TTTE S3E07: Thomas, Percy and the Dragon.

It's now time for me to review another Thomas Season 3 review. A cultural one too.

59. Thomas, Percy and the Dragon.

Based on "Percy's Night Out" and "Percy and the Dragon" by Andrew Brenner.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: US: 18 November 1991. UK: 7 April 1992. AUS: 23 February 1993.

Percy is still ribbing Thomas about the time he thought Percy was a ghost. Thomas pays no attention knowing it was him all the time, and next morning is asked to collect a special load from Knapford Harbour. Thomas is horrified to find it's a dragon, but his driver tells him it's made of paper and is needed for a carnival.
Meanwhile, Percy is stuck in a siding while shunting and has to stay there for the night because of jammed points while waiting for Henry to pass. His driver went home for tea & Percy watched the other engine going back to Tidmouth. Thomas was at the harbor & was shocked to see a dragon, but his driver informs him that it was paper dragon for the carnival tomorrow. Thomas continues his night time journey. Percy was asleep until Thomas passes by with the dragon and Percy is so terrified that he won't open his eyes until his driver comes.
The next day Percy tries to tell Gordon, but Gordon thinks he's joking, which soon leads to the other engines teasing Percy about it. Later, he sees the dragon again, but is indignant when he sees Thomas pushing it. Thomas explained what happened and the two make up for their teasing.


If this is supposed to be a sequel to Ghost Train, then it's a grand one at it. How Percy is still ribbing on Thomas the Tank Engine for thinking the small engine was a ghost one night. It sure was pretty funny of Percy to get his comeuppance when Thomas passes with the dragon.


This story, like Thomas Gets Bumped, is based on 2 magazine stories by Andrew Brenner, the current headwriter for Thomas and Friends. This story also doesn't look out of place as a Railway Series story. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Andrew Brenner should write new Railway Series books.


Although, the only problem with this episode is the dragon being said to be covered in lights when it's lit up from underneath. But then again, if it was covered in lights, it would have caused a fire with a burst bulb that could have happened.


But then again, this episode is brilliant and it's a nice way to bring a little culture to the Thomas universe.

My rating: 9.5/10.

Season 3 scorecard:

4. Gordon and the Famous Visitor: 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.

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.

20. Tender Engines: 6/10.

21. Escape: 10/10.

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

Season 3 rating so far: 9.1/10.

TTTE S3E13: Trust Thomas.

Well, I've already done a negative Thomas review....again. I thought I'd kick up another Thomas review. This time, another Season 3 episode.

65. Trust Thomas.

Based on "Bertie's Bumpy Roads" by Andrew Brenner.

Adapted by Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: US: 25 November 1991. UK: 28 April 1992. AUS: 3 March 1993.

Thomas finds out that Bertie has lost his trust in the railway's service after it failed to deliver tar to mend the roads two weeks earlier, and resolves to find the source of the problem.
Meanwhile, James is complaining about having to shunt when Gordon advises him to pretend to be sick. When Thomas arrives James tells him he is ill, and Thomas offers to take his trucks for him. The trucks, who are cross at James for bumping them, decide to get to take their anger out on Thomas. On the way back from the quarry, the trucks push Thomas over some points and onto a jetty, which floats across the pond and sinks.
Duck takes the trucks away and Edward helps Thomas home. When Thomas tells Edward about the tar, he recalls several wagons were left at Wellsworth and collects them to ensure they reach Bertie now. James and Gordon apologise for their trick, and Bertie arrives to tell Thomas that his road is about to be mended. Bertie regains his trust in the railway while Gordon and James slowly depart for the shed.


Well, I can understand the plotholes in this episode such as Annie and Clarabel magically disappearing before Thomas the Tank Engine came to the yard, as well as Bertie the Bus not taking another route if his roads are bumpy, the plot being similar to Trucks!, and the toad not hopping off Thomas' running board at some point, but that doesn't save the episode from being a great one. You have to admit, the accident Thomas had in this episode was funny and entertaining. Especially the music that played when the accident happened. It even has a beautiful piece of music when Thomas leaves Toryreck to go to the big station. There is a realistic moment in this episode. And that is when that floating thing Thomas crashed on sank due to his weight.


I bet some Australian and Kiwi fans love this episode because the shot of Thomas leaving Toryreck is on an old ABC For Kids VHS promo in the mid 1990s with some other old ABC Kids shows that aired in Australia at the time.


