RWS #19: Mountain Engines

Here we go with the 19th entry of the Railway Series! Now this, the next one, the one after the next after the next, and the majority of Christopher's books are going to be tricky to review, considering they never had any TV adaptations for the most part. But I'll try my best!

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)

The Railway Series Book #19

Mountain Engines

Written by The Rev. W. Awdry

Illustrated by Gunvor and Peter Edwards

Published 1964

We've seen the North Western Railway and the Skarloey Railway, now we're going up north to visit the Culdee Fell Railway!

Dear Friends,
A Rack Railway climbs the mountain called Culdee Fell. Lord Harry Barrane is Chairman of the railway company. Lots of people travel on it in the summer.

Mr. Walter Richards, the Manager, does not have an easy time. There are seven engines, one of whom, No.5, is still away being mended. Another, No. 6, was named Lord Harry. This was a mistake. It made him conceited and... But you must read the stories for yourselves.

I hope you will enjoy this book about a different kind of railway.
The Author

Mountain Engine

Sir Handel argues with Rheneas and Skarloey as to whether a mountain railway exists, but he eats his words after Donald shunts a flatbed with a mountain engine named Culdee on it, who explains all about mountain railways.

It seems like most first stories in each book appears to be one of those simple, slice-of-life affairs, and this one is of no exception. It's a great tool for kids to learn that some railways are different from others regardless of size, like how a mountain railway operates.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Bad Look-Out

After an ill-tempered Duncan returns to the sheds, Culdee tells him and the others about the former No. 1 engine on the Culdee Fell Railway, Godred, who put too much faith in his automatic brakes. He soon paid the price and was afterward cannibalized for parts, much to Sir Handel and Duncan's shock. Little do they know that Culdee made the story up...

Or did he? Yep, this one of those debates which may never end; was Godred actually scrapped? Is he alive? Who knows? This is easily my favorite story of the book; it tackles the issue with death very nicely, even if it's dark for books written for kids, but I digress. It's also very open ended, and the questions I asked regarding Godred's fate more or less tells why.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Danger Points

Culdee returns to his railway to learn that three new engines have arrived - one of them, #6 Lord Harry, is loud and risk-taking, and is infuriated when Culdee teases him for his super-heating. Later on, Lord Harry derails at the summit, and after he is rescued, he is sent to the sheds in disgrace.

I dunno about you, but this feels like a rewrite of Dirty Objects, with Lord Harry taking James' place and Culdee's taking Toby's. Coincidentally, both are the third story in both books. What makes this different is that Lord Harry's accident isn't as messy, and it does show that passengers will complain about bad service if the trains don't run on time.

Rating: 8 out of 10

"Devil's Back"

After his mishap, Lord Harry has his name taken away to just #6; when he hears of Godred's story, #6 asks for a second chance, and he does, but he's takes supplies and workmen to the Summit until further notice. One day, some climbers have been injured, and #6 is sent to their rescue. However, a strong wind rages, but he braves on and afterwards, he is renamed "Patrick" after one of the climbers, and takes risks only if necessary.

A great redemption for #6; it shows his quick growth within the space of two stories, and he put his life on the line (pun intended) to save those in trouble. Another great story.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Stray Observations

This is the Mountain Railway's only appearance; Christopher has since stated that this was due to safety precautions and limited traffic, meaning no more story opportunities. Yeah, tell that to the Extended Railway Series - look at what they were able to write! (You have to be a Sodor Island Forums member to read them; they're fantastic.)

Bad Look-Out is based upon the Snowdon Mountain Railway's accident with L.A.D.A.S. (Laura Alice Duff Assheton-Smith; Godred's counterpart).

In the same story, Culdee says in response to Skarloey after he comments on pushing coaches taking loads of his mind, "Not off my buffers!" But Culdee doesn't even have buffers! Why would he say that?

In Mountain Engine, Alaric appears, but Culdee had never met him until after he returned. Was it meant to be No. 5, Shane Dooiney, who never appeared? Also, Skarloey has a numberplate on the back of his cab, because... reasons.

Overall

It's a pity that the mountain engines were never adapted for TV - then again, they only appeared in one book, so it's understandable. But since the Arlesdale engines are being implemented into the series, maybe the mountain engines will get the same treatment? It's a great book on whole to introduce us to a unique kind of railway.

Overall Book Rating: 8.9 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

19. Mountain Engines: 8.9