RWS No. 2: Thomas the Tank Engine

Time for me to review the very first book to feature the main star of the entire franchise, Thomas the Tank Engine.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the images

2. Thomas the Tank Engine.
Written by: The Rev. W. Awdry.

Published: 18 October 1946.

Time for me to delve into Thomas' first adventure ever. How does he start to see the world?

Foreword:
Dear Christopher,
Here is your friend Thomas the Tank Engine. He wanted to come out of his station yard and see the world. These stories tell you how he did it.

I hope you will like them because you helped me to make them.

Your Loving Daddy

1. Thomas and Gordon/Thomas Gets Tricked.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.
Aired: UK: 9 October 1984. AUS: 6 April 1987. US: 29 January 1989.

Thomas the station pilot surprises Gordon and Gordon, furious, wonders how to pay Thomas out. Next day, Thomas is late and forgets to get uncoupled after shunting Gordon's coaches. Gordon takes Thomas on a wild high-speed journey across Sodor. Thomas later resolves to never tease Gordon again.

Even if I feel Edward's Day Out should've been the series premiere, I still think this is a decent way to start the TV series. Thomas the Tank Engine getting his comeuppance for consistently waking Gordon the Big Engine from his sleep. All that effort that went into modelling all the sets just goes to show how capable the entire crew were in the early 1980s. It was a nice way to start the series nonetheless, teaching kids what comes around goes around.

RWS/TV rating: 10/10.

5. Thomas' Train/A Big Day for Thomas.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 23 October 1984. AUS: 10 April 1987. US: 12 February 1989.

Henry is ill and Thomas is the only one available to take his train. Thomas, impatient, leaves too early and only stops when a signalman points out he is missing his coaches. Thomas goes back and is able to take the train that time, but is teased by the others for a long time afterwards.

This story and adaptation have a very good moral of being patient. With Thomas so eager to pull coaches, he goes off pretending to be like Gordon. That signalman was clever to realise that Thomas wasn't really pulling a train. Just goes to show that sometimes, we can be in such a rush, we're bound to leave something behind. 

RWS/TV rating: 9/10.

6. Thomas and the Trucks/Trouble for Thomas.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.
Aired: UK: 23 October 1984. AUS: 13 April 1987. US: 12 February 1989.

Thomas wants to see the world, but no one takes notice until Edward offers him to pull his train the next day. Thomas is excited but careless and the trucks push him down Gordon's Hill. Thomas manages to stop in time and the Fat Director tells him to start shunting trucks at Wellsworth.

This is another good story that shows we must be careful when it comes to doing jobs we're excited to do, because if we're not, things can turn for the worse like Thomas here, not knowing about how troublesome trucks can be. And our first instance of Thomas "Wanting to see the world". 

RWS/TV rating: 9.5/10.

7. Thomas and the Breakdown Train/Thomas Saves the Day.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 30 October 1984. AUS: 14 April 1987. US: 19 February 1989.

Thomas is shunting when some trucks push James across the Island and into a field. Thomas comes to his rescue with the Breakdown Train and is rewarded with two coaches and his own branch line.

We at last get to see Thomas become a hero, and not pretending to be like Gordon, right where he saves James. Too bad James wasn't black in the original adaptation. Props to The Adventure Begins for making James black in that adaptation. Thomas finally gets something in return, a branch line. Just goes to show that good things will happen to you if you keep doing good things. 

RWS/TV rating: 9.5/10.

Stray observations:

Thomas was originally going to be an LNER J50 (a.k.a. GNR J23) according to the Rev. W. Awdry's model. Even if the Rev W. Awdry wasn't pleased with the illustrator making Thomas that, he was pleased that Thomas is a real locomotive, an LB&SCR E2. 

Final thoughts:

This book was a very interesting way to bring Thomas himself to life, showing what he did before "seeing the world" (something that kid who said "Thomas never goes anywhere" failed to see). Overall, a great way to show that Awdry's engines acted like children in their early years.

My rating: 9.5/10.

RWS scorecard:

1. The 3 Railway Engines: 9/10.

2. Thomas the Tank Engine: 9.5/10.

6. Henry the Green Engine: 9.2/10.

8. Gordon the Big Engine: 9.2/10.

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.

