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Railway Series #1
The Three Railway Engines
The three Engines all lived in the same shed and worked on the same railway. The author has told of their adventures in four amusing short stories showing how they quarrelled and eventually became good friends again.
72 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1945
23 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
About the author
W. Awdry
1,113 books110 followersWilbert 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
June 11, 2021
The Railway Series continues to have such long lasting appeal due to the iconic memorable characters created by Reverend Awdry - it's an obvious pick in the 1001 Children Books.
I'd first come across these stories with the original 80's TV series - that image of Henry bricked up in the tunnel is so memorable.
The four stories featuring Edward, Gordon and Henry also feel perfectly episodic too.
Each engine has their own distinct personality, it was a sensible suggestion by the publisher to incorporate all three into the final tale.
I'd first come across these stories with the original 80's TV series - that image of Henry bricked up in the tunnel is so memorable.
The four stories featuring Edward, Gordon and Henry also feel perfectly episodic too.
Each engine has their own distinct personality, it was a sensible suggestion by the publisher to incorporate all three into the final tale.
December 17, 2022
My daughters LOVED this series when they were little, but they only watched the shows and never read any of the books. We didn't have Internet back in those long-ago Dark Ages, and I didn't think to try to find the books. Hopefully they will be pleased to read the original series to their own children as they grow up.
This first book in the series contains four short stories:
1) Edward's Day Out
2) Edward and Gordon
3) The Sad Story of Henry
4) Edward, Gordon and Henry
The lovely thing about this series, from a parent's perspective, is that the stories contain gentle little motivational or moral lessons for children (or at least nothing inappropriate) and yet they are realistic situations which children might find themselves in, albeit disguised because the actors are trains.
This first book in the series contains four short stories:
1) Edward's Day Out
2) Edward and Gordon
3) The Sad Story of Henry
4) Edward, Gordon and Henry
The lovely thing about this series, from a parent's perspective, is that the stories contain gentle little motivational or moral lessons for children (or at least nothing inappropriate) and yet they are realistic situations which children might find themselves in, albeit disguised because the actors are trains.
June 4, 2017
The Reverend Wilbert Awdry's Thomas the Tank Engine series began here with a story not about Thomas, but about three engines named Edward, Gordon, and Henry that would establish their part as a strong supporting cast within the upcoming stories involving the trains and other vehicles that inhabit the Island of Sodor. This series started as bedtime stories that Rev. Awdry would tell his son, Christopher, which began during Christopher's very own bout with measles (don't worry, though, Christopher is still alive to this day and he would pen several books of his own that would continue the series). These stories would make up Edward's Day Out, the very first in the series, Edward and Gordon, and The Sad Story of Henry. Edward, Gordon, and Henry would be added right before publishing upon a contingency of the publisher, who wanted the book to end happily for Henry.
From these books, we get an idea of three different engines with three different personalities. Edward is perhaps the engine we are meant to root for and I feel that this strategy was a success. Edward (the blue engine) is an eager train that is not as big as the others, but has a great deal of confidence to make up for it, but at the same time a sense of modesty that does not turn his confidence into a larger ego the way that Henry is known to develop. Gordon (the big blue engine) is the complete opposite of Edward, the biggest engine from the shed and has a level of confidence that really boosts his ego to the point of cockiness. In Edward and Gordon, he expresses great interest in getting jobs done, but is specifically interested in pushing the express. Henry (the green engine that is a bit smaller than Gordon) has traits from Edward and Gordon, a sense of meekiness that can easily turn into arrogance when things go well for him. In these books, we get a sense of how Henry is compulsive, in which he does not want his newly painted coat to get wet in the rain. The Fat Controller (Sir Topham Hatt) and the other drivers and humans provide a sense of humor that will definitely catch the attention of adults, while it may catch the attention of children through what they hear from adults. James (the red engine) makes an appearance unnamed in scenes from the shed and when trying to get Henry out of the tunnel.
To me, this is a five-star story, because it does an outstanding job laying the groundwork for Rev. Awdry's series that would become the Thomas the Tank Engine series. What started out as clever bedtime stories turned into an ongoing global phenomenon that is only growing bigger and bigger. These stories were read to me as a youth and I am quite fond of the memories I had with watching these episodes that were narrated by either Ringo Starr or George Carlin. These engines were fleshed out well enough and I feel that it was something that both younger children, older children, and adults could get something out of reading. It was mentioned in the 1,001 Children's Books to Read Before You Grow Up and I think it was rightfully so. I read this as part of the complete collection of stories from the Thomas the Tank Engine series, but am reviewing it as an individual work, one that I would recommend either which way.
From these books, we get an idea of three different engines with three different personalities. Edward is perhaps the engine we are meant to root for and I feel that this strategy was a success. Edward (the blue engine) is an eager train that is not as big as the others, but has a great deal of confidence to make up for it, but at the same time a sense of modesty that does not turn his confidence into a larger ego the way that Henry is known to develop. Gordon (the big blue engine) is the complete opposite of Edward, the biggest engine from the shed and has a level of confidence that really boosts his ego to the point of cockiness. In Edward and Gordon, he expresses great interest in getting jobs done, but is specifically interested in pushing the express. Henry (the green engine that is a bit smaller than Gordon) has traits from Edward and Gordon, a sense of meekiness that can easily turn into arrogance when things go well for him. In these books, we get a sense of how Henry is compulsive, in which he does not want his newly painted coat to get wet in the rain. The Fat Controller (Sir Topham Hatt) and the other drivers and humans provide a sense of humor that will definitely catch the attention of adults, while it may catch the attention of children through what they hear from adults. James (the red engine) makes an appearance unnamed in scenes from the shed and when trying to get Henry out of the tunnel.
To me, this is a five-star story, because it does an outstanding job laying the groundwork for Rev. Awdry's series that would become the Thomas the Tank Engine series. What started out as clever bedtime stories turned into an ongoing global phenomenon that is only growing bigger and bigger. These stories were read to me as a youth and I am quite fond of the memories I had with watching these episodes that were narrated by either Ringo Starr or George Carlin. These engines were fleshed out well enough and I feel that it was something that both younger children, older children, and adults could get something out of reading. It was mentioned in the 1,001 Children's Books to Read Before You Grow Up and I think it was rightfully so. I read this as part of the complete collection of stories from the Thomas the Tank Engine series, but am reviewing it as an individual work, one that I would recommend either which way.
January 7, 2023
Four short stories featuring three railway engines Edward, Gordon and Henry in this first book in the railway series (no sign of Thomas as yet - he appeared in the second book in the series) that shows the rivalry between the engines but finally they all make up and live in their sheds happy with each other.
The first story 'Edward's Day Out' has the smallest engine getting a rare outing as a passenger train. The trip looks doomed when the guard does not turn up and Edward is very disappointed. But he eventually does arrive and Edward works all day ferrying his passenger here there and everywhere, so much so that he fell asleep immediately when he got back to the shed!
The rivalry between Edward and Gordon comes to ahead in 'Edward and Gordon' but the camaraderie between the engines returns when Edward helps Gordon out of a difficult situation. And in 'The Sad Story of Henry', the fat director (he had not earned the title Controller at this stage) is called out to handle a tricky situation with an obstinate Henry who ends up walled up in a tunnel.
Still walled up in his tunnel in the final story 'Edward, Gordon and Henry', Gordon is doing most of the work but he encounters a technical problem and Edward tries to help him out. However, he is not powerful enough to do so on his own so Henry eats humble pie and gets out of his prison in the tunnel and the three of them sort the problem out before returning happily to their sheds.
Of course, Thomas the Tank takes over later in the series as he becomes the primary character.
The first story 'Edward's Day Out' has the smallest engine getting a rare outing as a passenger train. The trip looks doomed when the guard does not turn up and Edward is very disappointed. But he eventually does arrive and Edward works all day ferrying his passenger here there and everywhere, so much so that he fell asleep immediately when he got back to the shed!
The rivalry between Edward and Gordon comes to ahead in 'Edward and Gordon' but the camaraderie between the engines returns when Edward helps Gordon out of a difficult situation. And in 'The Sad Story of Henry', the fat director (he had not earned the title Controller at this stage) is called out to handle a tricky situation with an obstinate Henry who ends up walled up in a tunnel.
