View source for The Railway Stories

'''''The Railway Stories''''' are a series of audio adaptations of [[The Railway Series]] books by the [[W.V. Awdry|Rev. W Awdry]] and his son [[Christopher Awdry|Christopher]].

Nearly all of the 40 books in the series has been recorded by one of five different narrators: [[Johnny Morris]], [[William Rushton]], [[Ted Robbins]], [[Michael Angelis]], and even the Rev. Awdry himself.

==Rev. W. Awdry recordings==
The very first known audio adaptation was a 7" (33⅓rpm) [[EP]] narrated by the [[W.V. Awdry|Rev. Awdry]] himself ([http://www.pegnsean.net/~railwayseries/awdryania.htm see photo]), with "background effects taken from real engines".

This record, released in 1957 by Chiltern Records of [[Princes Risborough]], contained two stories &ndash; ''Edward's Day Out'' and ''Edward and Gordon'' &ndash; from the first book in the Railway Series: [[List of Railway Series Books#The Three Railway Engines|''The Three Railway Engines'']].
 
Examples of this recording are extremely rare. 

==Johnny Morris recordings (Delysé)==
The first widely-available recordings were narrated by [[Johnny Morris]] and released in the early 1960's by the Delysé Recording Company.  Each 7" (45rpm) [[vinyl record]] contained two stories, taken from the first eight books of The Railway Series.  The recordings were released in [[monaural|mono]].

The front of the record sleeve showed an original illustration from the story in the original book.  While on the back, there was a list of the other recordings in "The Railway Engine Series" [sic], together with an introduction from the [[W.V. Awdry|Rev. Awdry]]:

{{cquote|''My father was a railway enthusiast and brought me up accordingly.  Our home at Box, Wiltshire, was near the Great Western main line and listening to heavy freights clawing up the grade it was not hard to imagine train engine and banker talking to each other, and for me, steam engines developed personality.''<BR>
''So when my son caught measles at the age of three I told him these stories to amuse him.  They were not written down at first, I made them up as I went along.  But I had to tell them so often, carefully using the same words, that both he and I soon knew them by heart.''<BR>
''It was only later, at my wife's suggestion, that I wrote them down, so that other children besides our own might have pleasure from them too.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&mdash; Rev. W. Awdry
}}

The label on the record was also quite distinctive, showing a smiling red engine on a blue/white background. The label was carefully designed so that the [[record player]] spindle fitted through the engine's 'nose'!  No attempt had been made to make the engine look like one of those from the stories.

===Record Details===
Stories from Book 1 - [[List of Railway Series Books#The Three Railway Engines|''The Three Railway Engines'']]:
*'''DEL101''' ([[196x]]) - 1. Edward's Day Out, 2. Edward and Gordon
*'''DEL102''' ([[196x]]) - 1. The Sad Story of Henry, 2. Edward, Gordon and Henry

Stories from Book 2 - [[List of Railway Series Books#Thomas the Tank Engine|''Thomas the Tank Engine'']]:
*'''DEL103''' ([[1961]]) - 1. Thomas and Gordon, 2. Thomas's Train
*'''DEL104''' ([[196x]]) - 1. Thomas and the Trucks, 2. Thomas and the Breakdown Train

Stories from Book 3 - [[List of Railway Series Books#James the Red Engine|''James the Red Engine'']]:
*'''DEL114''' ([[196x]]) - 1. James and the Top Hat, 2. James and the Bootlace
*'''DEL115''' ([[196x]]) - 1. Troublesome Trucks, 2. James and the Express

Stories from Book 4 - [[List of Railway Series Books#Tank Engine Thomas Again|''Tank Engine Thomas Again'']]:
*'''DEL137''' ([[1964]]) - 1. Thomas and the Guard, 2. Thomas Goes Fishing 
*'''DEL138''' ([[196x]]) - 1. Thomas, Terence and the Snow, 2. Thomas and Bertie