16. Branch Line Engines: 9.6/10.

17. Gallant Old Engine: 9.5/10.

18. Stepney the Bluebell Engine: 9/10.

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.

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

40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.

RWS rating so far: 9.4/10.

Season 1 scorecard:

1. Thomas and Gordon: 10/10.

2. Edward and Gordon: 9.5/10.

3. The Sad Story of Henry: 9/10.

4. Edward, Gordon and Henry: 9/10.

5. Thomas' Train: 9/10.

6. Thomas and the Trucks: 9.5/10.

7. Thomas and the Breakdown Train: 9.5/10.

18. Coal: 9.5/10.

19. The Flying Kipper: 10/10.

20. Whistles and Sneezes: 9.5/10.

24. Off the Rails: 9.5/10.

25. Down the Mine: 9.5/10.

26. Thomas' Christmas Party: 9.5/10.

Season 1 rating so far: 9.4/10.

RWS No. 1: The 3 Railway Engines

After all that spirit of reviewing those Christmas episodes, let me delve into the book that started the whole franchise.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

1. The 3 Railway Engines.
Written by: Rev. W. Awdry.
Published: 12 May 1945.

During World War II, in 1942, Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry had made up stories about trains to entertain his first born Christopher Awdry. One time Wilbert made up a story, Christopher asked "Why is that engine sad, Daddy?" to which Wilbert replied "Because he's old, tired, and hasn't been out in a long time." Christopher asked "What's his name?" and Wilbert's answer was "Edward."

It wasn't until shortly after WWII ended we got this book. How does the Railway Series start?

2. Edward's Day Out. (Part 1)

The big engines are teasing Edward that he will not be allowed out because he is too weak, but when the driver sees him upset he offers to take him out. Edward goes to get some coaches, and, after a few moments of panic waiting for the guard, they start off and Edward has an enjoyable day.

This was a very emotional and enjoyable way to start the series. Edward is all sad, all because he hadn't been out in a long time, and due to the bigger engines doing more work than he'd done. This story also goes to show that no Edward means no Railway Series, and no Railway Series means no Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, and no Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends means no soccermums to complain.

My rating: 9/10.

Edward and Gordon/Edward Helps Out. (Part 2)

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.
Aired: UK: 9 October 1984. AUS: 7 April 1987. US: 29 January 1989.

Gordon is bragging about pulling the express, but when Edward is shunting Gordon comes past with a long goods train. Gordon deliberately stalls at a hill and Edward comes as a "banker." At the top of the hill, Gordon races ahead and Edward gets puffed out, but is pleased at the prospect of a new coat of paint.

Adapting both Edward's Day Out and Edward and Gordon makes the episode seem more solid. Sure there was no story about Edward waiting for the guard, but that was cut out due to timing constraints, and the show was in its early stages. So overall, this episode is very solid, with Edward helping Gordon up the hill, and getting a new coat of paint at the end. 

RWS rating: 9/10.

TV rating: 9.5/10.

3. The Sad Story of Henry/Come Out, Henry!
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and Robert Cardona.
Aired: UK: 16 October 1984. AUS: 8 April 1987. US: 5 February 1989.

One rainy day, Henry stops in a tunnel and refuses to move. His crew, the passengers, another engine and even the Fat Director try to get him to move, but to no avail. Eventually, they have him bricked up, and they bore a new tunnel.

This is a very solid adaptation, with Henry being bricked up in the tunnel, all because he was afraid the rain would ruin his green paint and red stripes. The story and the adaptation show if you don't come out of somewhere, you may get locked up forever. Of course I find it strange that Wilbert said a new tunnel was bored, yet the tunnel was already there in the 2nd illustration. 

RWS/TV rating: 9/10.

4. Edward, Gordon and Henry/Henry to the Rescue.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 16 October 1984. AUS: 9 April 1987. US: 5 February 1989.

Gordon is pulling the Express when he bursts his safety valve outside Henry's tunnel. Edward tries to pull the train, but cannot. The Fat Director lets Henry out of the tunnel so that he and Edward can pull the train. They later help Gordon home, and Henry is rewarded with a new blue coat.