Still walled up in his tunnel in the final story 'Edward, Gordon and Henry', Gordon is doing most of the work but he encounters a technical problem and Edward tries to help him out. However, he is not powerful enough to do so on his own so Henry eats humble pie and gets out of his prison in the tunnel and the three of them sort the problem out before returning happily to their sheds.
Of course, Thomas the Tank takes over later in the series as he becomes the primary character.
July 2, 2024
Supa fun!
November 10, 2023
One of the finest spoken-word performances I have witnessed. The steam sound effects were particularly *chef's kiss*! The groans accompanying Henry proclaiming, "Pull hard! Pull hard!" less so...
- Sarah
- Sarah
April 19, 2017
Thomas the Tank Engine was my life when I was a kidlet. And I'm p sure the story of Henry being bricked up in a tunnel gave me my abandonment issues.
April 26, 2013
These three engines are competing for attention here. Edward is demanding and anxious to start, calling impatiently for the guard. He taunts Gordon and Henry about being the first to go out. Gordon is cross and grouchy because he has to pull dirty coal trucks rather than shiny coach cars. Edward is recruited to help Gordon when he complains about his heavy trucks. With Edward's help pushing Gordon is able to reach the top of the hill. Gordon takes all the credit for the hard work and forgets to thank Edward for the push. Henry is a vain engine who hides in a tunnel to keep out of the rain. Henry refuses to budge from the tunnel. Henry is so stubborn about coming out of the tunnel, that the train director instructs his men to seal the tunnel and leave him there. Edward and Gordon tease Henry about his dilemma as they chug past the tunnel on their rail adventures. When Gordon bursts a safety valve while showing off, Edward is called to pull Gordon's heavy cars. Edward isn't strong enough and the director finally agrees to take down the wall blocking Henry's tunnel and give him a go at the job. When Henry comes to the rescue, the passengers are so grateful. In the end Henry learns it is better not to be stuck-up. He missed chugging the tracks! Gordon and Edward are glad to have Henry back in service again, and they learn to work together. The story of these three trains make a good lesson for little ones about the consequences of bragging.
November 7, 2021
It’s a little difficult to judge this book from an objective critical standpoint as it’s a bit of an outlier, being the first book in a long-running series. For what it’s worth, however, the stories in The Three Railway Engines hold up relatively well after 76 years and set the foundations for what was to come.
This book is separated into four stories, the first three are standalone anthology stories revolving around the titular three railway engines and the fourth bringing them all together. The first story “Edward’s Day Out” is a bit of an unusual one. Seeing as these stories were not initially meant for publication and were instead bedtime stories for Awdry’s measles-ridden son, this story is very simple and somewhat out-of-place compared to the remainder of The Railway Series. I find it odd that the drivers only choose one of the many engines available to use on a particular day despite the next story “Edward and Gordon” establishing that multiple of them operate on a daily basis, this was a strange quirk that was carried into the 1984 television adaption despite “Edward’s Day Out” not being adapted in full.
“Edward and Gordon” is, in my eyes, the quintessential Awdry story. It’s not necessarily the best one per se but it establishes a formula that Awdry would continue to use for many future stories and also gives a former introduction to one of the series’ most important characters - Gordon. Gordon is an essential character when discussing The Railway Series in particular as throughout the 42 books, we witness his journey from a brand new modern steam locomotive (as seen in this book) to an old and worn out one on the brink of retirement in the last book, this series is by all means his story. He also has the most significant character development, he literally finds out his siblings are dead in “Enterprising Engines” and nobody cares. The first book makes it clear who Gordon is - he’s a very pompous and proud engine, who undermines those he views as inferior but usually gets his comeuppance. In that, we get a better idea of who Edward is. “Edward’s Day Out” establishes that he’s older than most other engines but “Edward and Gordon” shows that his age isn’t much of a hindrance as he’s still capable of helping Gordon up the hill, a premise that the television series would repurpose in its sixth and eighteenth seasons. A dynamic between the central characters is also present, Gordon feels that he is superior to Edward and makes that quite clear but Edward is clearly unbothered by this, which would later lead to him becoming a wise sage character in later volumes. This story is simple but very important when analysing where the Awdry style of story originated from.
