Recap / The Railway Series B2: "Thomas the Tank Engine"

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.

— Foreword

Thomas the Tank Engine is the second book of The Railway Series published in 1946. This marks the first appearance of the titular blue tank engine, who would become such a popular character the whole series would eventually centre around him. The book was illustrated by Reginald Payne, who was the one to model Thomas on an LB&SCR E2 locomotive. However, he remains uncredited to this day. The book contains the following stories:

• Thomas and Gordon: Thomas the station pilot plays tricks on Gordon, who becomes furious and decides to get back at him. 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 learns a lesson to never tease Gordon again.
• Thomas' Train: Henry is ill and Thomas is the only one available to take the Express. Unfortunately, he's so impatient that he leaves too early and only stops when a signalman points out he is missing his coaches. Thomas returns to the station and takes the train that time. He is teased by the others for a long time afterwards.
• Thomas and the Trucks: Thomas complains that he wants to see the world, but no one takes notice until Edward offers to give him his trucks. Thomas is excited but is careless, and the trucks push him down Gordon's Hill. Thomas manages to stop in time, and the Fat Director advises him to start shunting trucks at Wellsworth in order to be a Really Useful Engine.
• Thomas and the Breakdown Train: Thomas is shunting when some trucks push James into a field. Thomas comes to his rescue with the Breakdown Train, and is rewarded with two coaches and his own branch line.

The book contains examples of:

• Bratty Half-Pint: Thomas, who’s described as "cheeky" and "fussy".
• Bully Hunter: Thomas didn't take it well when the trucks pushed James, causing him to crash in the field. He makes them whimper in fear while he’s clearing the accident.
  Thomas: This'll teach you a lesson! This'll teach you a lesson! [biffs truck]
  Truck: [Whimpering] Yes it will. Yes it will.
• Chekhov's Gun: The Breakdown Train. The driver shows it to Thomas and explains to him that it's designed to lift heavy objects. As James gets himself into an accident, Thomas uses the Breakdown Train to put James back on the rails.
• Earn Your Happy Ending: After rescuing James with the Breakdown Train, Thomas is rewarded with two coaches and his own branch line.
• First Day from Hell: James is pushed down Gordon's Hill by the trucks, the friction caused by the driver's attempt to stop sets his wooden brake blocks on fire, and he ends up crashing into a pasture.
• Foreshadowing: Henry is ill in "Thomas' Train", which would serve as a crucial plot for "Coal" from Henry the Green Engine.
• I Just Want to Be Special: What Thomas desires in the third story.
  Thomas: I'm tired of pushing coaches! I want to see the world!
• Insulted Awake: This happened with Gordon after Thomas disturbs his sleep for the second time, leading to his plan to pay him back.

• Jerkass Realization: The passengers are infuriated by Thomas' mistake, until he comes back looking extremely sorrowful and they feel sorry for him.

• No, You: This happens when Thomas arrives late to prepare for Gordon's express.
  Gordon: Hurry up, you!
  Thomas: Hurry yourself!
  Gordon: [Plotting his plan] Yes, I will.

• Runaway Train: The trucks push Thomas down Gordon's Hill, sending him rushing far past the station into a siding.
• A Tragedy of Impulsiveness: An excited and impatient Thomas speeds off before his train is properly coupled.
• Very Loosely Based on a True Story:
  • "Thomas and Gordon" is based on a real event that occurred with an express train and the pilot leaving Liverpool Street station in London.
  • "Thomas' Train" is based on a real event that occurred mostly in the GER "Jazz" service and at other places and other times.
  • "Thomas and the Breakdown Train" was based on a story Wilbert Awdry was told by a London, Midland and Scottish Railway guard.

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