Another solid adaptation. Gordon having his safety valve burst was a good comeuppance, since he was about to "Poop Poop" at Henry. I'm honestly fine with Henry not getting painted blue in the adaptation, and I'll explain why in my Tank Engine Thomas Again review. This was a nice way to end Henry's story of the book.

RWS/TV rating: 9/10.

Observations:

Gordon was named after a rude boy who lived on Reverend Awdry's street when Christopher was a kid.

Reverend Awdry was originally going to have Henry bricked up in the tunnel forever, but soon decided otherwise. 

Gordon's steam pipes keep disappearing and reappearing illustration by illustration! And they blame Jam-Filled for animation errors.

Final thoughts:

This is a very fine way to start the franchise overall. The introduction of our first 3 engines, and they were used very well. Though sometimes, I wish the TV series was called "Edward the Blue Engine and Friends" instead of "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends" as it's known, but I digress. But overall, it's still a solid start.

My rating: 9/10.

RWS scorecard:
1. The 3 Railway Engines: 9/10.
6. Henry the Green Engine: 9.2/10.
8. Gordon the Big Engine: 9.2/10.
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.
16. Branch Line Engines: 9.6/10.
17. Gallant Old Engine: 9.5/10.
18. Stepney the Bluebell Engine: 9/10.
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.
30. More About Thomas the Tank Engine: 8.8/10.
40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.

RWS rating so far: 9.4/10.

Season 1 scorecard:

2. Edward and Gordon: 9.5/10.

3. The Sad Story of Henry: 9/10.

4. Edward, Gordon and Henry: 9/10.

18. Coal: 9.5/10.

19. The Flying Kipper: 10/10.

20. Whistles and Sneezes: 9.5/10.

24. Off the Rails: 9.5/10.

25. Down the Mine: 9.5/10.
26. Thomas' Christmas Party: 9.5/10.

Season 1 rating so far: 9.3/10.

RWS No. 17: Gallant Old Engine.

Time for another Railway Series review. This time, it's another on the Skarloey Railway.

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

17. Gallant Old Engine.

Written by: Rev. W. Awdry.
Illustrated by: John Theodore Kenney.
Published: 1962.

It's finally time to welcome Rheneas back to the fleet after his years being repaired. How does it work out?

Foreword:

Dear Friends,

On the second page of Four Little Engines Rheneas was taken away to be mended. He was away for a long time, but has now come home.

All the Little Engines are together at last. They are delighted. Rheneas is their hero. He had saved the Railway....

There is a real engine like Rheneas. His name is Dolgoch and his home is at Towyn in Wales.

Some years ago he saved the Talyllyn Railway. We are very proud of our gallant old engine.

The Author

90. Special Funnel.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 30 October 1995. AUS: 6 May 1996. US: 7 October 1996.

Peter Sam's funnel is still loose after his accident with the Slate Trucks, and he longs for his new one. When winter is approaching, a washout sweeps a bridge away. Rusty and the workmen manage to repair it by the next market day, during which time the weather becomes frosty. Peter Sam, who is taking the passenger train, has his funnel knocked off by an icicle in the tunnel. His crew replace it with a drainpipe, until his new funnel, a "Giesl ejector", arrives. Although the engines tease him about its design at first (Sir Handel and Duncan continually ask him why he sat on it), the engines soon become jealous of it, as it allows Peter Sam to work more easily than ever.

This adaptation isn't without its flaws. First, Michael said that the drainpipe was wired to Peter Sam's boiler when it was clearly roped to his smokebox. You'd think Britt would've known better considering she'd worked on the show for 10 years at the time. And Peter Sam's funnel wasn't even a real Giesl funnel, but just a squarish funnel. Luckily it was fixed in the CGi series.

The lack of railway terminology let the adaptation down, and Peter Sam still had a bit of his old funnel on him when he received his new funnel.

RWS rating: 9/10.

TV rating: 8/10.

91. Steam Roller.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 31 October 1995. AUS: 7 May 1996. US: 28 October 1996. 