But all in all, I enjoy this episode and I'm always happy to watch again.

My rating: 10/10.

Season 3 scorecard:

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

6. Thomas Gets Bumped: 10/10.

8. Diesel Does it Again: 7/10.

9. Henry's Forest: 9.5/10.

10. The Trouble with Mud: 6/10.

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.

20. Tender Engines: 6/10.

21. Escape: 10/10.

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

Season 3 rating so far: 9/10.

TTTE S5E25: Snow.

For every bad TV show, there can be gems somewhere, and for every good TV show, there can be duds. Heck, even the classic series of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends had duds too. And by the way, I am not one of those who suck up to Britt Allcroft just because she brought Thomas the Tank Engine to TV.


Which is why I am going to review....

129. Snow.

Written by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: UK: 16 October 1998. AUS: 25 December 1998. US: 12 February 1999.

Thomas has become snowed down by a tunnel where Rusty is working close by. So to pass the time, Rusty tells Thomas a story.
One snowy day, Skarloey was travelling up to the slate mine when he passed through a ravine. His driver was concerned that noise could cause an avalanche, and he sets an emergency cap. When Skarloey runs over it, nothing happens, so his crew decide to make a cup of cocoa and be on their way. Unfortunately, up in the slate mines some "empties" jam the winch and some trucks run down the slope into the ravine, causing an avalanche which buries Skarloey. When Rusty comes to the rescue, they discover that Skarloey's heat has created an igloo, and inside they find Skarloey's crew nonchalantly sipping cocoa.
Thomas uses this as an example about how trucks can be so troublesome while Rusty states the same for snow. The workmen finally clear the snow from behind Thomas, but Gordon then arrives with his snow machine, covering Thomas again only to be buried when the noise causes an avalanche. Thomas jokes that if Skarloey could emerge from an avalanche laughing, Gordon could at least do the same.


This episode has basic problems.


1. Thomas the Tank Engine refused to help Percy out of a giant snowdrift and thought he was lazy.


2. In the story that Rusty the Little Diesel told Thomas, Skarloey's said to have an engine, even though he is the engine.


3. In the story, Skarloey's heat made an igloo. Er....doesn't snow melt when it lands on a steam engine due to the excess heat?


4. Why would the workmen think the snow bank would stop the trucks?


5. Here is the real problem. Thomas the Tank Engine, ask the question here:

Thomas: "What's the funny part of an avalanche?"

Mister Tank Engine, I'll answer your question. NOTHING! People die in avalanches. So yeah, there's nothing funny about an avalanche.

Well, I will admit, there is only one positive about this episode. Gordon the Big Engine getting buried in an avalanche, but that doesn't save this episode from being weak!

My rating: 3.5/10. (And that's being generous!)

Season 5 scorecard:

25. Snow: 3.5/10.

Season 5 so far: 3.5/10.

(Trust me, it won't stay like this. I just wanted to get the dud out of the room) 

RWS No. 18. Stepney the Bluebell Engine.

After that review on Rusty to the Rescue, I feel it's time to review the actual Stepney book.

18. Stepney the Bluebell Engine.

Written by: Reverend Awdry.

Illustrated by: Peter and Gunvor Edwards.

Published: 1963.

Time to review the first book to be illustrated by Peter and Gunvor Edwards ever since John T Kenney suffered eye problems. How did this book fair? Let's go in.

Foreword:

Dear Friends,
Percy is a kind-hearted little engine. He feels sad because many fine steam engines are cut up on the Other Railway (B.R.).

Percy's ideas, however, though natural for an engine, are a little muddled. British Railways Officials are not cruel. They are sad to lose faithful steam friends, and glad to help engines to go to places like the Bluebell Railway at Sheffield Park in Sussex, where they can be cared for, and useful, and safe.
The Author

Bluebells of England.

Percy is singing about bluebells when Douglas comes up and tells him that his song is daft. Percy is cross, and tells him about the "Bluebells of England". He then goes on to inform Douglas that Stepney is coming to Sodor, when Stepney suddenly arrives and the two welcome him with a chorus of whistles.

I'm going out on a limb to say that this story should have been adapted instead of Rusty to the Rescue being made. This story shows us Stepney's true origins and that the Bluebell Railway saved him, not Rusty. It's such a shame because all the potential in this story was wasted, and all because of one episode.