Stories from Book 5 - [[List of Railway Series Books#Troublesome Engines|''Troublesome Engines'']] :
*'''DEL142''' ([[196x]]) - 1. Henry and the Elephant, 2. Tenders and Turntables
*'''DEL143''' ([[196x]]) - 1. Trouble in the Shed, 2. Percy Runs Away

Stories from Book 6 - [[List of Railway Series Books#Henry the Green Engine|''Henry the Green Engine'']]:
*'''DEL150''' ([[196x]]) - 1. Coal, 2. The Flying Kipper
*'''DEL151''' ([[1966]]) - 1. Gordon's Whistle, 2. Henry's Sneeze

Stories from Book 7 - [[List of Railway Series Books#Toby the Tram Engine|''Toby the Tram Engine'']]:
*'''DEL152''' ([[196x]]) - 1. Toby and the Stout Gentleman, 2. Thomas in Trouble
*'''DEL153''' ([[196x]]) - 1. Dirty Objects, 2. Mrs Kindley's Christmas

Stories from Book 8 - [[List of Railway Series Books#Gordon the Big Engine|''Gordon the Big Engine'']]:
*'''DEL154''' ([[196x]]) - 1. Off the Rails, 2. Leaves
*'''DEL155''' ([[1966]]) - 1. Down the Mine, 2. Paint Pots and Queens

==Decca and Argo recordings==
In the 1970s the stories were released on 12" (33⅓rpm) vinyl albums by [[Decca Records]] as part of their "World of Children's Stories" series.  Each record contained the stories from two complete books, one book on each side. The sleeve notes included the same quote from Rev. Awdry (see Delysé recordings, above).  The sleeve illustrations were taken directly from the artwork of the original books.

The first eight books were again narrated by [[Johnny Morris]].  It is fairly safe to assume that the original Delysé recordings were re-used: Delysé is mentioned on the record label, and the copyright date matches the original singles from the 1960s.

Decca was also the owner of the [[Argo Records (UK)|Argo]] label, renowned for its audiobooks and other non-music recordings. It was therefore a natural progression to extend the series on this label.  New recordings were made for six further books from The Railway Series, starting with [[List of Railway Series Books#Edward the Blue Engine|''Edward the Blue Engine'']].  These stories were narrated by [[Willie Rushton]] and the gaps between the tracks included atmospheric (if not always accurate) steam or diesel sound effects.

The albums were later released on audio cassette under the same labels. Recordings were produced by Peter Johnson ('Peter John Productions'); with Kaye & Ward Ltd and Third Man Music being identified as owners of the works.

Subsequently, Willie Rushton also recorded the remaining books (up to no. 26 [[List of Railway Series Books#Tramway Engines|''Tramway Engines'']]) on the Argo label.  These recordings were never released on vinyl, only on audio cassette.

===List of recordings===
====Individual books====
The Johnny Morris albums were identified as 'Volume 1' to 'Volume 4'; while the Willie Rushton recordings omitted any 'Volume' identity on the front cover.  For clarity, the recording details below have been identified by volume numbers, regardless of whether these were shown on the sleeve.

'''Volume 1: DECCA MONO LP - PA 270 ([[1972]]), Cassette - KCPA 270 ([[19xx]])'''
*Narrator: [[Johnny Morris]]

'''Side 1''' (from Book 1: [[List of Railway Series Books#The Three Railway Engines|''The Three Railway Engines'']])
# Edward's Day Out
# Edward and Gordon
# The Sad Story of Henry
# Edward, Gordon and Henry

'''Side 2''' (from Book 2: [[List of Railway Series Books#Thomas the Tank Engine|''Thomas the Tank Engine'']])
# Thomas and Gordon
# Thomas's Train
# Thomas and the Trucks
# Thomas and the Breakdown Train

'''Volume 2: DECCA MONO LP - PA 271 ([[1972]]), Cassette - KCPA 271 ([[19xx]])'''
*Narrator: [[Johnny Morris]]

