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{{Tab|tab1=Main Page|tab2=Gallery}}
  
{{Tab|tab1=Main Page|tab2=Gallery}}
 
{{Infobox Book
  
{{Infobox Book
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|title1=Gordon the High-Speed Engine
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|title1 = Gordon the High-Speed Engine
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|image1=[[File:GordontheHigh-SpeedEngineCover.png]]
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|image1 = [[File:GordontheHigh-SpeedEngineCover.png]]
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|author=[[Christopher Awdry]]
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|author = [[Christopher Awdry]]
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|illustrator=[[Clive Spong]]
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|illustrator = [[Clive Spong]]
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|publisher=
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|publisher = * [[Kaye & Ward]] {{Note|1987-1998}}
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* [[Kaye & Ward]] {{Note|1987-1998}}
  
 
* [[Egmont Publishing]] {{Note|1998-present}}
  
* [[Egmont Publishing]] {{Note|1998-present}}
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|series=[[The Railway Series]]
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|series = [[The Railway Series]]
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|published=September 7, 1987 - present
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|published = 7 September 1987 - present
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|previous=[[More About Thomas the Tank Engine]]
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|previous = [[More About Thomas the Tank Engine]]
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|next=[[Toby, Trucks and Trouble]]}}
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|next = [[Toby, Trucks and Trouble]]
  +
}}
 
{{Quote|Speed's nothing to me. Why, one of my Doncaster cousins went at 126 miles an hour.|Gordon}}
  
{{Quote|Speed's nothing to me. Why, one of my Doncaster cousins went at 126 miles an hour.|Gordon}}
 
'''Gordon the High-Speed Engine''' is the thirty-first book of [[the Railway Series]].
  
'''Gordon the High-Speed Engine''' is the thirty-first book of [[the Railway Series]].
   
 
==Foreword==
  
==Foreword==
  ⚫
Dear Friends,<br />Over here on the [[British Railways|Other Railway]] we are used to High-Speed Trains, and know how useful they can be. But when Gordon first heard of them he began boasting about how fast he could go. He should have known better, because he only landed himself in disgrace and made [[Stephen Hatt|the Fat Controller]] cross. These stories tell how hard Gordon worked to redeem himself and make the Fat Controller think again.<br />
−
Dear Friends,<br />
  
⚫
Over here on the [[British Railways|Other Railway]] we are used to High-Speed Trains, and know how useful they can be. But when Gordon first heard of them he began boasting about how fast he could go. He should have known better, because he only landed himself in disgrace and made [[Stephen Hatt|the Fat Controller]] cross. These stories tell how hard Gordon worked to redeem himself and make the Fat Controller think again.<br />
  
 
[[Christopher Awdry|The Author]]
  
[[Christopher Awdry|The Author]]
   
 
==Stories==
  
==Stories==
 
===''High-Speed Gordon''===
  
===''High-Speed Gordon''===
−
Gordon is jealous when Donald talks about high-speed engines and boasts that he can go faster. He sets out to prove it when he takes the Express. Unfortunately, Gordon slips on the slippery rails and the water in his boiler surges forwards, making him unable to stop creating steam even though he cannot move forward. Donald takes him back to the shed after he runs out of steam and the rails Gordon was running on are replaced.
 +
Gordon is jealous when Donald talks about high-speed engines and boasts that he can go faster. Gordon sets out to prove his superior speed capabilities when he takes the Express, but he slips on the slippery rails and the water in his boiler surges forwards, rendering him incapable of ceasing to create steam. Donald takes him back to the shed after he runs out of steam and the rails Gordon was running on are replaced.
   
 
===''Smokescreen''===
  
===''Smokescreen''===
−
Gordon feels "stuffed up" and sneezes at Wellsworth, unfortunately spraying soot onto a party of wedding guests. The Fat Controller delays a visit to the mainland to apologise to the guests. Afterwards, he waited for another train, when Gordon steams back past and some ashes fall onto his top hat. When Gordon gets home an inspector comes up with a message telling Gordon that he will be disciplined when the Fat Controller returns.
 +
Gordon feels stuffed up and sneezes at Wellsworth, spraying soot all over a party of wedding guests. The Fat Controller delays a visit to the mainland to apologise to the party. Afterwards, Gordon steams past and some ashes fall onto the Fat Controller's top hat. When Gordon gets home, an inspector tells him that he will be disciplined when the Fat Controller returns.
   
