Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the images
33. Thomas and the Twins.
Written by: Christopher Awdry.
Illustrated by: Clive Spong.
Published: 11 September 1989.
Published: 11 September 1989.
Now we're delving into what Thomas did during the events of Toby, Trucks and Trouble. How do they stack up?
Foreword:
Dear Friends,
Bill and Ben keep asking if they can be in a book again. Well, in Cornwall during 1988, I met Bill and Ben's twins and talked to the Driver of one of them at Par. He set me thinking, and this is the result: if our china clay twins enjoy being in a book again, they should thank him not me. I hope you will enjoy the stories too.
The Author
Scrambled Eggs.
The Fat Controller has to make a weight limit on one of the bridges on Thomas' Branch Line. Thomas exceeds it, so he is sent to Edward's Branch Line. Edward decides to try to cheer him up by taking him to meet Bill and Ben, but they only make him cross. Meanwhile, a farmer is taking some dairy to market when his lorry breaks down. He is calling for help when Thomas crashes into the trailer, getting covered in broken eggs. Even though his crew tries to clean them off, they are cooked by the heat from Thomas' boiler and stick fast. When Thomas finally arrives at Brendam, Bill and Ben tease him even more.
This is one funny way to start the book! Bill and Ben were all "Not another blue engine!", and Thomas getting covered in egg yolks was funny! Bill and Ben thinking it a better colour makes sense since they're yellow too. I honestly don't know why they didn't consider this story for TV. It would've been a hilarious adaptation!
My rating: 10/10.
What a Picture!
After Edward threatens the twins that he will not bring some enthusiasts to see them if they continue teasing Thomas, they start behaving again. On the big day, a ship runs aground and Ben goes to try and pull it into deeper waters before the tide goes out. The enthusiasts go to watch, except for a man who continuously takes pictures of Bill. He sets up his camera for the best one yet when Ben's driver comes along asking for help and Bill's driver turns a tap, creating a huge cloud of steam. After helping Ben, Bill and his driver discover the photo lying discarded on the ground, for only Bill's funnel is showing.
Ha! Another funny story! Bill and Ben never cease to amuse! And Bill only having his funnel shown is comical too! Just goes to show what happens when you take your teasing too far.
Ha! Another funny story! Bill and Ben never cease to amuse! And Bill only having his funnel shown is comical too! Just goes to show what happens when you take your teasing too far.
My rating: 9.5/10.
Trevor Helps Out.
Trevor is feeling under the weather with some boiler trouble, but is able to see a fallen tree in a field. Meanwhile, Edward, who is passing by, finds the rails bumpy, and decides to tell the breakdown gang. He forgets, and is returning from Brendam when his last few trucks derail. Edward does not realise this, but Trevor hears the guard's whistle and cries out to Edward. As a reward for preventing a potential accident, the Fat Controller arranges for Trevor to be repaired.
This is another good story overall. Trevor helping out once again after a long time of not having any work. Interesting to see Trevor get another role in 35 years since his debut. The one thing that puzzles me about this is that "Edward's last 6 trucks came off the rails" when there were 6 trucks in the entire train. But even so, this is a good story and it would've been good for TV.
My rating: 8.5/10.
Down the Drain.
Near the China Clay Workings is a dip in the land which is often flooded with water from the nearby sea. One wet day, Ben is taking some trucks to Brendam when the strong wind blows a wave into the cab, dousing his fire. His fireman gets Thomas for help, and he pulls Ben away from the water. When Bill is able to return from the quarry a few days later, he and Ben decide never tease Thomas again as it would show their ingratitude after he helped them.
Without a doubt the story that grows Bill and Ben as characters, as they apologised to Thomas in the end after his heroic moment of pulling Ben out of the flooded drain. This would've been an interesting story for TV. Don't know why they didn't consider this.
Without a doubt the story that grows Bill and Ben as characters, as they apologised to Thomas in the end after his heroic moment of pulling Ben out of the flooded drain. This would've been an interesting story for TV. Don't know why they didn't consider this.
My rating: 9.5/10.
Stray observations:
Where was Boco in all this? Was he working on the main line in all this book?
Final thoughts:
Another brilliant book overall. Bill and Ben's antics never get old, Trevor's return was well done, and the twins finally accept Thomas. One of Christopher's best overall.
My rating: 9.4/10.
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.
32. Toby, Trucks and Trouble: 9.1/10.
33. Thomas and the Twins: 9.4/10.
40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.
RWS rating so far: 9.1/10.
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