Sir Handel is always slipping between the rails, so he is given new wheels with broad tyres. The engines nickname him "a steamroller", until Skarloey tells him about George, the anti-railway steamroller working near the line. The next day, Sir Handel is taking a special train when he sees George rolling home. Sir Handel tries to pass, but George refuses and eventually they crash. Rusty and Mr. Hugh arrive to clear the mess, and next day, after a fence is put up to separate the road and rail, George leaves. Sir Handel thinks he made George go away, and is more conceited than ever - at least until some boys start talking about the "race"!

This is something that needed to happen more often, a Rail versus Road rivalry, and not that Steam vs Diesel rivalry they've overused over the last 14 years. Funny thing about this episode's US dub was that George was voiced by George. It's too bad none of the Skarloey engines met George at the level crossing or seeing construction crew tear up the stone wall beside the railway, but it's all made up for with the ace crash. Too bad George never got a CGi render. 

RWS/TV rating: 9.5/10. 

92. Passengers and Polish.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 1 November 1995. AUS: 8 May 1996. US: 4 November 1996.

Nancy, the guard's daughter, is giving Skarloey a polish when Duncan asks if he can get polished too. Nancy does not have the time, however, and Duncan starts to sulk. Later that day, one of Skarloey's coaches derails and Duncan is sent to take the passengers home. He arrives in time for his own train, and is so annoyed that he doesn't even try to build up steam, and he eventually stops right on the viaduct. Skarloey comes to take him to the top station, but the passengers are furious at the delay and say it's a bad railway. Duncan, however, doesn't care.

Can't say anything except this adaptation is very solid, especially how Skarloey's last coaches were left behind due to one coming off the rails, and Duncan was as grumpy as ever, though one thing puzzles me. Why couldn't they get Sir Handel, Peter Sam or Rusty to help with the train instead of Duncan? Just to give Duncan a rest. Another puzzling thing is Duncan was at the castle causeway instead of a station in the adaptation. But overall, it's a solid adaptation.

RWS/TV rating: 9.5/10. 

93. Gallant Old Engine.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 2 November 1995. AUS: 9 May 1996. US: 4 November 1996.

Duncan is still complaining, so Skarloey tells him and Peter Sam the story of Rheneas...

The year before Peter Sam and Sir Handel came, the Skarloey Railway was facing hard times and was at a possibility of closing. Skarloey was tired, so Rheneas offered to do some of his work too. Then, one day, he was pulling a full train home when his valve gear jammed. The Thin Controller and Mr. Hugh managed to fix him so he could struggle to the next station. It was hard work, but he managed to get there. The passengers were so grateful that they promised to come back with all their friends. Duncan realises he has been silly and thanks and apologises to Skarloey.

The next day, Edward brings Rheneas back to the Skarloey Railway, and a huge celebration ensues. But Rheneas feels the happiest when he's with Skarloey.

Another of the best of Season 4. Even if there was no rain in the original story, the rain in the adaptation made it feel more like Percy's Promise, only with Rheneas instead of Percy, and Rheneas wasn't in a flood. Just goes to show how much of a hero Rheneas is. And at the end, all the standard gauge engines and the narrow gauge engines were at the end together, making it a very nice touch. Solid adaptation this. 

RWS/TV rating: 10/10.

Stray observations:

This was the last book illustrated by John Theodore Kenney. The reason he retired was because his vision was starting to deteriorate, and he didn't want it to affect his work, and sadly, he was taken away from us in 1972. 

The accident in Steam Roller was inspired by a real event that happened in 1927 where a steamroller crashed into another train, losing its front roller.

Final thoughts:

This book was solid overall. We got to see Peter Sam get a new funnel that makes work seem easy, George was introduced, and Duncan learned his lesson about passengers by learning how brave Rheneas was. So overall, John Theodore Kenney went out on a high note.

My rating: 9.5/10.

RWS scorecard:

6. Henry the Green Engine: 9.2/10.

8. Gordon the Big Engine: 9.2/10.

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.

16. Branch Line Engines: 9.6/10.

17. Gallant Old Engine: 9.5/10.

18. Stepney the Bluebell Engine: 9/10.

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.