'''Side 1''' (from Book 3: [[List of Railway Series Books#James the Red Engine|''James the Red Engine'']])
# James and the Top Hat
# James and the Bootlace
# Troublesome Trucks
# James and the Express

'''Side 2''' (from Book 4: [[List of Railway Series Books#Tank Engine Thomas Again|''Tank Engine Thomas Again'']])
# Thomas and the Guard
# Thomas Goes Fishing
# Thomas, Terence and the Snow
# Thomas and Bertie

'''Volume 3: DECCA MONO LP - PA 272 ([[1972]]), Cassette - KCPA 272 ([[19xx]])'''
*Narrator: [[Johnny Morris]]

'''Side 1''' (from Book 5: [[List of Railway Series Books#Troublesome Engines|''Troublesome Engines'']])
# Henry and the Elephant 
# Tenders and Turntables 
# Trouble in the Shed 
# Percy Runs Away 

'''Side 2''' (from Book 6: [[List of Railway Series Books#Henry the Green Engine|''Henry the Green Engine'']])
# Coal 
# The Flying Kipper 
# Gordon’s Whistle 
# Henry’s Sneeze
''(The book ''Henry the Green Engine'' was unique in the series by having five stories rather than four.<BR>For the recording, it was the fourth story "Percy and the Trousers" which was omitted.)''  

'''Volume 4: DECCA MONO LP - PA 273 ([[1972]]), Cassette - KCPA 273 ([[19xx]])'''
*Narrator: [[Johnny Morris]]

'''Side 1''' (from Book 7: [[List of Railway Series Books#Toby the Tram Engine|''Toby the Tram Engine'']])
# Toby and the Stout Gentleman
# Thomas in Trouble
# Dirty Objects
# Mrs Kindley's Christmas

'''Side 2''' (from Book 8: [[List of Railway Series Books#Gordon the Big Engine|''Gordon the Big Engine'']])
# Off the Rails
# Leaves
# Down the Mine
# Paint Pots and Queens

'''Volume 5: ARGO STEREO LP - SPA 559 ([[19xx]]), Cassette - KCSP 559 ([[1979]])'''
*Narrator: [[Willie Rushton|William Rushton]]

'''Side 1''' (from Book 9: [[List of Railway Series Books#Edward the Blue Engine|''Edward the Blue Engine'']])
# Cows
# Bertie's Chase
# Saved from Scrap
# Old Iron

'''Side 2''' (from Book 10: [[List of Railway Series Books#Four Little Engines|''Four Little Engines'']])
# Skarloey Remembers
# Sir Handel
# Peter Sam & The Refreshment Lady
# Old Faithful

'''Volume 6: ARGO STEREO LP - SPA 560 ([[19xx]]), Cassette - KCSP 560 ([[1979]])'''
*Narrator: [[Willie Rushton|William Rushton]]

'''Side 1''' (from Book 11: [[List of Railway Series Books#Percy the Small Engine|''Percy the Small Engine'']])
#Percy and the Signal
#Duck Takes Charge
#Percy and Harold
#Percy’s Promise
 
'''Side 2''' (from Book 12: [[List of Railway Series Books#The Eight Famous Engines|''The Eight Famous Engines'']]) 
#Percy Takes the Plunge
#Gordon Goes Foreign
#Double Header
#The Fat Controller’s Engines


'''Volume 7: ARGO STEREO LP - SPA 561 ([[1972]]), Cassette - KCSP 561 ([[1979]])'''
*Narrator: [[Willie Rushton|William Rushton]]

'''Side 1''' (from Book 13: [[List of Railway Series Books#Duck and the Diesel Engine|''Duck and the Diesel Engine'']]) 
#Domeless Engines
#Pop Goes The Diesel
#Dirty Work
#A Close Shave

'''Side 2''' (from Book 14: [[List of Railway Series Books#The Little Old Engine|''The Little Old Engine'']])
#Trucks
#Home At Last
#Rock 'n' Roll
#Little Old Twins

''The case insert for the cassette version lists the story titles as being on 'Side 1' and 'Side 2', but the labels on the cassette itself are marked '5' and '6'. By comparison, the label on cassette KCSP 559 identifies the sides conventionally ('1' and '2'). ''<BR><BR>

====Compilations====
In addition to the individual releases, the recordings were re-released together as compilations on the Argo label.  The first compilations were released on two pairs of individually-cased cassettes: one pair for the Johnny Morris stories, one pair for Willie Rushton's.

