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Railway Series #21
Main Line Engines
, 57 pages, includes full-page colour illustrations
64 pages, Hardcover
First published November 15, 1966
About the author
W. Awdry
1,221 books117 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 31, 2025
This is My Favourite Out of the Railway Series. why? Because 3 of The Stories Get Adapted into Some Of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Series 2's Legendary Episodes. My Favourite out of all of them Is Edward's Exploit, What a Beautiful Book-End to Edward's Character Arc in The Railway Series!
January 21, 2022
One of the best in the series!
It was nice seeing stories from this railway specifically with Al lord the returning faces of Edward, James, Gordon, and more, as well as some new faces. I enjoyed Bill and Ben’s cheeky, nuisance-inducing intros and BoCo is such a nice character; a likable Diesel engine! Really well written, and also has some of the very best illustrations of all of the books!
It was nice seeing stories from this railway specifically with Al lord the returning faces of Edward, James, Gordon, and more, as well as some new faces. I enjoyed Bill and Ben’s cheeky, nuisance-inducing intros and BoCo is such a nice character; a likable Diesel engine! Really well written, and also has some of the very best illustrations of all of the books!
September 16, 2019
For anyone who thinks Thomas is the cheeky one, they obviously haven't met Bill and Ben! James also gets chased by bees.
November 10, 2022
Edward truly is a enterprising engine. 😍😍
January 2, 2023
Total classics
April 5, 2025
Edward's Exploit is amazing. The other stories are also pretty good.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews