One hundred years ago when Skarloey and Rheneas first arrived on their railway, they were young and silly. Skarloey was sulky and bouncy. He and Rheneas quarrelled...But they soon learned sense and have given regular service ever since; and now the Owner gives them a wonderful hundredth birthday, in which the other engines join.
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.
An intriguing, heart felt look into the lives of Skarloey and Rheneas. Neil is an interesting character and fine edition to the Railway crew. Though some of the stories are slow and uneventful, it is still an insightful perspective through what it means to be a piece of history.
Skarloey is the real mvp. I’ll like just about anything with him and the little engines it the front and center of the story. I enjoyed hearing their backstory.