 
===''Fire Escape''===
  
===''Fire Escape''===
Line 34: Line 33:
   
 
==Characters==
  
==Characters==
  +
===High-Speed Gordon===
  ⚫
* [[Gordon]]
  ⚫
* [[Donald and Douglas|Donald]]
  ⚫
* [[Henry]] {{Does not speak}}
  +
* [[James]] {{Does not speak}}
  +
* [[Duck]] {{Cameo}}
  ⚫
* [[Bear]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
* [[The Works Diesel]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
* [[Sir Topham Hatt|The Fat Controller]] {{Mentioned}}
  ⚫
* [[Mallard]] {{Note|indirectly mentioned}}
  +
  +
===Smokescreen===
 
* [[Henry]]
  
* [[Henry]]
 
* [[Gordon]]
  
* [[Gordon]]
⚫
* [[James]]
  
⚫
* [[Donald and Douglas]]
  
 
* [[BoCo]]
  
* [[BoCo]]
  +
* [[Sir Topham Hatt|The Fat Controller]] {{Does not speak}}
  ⚫
* [[Minor Human Characters in the Railway Series#The Wedding Guests|The Wedding Guests]] {{Do not speak}}
  +
* [[Edward]] {{Mentioned}}
  ⚫
* [[Minor Human Characters in the Railway Series|The Stone-dropping Boys]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
  +
===Fire Escape===
  +
* [[Gordon]]
  ⚫
* [[James]]
  +
* [[Sir Topham Hatt|The Fat Controller]]
  +
* [[BoCo]] {{Does not speak}}
  +
* [[31120]] {{Cameo}}
  +
* [[Edward]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
  +
===Gordon Proves His Point===
  ⚫
* [[James]]
  +
* [[Gordon]]
  +
* [[Donald and Douglas|Douglas]]
 
* [[Pip and Emma|Emma]]
  
* [[Pip and Emma|Emma]]
−
* [[Stephen Hatt]]
 +
* [[Sir Topham Hatt|The Fat Controller]]
 
* [[Pip and Emma|Pip]] {{Does not speak}}
  
* [[Pip and Emma|Pip]] {{Does not speak}}
⚫
* [[31120]] {{does not speak}}
  
⚫
* [[Minor Human Characters in the Railway Series#The Wedding Guests|The Wedding Guests]] {{do not speak}}
  
 
* [[10751]] {{Note|does not speak; not named}}
  
* [[10751]] {{Note|does not speak; not named}}
  +
* [[Henry]] {{Cameo}}
 
* [[Duck]] {{Cameo}}
  
* [[Duck]] {{Cameo}}
−
* [[Edward]] {{Mentioned}}
 +
* [[Donald and Douglas|Donald]] {{Cameo}}
−
* [[Bear]] {{Mentioned}}
 +
* [[BoCo]] {{Cameo}}
⚫
* [[The Works Diesel]] {{Mentioned}}
  
⚫
* [[Minor Human Characters in the Railway Series|The Stone-dropping Boys]] {{Mentioned}}
  
⚫
* [[Mallard]] {{Note|indirectly Mentioned}}
  
   
 
==Locations==
  
==Locations==
  +
===High-Speed Gordon===
⚫
* [[Tidmouth Sheds]]
  
−
* [[Tidmouth]]
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* [[Island of Sodor]]
−
* [[Wellsworth]]
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** [[Tidmouth]]
−
* [[Vicarstown]]
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*** [[Tidmouth Sheds]]
  +
** [[The Railway Works|The Works]] {{Mentioned}}
⚫
* [[Gordon's Hill]]
  
−
* [[Barrow-in-Furness]]
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* [[The Mainland]]
  +
** [[Doncaster]] {{Mentioned}}
⚫
* [[Kellsthorpe Road]]
  
  +
⚫
* [[Killdane]]
  
  +
===Smokescreen===
  +
* [[Island of Sodor]]
  +
** [[Tidmouth]]
  +
*** [[Tidmouth Sheds]]
  +
** [[Wellsworth]]
  +
** [[Vicarstown]]
  +
** [[Gordon's Hill]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
* [[The Mainland]]
  +
** [[British Railways]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
  +
===Fire Escape===
  +
* [[Island of Sodor]]
  ⚫
** [[Tidmouth Sheds]]
  +
** [[Gordon's Hill]]
  +
** [[Knapford]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
** [[Wellsworth]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
** [[The Railway Works|The Works]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
* [[The Mainland]]
  +
** [[Barrow-in-Furness]]
  +
  +
===Gordon Proves His Point===
  +
* [[Island of Sodor]]
  ⚫
** [[Kellsthorpe Road]]
  +
** [[Tidmouth Sheds]]
  +
** [[Killdane]]
  +
** [[The Railway Works|The Works]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
* [[The Mainland]]
  +
** [[Barrow-in-Furness]]
  +
** [[Carlisle]] {{Mentioned}}
   
 
==Trivia==
  
==Trivia==
 
* This is the first book to include the new Tidmouth Sheds.
  
