RWS No. 31: Gordon the High-Speed Engine

Out of the way! Review coming through! It's the 2nd book dedicated solely to Gordon.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the images

31. Gordon the High-Speed Engine.
Written by: Christopher Awdry.
Illustrated by: Clive Spong.
Published: 7 September 1987.

It's been more than 30 years since Gordon's first book to himself, and after that, he had only one story to himself (Domeless Engines) but let's see how this book grows him as a character.

Foreword:

Dear Friends,
Over here on the Other Railway we are used to High-Speed Trains, and know how useful they can be. But when Gordon first heard of them he began boasting about how fast he could go. He should have known better, because he only landed himself in disgrace and made the Fat Controller cross. These stories tell how hard Gordon worked to redeem himself and make the Fat Controller think again.

The Author

High-Speed Gordon.

Gordon is jealous when Donald talks about high-speed engines and boasts that he can go faster. He sets out to prove it when he takes the Express. Unfortunately, Gordon slips on the slippery rails and the water in his boiler surges forwards, making him unable to stop creating steam even though he cannot move forward. Donald takes him back to the shed after he runs out of steam and the rails Gordon was running on are replaced.

Funny how Gordon the Big Engine is still jealous of engines who are faster than him. Hmm, haven't learned your lesson from City of Truro, have you Gordon? Just goes to show you're not always as fast as you're made out to be.

My rating: 8.5/10.

Smoke Screen.

Gordon feels "stuffed up" and sneezes at Wellsworth, unfortunately spraying soot onto a party of wedding guests. The Fat Controller delays a visit to the mainland to apologise to the guests, but has to wait for another train to get home, when Gordon steams back past and some ashes fall onto his top hat. When Gordon gets home an inspector comes up with a message telling Gordon that he will be disciplined when the Fat Controller returns.

If anyone remembers Henry sneezing in Henry's Sneeze, it was out of revenge on the boys who threw stones at him, but in this story, Gordon's the one who sneezes on some wedding guests, but this time, it was an accident. Strange how Fat Controller believed Gordon ashed his top hat. 

My rating: 8/10.

Fire Escape.

Gordon, trying to make amends, is rushing at his hill when a firebar collapses. Thinking quickly, the driver tells the fireman to put a large piece of coal over the hole. Gordon manages to struggle to a loop, and BoCo comes to help. The Fat Controller thanks BoCo and is about to say something to Gordon when he has to go to his train, leaving Gordon in suspense.

Well, this is a good step up from the previous stories. When Gordon's firebar collapses, it's Boco to the rescue! It was nice of Gordon to try and make amends. 

My rating: 9.5/10.

Gordon Proves his Point.

Gordon is at Barrow-in-Furness when a porter asks him to take a train of enthusiasts up to Carlisle. The Fat Controller gives his consent, and two powercars called Pip and Emma take the Express back to Tidmouth. James, who is taking a stopping train, is asked to help Pip and Emma after Pip breaks down. At Tidmouth, the Fat Controller thanks James and asks him to make Pip and Emma welcome. When Gordon returns, the Fat Controller forgives him for his smokescreen and tells him that the ashes came from an ashtray being emptied by a steward. Gordon takes the passengers home.

This was a very well done wrap up of this book. It further develops Gordon's character, and we get the introduction of an electric train composed of Pip and Emma. And Fat Controller admitted to his mistake here, it was actually a steward emptying an ashtray. And Gordon finally accepting high-speed trains is a positive. 

My rating: 10/10.

Stray observations:

Is it just me or do these 3 illustrations bear a resemblance to each other? 

Also, in the 1st illustration of this book, is Donald given Douglas' tender or is Douglas given Donald's nameplate? And they blame Jam-Filled for animation errors.

Final thoughts:

A nice way to give Gordon another book. It further develops his character and he's now accepting high-speed engines. We got the introduction of Pip and Emma. Too bad these 2 never made it to TV. But still, this is a very good book.

My rating: 9.1/10.

RWS Scorecard:

1. The 3 Railway Engines: 9/10.

2. Thomas the Tank Engine: 9.5/10.

3. James the Red Engine: 8/10.

4. Tank Engine Thomas Again: 9.9/10.

5. Troublesome Engines: 9.1/10.

6. Henry the Green Engine: 9.2/10.

7. Toby the Tram Engine: 9.2/10.

8. Gordon the Big Engine: 9.2/10.

9. Edward the Blue Engine: 9.3/10.

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.

15. The Twin Engines: 9.3/10.

16. Branch Line Engines: 9.6/10.

17. Gallant Old Engine: 9.5/10.

18. Stepney the Bluebell Engine: 9/10.

19. Mountain Engines: 9.3/10.

20. Very Old Engines: 9.1/10.

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.

28. James and the Diesel Engines: 7.8/10.

29. Great Little Engines: 8.9/10.

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

31. Gordon the High-Speed Engine: 9.1/10.

40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.

RWS rating so far: 9.2/10.