RS Book Reviews: Thomas & The Twins

Thomas and the Twins

Reviewed by WhitehouseFilms

This is another example of one of Christopher Awdry's books upon which I have been introduced by Ted Robbin's audiobooks. Thomas and the twins gave me the experience of what would happen if Thomas was to meet characters which you've not seen him interact with in the early TV series. it is also one of my favourite books in Christopher's collection and one that I would often look out for in Eason's just so I could join in with the cassette and know what the story was about. Talking of which, let us dive in.

Scrambled Eggs

There must be something Thomas has against breakfast related items or perhaps it was just out of coincidence.

The river bridge at Elsbridge is in need of maintenance but Thomas is too heavy to travel over it while it is being repaired. So to find Thomas other work to do, the Fat Controller sends him to work on Edward's branch line. At first Thomas is sad to leave his branch but Edward tries his best to cheer him up by introducing him to Bill and Ben. Upon seeing Thomas, the twins are annoyed to have another blue engine to deal with on the branch which upsets Thomas even more. Things get worse for Thomas when he later encounters a stalled lorry on a farm crossing which resulted on him receiving a very "Egg-quisive" new livery.

What a Picture

A few days after Thomas' "Egg-speariance" (Last pun. I promise), Edward informs the twins about the arrival of some railway enthusiasts the following week but tells them that he will not bring them if they continue to misbehave, which the twins promise not to. On the day the twins feel like celebrities and are constantly fuzzed over by the enthusiasts. I had a similar experience during my time at the miniature railway club when some travelling rail enthusiasts came and wanted to know all about the engines and taking their numbers. Anyway, before the visit was over Ben's driver is asked to help get a grounded ship back into deeper water. All except one enthusiast went to watch whom had hoped to have the best photo out of the rest of them. His chances of achieving this are dashed when Bill is asked to help Ben with the ship which lead to the photograph to come out very steamy. No, let's not be harsh on the fella. After all, I'm sure nobody could capture a locomotive's chimney so well.

Trevor Helps Out

Our friend Trevor is back to say hello but unfortunately he has seen better days. Over the years his boiler had been wearing out but like in his early days before, Trevor is determined to continue working no matter what condition he is in. During one morning Trevor is asked to help cut up a fallen tree, near the junction on Edward's branch. During this we are informed of how china clay is transported along the railway using either hooted trucks or tankers. This is depending on the type of clay being transported and is a good trivia for young rail fans to take note of.

While watching Edward pass by with some trucks, Trevor sees some trucks become detached caused by a loose rail. He successfully stops Edward to inform him and is later rewarded of a full repair by the Fat Controller.

Down the Drain

More info on how china clay is mined is shared to us and we are also informed of a dangerous spot that the twins have to face when traveling to and from the clay pits, otherwise known as 'The Drain'. This spot tends to fall victim to heavy floods during autumn and winter and on this occasion, while both twins are working at the pits, Ben gets to experience the same feeling Percy once had in Book 11. Stalled and out of steam, Ben is left stranded in the middle of 'the Drain'. Thankfully Thomas is here to save the day and as soon as both twins are back home safely, they agree from that day forward they wouldn't tease Thomas again.

Now although this book is a childhood favourite of mine, I don't want to be too hard on it but would say that it does give us the chance to see Bill and Ben again but I question if it was necessary for Thomas to be roped into the stories. BoCo or Edward would have been fine replacements but Thomas is carefully written in so that he only gets one Story to himself and only mentioned/appeared every so often in the remainder. Overall it is another great addition to the Christopher Awdry collection.