* This is the first book to include the new Tidmouth Sheds.
 
* After writing this book, Christopher Awdry was able to retire from his job at the Inland Revenue and write full-time.
  
* After writing this book, Christopher Awdry was able to retire from his job at the Inland Revenue and write full-time.
⚫
* The events of this book took place in 1986.
  
 
* The cover illustration is very similar to the second illustration of [[The Three Railway Engines#Edward, Gordon and Henry|Edward, Gordon and Henry]].
  
* The cover illustration is very similar to the second illustration of [[The Three Railway Engines#Edward, Gordon and Henry|Edward, Gordon and Henry]].
−
* In "Smokescreen", a reference to "[[Henry the Green Engine#Henry's Sneeze|Henry's Sneeze]]" is made.
 +
* In "Smokescreen", a reference to the story "[[Henry the Green Engine#Henry's Sneeze|Henry's Sneeze]]" is made.
−
* Gordon's trip to Carlisle was mentioned again in the annual story, [[Percy's Passengers]].
 +
* Gordon's trip to Carlisle is mentioned again in the annual story, [[Percy's Passengers]].
 
* This book marks a few things for BoCo:
  
* This book marks a few things for BoCo:
 
** His face is fully yellow.
  
** His face is fully yellow.
Line 74: Line 124:
 
** His final speaking role in the Railway Series.
  
** His final speaking role in the Railway Series.
 
* This book was published six weeks before the [[Series 1|first series]] of the TV series was released on VHS in Australia.
  
* This book was published six weeks before the [[Series 1|first series]] of the TV series was released on VHS in Australia.
  +
* This is the last book in the Railway Series where Gordon appears in all four stories.
  ⚫
* The events of this book take place in 1986.
  +
* ''Smokescreen'' is based on a real event when wedding guests were showed with soot from an engine's funnel at the Bluebell Railway.
  +
* ''Fire Escape'' is based on a real event that occurred on the Lickey Incline, south of Birmingham.
   
 
==Goofs==
  
==Goofs==
 
* In the first illustration, Douglas is mistaken for Donald.
  
* In the first illustration, Douglas is mistaken for Donald.
  +
* Barrow is incorrectly depicted as a terminus. 
−
* In the last illustration, Douglas is shown to be pulling Pip & Emma, but neither of them have couplings in front.
 +
* In the last illustration, Douglas is shown to be pulling Pip and Emma, but neither of them have couplings in front.
   
 
{{The Railway Series}}
  
{{The Railway Series}}
Line 87: Line 142:
 
[[Category:Books]]
  
[[Category:Books]]
 
[[Category:Australian Books]]
  
[[Category:Australian Books]]
−
[[Category:Railway Series books without Thomas]]
  

Revision as of 16:01, 4 April 2020

Main Page
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“Speed's nothing to me. Why, one of my Doncaster cousins went at 126 miles an hour.”
― Gordon

Gordon the High-Speed Engine is the thirty-first book of the Railway Series.

Foreword

Dear Friends,
Over here on the Other Railway we are used to High-Speed Trains, and know how useful they can be. But when Gordon first heard of them he began boasting about how fast he could go. He should have known better, because he only landed himself in disgrace and made the Fat Controller cross. These stories tell how hard Gordon worked to redeem himself and make the Fat Controller think again.
The Author

Stories

High-Speed Gordon

Gordon is jealous when Donald talks about high-speed engines and boasts that he can go faster. Gordon sets out to prove his superior speed capabilities when he takes the Express, but he slips on the slippery rails and the water in his boiler surges forwards, rendering him incapable of ceasing to create steam. Donald takes him back to the shed after he runs out of steam and the rails Gordon was running on are replaced.

Smokescreen

Gordon feels stuffed up and sneezes at Wellsworth, spraying soot all over a party of wedding guests. The Fat Controller delays a visit to the mainland to apologise to the party. Afterwards, Gordon steams past and some ashes fall onto the Fat Controller's top hat. When Gordon gets home, an inspector tells him that he will be disciplined when the Fat Controller returns.

Fire Escape

Gordon, trying to make amends, is rushing at his hill when a firebar collapses. Thinking quickly, the driver tells the fireman to put a large piece of coal over the hole. Gordon manages to struggle to a loop, and BoCo comes to help. The Fat Controller thanks BoCo and is about to say something to Gordon when he has to go to his train, leaving Gordon in suspense.

