DVD Review: A Day On Awdry's Railway

Back in June I said that 'Animal Adventures' was going to be my last DVD to review and then a few days later from the Talyllyn [Taly-k-yn] Railway's twitter page, this took me by surprise and to be honest this made me more excited compare to the DVDs that Mattel Creations had released this year. With it being the 110th birthday of the Rev.W.Awdry this year and the fact that the Talyllyn Railway has a special place within the Awdry family and the world of Thomas, a special DVD, by the railway, had been complied of his Ffarquhar layout, which is now proudly on display at the Narrow Gauge Museum at the Talyllyn Railway in Wales. So let's take a dive into it. But first:

 THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANDOM

A DAY ON AWDRY'S RAILWAY

Told by

The Rev.W.Awdry

Special Features

Awdry Interview

Release Date

17/08/21

Distrubited by

Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway 

PRESENTATION

The main feature of the DVD is the 'Timetable sequence' made by the Rev.W.Awdry of Thomas' branch line, the MK.2 layout, which was made for exhibition purposes, which is a common thing in railway modelling for those who want to have an accurate working railway. The three sequences are a morning, afternoon and night sequence featuring the original models created by Awdry himself back in his lifetime. His Thomas model was exactly how it was created in 1948. The timetable, judging from the rare pictures shown in the presentation, was done around 1973. The Rev's timetable, written out by *Luci/Chara on twitter, can be found here via a link.

Their was some interesting subtle comedic moments within the sequence such as Mavis showing off Daisy with her work and Percy saying, although censored, some very colourful words about Mavis' shunting up at the quarry, and yes this is canon to the Railway Series, Percy swears! Their were other interesting things too such as the observation saloon coaches being used for enthusiast specials, which is hauled by Stepney in the DVD. However they are often pulled by Bloomer, an engine that Awdry created but is only seen in model form, who was the Fat Controller's contribution to the Stockton & Darlington Railway's 150th in 1975. 

Bloomer's basis is the LNWR 'Bloomer' class locomotive designed by

James McConnell in 1851. His backstory can be seen here.

Bloomer was mentioned in Awdry's 'History of Sodor' lecture about the 'Railways of Sodor' lecture that the Talyllyn Railway had hosted during their Awdry Extravaganza event that they'd held back in August 2021, which was presented by British Railway Historian, TV presenter and Railway Series fan, Tim Dunn. You can buy the lecture's live stream on the railway's website for about £5.00 and you can get the stuff that was shown at the lecture as well. That's about $6.90USD and $9.41AUD and it would be worth it if you're a Railway Series or Thomas fan and not only that but you will be helping out the railway, especially in the times of COVID-19. 

This happened to Skarloey, which happened to Talyllyn. He was placed on a haulage wagon

so that it could run on standard gauge rails.

I'd watched the lecture via live stream back in August and, while condense, it was amazing to hear so much of what Awdry had written such as Neil being saved from the cutter's torch, Bloomer and Skarloey running on standard gauge tracks in a haulage wagon when Neil was all worned out, yes Awdry had written that! Hopefully one day we see all of these lecture notes being compiled into one huge book, kind of like the Rev.W.Awdry and George Awdry's Sodor book from 1987. Their is so much more detail about Sodor and its railway that I would love to see.

Their was one akward bit and that was the sequence when Mavis took the milk van to collect her trucks in the third sequence, however Luke Ryan, a volunteer of the Talyllyn Railway and well-known Awdry expert, had stated that Mavis' sequence was written in the timetable however they didn't have the tape that include that. I was little preplexed by that but I'm glad that it's all cleared up and I would let it slide.

The whole presentation was well done and it was filmed really well with the angles and locations and it really gave such immersiveness that it feels like you are watching a real working railway with Awdry narrating it along with two other people, their names however aren't known but it's been said that they were friends of Awdry. That to me is the magic of model railways. They give you this creative little world that you're in control over. It is more fun when you don't have a timetable but I can see the fun in all that after watching this DVD. 

