Enterprising Engines

Railway Series #23

by W. Awdry

The original Railway Series books continue to delight Thomas fans of all ages.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books

72 pages, Hardcover

First published October 4, 1968

About the author

Wilbert Vere Awdry, OBE, better known as the Rev. W. Awdry, was an English clergyman, railway enthusiast and children's author, and creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, who starred in Awdry's acclaimed Railway Series.

The characters that would make Awdry famous, and the first stories featuring them, were invented in 1943 to amuse his son Christopher during a bout of measles. The first book (The Three Railway Engines) was published in 1945, and by the time Awdry stopped writing in 1972, The Railway Series numbered 26 books. Christopher subsequently added further books to the series.

Reviews

[Stephen Nagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is the Reverend Awdry his best. But the tale that stands out the most is "Super Rescue" where we see Henry hold his own against two Diesel engines with very different ideals. This is one of my all time favorite books, and do hope we get to see old "Spam Can" again some day.

[Ciaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know "hahaha this is weirdly dark" is very cliche when it comes to talking about children's books but... there are train refugees. Train. Refugees. Trains escaping to the Island of Sodor so they won't be killed
Since "The Twin Engines" there's been this undercurrent that the world is a steam train dystopia, that the Island of Sodor is one of the few safe places for steam engines. Up and down the country, steam engines are being scrapped and replaced by diesels. Its a lot different from the often formulaic stories of the older books. I imagine this reflects what the author, a man clearly passionate about trains, witnessed over the decades of writing these.
In addition, this is some of the strongest writing. All 4 stories build on and fit each other in terms of plot and themes really well. I'm glad Douglas, of all characters, was the one to rescue Oliver from a fate he, too, narrowly escaped. Its also weirdly dramatic, with Douglas and Oliver having to navigate humans and diesels searching for this escaped train. At one point in his flight, Oliver, his coaches, and his crew had to hide in a ditch.
I also like that the Diesel characters are generally treated with nuance. As long as they're not calling for the genocide of steam trains, they're welcomed into the group by the end of the story.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the Reverend Awdry's final books, and the last one to focus on the mainline characters. It was published in 1968, which was significant as it was the final year of steam on British Railways. The is constantly referred to throughout this book, with the threat of dieselisation, the fate of steam on the British mainland, and the daring escape of one engine from scrap. However, the book proves Sodor to be a safe haven from the threats of the mainland, with the reassurance that steam will continue there. Flying Scotsman pays a visit, and, at a time when branch lines were closing down, here, one re-opens, with a new tank engine, Oliver (whose Story was Perfectly adapted & then some in the TV Series), who has escaped the scrapyard, called in to help run it. It is often said that this is one of the darkest books in the series, and with the constant theme of scrapping, perhaps it is, but it also manages to provide the usual humour and banter, and in all, has to be one of the most memorable books in the series.

[Jordan Maitlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read.

I never thought in my lifetime that I’d see a story about a taking train rescuing another talking train from death… I kind of dug it haha. This set of short stories seems a bit wordier than the other entries up to this point, but it’s still pretty well written and I liked Henry’s story the most.

Good book.

[Andy Dainty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Flying Scotsman visits Gordon and Henry gets jealous, meanwhile some diesel engines think they are the best.

[Meowcats TV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often regarded as the best book in the series, and while it isn't my favorite, I can't deny that it's amazing and that Super Rescue and Escape are two of my favorite RWS stories.