Four Little Engines

Four Little Engines was dirst published in 1955. It was written by the Reverend W. Awdry and llustrated by C. Reginald Dalby.

=Stories=

Skarloey Remembers
Edward, who was sent to be repaired in the previous book, meets Skarloey, a Narrow Gauge engine. Skarloey talks to him about his friend, Rheneas, who is also being repaired, on the mainland, the coaches and his work, and when Edward goes to the workshops, Skarloey dozes in the sunshine.

Sir Handel
The two new engines arrive. One, Peter Sam, is a good-natured engine, but the other, Sir Handel, is in a bad temper. After insulting the coaches by calling them "cattle trucks", they hold back on the hill. The Thin Controller scolds him, and he behaves, until he is sent to the Quarry after pulling a train when it was Peter sam's turn. He purposely derails himself, and is sent to the Shed.

Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady
Peter Sam has to do all the work himself. He doesn't mind, though, and has great fun getting everything ready. However, he is late, and Henry threatens that he will leave without Peter Sam's passengers if it happens again. Peter Sam is so worried that, at the station by the lake, he starts off without the Refreshment Lady, a lady who owns a shop by the lakeside. She is cross, but laughs when she hears Peter Sam's explaination, and explains Henry was joking. Peter Sam is furious, but Henry hs wisely left!

Old Faithful
Peter Sam is away, so Sir Handel has to take the coaches. They don't trust him, and when he has to stop suddenly for some sheep, they get cross and derail him. Skarloey offers to take the train home, but a spring breaks and Skarloey tilts to a side. Despite this, he makes it home, and The Owner sends him to be mended.

=Featured Characters=
 * Edward
 * Skarloey
 * Sir Handel
 * Peter Sam
 * Agnes, Ruth, Lucy, Jemima and Beatrice
 * Gordon
 * Henry
 * James (does not speak)
 * Rheneas (does not speak)

=Trivia=
 * The Narrow Gauge Engines are all reddish-pink in colour in this book. However, in the TV Series, they have these colours:
 * Skarloey - Red with white stripes
 * Sir Handel - Blue with red stripes
 * Peter Sam - Dark green with black stripes