This DVD is worth the money and, as I said for the lecture, the money goes back into helping out the railway which has a close connection to the Awdry family and the Thomas world. Probably the best Thomas DVD that came out this year.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The DVD has one special feature which is an audio interview of the Rev.W.Awdry about the creation of Thomas and the Railway Series books, how he came up with the Island of Sodor and his model railway. He even added about how the carriages were always female and that Daisy was technically a coach. Although it's kinda strange since Mavis is a female engine and she isn't a coach. However the short interview was interesting and the rare never-before-seen pictures were interesting too of Awdry's railway modelling over the years. 

OVERALL

As I said before, this is the best Thomas DVD that came out this year. The other two while OK at best weren't really the best and although 'All Engines Go!' will be getting DVDs, especially in the US since their hadn't been a new release over their since 2019, however I won't be reviewing them and I hadn't planned on reviewing them since I don't want to waste my money on something that people, outside the fandom, are already hating on. I believe I heard that the Talyllyn are going to make more copies of these Awdry Railway DVDs, though I can't find the tweet that supported that.

I hope more copies are being made because I think Thomas fans will enjoy this DVD. It's simple but it had great charm and it's great to see that despite Mattel's Thomas reboot exisiting, a well known narrow gauge railway is keeping Awdry's legacy alive. 

Thier is more ways to enjoy everything Awdry. If you have twitter you can follow 'The Awdry Study' which would, at times, showcase some rarity once owned by Awdry or as I had mentioned earlier, you can buy the History of Sodor lecture on the railway's shop website. 

This would be my last DVD review and probably my last post for a while until December with my final retrospective post of the DVDs that I had reviewed during the year, despite it being three releases this year. I had fun reviewing these in the past nine years but sometimes all good things have to come to an end. I did say I might re-review the BWBA movie and the series that came alongside with it. But I just can't make any promise to do so. I might as well make a post in regards to the Marc Forster movie, whenever that comes out, since that would be worth something to review. 

Thank you so much for reading these past DVD reviews, even if you agree or disagree with the things I'd said I'm happy that you had taken your time to read them. I will keep this blog up though as I have no plans on closing it down. 

OVERALL RATING

10/10

Book Reviews: RWS No.42 'Thomas and his Friends'

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

THOMAS & HIS FRIENDS

Written by

Christopher Awdry

Illustrated by

Clive Spong

Stories

Thomas and the Swan

Buffer Bashing

Gordon's Fire Service

Centenary

 Release Year

2011

In late 2010, Sodor Island Fansite (SIF) had announced from Egmont that a new Railway Series book is in the works to celebrate the centennial year on what was to be Rev.W.Awdry's 100th birthday in 2011. Rev.W.Awdry had unfortunately passed away in 1997. 

STORIES

The book contains the usual amount, with the exception of 'Henry the Green Engine' having five stories, the usual amount is four stories. Here are my views on each of the story:

THOMAS AND THE SWAN

The story does tend to be adapted from one of Christopher Awdry's early stories used in the 1992 annual, mostly the conflict between Thomas' crew and the swan, with some differences through other parts of the story. We see Pip and Emma once again, after their last appearance in 'Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines' in 1995, which would've been 16 years ago at the time this book was published. It's bit strange now that Pip and Emma are still in their InterCity livery despite that they could've been owned by a privatisation company by now. The Railway Series books tend to be set in real time. But what I think was a bit surprising was that Gordon became a local engine, hauling trains to each stop, for timetable reasons as the express. The story overall is good and simple and gives kids the message on why animals are important when they're needed in special care and that they can be fragile. 

Rating: 8/10

BUFFER BASHING

To be honest, this has to be the worst Railway Series story I've read. At the time I thought it was the best but after reading over and over again I realised that it sends a poor message to children. You have in the story Donald smashing into the buffers and all the engines, including himself, had a laugh about and just said that it was only an accident. But when Douglas did the same thing, due to his poor brakes, he was scolded at and was left red paint on his nose as reminder, yes liberal parents it's red paint. Look in the picture before you write your poorly researched editorials for click bait. While yes it has been three days working on the buffers at least maybe understand that it's an accident. It's very poor and it sends the wrong message out to kids.

Rating: 1/10

GORDON'S FIRE SERVICE

I find this story to be better then the last two. It definitely shows Gordon's maturity of hauling local trains and it was great to hear the Peel Godred line having a mention. Although I do wish they've shown the electric engines. It shows children that despite electric engines having no need for water and coal, steam engines have their uses too, especially when it comes to fire.

