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The Three Railway Engines
The3RailwayEngines
Author Wilbert Awdry
Illustrator C. Reginald Dalby
Publication date 12th May 1945
Published by Egmont Publishing
Edmund Ward
Publication Order
Preceded by
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Followed by
Thomas the Tank Engine

The Three Railway Engines is the first book in the lineup of Railway Series books that were released. The stories were first told & put on paper back in 1942, but it's delay in publication was understandably due to World War II. The stories were illustrated 3 times. First came Wilbert Awdry, Secondly by William Middelton, & Thirdly by Clarence Dalby.

Stories[]

Edward's Day Out[]

A group of big engines are teasing the small outcast Edward that he won't be allowed out because he is too weak, but when the driver sees him upset he offers to take him out. Edward goes to get some coaches, and (after a few moments of panic waiting for the guard) they start off and Edward has an enjoyable day.

Edward and Gordon[]

Gordon is bragging about pulling the Express, but when Edward is shunting, Gordon comes past with a long train of coal trucks. Gordon deliberately stalls at a hill and Edward comes as a "banker". At the top of the hill, Gordon races ahead and Edward gets puffed out, but is pleased at the prospect of a new coat of paint.

The Sad Story of Henry[]

One rainy day, Henry stops in a tunnel and refuses to move. His crew, the passengers, another engine and even the Fat Director try to get him to move, but to no avail. Eventually, they have him bricked up, and they bore a new tunnel.

Edward, Gordon and Henry[]

Gordon is pulling the Express when he bursts his safety valve outside Henry's tunnel. Edward tries to pull the train, but can't. The Fat Director lets Henry out of the tunnel so that he and Edward can pull the train. They later help Gordon home, and Henry is rewarded with a new blue coat, which he chooses in respect for Edward.

Characters[]

Trivia[]

  • The first three stories were first told in 1942 but (owing to wartime conditions) they were not published until 1945.
  • The Reverend W. Awdry did not intend for the first three stories to be based on the same railway, but his publishers pressured him to bring Edward, Gordon and Henry together for a happy ending.
  • In the Japanese version of this book, Edward's Day Out is know as "Fun Day" and The Sad Story of Henry is known as "Sickly Henry".
  • The 1998 Egmont edition included a foreward message by Christopher Awdry.

Worldwide released:[]

  • May 12, 1945 (UK)
  • July 26, 1945 (USA)
  • May 10, 1950 (Australia)
  • June 23, 1950 (Russia)
  • July 19, 1950 (New Zealand)
  • June 24, 1951 (Italy)
  • July 13, 1951 (France)
  • August 1, 1951 (Ireland)
  • November 19, 1951 (Germany)
  • September 18, 1973 (Japan)
  • May 10, 1978 (Canada)
  • January 15, 1980 (Brazil)

Gallery[]

Edward's Day Out[]

1945-1949[]

1950-present[]

Edward and Gordon[]

1945-1949[]

1950-present[]

The Sad Story of Henry[]

1945-1949[]

1950-present[]

Edward, Gordon and Henry[]

1945-1949[]

1950-present[]

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