Book Review: The Thomas the Tank Engine Man (2015 Edition)

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THE THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE MAN

Written by 

Brian Sibley

Published by

Lion Hudson

Release Date

May 15th 2015

Twenty years ago in October 1995 at Charing Cross Railway Station hotel, Brian Sibley's biography of 'The Thomas the Tank Engine Man' was launched with the Awdry family, several editors as well as the late Johnny Morris were all in attendance. Now two decades later the book has new light and is updated with new information between 1996-2015 published in time for the 70th anniversary of the Railway Series that was published on May 12th 1945. 

I do have the original copy of the Thomas the Tank Engine Man biography book by Brian Sibley from a seller from Australia via Amazon I believe around 2013 and it's the same as what is seen in the 2015 edition, although with some less pictures then the previous edition and some pictures from the new series era from episodes such 'Thomas and the Toy Shop' and 'Percy and the Left Luggage'. 

The book provides the many detail on the life of the Rev.W.Awdry's life, his success of the Railway Series books as well as the inspiration behind the stories and characters along with the success of the television series run. With letters written by children over the years giving their praises for the author. The updated version provides us the later years after the book's first publication year with a little help from Railway Consultant Sam Wilkinson, former Thomas artist Owen Bell and creator of the Coffey Reviwer and friend Daniel Coffey.

The cover in my opinion has a lot more attraction then what the former had, It provides familiarity of the characters, I've seen children once excited by seeing a TV series Thomas model at Dryaton Manor despite that they would've been watching the CGI version of the show in 2012. As well as providing pictures of the author from his young years towards his later years as well as pictures and books of his Railway Series. It's a good read if you want to know things about the author himself and the process of the books that have been successful for 70 years. 

Rating: 10/10

BUY A COPY TODAY AT LOCAL BOOKSTORES AND ONLINE. YOU CAN EVEN HAVE ONE SIGNED BY THE RAILWAY CONSULTANT HIMSELF VIA SIF:

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DVD Review: Trouble on The Tracks

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS AND FRIENDS FAN BASE

TROUBLE ON THE TRACKS

Episodes

Thomas the Quarry Engine

Not So Slow Coaches

Flatbeds of Fear

Disappearing Diesels

Toad's Adventure

Duck and the Slip Coaches

Missing Gator

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Paul Larson and Laura Beaumont 

Mark Huckerby and Nick Olster

Special Features

The Earl's Quiz - Percy's New Friends and Slippy Sodor

Calling All Engines! - Salty and Paxton

Mr. Perkins' Storytime - Pop Goes the Diesel and Toby's Tightrope

Mr. Perkins' Postcards - The Dieselworks and Ffarquhar Quarry

Release Date

20/04/15

Distributed by

HIT Entertainment (UK)

EPISODES

I like the episodes they've added even the last two. They fitted them well with the theme of the DVD which I do enjoy rather then what they've done four and five years ago as the DVDs being released now give the recent episodes more of an identity on what they're related too. For my views on these episodes, click the link below the picture of the DVD.

SPECIAL FEATURES

It was a bit of a surprise to see two Mr. Perkins segments this time. For the Railway Series segments we have 'Pop Goes the Diesel' as shown in the American version and 'Toby's Tightrope' with additional illustrations from Lorraine Marshall. I like it how also they're not out of place as it keeps in relation of DVD's theme. I will say that some of Marshall's illustrations in 'Toby's Tightrope' were not good. One of them is the FQC trucks, they look low down and not high enough to meet the same height as Toby's. Not that it's bad or anything. Her illustrations in 'Pop Goes The Diesel' however were good with the trucks' expressions. The stories were narrated well. 

'Calling All Engines!' is the same as usual, we know the characters from the show and understand their purpose and personality. The Earl's Quiz is not good with the choice of episodes. Kids of course will like them though. We also have two postcard segments of The Dieselworks, like in the US copy and Quarries. The Dieselworks postcard segment does tend to talk more about the Dieselworks while the Quarry was pretty much a little bit about the quarry and the engines there as well. It's not bad but I think it need some work such as telling kids on why quarries are important. 

Probably the biggest talk of the DVD is the trailer for the upcoming DVD special 'Sodor's Legend of The Lost Treasure' which will come out on DVD nearing the latter of 2015. For my opinion on the trailer, please click here.

OVERALL

I think it was a good DVD and much like the US copy with some additional segments that really didn't make it out of place for theme. There are well written stories, while not perfect, had some effort put into to, as well as the presentation, that could at least satisfy kids of the show. 

RATING:

8/10