Rating: 9/10

CENTENARY 

With 2011 marking 100 years since Rev.W.Awdry's birth, this story was made by his son in honour of his father. I love how over the years the stories have implemented real people like the late Rev.W.Awdry, the late Teddy Boston etc. to give that real feeling of Sodor despite being fictional. But despite that the story has that feeling of a 'Golden Jubilee' rehash. The only difference is the accident with Henry's tunnel unlike the spider's web incident, although the latter did have reason on what it was going to be used for later. Whereas the one here was out of nowhere. It's not a terrible story but it's not that great either.

Rating: 5/10

ILLUSTRATIONS

The pictures were done once again by Clive Spong, who had illustrated Christopher Awdry's books from 1983-1996 and in 2007 for 'Thomas and Victoria'. I've always liked Spong's illustrations as it gives that friendly feeling of Sodor with some realism and accuracy of the engines. His style feels like C. Reginald Dalby, as what the publishers in 1983 at the time says when it comes to the resurface of the Railway Series. 

THE END?

At the time of its release, the books ends with the words 'The End'. At the time of its release, Series 15 had just aired on the TV and the series went through the worst writing from a production team who were treating Thomas as another kids show. But since it's been nearly five years since then and now that we have a new production team that understands the history of Thomas, I don't think we need more Railway Series books. I don't hate the Railway Series books but we have about 42 books in the series that have lasted for seven decades now! 

The stories in the books are timeless classics filled with simple stories but with strong characters and are being celebrated each time now how the way the television series is progressing with its own stories with influence from the Railway Series, e.g - 'The Adventure Begins'. Plus young children of the target audience aren't missing out on anything. Now with the DVDs and on YouTube we have the new Mr. Perkins segments giving story time to the children of the stories with the original pictures as well as ones made by Lorraine Marshall. 

So I think it's time to let the books have a rest, sure there's Barry but I doubt that book would ever see a light of day. Christopher Awdry is getting old and his son Richard Awdry isn't interested in writing though and plus not many ideas can turn out good. If I give one recommendation though, if you enjoyed the Railway Series I suggest being a member of Sodor Island Forums for their 'Extended Railway Series'. It's fan made but they give the style of the Awdry family's books. 

OVERALL

I do consider this book to be weak compare to the other titles. The title of the book sounds generic and not that catching compare to other titles, but I believe it's to sell. It has some good stories but not the best. 

RATING:

6/10

NWR Editorial: A Tribute to Hilary Fortnam

NWR EDITORIAL:

A TRIBUTE TO HILARY FORTNAM 

Hilary Fortnam (left) with Thomas (centre) and Veronica Chambers (right) 

at Drayton Manor in 2010.

After a whole decade battling with cancer, Hilary Fortnam (nee Awdry) had passed away on November 25th 2013. Her death was announced this week through British media and passed on towards the Thomas fan base. I never had a chance to meet the woman herself. But hearing about her through friends from the UK and from various people who had a chance to see her, she's very passionate about father's and brother's work. In her lecture in the 1995 documentary, 'The Thomas the Tank Engine Man', in her lecture 'Growing Up with Thomas the Tank Engine' she says that whenever her dad writes a new story, he would get his children to read it and see how it turns out. She may not have written the books unlike her father and brother, but she helped out by giving her opinions about the story and we wouldn't have such great stories today about Thomas and his friends in the Railway Series books. 

In 2011, with the outcry from religious groups, parents and older fans of the series, she criticised HIT Entertainment for the use of the word 'Winter Holidays' used in the recent series instead of 'Christmas'. Now the recent series had re-dubbed the new series with the word 'Christmas' and now in 2013, the recent US DVD 'Santa's Little Engine', with the new production team have added them in the new S17 episodes with the term 'Merry Christmas'. 

It's a shame that someone who had helped creating the phenomenal success of Thomas the Tank Engine had passed on. But her memory will still be kept alive through fans of the television series and of course, what started it all, the Railway Series books. She had approved of 'Blue Mountain Mystery' and I'm sure she would've approved 'King of The Railway'. At least she will rest now in eternal peace knowing that Thomas the Tank Engine are in the right hands of Andrew Brenner and his team. 

I like to give my condolences to the Awdry and the Fortnam family and friends. 

HILARY FORTNAM

(1946 - 2013)