THE OPINIONS, THOUGHTS AND MUSINGS IN THIS BLOG POST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF ZACK WANZER, NOT THE THOMAS FANDOM IN GENERAL
(special thanks to the Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the images)
Gordon the High-Speed Engine
Written by Christopher Awdry
Illustrated by Clive Spong
Published September 7, 1987
After his book in 1953, Gordon has occasionally played the main character or a major supporting character in a handful of stories like Domeless Engines. Now, we flash forward to 1987 to see what he's been up to lately.
Dear Friends,
Over here on the Other Railway we are used to High-Speed Trains, and know how useful they can be. But when Gordon first heard of them he began boasting about how fast he could go. He should have known better, because he only landed himself in disgrace and made the Fat Controller cross. These stories tell how hard Gordon worked to redeem himself and make the Fat Controller think again.
The Author
Over here on the Other Railway we are used to High-Speed Trains, and know how useful they can be. But when Gordon first heard of them he began boasting about how fast he could go. He should have known better, because he only landed himself in disgrace and made the Fat Controller cross. These stories tell how hard Gordon worked to redeem himself and make the Fat Controller think again.
The Author
Gordon is unimpressed when Donald talks about high-speed diesel engines and reckons he could go faster, claiming that his cousin Mallard went 126 miles per hour. However, Gordon's chance to prove himself goes wrong when he slips on icy rails and the water in his boiler surges forwards, so he can't stop making steam even if he can't move forwards. He does run out of steam eventually and is taken off the express, but isn't happy when the others joke about his little "spin".
Quite a clever way to start a book; Gordon wants to prove that he's just as fast as any high speed train but he ends up humiliating himself by slipping. Yeah, I dunno how water would surge forward in a boiler either. :P I may be a steam enthusiast, but I don't know everything about steam engines. Although Mallard was streamlined when she broke the speed record, Gordon isn't, but I bet he wasn't interested in that fact.
Quite a clever way to start a book; Gordon wants to prove that he's just as fast as any high speed train but he ends up humiliating himself by slipping. Yeah, I dunno how water would surge forward in a boiler either. :P I may be a steam enthusiast, but I don't know everything about steam engines. Although Mallard was streamlined when she broke the speed record, Gordon isn't, but I bet he wasn't interested in that fact.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Gordon feels stuffed up, and he sneezes at Wellsworth station. Unfortunately for him, soot has dirtied a party of wedding guests, and they complain to the Fat Controller. He delays a visit to the mainland to formally apologize to the guests for the inconvenience, but he has to wait for another train to get home. Gordon steams through Wellsworth once more, and ashes fall on the Fat Controller's top hat, and an inspector tells Gordon that he will be disciplined once the Fat Controller returns, even though Gordon and his crew deny spreading ashes on the Fat Controller's hat.
Poor Gordon; considering the last story, this feels like it's added insult to injury to his reputation, especially when having a sneeze at a wedding party was a very unfortunate coincidence. I liked the reference to Henry's Sneeze, and the brief mention of its aftermath, as well as BoCo's role, even if it was minor.
Poor Gordon; considering the last story, this feels like it's added insult to injury to his reputation, especially when having a sneeze at a wedding party was a very unfortunate coincidence. I liked the reference to Henry's Sneeze, and the brief mention of its aftermath, as well as BoCo's role, even if it was minor.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
A week later, desperate to redeem himself, Gordon tries to make up for the lost time due to a last minute passenger and missing his path at the junction. Unfortunately, luck is not on his side when his firebars collapse at his hill. Quickly, the fireman puts a large piece of coal over the hole, and Gordon makes it to the top. He soon stops at a loop where BoCo helps him the rest of the way. The Fat Controller is pleased with BoCo, but quickly leaves before he can talk to Gordon.
We've all been there; we've gotten into scrapes and want to make up for them like Gordon did, although not without incident. I really like how the driver and fireman are involved in helping Gordon climb the hill, and his determination in not being beaten is something to be admired. Definitely an example that incidents can happen on a simple day.
We've all been there; we've gotten into scrapes and want to make up for them like Gordon did, although not without incident. I really like how the driver and fireman are involved in helping Gordon climb the hill, and his determination in not being beaten is something to be admired. Definitely an example that incidents can happen on a simple day.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Gordon takes over a train of enthusiasts to Carlisle after the diesel fails, which the Fat Controllr approves of. In Gordon's place, a high-speed train with the powercars named Phillipa (Pip, for short) and Emma take the express back to Tidmouth. Pip's cooling system is faulty, leaving Emma to do the work, but she breaks down as well, and James is called in to help. Afterwards, he and the others make Pip and Emma feel welcome, and when Gordon returns, the Fat Controller forgives him for his smokescreen and apologizes for accusing him for spoiling his top hat (it had been a steward emptying an ashtray). Afterward, Gordon is able to prove himself when he takes the passengers home.
