He pulled so hard that he broke loose a coupling and fell off the quay and onto a barge.

On one occasion, Thomas had to collect these vans loaded with fish. The trip initially started off smoothly, but a set of malfunctioning points left the trucks the right direction, and Thomas diverted onto an old pier line. He derailed into a tidal pool, much to the vans' delight. Due to the heat, the ice which kept the fish fresh began to melt and Thomas was worried that the fish would go off. Arthur was sent to assist Thomas, and hurried to Brendam Docks, delivering the fish just in time. .

These vans are also a frequent sight on the Norramby Branch Line. They have often been used for the Flying Kipper with other types of vans and have been involved in many accidents while part of the train.

Personality
These trucks on fit into the category of Troublesome Trucks.

Types of sentient vans in the Railway Series:

Basis
The salt vans are based on the 10 Ton Salt Wagons.

Livery
Salt vans have been painted white, brown, cream and grey. Two special "Topham Circus" van also appeared in the fourth series, one with a white front and one with a brown front.

In the Railway Series, their faces were embedded to their bodies and matched their their paint schemes. In the television series, they have grey faces.

Appearances
Railway Series=

The Railway Series

 * Duck and the Diesel Engine - Pop Goes the Diesel

Companion Volumes
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 * 1980 - Annual
 * -|Television Series=

Thomas & Friends

 * Series 2 - Cows, Saved from Scrap, Thomas and Trevor, Percy and the Signal, Duck Takes Charge, Percy and Harold, The Runaway, Pop Goes the Diesel, Dirty Work, A Close Shave, Break Van, The Deputation, Daisy, Percy's Predicament, The Diseasel, Wrong Road and Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree
 * Series 3 - A Scarf for Percy, Gordon and the Famous Visitor, Donald's Duck, Thomas, Percy and the Dragon, Diesel Does it Again, Henry's Forest, The Trouble with Mud, No Joke for James, Thomas, Percy and the Post Train, Trust Thomas, Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party, Buzz, Buzz, All at Sea, One Good Turn, Escape, Oliver Owns Up, Heroes, Percy, James and the Fruitful Day and Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure
 * Series 4 - Trucks, Train Stops Play, Bowled Out, Henry and the Elephant, Toad Stands By, Bulls Eyes, Special Attraction and Mind that Bike
 * Series 5 - Cranky Bugs, Horrid Lorry, Lady Hatt's Birthday Party, James and the Trouble with Trees, Bye George!, Double Teething Troubles, Something in the Air, Thomas, Percy and Old Slow Coach, Thomas and the Rumours, Oliver's Find, A Surprise for Percy, Make Someone Happy and Busy Going Backwards
 * Series 6 - Salty's Secret, Harvey to the Rescue, The Fogman, Twin Trouble, The World's Strongest Engine, Gordon Takes a Tumble, Percy's Chocolate Crunch and Toby Had a Little Lamb
 * Series 7 - Emily's New Coaches, Percy Gets it Right, Edward's Brass Band, What's the Matter with Henry?, James and the Queen of Sodor, The Spotless Record, Bad Day at Castle Loch, Something Fishy, Harold and the Flying Horse, Best Dressed Engine and Gordon and Spencer
 * Series 8 - Thomas and the Tuba, Percy's Big Mistake, Don't Tell Thomas and Halloween
 * Series 9 - Toby Feels Left Out, Saving Edward and Flour Power
 * Series 10 - Toby's Afternoon Off, Seeing the Sights and Thomas' Frosty Friend
 * Series 11 - Hide and Peep and Thomas in Trouble
 * Series 12 - Henry Gets it Wrong, James Works it Out, Tram Trouble, Thomas Puts the Brakes On and Best Friends

Specials
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 * 2000 - Thomas and the Magic Railroad
 * 2005 - Calling All Engines!

Trivia

 * Twitter user ThomasTankMerch currently owns a model of one of these salt vans. Another is owned by Twitter user TomsProps. They were used during the second series.
 * Their Tomy Motor Road and Rail toys are repainted from JNR 7000 series boxcars.
 * They were one of only two type of wagons that never had scratch built resin copies made.

Merchandise

 * Wooden Railway
 * Hornby
 * Bachmann
 * TrackMaster
 * Motor Road and Rail
 * Motorized

Salt Vans (CGI series)
These Salt Vans are rolling stock used for transporting goods and merchandise throughout various railways.

Since their introduction, they serve as as Sodor's secondary type of van.

Thomas & Friends
Thomas took some of these trucks to the Mainland in place of Henry who had derailed with them prior. The trucks mocked and teased Thomas for not knowing his way around the Mainland. They later aided James who went searching for Thomas.

During his visit to Mauritania, Thomas met some of the Mauritanian counterpart of these type of trucks. Unlike the Troublesome Trucks on Sodor, these proved to be very helpful.

Some of these vans were part of a train Rebecca had to take to Vicarstown, they tried to cause trouble for her by holding back, bumping her and singing. However, Rebecca enjoyed the experience and cheerfully joined in on the trucks' antics, leaving them surprised and confused.

Personality
The trucks on Sodor are described as being Troublesome Trucks. The African trucks are depicted as quite the opposite; somewhat silly, polite, helpful and enjoy singing peaceful and uplifting songs.

Types of sentient vans in the television series:

Basis
These vans are modified versions of the single vent vans, known as LNER 12 ton covered vans. However, they are loosely based on the previous 10 ton Salt wagon counterparts.

Livery
The vans on Sodor are painted cream, similarly to the standard vent van, the ones in Africa are painted green.

Appearances
Television Series= {{Scroll box|

Thomas & Friends

 * Series 23 - Chucklesome Trucks

Specials

 * 2017 - Journey Beyond Sodor
 * 2018 - Big World! Big Adventures!

Music Videos

 * Journey Beyond Sodor - Somebody Has to be the Favourite, Who's Thomas? and The Hottest Place in Town
 * Series 22 - The Journey Never Ends

Videos
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 * 2019 - Meet Rebecca and Meet Nia

Merchandise

 * Motor Road and Rail