RWS No. 27. Really Useful Engines

I thought it was time to review the first book that was published by Christopher Awdry. And here I am, doing so.

(Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the images)

27. Really Useful Engines.

Written by: Christopher Awdry.

Published: 12 September 1983.

A lot had happened in the span of 11 years while the Railway Series remained dormant. The medical army sitcom M*A*S*H* dominated FOX, Jim Davis introduced us to the lazy orange cat Garfield, Elvis Presley was found dead, John Lennon was shot dead (making him the only member of The Beatles never to have guest starred on The Simpsons), Postman Pat started to deliver mail, Pac-Man, my main former plumber Mario and my main ape Donkey Kong entered the world of video games.

Now life on the Island of Sodor is never dull. So how does Christopher's first contribution fair?

Foreword:

Dear Friends,

I am happy to say that Thomas and his friends are still at work, trying as hard as ever to prove themselves to be Really Useful Engines. My father is still taking an interest to the Region's affairs, but it is with grateful thanks that I would like to dedicate this book to him, the person who began it all.

The Author

Stop Thief!

The guard tells Thomas' crew that the stationmaster's house was burgled the previous night, and his gardening trophies and new car were stolen. Thomas is later puffing through the valley when he sees a car very much like the stationmaster's one and warns his crew, who identify the driver and passenger as the thieves. At the next signalbox, they throw the fireman's lunch box, with a note inside, to a signalman. The thieves are stopped at a roadblock, the trophies and car are recovered undamaged, and the Fat Controller arrives at Ffarquhar to congratulate Thomas and his crew.

Christopher's first story was brilliant! It further proves how useful Thomas is. Why this story was never adapted for TV, I'll never know. It'll help teach kids that stealing is a crime, something Thomas and the Snowman Party did the opposite. I think it would've been a fantastic adaptation.

My rating: 10/10.

104. Mind That Bike

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: UK: 20 November 1995. AUS: 27 May 1996. US: 21 October 1996.

Tom Tipper the postman falls ill, and, when he recovers, discovers that his van has been replaced with a bicycle. When he gets to Ffarquhar, Tom is asked to fill in some papers, so he props his bicycle carefully against the fence, and asks Percy to keep an eye on it. A boy comes along and starts riding the bike just as Percy starts. The boy falls off and manages to get out of the way, but the bike is run over and is beyond repair. Luckily, all ends well as Tom is given his van again.

This is definitely the weakest adaptation of the Railway Series, and the lowest quality episode of the Awdry-era. Yep, I find it weaker than Rusty to the Rescue. While Rusty to the Rescue could've worked with a few tweaks, the adaptation for Mind That Bike could've worked with lots of tweaks. First of all, Thomas and Bertie's appearances were unnecessary. Yep, a Classic series episode where Thomas the Tank Engine wasn't needed. Get rid of Thomas and Bertie, and maybe the story would've been better. Also, how stupid is Tom Tipper exactly? Propping his bike against Percy's mail van like that instead of a fence! The boys should've been involved since riding a bike near a railway line could lead to serious consequences, as the boys in the story could've been seriously injured, or worse, died!

I honestly prefer the original story. It did right what this adaptation didn't. This adaptation feels more like an Allcroft/Mitton script than an Awdry story. And it's a pity Season 4 ended on a low note.

RWS rating: 9/10.
TV rating: 5/10.

102. Fish.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: UK: 16 November 1995. AUS: 23 May 1996. US: 11 October 1996.

An extra load of fish needs to transported in The Flying Kipper, but the only vans available are several old rusty ones. At Wellsworth, Henry calls for a banker and Duck arrives to help him with his train. Going up Gordon's Hill, however, a tail-lamp falls off and Duck drops behind. Henry soon slows down, and Duck collides with the vans, denting his funnel and boiler.

Some might say Thomas was shoehorned into this episode, but whether he was shoehorned or not, it didn't feel like he was shoehorned. Besides, he was here to warn Duck about fish, considering Thomas' past experience.

Also, this episode was brilliantly adapted, Henry and Duck's themes were blended together nicely and it's one of the best of Season 4. So I'm giving the adaptation a higher score.

RWS rating: 9/10.
TV rating: 10/10.

Triple Header.

One day after pulling the Express, Gordon feels tired and Thomas replies by telling him to become a tank engine. Later, it is discovered Gordon needs new tubes. Henry is told to pull the Express, but one day he gets sick too. Thomas, Percy and Duck (each of whom starred in one of the book's other stories) are the only engines available, so they are coupled up. On Gordon's Hill, Percy runs out of steam. They're unable to uncouple him, so they try to struggle to the Works. Duck breaks down just outside the station, and Thomas, unable to take the train himself, stops. Gordon, who watched the whole scene from his siding, makes heavy breathing noises at Thomas.

Funny how this story features all 3 tank engines who appeared in all the other stories that were written for this book. But who's working on their branch lines while they're pulling the express? I mean Donald, Douglas, Oliver, Toby, Mavis and Daisy can't handle the work alone. However, this story proves something that the Little Engines song shows. Never judge a tank engine by its size.

My rating: 8.5/10.

Observations:

The first illustration of Triple Header looks just like the 2nd illustration for Thomas and Gordon. 

There is a coincidence about this book. Reverend Awdry originally intended to call the 27th book "Really Useful Engines". It was nice of his son to carry on his father's legacy. I wonder how this book would've gone has Wilbert written it in 1973 or 1974?

Final thoughts:

This episode was a very nice start to the Christopher Awdry era of the Railway Series He wrote some nice stories and it was nice of him to follow on his father's legacy. 

My rating: 9.2/10.

RWS scorecard:

6. Henry the Green Engine:

8. Gordon the Big Engine: 9.2/10.

11. Percy the Small Engine: 9.7/10.

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

16. Branch Line Engines: 9.6/10.

18. Stepney the Bluebell Engine: 9/10.

21. Main Line Engines: 9.3/10.

22. Small Railway Engines: 9.8/10.

23. Enterprising Engines: 9.9/10.

24. Oliver the Western Engine: 9.3/10.

25. Duke the Lost Engine: 9.8/10.

26. Tramway Engines: 9.8/10.

27. Really Useful Engines: 9.2/10.

30. More About Thomas the Tank Engine: 8.8/10.

40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.

RWS rating so far: 9.3/10.

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.

20. Toad Stands By: 8.5/10.
21. Bulls Eyes: 8.5/10.

23. Paint Pots and Queens: 9/10.

24. Fish: 10/10.
26. Mind That Bike: 5/10.

Season 4 rating so far: 8.2/10.