The third story “The Sad Story of Henry” is probably the most well-known story in the entirety of the Thomas franchise, including the Railway Series and Television Series. Most know it as the one where Henry “gets locked up in the tunnel forever and dies” which is obviously untrue. We’re introduced to two more key characters - Henry and The Fat Director (later The Fat Controller From Book 2 onwards). Despite how controversial it is in nature, I really like how the story ends on a rather depressing note, with Henry being trapped inside the tunnel and the narrator clearly lacking any sympathy for him. However, the story itself is pretty simple and lacking in substance despite how iconic it is. The most interesting thing about this story is how it has been interpreted over the years. The initial 1945 version and the 1984 television adaptation portray Henry as a stubborn asshole who only cares about keeping his paint dry but the 2015 special “The Adventure Begins” reinterprets this to make Henry genuinely afraid of rain, presumably to align with his CGI characterisation. The original sets an interesting precedent for the type of character Henry would later become but it’s not really much more than that. If anything, leaving a working locomotive inside of a tunnel on the MAIN LINE is really dumb and economically wasteful which becomes worse when you consider that The Fat Director initially hated Henry, making this seem like an act of cruelty rather than karma. This is the one story that I feel hasn’t held up too well but it is iconic and a very important part of Thomas history.
The final story “Edward, Gordon and Henry” ties everything together... kinda. This was a last-minute addition mandated by the publisher in order to give a happy ending to the previous story which ended on a negative note as well as incorporating Edward and Gordon into Henry’s arc. It’s a nice and satisfying conclusion but there’s not much I can say about this one in particular as there’s not too much going on. This is definitely a story that benefits from the modelwork and music of the television adaptation.
All in all, “The Three Railway Engines” marks humble beginnings for what would eventually become a great series. These stories do feel more like bedtime stories than future entries but there’s a certain charm to it and the signature Awdry style is very present and it’s interesting to see the evolution of the series starting from here. It’s a shame that Edward and Henry became seen as obsolete by Mattel during the Big World! Big Adventures! era as they were the first characters introduced, before Thomas even. I haven’t mentioned the illustrations but there are two sets of illustrations; the first by William Middleton for the initial 1945 version which were later redone by C. Reginald Dalby for revisions from 1950 onwards. To be blunt, Middleton’s illustrations are ugly, kind of charming but ugly. Dalby’s illustrations are significantly better.
Individual Story Ratings:
• Edward’s Day Out (3/5)
• Edward and Gordon (4/5)
• The Sad Story of Henry (2/5)
• Edward, Gordon and Henry (3/5)
This book is separated into four stories, the first three are standalone anthology stories revolving around the titular three railway engines and the fourth bringing them all together. The first story “Edward’s Day Out” is a bit of an unusual one. Seeing as these stories were not initially meant for publication and were instead bedtime stories for Awdry’s measles-ridden son, this story is very simple and somewhat out-of-place compared to the remainder of The Railway Series. I find it odd that the drivers only choose one of the many engines available to use on a particular day despite the next story “Edward and Gordon” establishing that multiple of them operate on a daily basis, this was a strange quirk that was carried into the 1984 television adaption despite “Edward’s Day Out” not being adapted in full.
“Edward and Gordon” is, in my eyes, the quintessential Awdry story. It’s not necessarily the best one per se but it establishes a formula that Awdry would continue to use for many future stories and also gives a former introduction to one of the series’ most important characters - Gordon. Gordon is an essential character when discussing The Railway Series in particular as throughout the 42 books, we witness his journey from a brand new modern steam locomotive (as seen in this book) to an old and worn out one on the brink of retirement in the last book, this series is by all means his story. He also has the most significant character development, he literally finds out his siblings are dead in “Enterprising Engines” and nobody cares. The first book makes it clear who Gordon is - he’s a very pompous and proud engine, who undermines those he views as inferior but usually gets his comeuppance. In that, we get a better idea of who Edward is. “Edward’s Day Out” establishes that he’s older than most other engines but “Edward and Gordon” shows that his age isn’t much of a hindrance as he’s still capable of helping Gordon up the hill, a premise that the television series would repurpose in its sixth and eighteenth seasons. A dynamic between the central characters is also present, Gordon feels that he is superior to Edward and makes that quite clear but Edward is clearly unbothered by this, which would later lead to him becoming a wise sage character in later volumes. This story is simple but very important when analysing where the Awdry style of story originated from.
