RWS No. 1: The 3 Railway Engines

After all that spirit of reviewing those Christmas episodes, let me delve into the book that started the whole franchise.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

1. The 3 Railway Engines.
Written by: Rev. W. Awdry.
Published: 12 May 1945.

During World War II, in 1942, Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry had made up stories about trains to entertain his first born Christopher Awdry. One time Wilbert made up a story, Christopher asked "Why is that engine sad, Daddy?" to which Wilbert replied "Because he's old, tired, and hasn't been out in a long time." Christopher asked "What's his name?" and Wilbert's answer was "Edward."

It wasn't until shortly after WWII ended we got this book. How does the Railway Series start?

2. Edward's Day Out. (Part 1)

The big engines are teasing Edward that he will not be allowed out because he is too weak, but when the driver sees him upset he offers to take him out. Edward goes to get some coaches, and, after a few moments of panic waiting for the guard, they start off and Edward has an enjoyable day.

This was a very emotional and enjoyable way to start the series. Edward is all sad, all because he hadn't been out in a long time, and due to the bigger engines doing more work than he'd done. This story also goes to show that no Edward means no Railway Series, and no Railway Series means no Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, and no Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends means no soccermums to complain.

My rating: 9/10.

Edward and Gordon/Edward Helps Out. (Part 2)

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.
Aired: UK: 9 October 1984. AUS: 7 April 1987. US: 29 January 1989.

Gordon is bragging about pulling the express, but when Edward is shunting Gordon comes past with a long goods train. Gordon deliberately stalls at a hill and Edward comes as a "banker." At the top of the hill, Gordon races ahead and Edward gets puffed out, but is pleased at the prospect of a new coat of paint.

Adapting both Edward's Day Out and Edward and Gordon makes the episode seem more solid. Sure there was no story about Edward waiting for the guard, but that was cut out due to timing constraints, and the show was in its early stages. So overall, this episode is very solid, with Edward helping Gordon up the hill, and getting a new coat of paint at the end. 

RWS rating: 9/10.

TV rating: 9.5/10.

3. The Sad Story of Henry/Come Out, Henry!
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.
Aired: UK: 16 October 1984. AUS: 8 April 1987. US: 5 February 1989.

One rainy day, Henry stops in a tunnel and refuses to move. His crew, the passengers, another engine and even the Fat Director try to get him to move, but to no avail. Eventually, they have him bricked up, and they bore a new tunnel.

This is a very solid adaptation, with Henry being bricked up in the tunnel, all because he was afraid the rain would ruin his green paint and red stripes. The story and the adaptation show if you don't come out of somewhere, you may get locked up forever. Of course I find it strange that Wilbert said a new tunnel was bored, yet the tunnel was already there in the 2nd illustration. 

RWS/TV rating: 9/10.

4. Edward, Gordon and Henry/Henry to the Rescue.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 16 October 1984. AUS: 9 April 1987. US: 5 February 1989.

Gordon is pulling the Express when he bursts his safety valve outside Henry's tunnel. Edward tries to pull the train, but cannot. The Fat Director lets Henry out of the tunnel so that he and Edward can pull the train. They later help Gordon home, and Henry is rewarded with a new blue coat.

Another solid adaptation. Gordon having his safety valve burst was a good comeuppance, since he was about to "Poop Poop" at Henry. I'm honestly fine with Henry not getting painted blue in the adaptation, and I'll explain why in my Tank Engine Thomas Again review. This was a nice way to end Henry's story of the book.

RWS/TV rating: 9/10.

Observations:

Gordon was named after a rude boy who lived on Reverend Awdry's street when Christopher was a kid.

Reverend Awdry was originally going to have Henry bricked up in the tunnel forever, but soon decided otherwise. 

Gordon's steam pipes keep disappearing and reappearing illustration by illustration! And they blame Jam-Filled for animation errors.

Final thoughts:

This is a very fine way to start the franchise overall. The introduction of our first 3 engines, and they were used very well. Though sometimes, I wish the TV series was called "Edward the Blue Engine and Friends" instead of "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends" as it's known, but I digress. But overall, it's still a solid start.

My rating: 9/10.

RWS scorecard:
1. The 3 Railway Engines: 9/10.
6. Henry the Green Engine: 9.2/10.
8. Gordon the Big Engine: 9.2/10.
10. 4 Little Engines: 9.5/10.
11. Percy the Small Engine: 9.7/10.
12. The 8 Famous Engines: 9.5/10.
13. Duck and the Diesel Engine: 9.2/10.
14. The Little Old Engine: 9.6/10.
16. Branch Line Engines: 9.6/10.
17. Gallant Old Engine: 9.5/10.
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: 9.4/10.

Season 1 scorecard:

2. Edward and Gordon: 9.5/10.

3. The Sad Story of Henry: 9/10.

4. Edward, Gordon and Henry: 9/10.

18. Coal: 9.5/10.

19. The Flying Kipper: 10/10.

20. Whistles and Sneezes: 9.5/10.

24. Off the Rails: 9.5/10.

25. Down the Mine: 9.5/10.
26. Thomas' Christmas Party: 9.5/10.

Season 1 rating so far: 9.3/10.