After suffering a few weeks' worth of bad luck, Gordon is finally able to come out on top by proving himself. James' role was very well written, and it proves how he's become more accepting of diesels; he doesn't laugh at Pip and Emma's misery, but instead, James understands that their passengers are important and doesn't hesitate, even if it means that he has his own passengers to deal with.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Stray Observations
After he'd written this book, Christopher was able to resign from his job at the Inland Revenue and wrote for the Railway Series full-time.
The fifth illustration of Fire Escape looks very similar to the second illustration of Edward, Gordon and Henry:
In the first illustration of High Speed Gordon, Donald has Douglas' tender... or does Douglas have Donald's nameplate?
A Class 31 diesel numbered 31120 (D1120/D5538) appears in the last illustration of Fire Escape; it was built during 1957-1962 and was withdrawn in 1991. It was scrapped the following year. It's headcode reads "1X01", odd since "X" means "Royal Train" or "out-of-gauge load".
The Class 127 from Gordon Proves His Point has the headcode of 10751, it's number unknown, but it is likely in the range of 51591-51650.
The fifth illustration of Fire Escape looks very similar to the second illustration of Edward, Gordon and Henry:
In the first illustration of High Speed Gordon, Donald has Douglas' tender... or does Douglas have Donald's nameplate?
 |
| Gordon wonders if the Scottish twins are pulling the same trick from The Missing Coach... |
The Class 127 from Gordon Proves His Point has the headcode of 10751, it's number unknown, but it is likely in the range of 51591-51650.
Overall
This is definitely one of Christopher's better books; the situations are very relatable, and we show that Sodor does have a little bit of influence from the modern world. Pip and Emma are great characters, and I'd love to see them implemented for TV. Plus, Gordon and James also had nice character development as well.
Overall Book Rating: 9.3 out of 10
The Railway Series Scorecard
1. The Three Railway Engines: 8.4
2. Thomas the Tank Engine: 9
3. James the Red Engine: 7.5
4. Tank Engine Thomas Again: 9.5
5. Troublesome Engines: 8.1
6. Henry the Green Engine: 8.4
7. Toby the Tram Engine: 9
8. Gordon the Big Engine: 8.6
9. Edward the Blue Engine: 9.3
10. Four Little Engines: 8.8
11. Percy the Small Engine: 8.9
12. The Eight Famous Engines: 8.8
13. Duck and the Diesel Engine: 8.5
14. The Little Old Engine: 8.9
15. The Twin Engines: 9.1
16. Branch Line Engines: 9.3
17. Gallant Old Engine: 9.3
18. Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine: 8.5
3. James the Red Engine: 7.5
4. Tank Engine Thomas Again: 9.5
5. Troublesome Engines: 8.1
6. Henry the Green Engine: 8.4
7. Toby the Tram Engine: 9
8. Gordon the Big Engine: 8.6
9. Edward the Blue Engine: 9.3
10. Four Little Engines: 8.8
11. Percy the Small Engine: 8.9
12. The Eight Famous Engines: 8.8
13. Duck and the Diesel Engine: 8.5
14. The Little Old Engine: 8.9
15. The Twin Engines: 9.1
16. Branch Line Engines: 9.3
17. Gallant Old Engine: 9.3
18. Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine: 8.5
19. Mountain Engines: 8.9
20. Very Old Engines: 9.1
21. Main Line Engines: 9
22. Small Railway Engines: 9.3
23. Enterprising Engines: 9.5
24. Oliver the Western Engine: 8.9
25. Duke the Lost Engine: 9.4
26. Tramway Engines: 9.1
27. Really Useful Engines: 8.3
28. James and the Diesel Engines: 7.5
29. Great Little Engines: 9
30. More About Thomas the Tank Engine: 8.5
31. Gordon the High-Speed Engine: 9.3
20. Very Old Engines: 9.1
21. Main Line Engines: 9
22. Small Railway Engines: 9.3
23. Enterprising Engines: 9.5
24. Oliver the Western Engine: 8.9
25. Duke the Lost Engine: 9.4
26. Tramway Engines: 9.1
27. Really Useful Engines: 8.3
28. James and the Diesel Engines: 7.5
29. Great Little Engines: 9
30. More About Thomas the Tank Engine: 8.5
31. Gordon the High-Speed Engine: 9.3
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