The third story “The Sad Story of Henry” is probably the most well-known story in the entirety of the Thomas franchise, including the Railway Series and Television Series. Most know it as the one where Henry “gets locked up in the tunnel forever and dies” which is obviously untrue. We’re introduced to two more key characters - Henry and The Fat Director (later The Fat Controller From Book 2 onwards). Despite how controversial it is in nature, I really like how the story ends on a rather depressing note, with Henry being trapped inside the tunnel and the narrator clearly lacking any sympathy for him. However, the story itself is pretty simple and lacking in substance despite how iconic it is. The most interesting thing about this story is how it has been interpreted over the years. The initial 1945 version and the 1984 television adaptation portray Henry as a stubborn asshole who only cares about keeping his paint dry but the 2015 special “The Adventure Begins” reinterprets this to make Henry genuinely afraid of rain, presumably to align with his CGI characterisation. The original sets an interesting precedent for the type of character Henry would later become but it’s not really much more than that. If anything, leaving a working locomotive inside of a tunnel on the MAIN LINE is really dumb and economically wasteful which becomes worse when you consider that The Fat Director initially hated Henry, making this seem like an act of cruelty rather than karma. This is the one story that I feel hasn’t held up too well but it is iconic and a very important part of Thomas history.
The final story “Edward, Gordon and Henry” ties everything together... kinda. This was a last-minute addition mandated by the publisher in order to give a happy ending to the previous story which ended on a negative note as well as incorporating Edward and Gordon into Henry’s arc. It’s a nice and satisfying conclusion but there’s not much I can say about this one in particular as there’s not too much going on. This is definitely a story that benefits from the modelwork and music of the television adaptation.
All in all, “The Three Railway Engines” marks humble beginnings for what would eventually become a great series. These stories do feel more like bedtime stories than future entries but there’s a certain charm to it and the signature Awdry style is very present and it’s interesting to see the evolution of the series starting from here. It’s a shame that Edward and Henry became seen as obsolete by Mattel during the Big World! Big Adventures! era as they were the first characters introduced, before Thomas even. I haven’t mentioned the illustrations but there are two sets of illustrations; the first by William Middleton for the initial 1945 version which were later redone by C. Reginald Dalby for revisions from 1950 onwards. To be blunt, Middleton’s illustrations are ugly, kind of charming but ugly. Dalby’s illustrations are significantly better.
Individual Story Ratings:
• Edward’s Day Out (3/5)
• Edward and Gordon (4/5)
• The Sad Story of Henry (2/5)
• Edward, Gordon and Henry (3/5)
August 15, 2020
A great introduction to the series. My son loves Gordon and wants to read this one over and over again!
