8. Gordon the Big Engine.
Written by: Reverend Awdry.
Illustrated by: Clarence Reginald Dalby.
Published: 1953.
In 1953, there was an 8th Railway Series book published. How does it stack up by being Gordon's book? Well, read and find out.
Foreword:
Dear Ian,
You asked for a book about Gordon. Here it is. Gordon has been naughty, and Sir Topham Hatt was stern with him.
You asked for a book about Gordon. Here it is. Gordon has been naughty, and Sir Topham Hatt was stern with him.
Gordon has now learned his lesson and is a Really Useful Engine again.
The Author.
The Author.
24. Off the Rails/Gordon Takes a Dip.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.
Aired: UK: 18 December 1984. AUS: 7 May 1987. US: 21 May 1989.
Gordon is huffy after being told to take a goods train and his fire is slow, so Edward comes to take him to the turntable. Gordon decides to "jam" the table, but only breaks through a fence and runs into a ditch. Edward takes the special instead and Henry and James pull him out.
I've got to say, this adaptation was fantastically filmed. Sure shows what the producers were capable of back in the 1980s. This story and adaptation are a great way of teaching kids that there are things in life that you have to do, even if you don't want to. Because if you don't, things can turn out all wrong like Gordon here, not wanting to pull trucks and tries to jam the turntable, but ends up in a ditch.
RWS/TV rating: 9.5/10.
62. Leaves/The Trouble With Mud.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: US: 26 November 1991. UK: 21 April 1992. AUS: 26 February 1993.
After a long tedious wash-down, Gordon is banned from pulling coaches and told to shunt trucks until he behaves, and he begins to order the trucks about. Later, he tries to warn James that his hill is slippery from leaves, James simply laughs, but soon regrets it when the coaches drag him down the hill. Gordon takes pity and helps James up again.
Nothing to say here, except that this story should have been kept for Season 1. Because of this, Gordon the Big Engine was covered in mud for no reason and he was forbidden from pulling coaches and just because he was dirty? Engines get dirty all the time. However, I will admit, the mud looked good on Gordon, but all the stuff that put it off for me were that Gordon was covered in mud for no reason and it was adapted in the wrong place.
RWS rating: 8.5/10.
TV rating: 6/10.
25. Down the Mine.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.
Aired: UK: 25 December 1984. AUS: 8 May 1987. US: 21 May 1989.
Thomas teases Gordon for falling into a ditch, and carries on even after Annie and Clarabel rebuke him. Thomas then goes to the lead mine to get some trucks. Thomas concocts a plan to go past a "danger" board, and falls in. Gordon, who laughs when he finds out, comes to the rescue, and, on the way home, the two form an alliance.
Interesting enough. This must be one of the most referenced Railway Series stories in the franchise. It was referenced later in Cab Over Wheels, Percy Takes the Plunge and even Blue Mountain Mystery. It's amazing how this story is based on a real event like just about every Railway Series story. Nothing to say here except for how this story did stick with the original. Imagine where the TV series would be now if they went ahead with this episode as the series premiere.
RWS/TV rating: 9.5/10.
101. Paint Pots and Queens/Thomas Meets the Queen.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 15 November 1995. US: 20 November 1995. AUS: 22 May 1996.
Queen Elizabeth II is coming to Sodor and Henry brags that he will be chosen to take the Royal Train, but these plans are soon put to rest when Henry disturbs a painter and a paintpot falls onto him. Thomas and Gordon apologise to the Fat Controller for being silly, and he allows Gordon to pull the Royal Train. On the big day, Thomas gets the coaches ready, and Edward clears the line in front. The Queen meets all the engines, and talks personally to Thomas, Edward and Gordon, but Gordon feels proudest of all.
Some fans say that Season 1 should have ended with Mrs. Kyndley's Christmas. I disagree. I do think this should have been the Season 1 finale, and Thomas' Christmas Party should have been a 10 minute special in 1984. It's too bad that this story wasn't adapted in the 1980s. All in all, it was a nice way to introduce a real person to the franchise. I have a new rule for my Thomas reviews. If an adaptation is in the wrong place, it's a one point subtraction. Sometimes more, sometimes less, sometimes none at all.
RWS rating: 10/10.
TV rating: 9/10.
Final thoughts:
This is indeed a great book. It sure was nice of Wilbert to dedicate a book to Gordon after 8 years since his introduction. This is definitely another of the best books of the Railway Series.
My rating: 9.2/10.
RWS scorecard:
8. Gordon the Big Engine: 9.2/10.
13. Duck and the Diesel Engine: 9.2/10.
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: 9.1/10.
Season 1 scorecard:
24. Off the Rails: 9.5/10.
25. Down the Mine: 9.5/10.
Season 1 rating so far: 9.5/10.
Season 3 scorecard:
4. Gordon and the Famous Visitor: 9.5/10.
6. Thomas Gets Bumped: 10/10.
8. Diesel Does it Again: 7/10.
9. Henry's Forest: 9.5/10.
10. The Trouble with Mud: 6/10.
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.
Season 4 scorecard:
1. Granpuff: 8/10.
2. Sleeping Beauty: 6/10.
3. Bulldog: 8.5/10.
4. You Can't Win: 9/10.
23. Paint Pots and Queens: 9/10.
Season 4 rating so far: 8.1/10.
Ye bruv jordan was a really REALLY Useful engine and you should keep hi . and not send him to scrap yard
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