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

40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.

RWS rating so far: 9.4/10.

Season 4 scorecard:

1. Granpuff: 8/10.

2. Sleeping Beauty: 6/10.

3. Bulldog: 8.5/10.

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

5. 4 Little Engines: 9/10.

6. A Bad Day for Sir Handel: 8/10.

7. Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady: 10/10.

8. Trucks!: 8.5/10.

9. Home at Last: 9.5/10.

10. Rock n' Roll: 10/10.

11. Special Funnel: 8/10.

12. Steam Roller: 9.5/10.

13. Passengers and Polish: 9.5/10.

14. Gallant Old Engine: 10/10.

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.

20. Toad Stands By: 8.5/10.

21. Bulls Eyes: 8.5/10.

22. Thomas and the Special Letter: 10/10.

23. Paint Pots and Queens: 9/10.

24. Fish: 10/10.

26. Mind That Bike: 5/10.

Season 4 rating so far: 9.1/10.

TTTE S5E26: Rusty and the Boulder

Coming your way, another Season 5 Thomas review. One that's controversial, especially due to how unrealistic it is.

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

130. Rusty and the Boulder.
Written by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 19 October 1998. AUS: 28 December 1998. CAN: 15 February 1999.

On the Island of Sodor, high up in the mountains, there is a mysterious boulder that has stood alone for a long time. But one day, a new quarry is built near the mines on the land below and Rusty is afraid the giant boulder would fall onto the line. He confesses his fears to Thomas and Percy. Edward arrives with a new machine called Thumper to help with the mining process. Soon, Thumper is working hard. The men are pleased, but no one bothers to check the boulder. But when it started raining, the workmen left. Rusty gazed up and shivered as above stood Boulder. Suddenly, a large slab of rock lands on the rails. Rusty is shocked and worried by this, but his driver is concerned. His driver thinks the rock has been loosened by the rain, but Rusty thinks it is Boulder telling them to go away. As they leave, a face mysteriously appears on Boulder and then disappears.

The next day, the sun is shining again and Thumper begins working harder than ever. Suddenly, Rusty notices something; Boulder begins moving, but his driver does not believe him until Boulder falls down and lands on the rails in front of them and begins to chase Rusty. Boulder rolls along the line of the rails as Rusty quickly drives himself backwards to get away from Boulder. Rusty and his driver stop at a junction and wait for Boulder to pass by, but Boulder is nowhere to be seen. Then, they soon realise that Boulder is behind them. Just ahead, they see a small junction, so Rusty races towards it. Rusty takes the line that goes uphill, while Boulder thunders past by them.

Meanwhile, Skarloey is making his way up to the quarry, but he sees Boulder heading for him and catching up fast. He becomes surprised and immediately reverses, but soon slips into a siding, while the Boulder passes by. Boulder destroys the water tower that was in between the tracks. Skarloey tells Rusty that they have to warn the yards, but he does not know how. Boulder was headed for Rheneas and he races back as fast as he can to get away from Boulder until he ran into some buffers with Boulder just passing by him, but his driver sighs that it is rather a smash than a squash. At the yards, Percy is collecting trucks when he heard and saw Boulder approaching. Boulder crashes nearby into the sheds, causing a large, fiery explosion and Boulder to go up in flames.


When the Fat Controller inspects the damage, he has no choice but to close the mine. Then he looks at Boulder with the shed, demolished. He realises that they should have left this part of the island alone. At night, they move Boulder to a hill close by the yards so it would never harm anyone or anything on the island anymore. Rusty is sure that, on a clear night, it is gazing high up at the mountains in the distance and that its sighs are being carried on to the wind where it once used to stand, proud and silent.

While this episode is unrealistic, mainly due to how Boulder was chasing Rusty at his front, then chasing him from behind, and how round he is, this episode was entertaining at the same time, especially when Skarloey and Rheneas screamed "YOINKS!!!" upon seeing Boulder.

Now, onto the newcomer Thumper. I know he was here to work on the quarry, but he didn't say anything and he doesn't have a specified basis.

I know this episode might remind some of Indiana Jones, mainly due to how rapid the boulder was rolling, but on the least part, it was unrealistic. I mean as Boulder was chasing Rheneas across the viaduct, wouldn't Boulder's weight have destroyed the viaduct?

But hey, this is a fine episode overall.

My rating: 7.5/10.

Season 5 scorecard:

3. A Better View for Gordon: 10/10.

10. Toby and the Flood: 5.5/10.

12. Double Teething Troubles: 9.5/10.

25. Snow: 3.5/10.

26. Rusty and the Boulder: 7.5/10.

Season 5 so far: 8.4/10.

RWS No. 14: The Little Old Engine

I'm up for another Railway Series review. The 2nd to star our favourite little Narrow Gauge engines.

(Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the images)

14. The Little Old Engine.
Written by: Rev. W. Awdry.
Illustrated by: John Theodore Kenney.
Published: 1959.

Here, we're introduced to our maintenance diesel ad our Rock n' Rolling engine. How does it stack up?

Foreword:
Dear Friends,
You remember in Four Little Engines that Sir Handel Brown, The Owner, sent Skarloey away to be mended. These stories tell what happened when "The Little Old Engine" came home.

Skarloey is not real. You can only see him in these books. But there is a real engine just like Skarloey. He is very, very old, and has been mended. His name is Talyllyn, and he lives at Towyn in Wales.

You would all enjoy going to see him at work.

The Author

86. Trucks!/Rusty Helps Peter Sam.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 25 October 1995. AUS: 1 May 1996. US: 14 October 1996.

Peter Sam and Sir Handel are given buffers and a new diesel named Rusty arrives, but Sir Handel continues to act in his same old way. Gordon sees Sir Handel shunting and advises him to get out of work by pretending to be sick. Sir Handel does so next morning, and Peter Sam and Rusty take his trucks for him. Peter Sam later goes to the slate mines to collect more trucks. Some mistake him for Sir Handel, and decide to play a trick on him. They snap their chain and run into him. Peter Sam is rescued by Rusty and goes to the shed. Sir Handel apologises and the Thin Controller tells him to do Peter Sam's work as well as his own. Sir Handel is then left wanting to give Gordon a piece of his mind!

The adaptation is not without its faults. First off, Rusty was new to the railway and didn't need to make a proper appearance until Sir Handel started to feign illness. Maybe cut it out and we would've gotten more info about the incline. Second of all, how can the trucks not see Peter Sam properly? I mean in the books I can understand because all the steam engines on the Skarloey Railway are red, but in the adaptation, Sir Handel is blue and Peter Sam is green. Unless sunlight was reflecting off Peter Sam's boiler, making it impossible for the trucks to see the colour at all. Just some tweaks that could've work, but the accident was ace. 

RWS rating: 9.5/10.

TV rating: 8.5/10.

87. Home at Last.

Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 26 October 1995. AUS: 2 May 1996. US: 21 October 1996.

Peter Sam, still recovering, is delighted when Skarloey returns. They talk about the going-ons of the railway while Skarloey was away, including new coaches, and new engines such as Rusty and a bad-tempered steam engine named Duncan with strong languages and rough manners. They are interrupted when Skarloey's crew arrive to tell him that Duncan has gotten stuck in the tunnel. Skarloey takes some workmen to pull Duncan out and takes his train home. The Thin Controller rebukes Duncan, who behaves for the rest of the evening.

Too bad we never got Ada, Jane, Mabel, Gertrude or Millicent in the TV series, but what can you do? The way Duncan got stuck in the tunnel was very well done. And I like how Peter Sam explained about what Duncan was like really put me on this adaptation. 

RWS/TV rating: 9.5/10.

88. Rock n' Roll.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 27 October 1995. AUS: 3 May 1996. US: 21 October 1996. 

Skarloey meets Rusty and compliments him on his work on the line. Rusty confides that the line before Cros-ny-Cuirn is dangerous and he is afraid Duncan will derail. Duncan overhears and insults Rusty. The next day, Rusty, who is still cross at Duncan, leaves him to get his own coaches. Duncan is late, and James tells him about the time he "supposedly" made Diesel leave single-handedly. Duncan is impressed, and is so focused on sending Rusty packing that he comes off at the dangerous line. When Rusty hears, he grudgingly assists and after Duncan apologises for being rude, the two become friends.