November 21, 2021
I was first introduced to the Thomas and Friends TV show when I was younger and never realized that almost all the episodes were based on a series of books from the 1940s. I read a few of the stories and they take me back, not just to memories of the tv show but for my youthful love of trains. The Three Railway Engines is a fictional children’s book written by Wilbert Awdry and he created these stories for his entertain his son and other children. Two illustrators worked on the book the first one was William Middleton who illustrated the book in 1945 and in 1950 the illustrations were redone by C. Reginald Darby. Middleton’s drawings are very simplistic in design while Darby’s are much more detailed while adding more color and backgrounds to each page. There are four stories in this book. Edward’s Day Out is a simple story about an engine named Edward who gets teased by other Engines until his driver takes him out to get some coaches which makes him feel better. The story is a bit simple showing the daily life of Edward doing his job pulling out coaches. There isn’t a focus on the other engines but that’s saved for the other story. Edward and Gordon have a story focusing on two engines this time and introduced Gordon the Big Engine who likes to pull clean coaches and not dirty freight cars. Gordon tried to pull the cars on a hill, but he didn’t put a lot of effort into reaching it. Edward came in to help Gordon up the hill and it did work but it left Edward tired. The Sad Story of Henry is one of the grimmer stories in this book. It tells the story of an engine named Henry who stayed in a tunnel all because he didn’t want raindrops on his green paint job. The passengers and Sir Topham Hatt tried to bring Henry out of the tunnel, but all attempts never worked. Sir Topham Hatt decided to leave Henry in the tunnel forever and workers cane in and built a brick wall in the tunnel. This is a very depressing story for Henry as he was punished for caring about his paint rather than the passengers. there is also a big focus on human characters including Sir Topham Hat, the man in charge of the railway as they try to bring Henry out of the tunnel. In the last story Edward, Gordan and Henry bring all three engines together in a satisfying conclusion. Gordon breaks down from pulling the express and the only other engine left available is Edward. However, Edward wasn’t strong enough to pull the train. Gordon sarcastically recommends Henry to pull the train which Sir Topham Hatt allows. Henry is now released from staying in the tunnel and helps Edward pull the heavy coaches. Afterward, all three engines became good friends and Henry got over his fear of the rain. I heard that this story wasn’t going to be made but publishers recommended a happy ending for Henry, and I liked that there was a happy ending made for Henry. All 4 stories were simple and fun to read, and I liked the details in the drawings such as the expression on the engine's faces and background drawings. If I was teaching this book, I’d probably recommend this for preschoolers and kindergarteners. The stories have themes of enthusiasm, disobeying, and working together. Each engine is unique in personality with Edward being kind and friendly, Gordon being rude and self-important, and Henry narcissistic and pragmatic. Kids can learn from these stories that by helping others they could be rewarded with something nice thanks to their dedication and hard work. Overall, I give the book a 4.5 as this was a book with very simple stories and it was enjoyable to relive a childhood classic by reading from the pages that inspired the show, which I loved from many years ago.
November 5, 2022
The original Thomas the Tank Engine series, by Reverend W. Awdry, is a rare but impressive set of stories for young children: it includes moral lessons, complexity of character and distinctive and deep use of language. (Unfortunately, these are not captured in the more recent books spawned by the popular franchise.) The original series uses an assortment of transportation machinery (engines, buses, tractors, trucks, carriages, etc.) to bring to life various personality types and temperaments. The engines, mirroring the maturity-level of young boys, have adventures, learn about their own weaknesses, face the consequences of their decisions, and grow in character.
Subtly permeating through the clever stories are virtues like respecting authority and elders, hard work, teamwork, patience, good manners and friendship. Arrogance, rudeness and vanity are vices to be overcome. Unlike most books for this age group, the characters are not beset with one-dimensional personalities. Their strengths and weaknesses help young children understand that people are not pure evil or pure goodness. The good guy/bad guy narrative is replaced with a more holistic understanding of human nature at a level children can understand.
With all this combined in a setting especially appealing to boys, Mindful Muslim Reader gives this series our Gold Star. For children growing up in a culture which increasingly devalues the positive aspects of masculinity, this is a must-read for young boys.
Read more at MindfulMuslimReader.com.
Books Worth Reading
Subtly permeating through the clever stories are virtues like respecting authority and elders, hard work, teamwork, patience, good manners and friendship. Arrogance, rudeness and vanity are vices to be overcome. Unlike most books for this age group, the characters are not beset with one-dimensional personalities. Their strengths and weaknesses help young children understand that people are not pure evil or pure goodness. The good guy/bad guy narrative is replaced with a more holistic understanding of human nature at a level children can understand.
With all this combined in a setting especially appealing to boys, Mindful Muslim Reader gives this series our Gold Star. For children growing up in a culture which increasingly devalues the positive aspects of masculinity, this is a must-read for young boys.
Read more at MindfulMuslimReader.com.
Books Worth Reading
August 10, 2023
De pequeño me encantaba la serie original con maquetas y la serie animada que salió después. Ahora, después de unos 15 años, me animé a leer el libro original y, fuera de que me entraron recuerdos llenos de nostalgia, pude darme cuenta de la increíble calidad artística y literaria de esta obra.
