RWS No. 37. Henry and the Express

At last, we're going onto another Railway Series book, one not focused on Thomas.

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

37. Henry and the Express.

Written by: Christopher Awdry.
Illustrated by: Clive Spong.
Published: 8 April 1993.

It's time to focus on the main line engines in a book dedicated to Henry.

Foreword:
Dear Friends,
When I went to see Henry recently he was moaning about not having had a book to himself for ages.

"Yes," I agreed, "There's the story about patching up your smokebox..."

"And the time my wheel broke," he interrupted.

"What about when you came out of the Works before you'd been properly painted?" I said.

"You wouldn't...!" he said.

But I would and I have. It might teach Henry not to try to tell me what to do.

The Author

Out of Puff.

The North Western Railway starts using a new type of coal, which creates more ashes and gives the engines indigestion. One day, Henry cannot make it past Wellsworth. Henry's crew discover his smokebox door is bent, so they make paper mache to fix the gap. Henry gets home safely, but Donald and Douglas tease him by making breathless noises in the shed that night.

For once, it's not Henry's need for special coal that's causing coal problems for him. It's the new coal. I have to say, the way his driver and fireman made papier mache to fix Henry the Green Engine's smokebox door was very creative.

My rating: 9/10.

Overhaul.

Henry is due for an overhaul, so the Fat Controller arranges for him to double-head the Express with James to Crovan's Gate. James is apprehensive but feels better after they make good time up Gordon's Hill - up to the point where things begin flying from Henry, hitting James and the coaches. No one is hurt, but the crews find that a steel rim from Henry's wheel has fallen off. James, trying to make light of the situation, jokes that Henry needs to be "retired".

This is something that needs to happen more often! The Henry and James dynamic. James's remark about Henry needing to be "retired" may have inspired what Percy and Gordon said in Edward the Very Useful Engine when Gordon said Edward should be retired. And it was helpful of James to help Henry out to the works. 

My rating: 9.5/10.

Sliding Scales.

With Henry away, the others take turns at pulling The Flying Kipper. It's James' turn and he's in a bad mood. He grudgingly sets off to Tidmouth Harbour, but just before he starts, a forklift spills its load onto the rails and fish goes everywhere. It is picked up, but the oil from the fish makes James slip helplessly. It is not until men hose the rails and put sand on them that James can move again.

Many say that The Smelly Kipper reminded them of this story and I can easily see why. James trying to pull the Flying Kipper. And it's funny how it was a forklift spilled the load everywhere since Cranky wasn't in the books. 

My rating: 9/10.

Henry Sees Red.

Henry is almost ready to return to work, but the workmen have to put an undercoat of red paint on him. Before they can put green on top, an emergency at Tidmouth forces Henry to take the Express. The brakes on the last coach stops them at Wellsworth, spoiling their chances of a good run at Gordon's Hill, and Henry has to uncouple it himself. Henry, however, is determined, and when he makes it to Barrow-in-Furness on time the Fat Controller rewards him with his normal green coat.

Many say this episode inspired Tickled Pink, but I say this story wins by a landslide. It was funny that Henry was given an undercoat, but he was even more determined than James seemed to be in his episode, and the only laugh Henry got was from Fat Controller. This story proves Henry to be a hero. 

My rating: 10/10.

Stray observations:

In the 6th illustration of Overhaul, we can see the Peel Godred Branch Line. Too bad we never get to see any engines there. 

Final thoughts:

This is definitely the best book written by Christopher. Yep, I prefer it a bit more than Thomas and the Twins. Some humour, creativity and Henry's persona was top notch and grew him as a character. Of course we got a comical moment with James. 

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.

34. Jock the New Engine: 8.3/10.

35. Thomas and the Great Railway Show: 8.5/10.

36. Thomas Comes Home: 8.5/10.

37. Henry and the Express: 9.4/10.

40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.

RWS rating so far: 9.1/10.