Gordon Proves His Point

Gordon is at Barrow-in-Furness when a porter asks him to take a train of enthusiasts up to Carlisle. The Fat Controller gives his consent, and two powercars called Pip and Emma take the Express back to Tidmouth. Pip's cooling system is faulty, but Emma is in order. James, who is taking a stopping train, is asked to help Pip and Emma after Emma breaks down. At Tidmouth, the Fat Controller thanks James and asks him to make Pip and Emma welcome. When Gordon returns, the Fat Controller forgives him for his smokescreen and tells him that the ashes came from an ashtray being emptied by a steward. Gordon takes the passengers home.

Characters

High-Speed Gordon

Smokescreen

Fire Escape

Gordon Proves His Point

Locations

High-Speed Gordon

Smokescreen

Fire Escape

Gordon Proves His Point

Trivia

  • This is the first book to include the new Tidmouth Sheds.
  • After writing this book, Christopher Awdry was able to retire from his job at the Inland Revenue and write full-time.
  • The cover illustration is very similar to the second illustration of Edward, Gordon and Henry.
  • In "Smokescreen", a reference to the story "Henry's Sneeze" is made.
  • Gordon's trip to Carlisle is mentioned again in the annual story, Percy's Passengers.
  • This book marks a few things for BoCo:
    • His face is fully yellow.
    • He has a face at each end.
    • His final speaking role in the Railway Series.
  • This book was published six weeks before the first series of the TV series was released on VHS in Australia.
  • This is the last book in the Railway Series where Gordon appears in all four stories.
  • The events of this book take place in 1986.
  • Smokescreen is based on a real event when wedding guests were showed with soot from an engine's funnel at the Bluebell Railway.
  • Fire Escape is based on a real event that occurred on the Lickey Incline, south of Birmingham.

Goofs

  • In the first illustration, Douglas is mistaken for Donald.
  • Barrow is incorrectly depicted as a terminus. 
  • In the last illustration, Douglas is shown to be pulling Pip and Emma, but neither of them have couplings in front.
Writers Wilbert Awdry | Christopher Awdry | George Awdry | Brian Sibley
Illustrators William Middleton | Reginald Payne | C. Reginald Dalby | John T. Kenney | Gunvor and Peter Edwards | Clive Spong | Stephen Lings
Publishers Edmund Ward | Kaye & Ward | William Heinemann | Egmont Publishing | Random House Books
Narrators Wilbert Awdry | Johnny Morris | Willie Rushton | Ted Robbins | John Gielgud | Andrew Sachs | Michael Angelis
Characters Railway Series characters | Railway Series-exclusive characters | Awdry-created characters
Other The Sad Story of Henry (1953) | The Railway Stories | Eric Marriott
Books W.A. The Three Railway Engines | Thomas the Tank Engine | James the Red Engine | Tank Engine Thomas Again | Troublesome Engines | Henry the Green Engine | Toby the Tram Engine | Gordon the Big Engine | Edward the Blue Engine | Four Little Engines | Percy the Small Engine | The Eight Famous Engines | Duck and the Diesel Engine | The Little Old Engine | The Twin Engines | Branch Line Engines | Gallant Old Engine | Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine | Mountain Engines | Very Old Engines | Main Line Engines | Small Railway Engines | Enterprising Engines | Oliver the Western Engine | Duke the Lost Engine | Tramway Engines
C.A. Really Useful Engines | James and the Diesel Engines | Great Little Engines | More About Thomas the Tank Engine | Gordon the High-Speed Engine | Toby, Trucks and Trouble | Thomas and the Twins | Jock the New Engine | Thomas and the Great Railway Show | Thomas Comes Home | Henry and the Express | Wilbert the Forest Engine | Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines | New Little Engine | Thomas and Victoria | Thomas and his Friends | Barry the Rescue Engine
Other Thomas's Christmas Party | Thomas Comes to Breakfast | Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree | Thomas and the Evil Diesel | Thomas and Gordon Off the Rails | Thomas and the Hurricane | Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection | Thomas the Tank Engine: The New Collection | Annuals | Mini Books | Pop-up Books
Companion Twelve Happy Engines | The Railway Series: Surprise Packet | Railway Map of the Island of Sodor | The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways | The Thomas the Tank Engine Man | Sodor: Reading Between the Lines
Lectures Narrow Gauge Rails in Sodor | Railways of Sodor
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