Little Old Engine

Railway Series #14

by W. Awdry

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

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, Picture Books, Trains

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

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

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

These four stories involve characters (engines) other than the usual ones, but the tales are much the same, i.e., they tell what happens when engines or cars try to 'get away' with something. Even my 21-month-old grandson has figured this out because when we start another story, his word is, "happens". What happens? And indeed, isn't that what all of life is about. But the REAL question is, do we learn our LESSON?

This particular book has the added benefit of a picture (at the very end) of a very old train, Talyllyn, in the town of Towyn in Wales. He was 95 when the book was first published in 1959. So do your math to figure out how old he is now!

[alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

We quite liked the story about making the TV show and how each of the engines contributed. Skarloey comes across much differently here than in the recent Thomas movies. I'm not sure my 3yo made any connections between the characters in this book and the TV shows but we actually enjoyed this collection a bit more than others.

[pouls namrood]

Hey guys I am going to read the little old engine

[Jordan Maitlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m convinced at this point that anything with the little engines in it in this series is bound to be great.

They’re such gentlemen (mostly), so old school, and very wholesome! Not quite as good as the other Little Engines stories, but still a very nice little addition to the series with a couple of lovely lessons for the little ones!

[Meowcats TV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book about the Skarloey Railway.