Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine



"Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine" was first published in 1963. It was written by the Reverend W. Awdry and illustrated by Gunvor and Peter Edwards.

=Stories=

Bluebells of England
Percy is singing about bluebells when Douglas comes up and tells that his song is daft. Percy is cross, and tells him about the "Bluebells of England". He then goes on to inform Douglas, who was away at the time, that Stepney is coming to Sodor, when Stepney suddenly arrives and the two welcome him with a chorus of whistles.

Stepney's Special
After talking to Edward about the Bluebell Railway, Stepney goes to Tidmouth to help Duck with the shunting. Thomas has just left with his last train when he is stopped so Stepney, with a V.I.P. in tow, can pass. Thomas is furious, but when Stepney explains the next morning and flatters Thomas by complimenting his knowledge of branch line life, Thomas is happier and begins talking about his branch line.

Train Stops Play
Percy takes pity on Stepney when he reveals he misses trucks and offers to share his train with him. Stepney later passes a cricket field when a batsmen hits a six and the ball lands in a truck. Stepney doesn't hear the cricketers shout, so four pile into an old car named Caroline and race after them. At Ffarquhar, they get the ball, and, as Caroline is exhausted, Stepney takes them back on a flat truck and stays to watch the match.

Bowled Out
Stepney's stay is almost over, but in his place a rude diesel arrives and starts insulting the engines. Although the engines have no idea of what to do, the Diesel soon gets his just desserts when an Inspector's bowler hat lodges in his air intake. Duck and Stepney take his train, and reach Crovan's Gate in record time. Stepney leaves next day in style, while the Diesel creeps away in disgrace.

=Featured Characters=
 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Percy
 * Donald and Douglas
 * Duck
 * Stepney
 * The Diesel
 * Caroline
 * Toby (does not speak)
 * Annie and Clarabel (do not speak)
 * Bluebell and Primrose (do not speak)
 * Adams (does not speak)
 * Cromford (does not speak)
 * Captain Baxter (does not speak)
 * Other Railway Diesels (cameos)
 * The scrapyard engines (cameos)
 * Daisy (mention)
 * Rusty (mention)

=Trivia=
 * The second illustration of "Bluebells of England" is based on the illustration Peter Edwards did for the Graham Greene novel "A Gun For Sale".
 * Percy's knowledge of Rusty indicates that he still probably pulls goods from Thomas' Branchline to Barrow-in-Furness, unless he was briefly introduced on his trip to the Works at the end of Branch Line Engines.

=Links=
 * Bluebell Railway Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebell_Railway
 * Stepney's page on the Bluebell Railway website: http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pics/stepney.html