Trivia / The Railway Series B15 "The Twin Engines"

• Technology Marches On: The Spiteful Brake Van waves off the threats of being left behind, claiming he’s essential. Eight years after the book was published, the regulations for goods trains to have brake vans were loosened, allowing most to operate without. By the 2020s, only trains with unusual cargos, track maintenance trains, and trains with single-cab locomotives require brake vans. Granted, the last point would have made him essential on Sodor for every train not hauled by Toby, Bear, or BoCo.