My rating: 9/10.

94. Stepney's Special/Thomas and Stepney.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: US: 7 January 1995. UK: 6 November 1995. AUS: 13 May 1996.

After talking to Edward about the Bluebell Railway, Stepney goes to Tidmouth to help Duck. Thomas has just left with his last train when he is stopped so Stepney, with a V.I.P. in tow, can pass. Thomas is furious, but when Stepney explains the next morning that he was running a Special and flatters Thomas by complimenting his knowledge of branchline life, Thomas is happier and begins talking about his branchline.

Because Rusty to the Rescue was made, the beginning of this episode is screwed up. Instead of Stepney talking to Edward, we get Thomas the Tank Engine talking to Percy. It's also a shame that we didn't hear the use of "Signal Bells". Would have taught kids something about railways. Very weak adaptation, and it's such a shame since the original was good.

RWS rating: 9/10.

TV rating: 5.5/10.

96. Train Stops Play.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: UK: 8 November 1995. AUS: 15 May 1996. US: 7 October 1996.

Percy takes pity on Stepney when he reveals he misses trucks and offers to share his train with him. Stepney later passes the Elsbridge Cricket Field when a batsmen hits a six and the ball lands in one of his trucks. Stepney does not hear the cricketers shout, so four of them pile into an old car named Caroline and race after them. At Ffarquhar, they find the ball, and, as Caroline is exhausted, Stepney takes them all back on a flatbed and stays to watch the match. Caroline does not mind engines now. 

Here we go! An adaptation that stuck with the original with one exception. It showed Stepney the Bluebell Engine working at Tidmouth Yard instead of Ffarquhar. Hmm, I guess they didn't have enough time to build Ffarquhar when making Season 4. But all in all, this episode stuck with the original. Too bad Caroline didn't get many more roles after this.

RWS/TV rating: 9/10.

95. Bowled Out.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: UK: 7 November 1995. AUS: 14 May 1996. US: 28 October 1996.

Stepney's stay is almost over, but in his place a rude Diesel arrives and starts insulting the engines. Although the engines have no idea of what to do, the Diesel soon gets his just desserts when an Inspector's bowler hat lodges in his air intake. Duck and Stepney have to take his train, and they reach Cronk in record time. Stepney leaves next day in style, with the engines asking him to return, while the Diesel creeps away in disgrace.

Yep, the final episode/story of the Stepney saga. I must say, they did wonders building that model of a BR Class 40 for this diesel. Too bad we never got to see the full body of the diesel in the book. It's too bad they didn't make Duck and Stepney's train 15 coaches in the adaptation, but I guess you can't have it all. Also, it's a shame we didn't get to find out why The Diesel came to Sodor in the first place. Looks like Britt Allcroft took care of that. Because of this, the adaptation gets half a point higher.

RWS rating: 9/10.

TV rating: 9.5/10.

Illustrators stray:

This book is the first to be illustrated by Peter and Gunvor Edwards. They did wonders with the illustrations. They look so realistic. It's sad that Gunvor passed away in 2014.

Final thoughts:

This is definitely a great book. Implementing a real engine in the Thomas franchise. It's too bad that under Britt's power, Stepney was turned into a permanent Sodor resident. Let's hope Andrew can fix that up when Stepney returns in the TV series. Looks like Britt wasn't the one who started this one-off business, Reverend Awdry started it.

My rating: 9/10.

RWS scorecard:

8. Gordon the Big Engine: 9.2/10.

13. Duck and the Diesel Engine: 9.2/10.

18. Stepney the Bluebell Engine: 9/10.

21. Main Line Engines: 9.3/10.

23. Enterprising Engines: 9.9/10.

25. Duke the Lost Engine: 9.8/10.

26. Tramway Engines: 9.8/10.

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

40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.

RWS rating so far: 9.2/10.

Season 4 scorecard:

1. Granpuff: 8/10.

2. Sleeping Beauty: 6/10.

3. Bulldog: 8.5/10.

4. You Can't Win: 9/10.

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.

23. Paint Pots and Queens: 9/10.

Season 4 rating so far: 8/10.













TTTE S4E15: Rusty to the Rescue

Time for me to review another controversial episode of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. One that Reverend Awdry detested just as much if not more than Henry's Forest. That is.....

93. Rusty to the Rescue.

Written by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: US: 7 January 1995. UK: 3 November 1995. AUS: 10 May 1996.

