Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the images
34. Jock the New Engine.
Written by: Christopher Awdry.
Illustrated by: Clive Spong.
Published: 6 August 1990.
We're ready to return to the Arlesdale Railway. What have they been up to since their first book?
Foreword:
Dear Friends,
The Arlesdale Railway is a narrow-gauge line which runs inland along a beautiful valley. It starts at the terminus of Duck's branch line, and Duck and Oliver bring many visitors. So many, in fact, that Rex, Bert and Mike found that they couldn't carry them all on their own. And that was why Jock was built. I like Jock - I hope you will too.
The Author
We Need Another Engine.
Small Railway Engines has just been published, but the Thin Clergyman, unaware of Frank the diesel's presence on the Arlesdale Railway, did not include him, much to Frank's fury. Frank refuses to start the next morning, and when he does, he jerks into the back of the shed. Frank feels ashamed, but redeems himself later when Rex's steampipe leaks and he has to rescue Rex's train. The Small Controller is pleased, but does not want Frank to have to do all the rescue work and starts thinking...
It makes perfect sense that Frank wasn't around in Small Railway Engines, but why would he be jealous about not appearing? Though it was great that they added technology to the railway, yet the said book was published in 1967, the year this story takes place. But it was heroic of Frank to help out.
My rating: 7/10.
Sticking Power.
Bert is feeling under the weather; Rex and Mike are very unsympathetic. The problem is attributed to his tubes, but Bert cheers up when the fitter tells him that a new engine is being built. Bert makes good time, but when he starts again his coupling breaks. His driver has an idea and glues Bert to the coaches with glue. In the shed, Bert tells the others of his adventure and goes to sleep after teasing the others about not having "sticking-power".
The way Bert's driver glued his coupling may seem sketchy, but it was very creative how he did it, and the title "Sticking Power" makes perfect sense since glue is sticky. This proves that Bert can still be strong even if on one piston despite his age.
My rating: 9.5/10.
Jock.
Bert lets the others in on his secret. A few weeks later, the unnamed engine, who is ochre in colour, comes out for testing. When Douglas sees the engine, he recalls some engines in the Highlands with that colour who were called "Jocks". The engine is delighted, and the happy Small Controller christens the engine "Jock".
Yellow's not a silly colour for an engine. I mean Douglas mentioned the Highland engines and they were yellow. So think of this before complaining about Molly and Rebecca being yellow.
Take this story into account before saying "It takes time to build an engine", but it was....well, interesting to say the least, to introduce Jock.
My rating: 7.5/10.
Teamwork.
By the time the holiday months come again, Jock has proven his worth and becomes cocky, more so when he single-handedly moves a lorry's trailer into the yard. Next day, Mike is surprised to find Jock is double-heading with him due to popular demand. Mike has an idea, and his driver gradually shuts off steam, leaving Jock to do the work. At the Green, Mike's injector fails, giving Jock another reason to pull Mike. In the end, little time is lost, and Jock and Mike apologise for their antics.
This story without a doubt the story that shows Jock's character, being a showoff, especially due to the lorry's trailer he pulled. Good thing Jock and Mike made up in the end after showing off their teamwork!
My rating: 9/10.
Stray observations:
Bert still looks the way he did in the first book, yet his basis now has a taller cab and a taller funnel and a taller dome, yet the book takes place after 1975. Maybe this is why he looks this way on TV albeit with blue wheels.
Final thoughts:
This was a decent book to say the least, but some of the continuity errors put me off, especially with Bert's shape puzzling me. And they blame Sam Barlow's team for continuity errors. But even so, this is a decent read overall since it gave Jock his chance to shine, something they failed to do with Ivo Hugh and Fred.
My rating: 8.3/10.
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.
34. Jock the New Engine: 8.3/10.
40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.
RWS rating so far: 9.1/10.
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