This is without a doubt the best adaptation of the book. Funny how coincidentally, a diesel named Diesel was introduced in the previous book and James mentioned him in this book while Duncan was complaining about Rusty. Also, the accident Duncan had in this was spot on. And it was nice that both Duncan and Rusty made up in the end. 

RWS/TV rating: 10/10. 

Little Old Twins.

Some men are coming to look at the line, and Peter Sam and Sir Handel remember that people did that on their old line and that it was later sold. The engines are miserable, until Peter Sam's driver tells them the men are producers from the BBC who will be filming the engines for a television documentary . Everyone is happy again, except Sir Handel, who tries to weasel out by playing sick again; the Thin Controller simply asks his crew to take him apart to show the producers how an engine works. Peter Sam is given the honour of pulling the television equipment, and, after a circuit around the line, stops to film Skarloey making a speech. To everyone's surprise, Skarloey reveals that he has a twin, Talyllyn, and that he met him while being repaired.

Now this is a story that was worthy of an adaptation. Makes me wonder what would've happened if Thomas was produced by the BBC? Dunno why Sir Handel would play sick again after the trouble he unintentionally caused Peter Sam. Another nice way to bring a real engine to the series, especially one whom Skarloey is based on. 

My rating: 9.5/10.

Stray observations:

Little Old Twins has the most words of any Railway Series story, with 790 in total and is tied with A Close Shave for having the most illustrations. 

Look at the pic I chose for the review on Trucks!, Peter Sam's face is slanted. And people complain about Thomas' face being slanted in Journey Beyond Sodor. 

Final Thoughts:

This book is overall a nice read. It was a nice way to bring Rusty and Duncan to the series, and interesting to have a real engine, in this case Talyllyn, Skarloey's brother. Duncan's comeuppance was well written and Peter Sam's accident was surprising. 

My rating: 9.6/10.

RWS scorecard:

6. Henry the Green Engine:

8. Gordon the Big Engine: 9.2/10.

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.

16. Branch Line Engines: 9.6/10.

18. Stepney the Bluebell Engine: 9/10.

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.

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

40. New Little Engine: 5.7/10.

RWS rating so far: 9.4/10.

Season 4 scorecard:

1. Granpuff: 8/10.

2. Sleeping Beauty: 6/10.

3. Bulldog: 8.5/10.

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

5. 4 Little Engines: 9/10.

6. A Bad Day for Sir Handel: 8/10.

7. Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady: 10/10.

8. Trucks!: 8.5/10.

9. Home at Last: 9.5/10.

10. Rock n' Roll: 10/10.

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.

20. Toad Stands By: 8.5/10.

21. Bulls Eyes: 8.5/10.

22. Thomas and the Special Letter: 10/10.

23. Paint Pots and Queens: 9/10.

24. Fish: 10/10.

26. Mind That Bike: 5/10.

Season 4 rating so far: 8.7/10.

TTTE S7E12: Rheneas and the Roller Coaster

This is my first review of the week. This time, it's on a Season 7 episode of Thomas that's been getting contempt over the last several years now, especially due to its unrealism. Is it right to get that dislike?

(Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image)

168. Rheneas and the Roller Coaster.

Written by: James Mason.
Aired: UK: 21 October 2003. CAN: 24 February 2004. AUS: 27 October 2004.

Sir Topham Hatt gave Rheneas the task of taking some school children to the mountains, but Rheneas was worried that he might not be able to make the trip memorable. Rheneas arrived at the station asking Rusty how he can make the children's day special. Rusty tells him that he knows the mountains better, but Rheneas was not sure his best would be exciting.

Rheneas' driver shows the children the Castle, the Valley and the Viaduct during the trip. The children was surprised, but Rheneas considers the locations boring and longs for more excitement. Meanwhile Rusty was inspecting some track on the Rocky Ridge Line after heavy rain washed the ground make the track bumpy.


