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)
Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine
Written by The Rev. W. Awdry
Illustrated by Gunvor and Peter Edwards
Published 1963
By this point, a certain Liverpool rock band was emerging, Doctor Who made its debut on the BBC, and mass-scrapping for steam engines was well underway. However, some steam engines have been saved for preservation, and among them was a Terrier by the name of Stepney...
Dear Friends,
Percy is a kind-hearted little engine. He feels sad because many fine steam engines are cut up on the Other Railway (B.R.).
Percy's ideas, however, though natural for an engine, are a little muddled. British Railways Officials are not cruel. They are sad to lose faithful steam friends, and glad to help engines to go to places like the Bluebell Railway at Sheffield Park in Sussex, where they can be cared for, and useful, and safe.
The Author
Percy is a kind-hearted little engine. He feels sad because many fine steam engines are cut up on the Other Railway (B.R.).
Percy's ideas, however, though natural for an engine, are a little muddled. British Railways Officials are not cruel. They are sad to lose faithful steam friends, and glad to help engines to go to places like the Bluebell Railway at Sheffield Park in Sussex, where they can be cared for, and useful, and safe.
The Author
Bluebells of England
Percy tells Douglas about the Bluebells of England after being told that his song is daft, and he explains that Stepney is coming to Sodor with his owner.
If you've read my Rusty to the Rescue review, you'll know that this story did right what the TV episode didn't; it explained Stepney's real history and there was no sugarcoating the scrapping of steam engines. Granted, it was a book of it's time, but that's not the point. The story is short, but given the reflection of British Railways back then, I would take this story over the season four episode any day.
If you've read my Rusty to the Rescue review, you'll know that this story did right what the TV episode didn't; it explained Stepney's real history and there was no sugarcoating the scrapping of steam engines. Granted, it was a book of it's time, but that's not the point. The story is short, but given the reflection of British Railways back then, I would take this story over the season four episode any day.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Stepney's Special/Thomas and Stepney
Season 4, Episode 16
After he speaks with Edward about the Bluebell Railway, Stepney works at the yards with Duck, but when a V.I.P. needs help, Stepney takes him and Thomas is cross with his last train being delayed. In the morning, Stepney compliments Thomas' knowledge of branchline life and the blue tank engine feels better.
Because of Rusty to the Rescue, the first half of the story is extremely screwed up. The opening scene with Thomas and Percy is pointless, and we never see Edward and Stepney interacting. And what was wrong with the original title? I don't know, but this adaptation was extremely loose and should've been handled better.
RWS Rating: 8.5 out of 10
TV Series Rating: 2.5 out of 10
TV Series Rating: 2.5 out of 10
Train Stops Play
Season 4, Episode 17
Percy offers to let Stepney share his trucks with him, as the Bluebell engine misses trucks greatly. At the cricket field, the only ball lands in one of Stepney's trucks and the cricketers give chase in Caroline the old car all the way to Ffarquhar. Caroline is exhausted, so Stepney helps her and the cricketers back to Elsbridge and he and his crew watch the match.
Here we go; now there's a good adaptation! I know it's not perfect visually, but remember - I don't look for 100% perfection. The plot did remind me of Bertie's Chase, and I feel sorry for Caroline after her chase with Stepney - no wonder her engine conked out. :P I actually saw Lady Hatt's Birthday Party before this episode (I didn't own the Thomas Meets the Queen VHS - I wish I did, though!) and thought Caroline was TV series exclusive, I don't know why?
RWS/TV Series Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Bowled Out
Season 4, Episode 18
Stepney's visit comes to an end, but in his place, a rude diesel comes and insults the steam engines. He gets his comeuppance before he can take his express when a bowler hat is sucked into his air intake and Duck and Stepney take the train for him. Stepney goes home in style, while the diesel leaves in disgrace.
In the TV adaptation at least (we never fully saw what he looked like in the books; I could be wrong though) I really like the modeling of the Class 40 diesel; a big mainline diesel is what we need more often in the TV series and not just more small diesel shunters. Same with electric engines. Pity they didn't explain why the diesel came in the RWS; looks like the TV adaptation took care of that.
RWS/TV Series Rating: 9 out of 10
Stray Observations
This is the illustrating debut of Gunvor Edward and her husband Peter. They were impressionistic artists and Wilbert loved their work. Sadly, Gunvor died from dementia in 2014.
In Bluebells of England, the second illustration is based upon a Peter Edwards illustration for Graham Greene's A Gun for Sale (I've not read the book, for the record). The third illustration is based on this photograph of Stepney and Adams.
In Bluebells of England, the second illustration is based upon a Peter Edwards illustration for Graham Greene's A Gun for Sale (I've not read the book, for the record). The third illustration is based on this photograph of Stepney and Adams.
Overall
Surprisingly, Caroline and the diesel made their only appearances in this book. Seems like Britt didn't start the one-character trend; Wilbert did. Christopher contributed to that as well, but that's another set of stories altogether. As for this book, it isn't my most favorite, but I do respect it for treating Stepney like a real engine, unlike the TV series where he's treated like a Sodor resident. I don't look forward to seeing Stepney in CGI, but if he is brought back, I hope they fix him up and make him a mainland engine.
Overall Book Rating: 8.5 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
Thomas and Friends Season 4 Scorecard
5. Four Little Engines: 7
6. A Bad Day for Sir Handel: 6.5
7. Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady: 9.5
8. Trucks!: 8
9. Home at Last: 8.5
10. Rock 'n' Roll: 9
11. Special Funnel: 7.5
12. Steam Roller: 9
13. Passengers and Polish: 9
14. Gallant Old Engine: 9
15. Rusty to the Rescue: 2
16. Thomas and Stepney: 2.5
17. Train Stops Play: 8.5
18. Bowled Out: 9
19. Henry and the Elephant: 7
21. Bulls Eyes: 6.5
22. Thomas and the Special Letter: 8.5
23. Paint Pots and Queens: 8
6. A Bad Day for Sir Handel: 6.5
7. Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady: 9.5
8. Trucks!: 8
9. Home at Last: 8.5
10. Rock 'n' Roll: 9
11. Special Funnel: 7.5
12. Steam Roller: 9
13. Passengers and Polish: 9
14. Gallant Old Engine: 9
15. Rusty to the Rescue: 2
16. Thomas and Stepney: 2.5
17. Train Stops Play: 8.5
18. Bowled Out: 9
19. Henry and the Elephant: 7
21. Bulls Eyes: 6.5
22. Thomas and the Special Letter: 8.5
23. Paint Pots and Queens: 8
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