Here, I am going to review a book that is considered by a few to be the best of the Railway Series, and one of them is considered by many to be the best episode of the TV series ever.
21. Main Line Engines.
Written by: Reverend Wilbert Awdry.
Illustrated by: Peter and Gunvor Edwards.
Published: 1966.
Here we are. The first book to star our cheeky little tank engine twins. Nope. Not Bash and Dash. Bill and Ben. And everyone's favourite diesel and mine, Boco. Let's see how this book stacks up.
Dear Friends,
Bill and Ben are a shameless pair. I meant to write about Main Line Engines, and give the twins a treat by letting them into the first story. But I couldn't keep them in order! Before I knew it they had crept into the others. They even wanted me to change the book and make it about them!
Bill and Ben are a shameless pair. I meant to write about Main Line Engines, and give the twins a treat by letting them into the first story. But I couldn't keep them in order! Before I knew it they had crept into the others. They even wanted me to change the book and make it about them!
But I have been very firm. I am still calling it Main Line Engines. That will serve Bill and Ben right for ragging poor Gordon so disgracefully.
He hasn't got over it yet!
The Author
The Author
47. The Diseasel.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.
Aired: UK: 3 December 1986. AUS: 16 May 1988. US: 23 December 1991.
Bill and Ben are tank engine twins that work at the China Clay Workings on Edward's Branch Line. One day they leave some trucks in a siding and leave for more, but return to find them all gone. Their drivers determine it was a "diseasel" that took them, and when Bill recalls a sign saying "coughs and sneezles spread diseasels", in his words, Ben blames him. Their drivers quieten them and formulate a plan. They find the diseasel on a siding, and manage to confuse him so as to make him giddy, but when Edward comes along he reprimands them and tells them to apologise to the diseasel, who calls himself BoCo. Edward sends them away, and he and BoCo joke about the twins.
If you ask me, the way Bill and Ben annoyed Boco made more sense in the TV adaptation because, how can the points change like magic just for Bill and Ben to annoy the big green diesel? And they blame the TV series for unrealistic moments like this. But all in all, both the story and adaptation are funny and these troublesome tank engines know just how to make mischief funny. And by the way, I'm downgrading the original story because of the confusing moment.
RWS rating: 9/10.
TV rating: 10/10.
69. Buzz, Buzz/James Goes Buzz Buzz.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 12 May 1992. AUS: 9 March 1993. US: 16 April 1993.
Duck and BoCo are talking about Bill and Ben. Duck tells BoCo he has nicknamed them "The Bees", when James, who just arrived, claims he would simply blow smoke at bees to shoo them away. The next day, two porters are pulling a trolley with a beehive on top when it falls off and bees swarm out. They decide to rest on James' boiler, but when one burns its feet, it stings James on the nose, and James runs away. In the end, BoCo takes the Express, and that night the others talk about a red beehive on wheels.
RWS/TV rating: 9/10.
48. Wrong Road.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.
Aired: UK: 3 December 1986. AUS: 17 May 1988. US: 23 July 1993.
Although the big engines are forbidden to go on the branchlines because of their weight, Gordon claims he is forbidden because they are "vulgar", and leaves to take his late train. He misses his "path" after a lady with a large floppy green hat confounds the fireman into thinking the guard had waved his flag, and in the end Edward's train leaves ahead of Gordon. However, this creates a huge disruption as the Wellsworth signalman isn't informed, and Gordon is left on a siding at Brendam. The next day, Bill and Ben come into the yard, and tease him by "mistaking" him for scrap and arguing about how to dipose of Gordon. Gordon thinks they're serious, and when BoCo arrives, he asks for help. BoCo sends the twins away with his trucks, and Gordon has had great respect for diesels ever since.
I've seen complaints from people that Edward has the wrong headcode in this episode. Let me explain why this isn't a problem. It would make more sense for the signalman to mistake Edward for Gordon's train. And as you can see in the illustration I chose, Edward the Blue Engine has the same headcode as he does in the adaptation. Also, this episode is great and it has such a beautiful score of music at the beginning.
RWS/TV rating: 9/10.
49. Edward's Exploit.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.
Aired: UK: 10 December 1986. AUS: 18 May 1988. US: 20 November 1991.
Edward is set to take some enthusiasts home, but finds it hard to move the train. After meeting up with Bill and Ben, Edward takes the enthusiasts away, but stops when a crank-pin breaks, battering his splashers and frame. His crew take both crank-pins off, and Edward manages to struggle home. Edward is sent to Crovan's Gate, and BoCo does his work so well that he single-handedly changes Donald and Douglas' opinion about diesels!
When an engine breaks down, his/her crew go off and phone for help. Did Edward's do the same thing? No way, Jose! This is without a doubt Edward's best starring role and it's easy to see why. Too bad we didn't get to see Donald and Douglas praise Boco at the end, but then again, this doesn't stop the adaptation from being a fascinating one and it shows what a hero Edward is.
RWS/TV rating: 10/10.
Illustration observation:
As you can see in the image below, Thomas the Tank Engine has a curved running board again. I honestly think that this was Peter and Gunvor's mistake.
Final thoughts:
This is definitely one book that showed the heroic moments of the characters, and not to mention Bill and Ben's cheeky antics of teasing Boco and Gordon. Plus, it shows what a hero Edward the Blue Engine is. Definitely one of the best books of the series.
My rating: 9.3/10.
RWS scorecard:
21. Main Line Engines: 9.3/10.
25. Duke the Lost Engine: 9.8/10.
26. Tramway Engines: 9.8/10.
30. More About Thomas the Tank Engine: 8.8/10.
40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.
RWS rating so far: 8.9/10.
Season 2 scorecard:
1. Thomas, Percy and the Coal: 6.5/10.
10. The Runaway: 9/10.
15. Better Late Than Never: 9/10.
21. The Diseasel: 10/10.
22. Wrong Road: 9/10.
23. Edward's Exploit: 10/10.
24. Ghost Train: 10/10.
25. Woolly Bear: 9.5/10.
Season 2 Rating so far: 9/10.
Season 3 scorecard:
6. Thomas Gets Bumped: 10/10.
8. Diesel Does it Again: 7/10.
9. Henry's Forest: 9.5/10.
14. Mavis: 9/10.
15. Toby's Tightrope: 9/10.
16. Edward, Trevor and the Really Useful Party: 8.5/10.
17. Buzz, Buzz: 9/10.
26. Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure: 8.5/10*
Season 3 rating so far: 8.9/10.
I have to agree with you on the adaption of Buzz, Buzz. It did have its ups and downs, but did have some explanations the original RWS story didn't.
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