RWS No. 18. Stepney the Bluebell Engine.

After that review on Rusty to the Rescue, I feel it's time to review the actual Stepney book.

18. Stepney the Bluebell Engine.

Written by: Reverend Awdry.

Illustrated by: Peter and Gunvor Edwards.

Published: 1963.

Time to review the first book to be illustrated by Peter and Gunvor Edwards ever since John T Kenney suffered eye problems. How did this book fair? Let's go in.

Foreword:

Dear Friends,
Percy is a kind-hearted little engine. He feels sad because many fine steam engines are cut up on the Other Railway (B.R.).

Percy's ideas, however, though natural for an engine, are a little muddled. British Railways Officials are not cruel. They are sad to lose faithful steam friends, and glad to help engines to go to places like the Bluebell Railway at Sheffield Park in Sussex, where they can be cared for, and useful, and safe.
The Author

Bluebells of England.

Percy is singing about bluebells when Douglas comes up and tells him that his song is daft. Percy is cross, and tells him about the "Bluebells of England". He then goes on to inform Douglas that Stepney is coming to Sodor, when Stepney suddenly arrives and the two welcome him with a chorus of whistles.

I'm going out on a limb to say that this story should have been adapted instead of Rusty to the Rescue being made. This story shows us Stepney's true origins and that the Bluebell Railway saved him, not Rusty. It's such a shame because all the potential in this story was wasted, and all because of one episode.

My rating: 9/10.

94. Stepney's Special/Thomas and Stepney.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: US: 7 January 1995. UK: 6 November 1995. AUS: 13 May 1996.

After talking to Edward about the Bluebell Railway, Stepney goes to Tidmouth to help Duck. Thomas has just left with his last train when he is stopped so Stepney, with a V.I.P. in tow, can pass. Thomas is furious, but when Stepney explains the next morning that he was running a Special and flatters Thomas by complimenting his knowledge of branchline life, Thomas is happier and begins talking about his branchline.

Because Rusty to the Rescue was made, the beginning of this episode is screwed up. Instead of Stepney talking to Edward, we get Thomas the Tank Engine talking to Percy. It's also a shame that we didn't hear the use of "Signal Bells". Would have taught kids something about railways. Very weak adaptation, and it's such a shame since the original was good.

RWS rating: 9/10.

TV rating: 5.5/10.

96. Train Stops Play.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: UK: 8 November 1995. AUS: 15 May 1996. US: 7 October 1996.

Percy takes pity on Stepney when he reveals he misses trucks and offers to share his train with him. Stepney later passes the Elsbridge Cricket Field when a batsmen hits a six and the ball lands in one of his trucks. Stepney does not hear the cricketers shout, so four of them pile into an old car named Caroline and race after them. At Ffarquhar, they find the ball, and, as Caroline is exhausted, Stepney takes them all back on a flatbed and stays to watch the match. Caroline does not mind engines now. 

Here we go! An adaptation that stuck with the original with one exception. It showed Stepney the Bluebell Engine working at Tidmouth Yard instead of Ffarquhar. Hmm, I guess they didn't have enough time to build Ffarquhar when making Season 4. But all in all, this episode stuck with the original. Too bad Caroline didn't get many more roles after this.

RWS/TV rating: 9/10.

95. Bowled Out.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: UK: 7 November 1995. AUS: 14 May 1996. US: 28 October 1996.

Stepney's stay is almost over, but in his place a rude Diesel arrives and starts insulting the engines. Although the engines have no idea of what to do, the Diesel soon gets his just desserts when an Inspector's bowler hat lodges in his air intake. Duck and Stepney have to take his train, and they reach Cronk in record time. Stepney leaves next day in style, with the engines asking him to return, while the Diesel creeps away in disgrace.

Yep, the final episode/story of the Stepney saga. I must say, they did wonders building that model of a BR Class 40 for this diesel. Too bad we never got to see the full body of the diesel in the book. It's too bad they didn't make Duck and Stepney's train 15 coaches in the adaptation, but I guess you can't have it all. Also, it's a shame we didn't get to find out why The Diesel came to Sodor in the first place. Looks like Britt Allcroft took care of that. Because of this, the adaptation gets half a point higher.

RWS rating: 9/10.

TV rating: 9.5/10.

Illustrators stray:

This book is the first to be illustrated by Peter and Gunvor Edwards. They did wonders with the illustrations. They look so realistic. It's sad that Gunvor passed away in 2014.

Final thoughts:

This is definitely a great book. Implementing a real engine in the Thomas franchise. It's too bad that under Britt's power, Stepney was turned into a permanent Sodor resident. Let's hope Andrew can fix that up when Stepney returns in the TV series. Looks like Britt wasn't the one who started this one-off business, Reverend Awdry started it.

My rating: 9/10.

RWS scorecard:

8. Gordon the Big Engine: 9.2/10.

13. Duck and the Diesel Engine: 9.2/10.

18. Stepney the Bluebell Engine: 9/10.

21. Main Line Engines: 9.3/10.

23. Enterprising Engines: 9.9/10.

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: 9.2/10.

Season 4 scorecard:

1. Granpuff: 8/10.

2. Sleeping Beauty: 6/10.

3. Bulldog: 8.5/10.

4. You Can't Win: 9/10.

15. Rusty to the Rescue: 5/10.

16. Thomas and Stepney: 5.5/10.

17. Bowled Out: 9.5/10.

18. Train Stops Play: 9/10.

23. Paint Pots and Queens: 9/10.

Season 4 rating so far: 8/10.