While Rheneas was still trying to make the children's trip special, he was diverted onto the dangerous line sending him on a roller coaster-like ride down the mountain. The children are very excited and have a wonderful time. Rheneas makes it to the station safely in time for the children's tea, but was worried that Sir Topham Hatt would be cross. The children had an exciting ride after all and Sir Topham Hatt was pleased with Rheneas and praises him as a Really Useful Engine.


I'm going out on a limb to say that Peter Sam should've gotten the role instead of Rheneas, especially since Peter Sam is more of the fun kind, while Rheneas is more of the wise kind. Rheneas was very out of character here, especially since he should know how important it is to take kids on a tour of the railway instead of wanting it to be over exciting.

I can get past how unrealistic this is due to how entertaining the ride was. Sure the ride was entertaining, but the episode was rather weak as a whole. If it'd been Peter Sam instead of Rheneas, it would've been better.

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

Season 7 scorecard:

2. Percy Gets it Right: 9.5/10.

9. The Spotless Record: 10/10.

12. Rheneas and the Roller Coaster: 5/10.

Season 7 rating so far: 8.6/10.

TTTE S5E03: A Better View for Gordon.

Another Season 5 Thomas review coming your way.

107. A Better View for Gordon.
Written by: Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and David Maidment.
Aired: UK: 16 September 1998. AUS: 25 November 1998. US: 2 February 1999.

One morning, Gordon is complaining, which makes James cross. James asks why Gordon complains all the time, and Gordon tells him that he is a big engine, and that he shall complain whenever he wants, and he then tells James that he is just a small red engine with ideas above his station, and that one day he will show them just what a big engine can really do.

Later, Gordon is ordered by the Fat Controller to pull an empty express train to Kirk Ronan to test the new station building. At first he doesn't want to do it since Henry usually likes doing it, but the Fat Controller doesn't care, so tells him to do as he is told. Along the way, he begins to feel sick. His driver tells him that he must go to the works when his pipes are clogged. Gordon soon arrives at the station. He is impressed, but his mood soon changes when in front of him is a blank wall and a set of buffers. Gordon is bored by the blank plaster wall in front of his buffers, and says that important engines should have a panoramic view so that people could see him.

On the return journey, Gordon tries to build up speed, but he then breaks down and comes to a complete stop in a siding. Gordon's driver tells him that something inside of him is broken, and that he will have to go to the works. When James arrives to collect his coaches, he tells Gordon that he was too puffed up in his smokebox and it serves him right.

Gordon is repaired in time for the opening of the new station, but still acts puffed up. When he approaches Kirk Ronan, neither the driver and fireman can apply his brakes. Something is jammed and Gordon loses control and crashes through the wall. His crew and the Fat Controller suffer minor injuries. The Fat Controller tells him that he knew Gordon wanted a panoramic view, but this is not the way to achieve it.

Upon his second return from the Works, Gordon arrives back at the station for its second official opening, and this time he arrives safely. Gordon is delighted to discover the broken wall has been turned into a panoramic window. The Fat Controller tells him that it is here to stay, and he trusts that he will always see through it from the safety of his own rails.


This episode was, to say the least, interesting. The main problem with it is that Gordon's crew told him "Something's broken inside you, Gordon.", but they didn't say exactly what.

I tell you, the crash Gordon had was epic! It was inspired by a real even that occurred in Montparnasse, Paris, France in 1895, when a French tender engine was pulling a train of 3 luggage vans, a mail coach and 6 passenger coaches crashed through the station wall, causing the masonry to kill a woman. Sad event that. All because the driver was going too fast, just to make up for lost time. He was fined 50 francs for that, and the guard was fined 25 francs for failing to apply the brakes on time.

It was a brilliant episode this. Gordon finally got what he wanted after all, and all because he crashed through it. It was funny when Gordon the Big Engine was all "Help me, please!"

My rating: 10/10.

Season 5 scorecard:

3. A Better View for Gordon: 10/10.

10. Toby and the Flood: 5.5/10.

12. Double Teething Troubles: 9.5/10.

25. Snow: 3.5/10.

Season 5 so far: 8.6/10.