| Henry and the Express | |
 | |
| Author | Christopher Awdry |
| Illustrator | Clive Spong |
| Publication date | 1993-Present |
| Publication Order | |
| Preceded by Thomas Comes Home |
Followed by Wilbert the Forest Engine |
Henry and the Express is the thirty-seventh book of the Railway Series.
Foreword[]
Dear Friends,
When I went to see Henry recently, he was moaning about not having a book to himself for ages.
"Yes", I agreed, "There's the story about patching up your smokebox"... "And the time my wheel broke," he interrupted.
"What about when you came out of the Works before you'd been properly painted?" I said.
"You wouldn't...!" he said.
But I would and I have. It might teach Henry not to try to tell me what to do.
Stories[]
Out of Puff[]
The Fat Controller is cross when he is forced to rely on a new type of coal. It makes more ashes and creates indigestion for the engines, who pass it off as "FILTHY RUBBISH!". One day Henry can't make it past Wellsworth and his crew find that his smokebox catchet is bent. They make papier mache to fix the problem and the train is taken by another engine. Henry arrives safely home, but Donald and Douglas make breathing noises in the shed that night making Henry very suspicious.
Overhaul[]
Henry is due for an overhaul and is ordered to double-head the express with James to Crovans Gate. James is bitter, but relaxes after they both put an effort climbing Gordon's Hill - up to the point where things fly from Henry's direction, hitting James and the coaches. No one is hurt and Henry's crew find a steel rim from one wheel has fallen, so he is shunted into a siding. James later jokes that Henry should be "retiring" and he compliments the remark to himself.
Sliding Scales[]
With Henry away, the Flying Kipper is to be taken in turns. James takes his turn and sets off for the harbour. Fish later is scattered onto the tracks by an out of control forklift and ice is turned into puddles, but the fish oil makes James helplessly slip. Workmen cleared the mess using sand and clean water from a hose before James can move the Flying Kipper again all the way up to Vicarstown station.
Henry Sees Red[]
After his repairs are completed, workmen apply an undercoat onto Henry. An emergency at Tidmouth forces Henry out of Crovans Gate early to take the express to the end of the line. The brake coach stops them at Wellsworth, destroying Henry's chances of making a smooth run to the top of Gordon's Hill. With some encouragement and a good effort up the hill, the train arrives on time at Vicarstown, and Sir Topham Hatt rewards Henry with his coat of green paint.
Characters[]
- James
- Henry
- Donald and Douglas
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Gordon (does not speak)
- Edward (cameo)
- Duck (cameo)
- Oliver (cameo)
- The Works Diesel (cameo)
- Bear (mentioned)
- D199 (mentioned)
Goofs[]
- When Henry stops after braking his tyre, the Peel Godred Branch appears in the background. The line instead of joining goes underneath the main line.
- Ice is absent when the box of fish is destroyed. In the next illustration, a puddle of water believing to be ice is seen on the platform.
- Henry's valve gear parts are missing throughout the book.
- Douglas has white smoke opposed to the text about the new coal making the engines' smoke black.