RWS No. 12. The 8 Famous Engines

Here comes my first Railway Series review of the year. The very book that was supposed to be the last book of the series.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the images.

12. 8 Famous Engines.
Written by: Rev. W. Awdry.
Illustrated by: John Theodore Kenney.
Published: 1957.

Here we go. I'm reviewing the first book that was illustrated by John Theodore Kenney, and the book that was originally going to be the last of the series. How does it turn out? 

Foreword:

Dear Friends,

The Fat Controller's engines are now quite famous. They have been on the radio and had many other adventures. But he had another plan, too, for his engines, and this book will tell you what it was.

The Author

37. Percy Takes the Plunge.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.
Aired: UK: 29 October 1986. AUS: 2 May 1988. US: 28 May 1989.

At Barrow-in-Furness, Percy is telling some tank engines about the time he braved bad weather when Henry arrives, he tells the tank engines to go away, and calls Percy silly. Percy responds by reminding Henry about the time he stayed in a tunnel and runs off to Knapford, where he sees a board saying "Danger." Thomas tells him to obey it, but Percy wants to know more, and persuades the trucks to push him past. They do so, but go too far and Percy falls into the sea. After being scolded by the Fat Controller, he is "fished out" and sent to the Works.

Percy's Promise should've been adapted before this in Season 2, or this episode should've been held off for Season 3. The main problem with this adaptation being adapted before Percy's Promise is that it ruins continuity and confuses little kids, especially coming from a woman who said The Missing Coach would confuse little kids. This adaptation would've worked better if, instead of Bill and Ben who weren't supposed to be introduced until The Diseasel, they made some actual other railway engines.

So overall, even if this adaptation is faithful to its source material, it's still going to confuse little kids.

RWS rating: 9/10.

TV rating: 8.5/10.

Gordon Goes Foreign.

Planned to be adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

When a foreign engine visits, an argument ensues between him, Gordon, and Duck over, of all things, the name of London's big station. Gordon wants to find out, but is not allowed to pass Barrow. However, when the engine taking the Express to the mainland derails, Gordon jumps at the chance to take the train, and the next day the Fat Controller reads in the paper that Gordon received a hero's welcome. However, when he returns, Gordon is upset, having discovered that it is St. Pancras.

It's too bad this story never made it to the official canon of the TV series. It would've been a brilliant adaptation. The reason was because it was too expensive to make. They planned to paint Henry's model into Big City Engine's model. It would've been wiser to actually make a new model for Big City Engine. Too expensive? Bull! Britt was a millionaire at the time! It's a pity since this is one of the best stories of the books. 

My rating: 10/10.

55. Double Header/Time for Trouble.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: US: 26 December 1991. UK: 17 March 1992. AUS: 17 February 1993. 

Gordon is exhausted from his trip to London, so James does his work, and when Toby visits him on his way to the Works, James brags to him about his importance. When Toby later tries to get a drink at Killdane, the signalman, who is new to the line, tells him he has to clear the line, and Toby struggles on to Kellsthorpe Road. However, Toby's tank was nearly empty to begin with, and he soon runs out of water. The fireman goes back and asks James to push Toby to the Works. When they get there, some boys think Toby has been helping James, who, furious, disappears in a cloud of steam.

Because Gordon Goes Foreign's adaptation was cancelled, Gordon the Big Engine was tired for no reason. Though this adaptation is faithful for the most part, except Percy taking Toby's fireman back to the station, it could've had the previous story adapted to make this feel more complete. 

RWS rating: 9/10.

TV rating: 8/10.

100. The Fat Controller's Engines/Thomas and the Special Letter.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: US: 23 September 1995. UK: 14 November 1995. AUS: 21 May 1996.

Thomas arrives at Knapford to see some foreign engines arrive and Percy and Toby tell him the Fat Controller has something planned. At Tidmouth, the Fat Controller tells them they are going to England. The next day, Thomas is showing one of the engines, Jinty, around when he brags of his race, and dents his front when he runs into some buffers. Luckily, he is repaired in time for the trip.

Of all the adaptations in Season 4, this is without a doubt the best one. Sure, the original engines like Jinty and Pug weren't present, but at least they gave Mavis, Boco, Bill, Ben, Donald, Douglas and Oliver some screen time in Season 4. Too bad Fat Controller didn't tell Thomas to go to the back of the cavalcade, would've taught kids how being overexcited about something can lead to consequences. But overall, for the 100th episode of the TV series, this is a well done adaptation. And if it was the final book of the Railway Series, this would've been a perfect conclusion. 

RWS/TV rating: 10/10.

Stray observations:

The Rev. W. Awdry originally intended this to be the last book of the Railway Series. I wonder what would've happened if this had been the final book. 

Thomas and the Special Letter was partly the inspiration for Thomas and the Magic Railway. I wonder how it inspired Britt to make that movie. 

Final thoughts:

This book, for the book that was intended to be the last of the Railway Series, was brilliant. Sadly, not all of its stories were adapted, but I guess you can't have it all. And if this was the final book of the series, the Railway Series would've gone out on a high note. 

My rating: 9.5/10.

RWS scorecard:

6. Henry the Green Engine:

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.

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: 9.4/10.

Season 2 scorecard:

1. Thomas, Percy and the Coal: 6.5/10.

6. Thomas and Trevor: 9/10.

7. Percy and the Signal: 9.5/10.

8. Duck Takes Charge: 9/10.

9. Percy and Harold: 10/10.

10. The Runaway: 9/10.

11. Percy Takes the Plunge: 8.5/10.

12. Pop Goes the Diesel: 9/10.

13. Dirty Work: 8.5/10.

14. A Close Shave: 9.5/10.

15. Better Late Than Never: 9/10.

18. Thomas Comes to Breakfast: 10/10.

19. Daisy: 9.5/10.

20. Percy's Predicament: 8.5/10.

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.

26. Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree: 9.5/10.

Season 2 rating so far: 9.3/10.

Season 3 scorecard:

1. A Scarf for Percy: 9.5/10.

2. Percy's Promise: 9.5/10.

3. Time for Trouble: 8/10.

4. Gordon and the Famous Visitor: 9.5/10.

5. Donald's Duck: 9.5/10.

6. Thomas Gets Bumped: 10/10.

7. Thomas, Percy and the Dragon: 9.5/10.

8. Diesel Does it Again: 7/10.

9. Henry's Forest: 9.5/10.

10. The Trouble with Mud: 6/10.

11. No Joke for James: 7.5/10.

12. Thomas, Percy and the Post Train: 10/10.

13. Trust Thomas: 10/10.

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.

18. All at Sea: 10/10.

20. Tender Engines: 6/10.

21. Escape: 10/10.

22. Oliver Owns Up: 8/10.

23. Bulgy: 9.5/10.

24. Heroes: 10/10.

26. Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure: 8.5/10*

Season 3 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.

5. 4 Little Engines: 9/10.

6. A Bad Day for Sir Handel: 8/10.

7. Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady: 10/10.

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.

22. Thomas and the Special Letter: 10/10.

23. Paint Pots and Queens: 9/10.

24. Fish: 10/10.

26. Mind That Bike: 5/10.

Season 4 rating so far: 8.5/10.