THE OPINIONS AND RAMBLINGS IN THIS BLOG POST ARE SOLELY MINE AND DON'T REFLECT THOSE OF ANYBODY ELSE
The book I'm reviewing is...
40. New Little Engine.
Written by: Christopher Awdry.
Illustrated by: Clive Spong.
Illustrated by: Clive Spong.
Released: 8 August 1996.
In 1991, the Talyllyn Railway built their own number 7 engine, so in 1996, the Skarloey Railway decided to build their own. How does that stack up? Let's dive right in!
Foreword:
Dear Friends,
Peter Sam has been working on the Talyllyn Railway in Wales. The Thin Controller's Railway became so busy that he had to bring Peter Sam home to help. Sir Handel was jealous, but Peter Sam told us about the time he was ill while he was in Wales. It seemed too good a story to waste, so I decided to share it with you. I hope Peter Sam isn't too upset...
The Author.
Peter Sam has been working on the Talyllyn Railway in Wales. The Thin Controller's Railway became so busy that he had to bring Peter Sam home to help. Sir Handel was jealous, but Peter Sam told us about the time he was ill while he was in Wales. It seemed too good a story to waste, so I decided to share it with you. I hope Peter Sam isn't too upset...
The Author.
Speedkiller
Rusty is given the tedious job of spraying weedkiller on the rails. Meanwhile, Rheneas has to fetch another coach after a huge influx of visitors, making him late. He has to slow down at a steep hill for some hedgecutters too, spoiling his chances of a good run at it. Because of the weedkiller, Rheneas eventually grinds to a halt and slips down the hill. His crew put sand on the rails and Rheneas makes his way up. Though the passengers have little time to enjoy the scenery at the lake, they are pleased with Rheneas' brave efforts.
This story is obviously Gallant Old Engine all over again, except that story told us how Rheneas had to battle bad weather to get his passengers home. Was Christopher Awdry taking ideas from his dad? What I really don't like about this story is that it could have been used to give Fred a chance to shine, but no. They didn't!
My rating: 4/10.
Sir Handel's Plan
Sir Handel is jealous when Peter Sam is brought back from Wales especially to help with the engine shortage, and when he is convinced he sees Peter Sam grinning at him from the shed he is furious and deliberately knocks his firebars loose, resulting in his being sent to the shed. However, as the days pass and no one comes, Sir Handel worries he will stay there forever. When the Thin Controller finally comes in one day, Sir Handel confesses and the Thin Controller, thinking quickly, thanks Sir Handel for admitting his mistake and arranges for him to receive some new firebars, which, he neglects to tell him, had only been delivered that morning.
Oh, Sir Handel! You really don't know when to settle down, do you?
Question: Why would Sir Handel be jealous of Peter Sam going to Wales? I mean Sir Handel went to Wales before!
Anyway, this story is a decent step up from the first story, and you can't help but feel sorry for Sir Handel when he's left alone.
My rating: 7/10.
Dirty Water
Peter Sam tells Kathy and Lizzie, two young holidaymakers, a story about the water on the Talyllyn Railway. He remembered that something was put to the water to enhance its flavour, but one day he found it awful. His crew were unconcerned, but when he started from a station, a spray of filthy white sludge was blasted out of his funnel. Talyllyn took his train, but unfortunately for him, he had to stay on a siding for the visitors. It was later discovered too much of the special powder was put in the water, and he later got a good washout. Kathy and Lizzie find the story hilarious, and leave the shed in a fit of giggles.
Poor Peter Sam. He can't catch a break, can he? When he tells his story about his trip to Wales to Kathy and Lizzie, they burst into laughter. Anyway, this is a nice step up from the first 2 stories.
My rating: 9.5/10.
I Name This Engine
All the gossip on the Skarloey Railway is about the identity of the new engine, but even the details of the naming ceremony are being kept under covers. At last, the day comes and Skarloey is chosen to pull a special train to collect the guests and pull them back to Crovan's Gate. However, on the way back a sow and her piglets stray onto the line, and the guests have to capture them and put them in their field. The train is late, but at last they arrive at the ceremony, and when Mr. Hugh does the naming he is amazed and honoured to discover the engine has been named in his honour: Ivo Hugh.
Wow, after all that build-up, we get a huge letdown! Just introduce a new engine, and he doesn't say anything or do anything, and they say Lady and Bertram didn't do anything! They could have given Ivo Hugh a line or two, or at least give us a little info about his personality, but instead, we got........nothing. And before anyone says "it takes time to build an engine!", Jock was fully built and speaking in the third story of Jock the New Engine! Also, I've looked at the illustrations of the naming party, and it says "All the engines except Skarloey were there." Where's Duke's tender? Also, where are Rusty and Fred?
My rating: 2/10.
Final thoughts:
Bottom Line: This is the weakest book of the Railway Series! Yes, I think it's weaker than James' books, Wilbert's book and Jock's book! They could have used this book to show us what Fred and Ivo Hugh's characters are like! But no! Fred got no illustrated appearance, and Ivo Hugh, the star of the book, got no speaking role! It's such a shame that, after Reverend Awdry passed away, we got no more RWS books until 2007 and 2011, leaving Fred and Ivo Hugh blank states.
Overall book rating: 5.7/10.
Railway Series scorecard:
40. I Name This Engine: 5.7/10.
Book series rating so far: 5.7/10.
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