Consta de cuatro historias distintas sobre las locomotoras originales:
-Edward
-Gordon
-Henry
(Para mi sorpresa Thomas no aparece hasta el segundo libro, curioso que lo hayan escogido en lugar de Edward para ser el protagonista del programa de televisión).
Cada una con un mensaje muy importante sobre el compañerismo, la importancia de la perseverancia y el altruismo y, sobre todo, como siempre podemos aprender de nuestros errores y volvernos mejores personas. Cada cuento conforma un relato más grande que seria el libro en sí mismo, que concluye con una historia muy emotiva y tierna que une a los tres trenes en una misma aventura
La calidad de las ilustraciones es magistral. Pinturas y acuarela usadas de una manera brillante, cada página es una obra de arte en si misma con un uso delicado pero bien ejecutado de sombras y luces.
Definitivamente se ha vuelto de mis libros favoritos y lo mejor que he leído de literatura infantil junto con Donde Viven los Monstruos de Maurice Sendak
10/10
Consta de cuatro historias distintas sobre las locomotoras originales:
-Edward
-Gordon
-Henry
(Para mi sorpresa Thomas no aparece hasta el segundo libro, curioso que lo hayan escogido en lugar de Edward para ser el protagonista del programa de televisión).
Cada una con un mensaje muy importante sobre el compañerismo, la importancia de la perseverancia y el altruismo y, sobre todo, como siempre podemos aprender de nuestros errores y volvernos mejores personas. Cada cuento conforma un relato más grande que seria el libro en sí mismo, que concluye con una historia muy emotiva y tierna que une a los tres trenes en una misma aventura
La calidad de las ilustraciones es magistral. Pinturas y acuarela usadas de una manera brillante, cada página es una obra de arte en si misma con un uso delicado pero bien ejecutado de sombras y luces.
Definitivamente se ha vuelto de mis libros favoritos y lo mejor que he leído de literatura infantil junto con Donde Viven los Monstruos de Maurice Sendak
10/10
October 14, 2024
Ah, The Railway Series. I often find myself coming back to this series for the escapism of real life, but what makes this children's series so unique, is that its not that far off from our world. Every real life railway law is present, all the iconic characters are based on real life locomotives, and the stories are based on real life railway misadventures. The only fantastical element is that fact that the engines can talk and thats what seperates this series from other children's stories. Thomas is a franchise that I will always have a soft spot for. The simple stories of the railway engines learning life lessons always captivated little me and brings comfort to current me. Even though I am much older than the target audience for these stories, The Railway Series always had themes and concepts for the older audiences that keep so many coming back to these stories. The orignal series was also near and dear to my heart as it was a near perfect translation of these books to the small screen. Ill always have a love for the little blue tank engine and I pray they go back the formula of these books instead of the mindless brain rot that most childerens stories are now.
December 7, 2025
We read The Three Railway Engines together, and it was a very special reading time for both of us. Amelia was immediately curious about the three very different engines — Edward, Gordon, and Henry. As we read each story, we stopped often to talk about what was happening and how the engines were feeling.
Amelia felt sorry for Henry when he was stuck in the tunnel and said that being afraid is sometimes okay, but running away from your duties is not the best choice. She laughed at Gordon for being too proud and admired Edward for always being kind and helpful. Edward quickly became her favourite because he never gave up and always supported his friends.
What we loved most is that this book teaches children important life lessons in a very gentle way — about kindness, teamwork, responsibility, and courage. It is not just a story about trains, but a story about feelings, choices, and friendships.
Reading this book together became more than just a bedtime story — it turned into a beautiful conversation between a mother and a daughter. We truly recommend The Three Railway Engines to every family who loves meaningful stories that children and adults can both enjoy.
Amelia felt sorry for Henry when he was stuck in the tunnel and said that being afraid is sometimes okay, but running away from your duties is not the best choice. She laughed at Gordon for being too proud and admired Edward for always being kind and helpful. Edward quickly became her favourite because he never gave up and always supported his friends.
What we loved most is that this book teaches children important life lessons in a very gentle way — about kindness, teamwork, responsibility, and courage. It is not just a story about trains, but a story about feelings, choices, and friendships.
