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)
Thomas and the Twins
Written by Christopher Awdry
Illustrated by Clive Spong
Published September 11, 1989
Starting from this book and ending with Thomas and his Friends, there will be no TV series episodes to compare against the books, but I think I'll manage!
Dear Friends,
Bill and Ben keep asking if they can be in a book again. Well, in Cornwall during 1988, I met Bill and Ben's twins and talked to the Driver of one of them at Par. He set me thinking, and this is the result: if our china clay twins enjoy being in a book again, they should thank him not me. I hope you will enjoy the stories too.
The Author
Bill and Ben keep asking if they can be in a book again. Well, in Cornwall during 1988, I met Bill and Ben's twins and talked to the Driver of one of them at Par. He set me thinking, and this is the result: if our china clay twins enjoy being in a book again, they should thank him not me. I hope you will enjoy the stories too.
The Author
Because of a weight limit on one of the bridges on his branchline, Thomas is sent to Edward's instead, and there, Bill and Ben tease him for his blue paint. Later, a farmer's lorry breaks down near a crossing while taking some dairy to market, but Thomas crashes into the trailer, and is covered in broken eggs. When he gets home, Bill and Ben tease Thomas even further, much to the blue engine's fury.
This is probably the funniest way to start a Railway Series book. Thomas' accident was extremely amusing, and so is Bill and Ben's sense of humor. They should've considered this for TV!
This is probably the funniest way to start a Railway Series book. Thomas' accident was extremely amusing, and so is Bill and Ben's sense of humor. They should've considered this for TV!
Rating: 10 out of 10
Bill and Ben stop teasing Thomas when Edward threatens to not bring them enthusiasts to see them. On that day, Ben is sent to help pull a ship into deeper waters before the tide goes out. Everyone goes to watch, but a man stays behind to take the perfect shot of Bill. However, he's sent to help his twin and afterwards, a picture is found with only Bill's funnel showing.
Another funny story. If I was Bill, I'd be annoyed with the photographer as well. I mean, couldn't he wait until Bill was done helping Ben? I did also like Edward's small role here; almost like a parent threatening to ground their kid if they didn't behave.
Another funny story. If I was Bill, I'd be annoyed with the photographer as well. I mean, couldn't he wait until Bill was done helping Ben? I did also like Edward's small role here; almost like a parent threatening to ground their kid if they didn't behave.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Trevor isn't feeling well, but his owner can't afford repairs. When Edward passed by the orchard, he later forgets to inform the breakdown gang about the bumpy rails, and that results in his last few trucks derailing. Trevor, upon hearing the guard's whistle, calls out to Edward, and he is rewarded with an overhaul by the Fat Controller for preventing an accident.
Like Bill and Ben, it's nice to see Trevor make a comeback after an absence of over thirty years - liking his new green paint! It's said that the last six trucks on Edward's train were derailed, but in the illustration above, only THREE came off the rails and Edward was actually pulling six. Unlike the problems with Triple Header, this could be down to error on Clive Spong's part. Other than that, a good story.
Like Bill and Ben, it's nice to see Trevor make a comeback after an absence of over thirty years - liking his new green paint! It's said that the last six trucks on Edward's train were derailed, but in the illustration above, only THREE came off the rails and Edward was actually pulling six. Unlike the problems with Triple Header, this could be down to error on Clive Spong's part. Other than that, a good story.
Rating: 8 out of 10
It's raining one day, and whilst Ben takes some trucks to Brendam from the China Clay workings, strong wind blows a wave into his cab on the Drain, dousing his fire. Thomas is then called in to help, and he pulls Ben away from the Drain. A few days later, Bill is able to return from the quarry, and he and Ben agree not to tease Thomas again.
I like how at the start, it explains what the Drain is, and the story also shows Bill and Ben's maturity by promising not to tease Thomas again, especially considering that he had come to Ben's rescue. Definitely a great way to end the book, but it is a shame it was never explained that Thomas returned to his own branchline...
I like how at the start, it explains what the Drain is, and the story also shows Bill and Ben's maturity by promising not to tease Thomas again, especially considering that he had come to Ben's rescue. Definitely a great way to end the book, but it is a shame it was never explained that Thomas returned to his own branchline...
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Stray Observations
What's happened to Bill and Ben? They've shrunk!
Where's BoCo? Isn't he an engine on Edward's branchline?
Where's BoCo? Isn't he an engine on Edward's branchline?
Overall
A really funny book, and it's probably thanks to Bill and Ben's humor. Then again, they are among my favorite characters and their cheekiness can make for great storytelling. I like how it's plot points were utilized for Tale of the Brave, although it's a shame the twins didn't appear very much in the books.
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
32. Toby, Trucks and Trouble: 9.1
33. Thomas and the Twins: 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
32. Toby, Trucks and Trouble: 9.1
33. Thomas and the Twins: 9.3
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