Utility Vans

There are at least three types of Utility Vans seen in the Railway Series and the television series.

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

SE&CR Diagram 960 PMV (4 wheels)
These vans are rolling stock used for transporting goods and merchandise throughout various railways. They have four wheels.

These vans were slowly phased out by the fifth series and replaced with bogie variants, as they ran easier on tighter turns.

Thomas & Friends
A utility van was used for carrying passenger's luggage, which was a part of Henry's express train. .

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. Various accidents include derailing into a stationary goods train and being completely submerged underwater after travelling on a line eroded by high tides.

Henry once used these vans to transport letters and parcels from the Mainland to Percy's Post Train.

Personality
Sentient vans fall into the category of Troublesome Trucks.

Basis
The utility vans are based on the South Eastern & Chatham Railway Diagram 960 Parcels and Miscellaneous Vans (PMV), introduced in 1919.

This type of van was designated the standard for the Southern Railway and remained in production, updated as the Diagram 3103, until 1951, remaining in regular service until 1986, with a few surviving on departmental duties into the 1990s. These vans were used primarily for the transportation of letters and parcels.

Livery
These vans were originally painted dark brown with light brown vents. They were repainted in a faded black in the third series.

Appearances
Television Series= {{Scroll box|

Thomas & Friends
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 * Series 1 - Thomas and Gordon, Thomas and the Trucks, James and the Coaches, Troublesome Trucks, James and the Express and Percy Runs Away
 * Series 2 - Pop Goes the Diesel, Dirty Work, Daisy and Percy's Predicament
 * Series 3 - A Scarf for Percy, Time for Trouble, Donald's Duck, Thomas Gets Bumped, No Joke for James, Thomas, Percy and the Post Train, One Good Turn, Oliver Owns Up, Percy, James and the Fruitful Day and Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure
 * Series 4 - Rock 'n' Roll, Steam Roller, Rusty to the Rescue, Toad Stands By and Fish
 * Series 5 - Cranky Bugs, Bye George!, Something in the Air and Busy Going Backwards
 * Series 6 - Twin Trouble, The World's Strongest Engine, Middle Engine and Gordon Takes a Tumble

Trivia

 * The model for this type of van was constructed out of a Tenmille kit. The light brown model used for the bogie variants was sometimes used for the 4-wheel variants.
 * Though they are usually faceless, a utility van with a Troublesome Truck face was once briefly seen in the third series episode Oliver Owns Up, although the face was crooked.

Merchandise

 * TrackMaster
 * Wooden Railway

SE&CR Diagram 960 PMV (bogie wheels)
These vans are rolling stock used for transporting goods and merchandise throughout various railways. They are quite common.

These vans replaced the four wheel variants, as their bogies allowed them to run easier on tighter turns.

The Mail Train and the Flying Kipper primarily consist of these type of vans.

Thomas & Friends
One of these vans was part of Thomas' long goods train. The trucks grew cross with Thomas and pushed him down Gordon's Hill.

Henry once used one of these vans to transport letters and parcels from the Mainland to Percy's Post Train. .

One of these vans helped form part of the Circus Train. James was given the honour of pulling the train, much to the dismay of Gordon and Henry.

Percy used one of these vans to carry Flynn's special hose. Den and Dart offered to deliver the van but dumped the hose in the garage instead as ordered by Diesel 10.

Personality
Though faceless one of these vans once pushed Thomas down Gordon's hill, thus making them troublesome trucks.

Basis
The utility vans are based on the South Eastern & Chatham Railway Diagram 960 Parcels and Miscellaneous Vans (PMV) with added bogies. The mail vans share the same basis.

Livery
These vans are painted maroon, cream, dark grey and blue.

Appearances
Television Series= {{Scroll box|

Thomas & Friends

 * Series 1 - Thomas and Gordon, Edward and Gordon, Thomas' Train, Thomas and the Trucks, James and the Coaches, Troublesome Trucks, James and the Express, Thomas, Terence and the Snow , Tenders and Turntables , Trouble in the Shed, Percy Runs Away, The Flying Kipper, Whistles and Sneezes, and Thomas in Trouble
 * Series 2 - Percy and Harold, Pop Goes the Diesel, Dirty Work, The Deputation, Daisy, Percy's Predicament and Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree
 * Series 3 - A Scarf for Percy, Time for Trouble, Gordon and the Famous Visitor, Donald's Duck, Thomas Gets Bumped, Thomas, Percy and the Dragon, Henry's Forest, The Trouble with Mud, No Joke for James, Thomas, Percy and the Post Train, One Good Turn, Oliver Owns Up, Percy, James and the Fruitful Day and Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure
 * Series 4 - Rock 'n' Roll, Steam Roller, Rusty to the Rescue, Bowled Out, Henry and the Elephant, Toad Stands By and Fish
 * Series 5 - Cranky Bugs, Bye George!, Something in the Air and Busy Going Backwards
 * Series 6 - Elizabeth the Vintage Lorry, Twin Trouble, The World's Strongest Engine, Middle Engine and Gordon Takes a Tumble
 * Series 14 - Pop Goes Thomas, Thomas in Charge, Thomas and the Snowman Party, Thomas' Crazy Day and Thomas and Scruff
 * Series 15 - Gordon and Ferdinand, Percy's New Friends, Edward the Hero, Happy Hiro, Up, Up and Away!, Henry's Happy Coal, Surprise, Surprise, Stop that Bus!, Stuck on You, Kevin the Steamie, Tree Trouble and Fiery Flynn
 * Series 16 - Race to the Rescue, Ol' Wheezy Wobbles, Express Coming Through, Ho Ho Snowman, Thomas and the Rubbish Train, Thomas Toots the Crows, Bust My Buffers!, Percy and the Calliope, Thomas and the Sounds of Sodor, Sodor Surprise Day, Emily's Winter Party Special, Whiff's Wish, Happy Birthday Sir! and The Christmas Tree Express
 * Series 17 - Scruff's Makeover, Calm Down Caitlin, Not Now, Charlie!, Bill or Ben?, Away From the Sea and The Smelly Kipper
 * Series 18 - Duck in the Water, Missing Gator and Toad's Bright Idea
 * Series 19 - Salty All at Sea and Slow Stephen

Specials
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 * 2000 - Thomas and the Magic Railroad
 * 2011 - Day of the Diesels
 * 2012 - Blue Mountain Mystery
 * 2014 - Tale of the Brave
 * 2015 - Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure

Trivia

 * In the CGI series, the amount of vents on the front and back of utility vans were reduced.
 * From the third to fifth series, the mail vans were made out of Tenmille gauge 1 Utility van kits. From Thomas and the Magic Railroad to Series 12, they were scratch built. This explains why their appearance was altered from the original utility vans they were based on.

Merchandise

 * TrackMaster
 * Hornby
 * Bachmann
 * Capsule Plarail
 * Wooden Railway