Rusty enjoys visiting the Bluebell Railway, but his driver is concerned that the line needs an engine, so Rusty consults with Douglas about finding one on the Other Railway. Douglas mentions that only diesels travel there nowadays, which is where he found Oliver. That suits Rusty and the next day he travels to the Other Railway, slipping past the diesels by fibbing that he is an inspection diesel. He finds a tank engine named Stepney alone in a siding, and he asks him if he likes bluebells. Stepney replies puzzledly that he believes bluebells are beautiful, and Rusty promises to help him run away. Their drivers agree and Rusty helps him to escape to Sodor. Thanks to Rusty, Stepney now happily runs on the Bluebell Railway.


Alright, like everyone else, I've found some problems with this episode.


1. The Bluebell Railway is not on Sodor. It's a real railway in England.


2. The Bluebell Railway Society rescued Stepney, not Rusty.


3. The plot of this episode copies Escape.


I think I can figure out why they didn't adapt Bluebells of England. Either they couldn't afford to build a real replica of the Bluebell Railway or they just wanted to give Rusty a lead role.


This episode could have been even better with a few tweaks or so.


Say, replace Rusty with an underused character. Boco for instance. Replace Stepney with Christopher's unused character, Barry from Barry the Rescue Engine which was supposed to be published the year this episode aired, but shelved for a 50th anniversary book.


But all in all, this is definitely the weakest of all the Classic series adaptations, if you can call it one. Nope, it wasn't adapted from the Railway Series, so it's not an adaptation!

My rating: 5/10. (and that's being generous)

Season 4 scorecard:

1. Granpuff: 8/10.

2. Sleeping Beauty: 6/10.

3. Bulldog: 8.5/10.

4. You Can't Win: 9/10.

15. Rusty to the Rescue: 5/10.

23. Paint Pots and Queens: 9/10.

Season 4 rating so far: 7.8/10.

RWS No. 23. Enterprising Engines

Looks like I'm up for a serious Railway Series review. This time, it's on one book considered by many to be the best of the series.

23. Enterprising Engines.

Written by: Reverend Awdry.

Illustrated by: Peter and Gunvor Edwards.

Published: 4 October 1968.

Here we are. 1968. The year that steam was completely abolished from British Railways. How does this affect the Island of Sodor? Read and find out.

Foreword:

Dear Richard,
Do you remember the photographs you took of what happened to your train on the way to Waterloo in April 1967?

Your Mother, very kindly, gave me a set, and they helped our artist to draw at least two of the pictures for "Super Rescue".

Anyway, "Super Rescue" is the story which your pictures told me. I hope you will enjoy it, and the other three stories as well.
The Author

72. Tenders for Henry/Tender Engines.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: UK: 2 June 1992. AUS: 12 March 1993. US: 16 July 1993.

The engines wrongly attribute Gordon's surly mood to boiler sludge from a dodgy water tower on the mainland, and matters are made worse when Gordon finds only one of his brothers are left in existence. The Fat Controller feels sorry for Gordon and arranges for his brother, Flying Scotsman, to visit, but Henry is jealous of "Flying Scotsman's" two tenders and claims he deserves another. Duck offers Henry six tenders. Henry is delighted and accepts, but is made to look like a fool when it is revealed they are full of boiler sludge!

Bottom line, this is the weakest episode of Season 3. Yes, I find it weaker than The Trouble with Mud, but only by a hair or so. While that one showed Gordon getting covered in mud for no reason, this one showed Flying Scotsman's tenders without showing the engine. Britt said it's too expensive to build the entire model of Flying Scotsman. Bull! But then again, as I said about City of Truro, Flying Scotsman would have suffered the same fate as Stepney did. The only funny thing about this episode was Henry the Green Engine getting lots of dirty tenders. But all in all, very loose adaptation, and Diesel was here for no reason.

RWS rating: 9.5/10.

TV rating: 6/10.

Super Rescue.

Two diesels, 7101 and 199, arrive. 7101 is friendly, but 199 is rude, saying diesels are more reliable than steam engines. Later, Henry is riding home tender-first, his regulator jammed, and meets 199 with a train of oil-tankers at a signalbox. 199, ironically, has failed, and so does 7101 after his ejector leaks and he is unable to pull his passenger train. Henry, with some help from 7101, still able to move, bravely takes 199, the oil-tankers and the passengers to the next station. "Flying Scotsman", to the delight of the passengers, takes the passenger train, while Donald takes the goods. 199 is sent away in disgrace and Henry helps 7101 to the shed.