Reading this book together became more than just a bedtime story — it turned into a beautiful conversation between a mother and a daughter. We truly recommend The Three Railway Engines to every family who loves meaningful stories that children and adults can both enjoy.
January 1, 2023
You should really appreciate this book for starting the legacy of the series as a whole. Gordon arc had started as this pompous ass, Henry who was a bit jerky but now he’s soften and Edward started as old and which the the other engines he’s never good but proved time and time again that’s he’s still very useful. If it didn’t exist then the franchise wouldn’t exist too. These are the stories really showed like the first was Edward then next was Gordon and the next was Henry and the last was all three engines before Thomas existed these were the three characters that Awdry created and these characters were so memorable by the fans and I couldn’t be happier how much I loved these characters.
January 6, 2021
So this is the first book in the series that become the phenomenon many years later when Thomas the Tank Engine became a series and in this book Thomas is not there (well he is in one picture apparently) but the star is Edward with Gordon and Henry as co-stars.
Great stories and the beginning of a series that has enthralled people for many a year.
To think this was now seventy six years ago when it was released.
Thank you Wilbert Awdry!
Great stories and the beginning of a series that has enthralled people for many a year.
To think this was now seventy six years ago when it was released.
Thank you Wilbert Awdry!
January 11, 2021
1001 kids book challenge.
Watched the book on YouTube because I didn’t have access to a copy through my library.
I never knew the inspiration of what became Thomas The Tank Engine was written so long ago and by a minister! These stories were cute and obviously inspired by The Little engine that could. They are nice but I can imagine kids nowadays wondering why Thomas wasn’t included in any of the stories.
Watched the book on YouTube because I didn’t have access to a copy through my library.
I never knew the inspiration of what became Thomas The Tank Engine was written so long ago and by a minister! These stories were cute and obviously inspired by The Little engine that could. They are nice but I can imagine kids nowadays wondering why Thomas wasn’t included in any of the stories.
August 31, 2021
One of the first ever books I remember reading by myself well before starting kindergarten - now I've read it to my daughter for the first time. She's far too young to understand it, but these sweet stories retain their timeless quality, providing: surprisingly well-though out character arcs; good lessons on friendship and how to behave and treat others; and absolutely terrific artwork.
Highly recommended to anyone reading stories to young children.
Highly recommended to anyone reading stories to young children.
January 11, 2020
I wanted to read the stories that inspired the Thomas the train engine series. I found these stories to be simplistic, yet with surprising nuance of emotion and character motivation. I was hoping for clear, moralistic lessons, of which there were elements, but not as clear as I expected. Perhaps it's better to not be so preachy, though, and just let the reader infer their own conclusion.
August 17, 2021
"Once upon a time, there was a little engine named Edward"
5/1001 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up
5/1001 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up
July 27, 2023
The first book about The Fat Controller's Railway (thought here he's The Fat Director)is a true classic. Meet Edward the Blue Engine, Gordon the Big Engine and Henry the Green Engine (At the end he gets painted blue.)
The stories are:
Edward's Day Out
Edward and Gordon
The Sad Story of Henry
Edward, Gordon and Henry.
The stories are:
Edward's Day Out
Edward and Gordon
The Sad Story of Henry
Edward, Gordon and Henry.
July 28, 2024
Gains an extra star for bricking up Henry in book 1. Beastly. The soon-to-be-titular star has yet to surface and some characters are not yet figured out (fat director anyone?) but tonally it sets the oppressive, punishing, dictatorial, shame-fuelled, Stockholm-syndrome relationships and incessant bullying, power structures and indoctrination of Christianity.
September 17, 2017
Ok stories that owe a lot to The Little Engine That Could, even down to the repetitive phrases from the trains. Art is pretty good.
May 8, 2020
Nice stories.
Reread August 2004.
Reread August 2004.
Read
June 6, 2020i want to read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 10, 2020Good
March 1, 2021
The book that, coupled with the Thomas TV programme, cemented a childhood love affair with trains...
April 24, 2021
This is nice.
September 6, 2022
1001 Children's Books To Read Before You Grow Up - #5
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