#The railway series the new collection how to#

Although Bean knew nothing of railways, she agreed to help Awdry. He was unable to draw humans and scenery, so he turned to Barbara Bean, the headmistress of the Knapwell Church of England School whose hobby was sketching. When Reginald Payne proved unavailable to illustrate this book, Wilbert Awdry decided to illustrate it himself.Wilbert Awdry often stated that this was his least favourite book, as he had written it to meet a deadline rather than from experience.The two become friends and Gordon refrains from teasing James about the bootlace incident. The Fat Controller asks James to take the Express and after a successful run and the promise of being allowed to take the Express, James returns to see Gordon shunting. Gordon brags that he knows the right line by 'instinct', but is proven wrong when he is switched off the Main Line onto the loop. The Fat Controller is pleased and allows James to keep his red paint. The trucks play tricks on James and break away on Gordon's Hill, but James tries again and with some support from Edward, gets the train to Killdane.

James is shut up for several days for his bad behaviour, but when the Fat Controller comes to see him, James apologises and is let out to take a goods train. After much persuasion, a man named Jeremiah Jobling hands his bootlaces over, and the train manages to get home. The crew decides that they need newspaper and leather bootlaces to fix it until they get home. He is further annoyed when no one comes near him at the platform, and he becomes so determined to pay everyone out that he does not take care with his coaches, causing a leak in the brake-pipe. James was grumpy after being threatened to be painted blue and having to fetch his own coaches. That night, James is scared of what the Fat Controller will say. During the run, he almost forgets to drop off his passengers and to top everything off he disturbs an old lady with his hiccups after hearing about the time Edward had to help Gordon up the hill. At the platform, he accidentally showers water over the Fat Controller's new top-hat and then, afraid of the consequences, starts off suddenly.

#The railway series the new collection how to#

He starts learning how to pull passenger trains with Edward. James has recovered from his accident and now has a new coat of red paint. I am glad, too, to tell you that the Fat Director, who understands our friends' ways, is still in charge, but is now the Fat Controller. We are nationalised now, but the same engines still work the Region. James, who crashed in the story of Thomas the Tank Engine, settles down and becomes a Useful Engine.

Here is the new book for which you asked. Dear friends of Edward, Gordon, Henry and Thomas,