Well, I must say, this is definitely one of the best stories of the books never adapted for TV. In this story, Henry the Green Engine shows how steam engines can be better than diesel engines after 199's breakdown. It's too bad this story wasn't adapted for TV. It would have been a fantastic adaptation!

My rating: 10/10.

73. Escape (Part 1)

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: UK: 9 June 1992. AUS: 15 March 1993. US: 25 June 1993.

Douglas has taken the "Midnight Goods" to the Other Railway, and is preparing to return when a stranded steam engine, Oliver, asks for help. Douglas buffers up, and the two crews scribble "Scrap" over Oliver. However, a diesel shouts out a warning, and the foreman stops them. They manage to coax their way past, and eventually reach the Works. A friendly watchman shows them where to hide Oliver, his coach Isabel and his brakevan Toad.

This is definitely a great story. One of the best of the books. It shows what a hero Douglas is when he saves Oliver, Isabel and Toad, and it shows how brave Oliver is. Lucky for Oliver, his crew made it seem like he's ready for scrap.

My rating: 10/10.

Little Western (Part 2)

Douglas arrives in time to see Flying Scotsman off, and tells the others his news. The Fat Controller overhears and enquires about the fuss. Duck tells him they need another steam engine, but the Fat Controller gravely tells them they are rare to find. Douglas is about to interrupt when the Fat Controller reveals Oliver is being mended.
In the end, 7101 stays and is renamed "Bear" after the growling noises he sometimes makes, Oliver, Isabel, and Toad are repainted, three new coaches are rescued from scrapping and given to Oliver and Duck, and the Fat Controller re-opens the Arlesburgh branch and asks Duck and Oliver to run it.

This adaptation of these 2 stories is definitely one of the best of the classic series, and it's easy to see why. Even though there were changes, the story did stick with the originals. Too bad we didn't get to see 7101 in the TV series. But there was a nice touch with Edward and Trevor, because both Douglas and Trevor almost suffered the same fate. It's too bad we didn't get to see the passing diesel, but you can't have it all, I guess.

RWS/TV rating: 10/10.

Final thoughts:

Who would have thought? Almost all the stories would get a 10/10 from me in this book! Yep, it's that good! Intense stories and great introductions. Too bad Bear never made it to the TV series. Who knows? Maybe in CGi? All in all, a great book overall!

My rating: 9.9/10.

RWS scorecard:

8. Gordon the Big Engine: 9.2/10.

13. Duck and the Diesel Engine: 9.2/10.

21. Main Line Engines: 9.3/10.

23. Enterprising Engines: 9.9/10.

25. Duke the Lost Engine: 9.8/10.

26. Tramway Engines: 9.8/10.

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

40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.

RWS rating so far: 9.2/10.

Season 3 scorecard:

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

6. Thomas Gets Bumped: 10/10.

8. Diesel Does it Again: 7/10.

9. Henry's Forest: 9.5/10.

10. The Trouble with Mud: 6/10.

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.

20. Tender Engines: 6/10.

21. Escape: 10/10.

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

Season 3 rating so far: 8.8/10.











RWS No. 8. Gordon the Big Engine.

I thought I'd review one of the first few Railway Series books.

8. Gordon the Big Engine.

Written by: Reverend Awdry.

Illustrated by: Clarence Reginald Dalby.

Published: 1953.

In 1953, there was an 8th Railway Series book published. How does it stack up by being Gordon's book? Well, read and find out.

Foreword:



Dear Ian,
You asked for a book about Gordon. Here it is. Gordon has been naughty, and Sir Topham Hatt was stern with him.

Gordon has now learned his lesson and is a Really Useful Engine again.
The Author.

24. Off the Rails/Gordon Takes a Dip.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.

Aired: UK: 18 December 1984. AUS: 7 May 1987. US: 21 May 1989.

Gordon is huffy after being told to take a goods train and his fire is slow, so Edward comes to take him to the turntable. Gordon decides to "jam" the table, but only breaks through a fence and runs into a ditch. Edward takes the special instead and Henry and James pull him out.

