Gordon the Big Engine

Gordon the Blue Engine was first published in 1953. It was written by the Reverend W. Awdry and illustrated by C. Reginald Dalby.

=Stories=

Off the Rails
One day after teasing Henry for derailing and getting cross at Percy for calling him careless, Gordon is asked to take a Special of trucks. Gordon is huffy and his fire is slow, so Edward comes to take him to the turntable. Gordon decides to "jam" the table, but only comes off the table and runs into a ditch. Edward takes the Special and that night, Hemry and James pull him out.

Leaves
Gordon is sent to shunt in the Yard. When he tries to warn James that his hill is slippery after a rainfall, James just laughs, but soon regrets it when the coaches drag him back down the hill. Gordon, who followed with a goods train, helps him up again.

Down the Mine
One day at the Junction, Thomas teases Gordon for falling into a ditch, and carries on even after Annie and Clarabel rebuke him. Thomas goes to the lead mine to get some trucks. Thomas concocts a plan to go past a "danger" board, and falls in. Gordon, who laughs when he finds out, comes to the rescue, and the two form an Alliance.

Paint Pots and Queens
The Queen of England is coming to Sodor, and Henry brags that he will be chosen to take the Royal Train. These plans are soon put to rest, however, when Henry disturbs a painter and a paint pot falls onto him. Thomas and Gordon apologise to the Fat Controller for being silly, and he allows Gordon to pull the Royal Train. On the big day, Thomas gets the coaches ready, and Edward clears the line in front. The Queen meets all the engines, and talks personally to Thomas, Edward and Gordon, but Gordon feels proudest of all.

=Featured Characters=
 * Gordon
 * Henry
 * Percy
 * Edward
 * James
 * Thomas
 * Annie and Clarabel
 * Toby
 * Henrietta (cameo only)

=Triva=
 * In the first illustration of Paint Pots and Queens, it is clear that if Henry moves forwards, he will hit the middle support beam.