I've got to say, this adaptation was fantastically filmed. Sure shows what the producers were capable of back in the 1980s. This story and adaptation are a great way of teaching kids that there are things in life that you have to do, even if you don't want to. Because if you don't, things can turn out all wrong like Gordon here, not wanting to pull trucks and tries to jam the turntable, but ends up in a ditch.

RWS/TV rating: 9.5/10.

62. Leaves/The Trouble With Mud.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: US: 26 November 1991. UK: 21 April 1992. AUS: 26 February 1993.

After a long tedious wash-down, Gordon is banned from pulling coaches and told to shunt trucks until he behaves, and he begins to order the trucks about. Later, he tries to warn James that his hill is slippery from leaves, James simply laughs, but soon regrets it when the coaches drag him down the hill. Gordon takes pity and helps James up again.

Nothing to say here, except that this story should have been kept for Season 1. Because of this, Gordon the Big Engine was covered in mud for no reason and he was forbidden from pulling coaches and just because he was dirty? Engines get dirty all the time. However, I will admit, the mud looked good on Gordon, but all the stuff that put it off for me were that Gordon was covered in mud for no reason and it was adapted in the wrong place.

RWS rating: 8.5/10.

TV rating: 6/10.

25. Down the Mine.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.

Aired: UK: 25 December 1984. AUS: 8 May 1987. US: 21 May 1989.

Thomas teases Gordon for falling into a ditch, and carries on even after Annie and Clarabel rebuke him. Thomas then goes to the lead mine to get some trucks. Thomas concocts a plan to go past a "danger" board, and falls in. Gordon, who laughs when he finds out, comes to the rescue, and, on the way home, the two form an alliance.

Interesting enough. This must be one of the most referenced Railway Series stories in the franchise. It was referenced later in Cab Over Wheels, Percy Takes the Plunge and even Blue Mountain Mystery. It's amazing how this story is based on a real event like just about every Railway Series story. Nothing to say here except for how this story did stick with the original. Imagine where the TV series would be now if they went ahead with this episode as the series premiere.

RWS/TV rating: 9.5/10.

101. Paint Pots and Queens/Thomas Meets the Queen.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.

Aired: UK: 15 November 1995. US: 20 November 1995. AUS: 22 May 1996.



Queen Elizabeth II is coming to Sodor and Henry brags that he will be chosen to take the Royal Train, but these plans are soon put to rest when Henry disturbs a painter and a paintpot falls onto him. Thomas and Gordon apologise to the Fat Controller for being silly, and he allows Gordon to pull the Royal Train. On the big day, Thomas gets the coaches ready, and Edward clears the line in front. The Queen meets all the engines, and talks personally to Thomas, Edward and Gordon, but Gordon feels proudest of all.

Some fans say that Season 1 should have ended with Mrs. Kyndley's Christmas. I disagree. I do think this should have been the Season 1 finale, and Thomas' Christmas Party should have been a 10 minute special in 1984. It's too bad that this story wasn't adapted in the 1980s. All in all, it was a nice way to introduce a real person to the franchise. I have a new rule for my Thomas reviews. If an adaptation is in the wrong place, it's a one point subtraction. Sometimes more, sometimes less, sometimes none at all.

RWS rating: 10/10.

TV rating: 9/10.

Final thoughts:

This is indeed a great book. It sure was nice of Wilbert to dedicate a book to Gordon after 8 years since his introduction. This is definitely another of the best books of the Railway Series.

My rating: 9.2/10.

RWS scorecard:

8. Gordon the Big Engine: 9.2/10.

13. Duck and the Diesel Engine: 9.2/10.

21. Main Line Engines: 9.3/10.

25. Duke the Lost Engine: 9.8/10.

26. Tramway Engines: 9.8/10.

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

40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.

RWS rating so far: 9.1/10.

Season 1 scorecard:

24. Off the Rails: 9.5/10.

25. Down the Mine: 9.5/10.

Season 1 rating so far: 9.5/10.

Season 3 scorecard:

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

6. Thomas Gets Bumped: 10/10.

8. Diesel Does it Again: 7/10.

9. Henry's Forest: 9.5/10.

10. The Trouble with Mud: 6/10.

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.

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

Season 3 rating so far: 8.9/10.

Season 4 scorecard:

1. Granpuff: 8/10.

2. Sleeping Beauty: 6/10.

3. Bulldog: 8.5/10.

4. You Can't Win: 9/10.

23. Paint Pots and Queens: 9/10.

Season 4 rating so far: 8.1/10.