The Willie Rushton compilation was released again after Decca's acquisition by [[PolyGram]] in [[1980]], this time as a twin boxed set. The recordings were distributed exclusively by [[EMI]], which was somewhat ironic as EMI was Decca's main competitor for several decades.  In addition to the 'new' Argo logo, the EMI logo was displayed on the spine of the case sleeve.

The sleeve artwork was a heavily-cropped portion of the illustration from the earlier compilation.  The picture was based on one from the original books, the artist being credited as "Quick on the Draw".  Decca was shown as copyright holder; Kaye & Ward Ltd and Third Man Music were no longer mentioned in the sleeve notes


<u>First release:</u><BR>
'''The Railway Stories - ARGO - SAY 87/1 - two mono cassettes - (date unknown)'''
* Narrator: [[Johnny Morris]]

*Side 1 - [[List of Railway Series Books#The Three Railway Engines|''The Three Railway Engines'']]
*Side 2 - [[List of Railway Series Books#Thomas the Tank Engine|''Thomas the Tank Engine'']]
*Side 3 - [[List of Railway Series Books#James the Red Engine|''James the Red Engine'']]:
*Side 4 - [[List of Railway Series Books#Tank Engine Thomas Again|''Tank Engine Thomas Again'']]

''These tapes were marked as 'a Delesé Production.'''


'''The Railway Stories - ARGO - SAY 29 - two stereo cassettes - (date unknown)'''
* Narrator: [[Willie Rushton|William Rushton]]

* Tape content is the same as for the 'second release' tapes.

''The cassette label and case insert showed the title as "The Railway Stories", and named the narrator and original author.  Apart from this, and the usual copyright data, they were completely devoid of any indication as to the content of the recordings or the people behind them. It is not known whether the cassettes were originally supplied in some form of additional outer case that better described their content.''


<u>Second release:</u><BR>
'''The Railway Stories - ARGO 1058 - Double stereo cassette - ([[1982]])'''
* Narrator: [[Willie Rushton|William Rushton]]

'''Sides One & Two''' &ndash; (tape 1 - individually labelled '''ARGO 1059'''): 
* Book 9: [[List of Railway Series Books#Edward the Blue Engine|''Edward the Blue Engine'']]
* Book 10: [[List of Railway Series Books#Four Little Engines|''Four Little Engines'']]
* Book 11: [[List of Railway Series Books#Percy the Small Engine|''Percy the Small Engine'']]

'''Sides Three & Four''' &ndash; (tape 2 - individually labelled '''ARGO 1060'''): 
* Book 12: [[List of Railway Series Books#The Eight Famous Engines|''The Eight Famous Engines'']]
* Book 13: [[List of Railway Series Books#Duck and the Diesel Engine|''Duck and the Diesel Engine'']] 
* Book 14: [[List of Railway Series Books#The Little Old Engine|''The Little Old Engine'']]


'''More Railway Stories - ARGO xxxx - Double stereo cassette - ([[19xx]])'''
* Narrator: [[Willie Rushton|William Rushton]]
* Cover picture: [[Peter Sam]], from "Special Funnel"

'''Sides One & Two''' &ndash; (tape 1 - individually labelled '''ARGO xxxx'''): 
* Book 15: [[List of Railway Series Books#The Twin Engines|''The Twin Engines'']] 
* Book 16: [[List of Railway Series Books#Branch Line Engines|''Branch Line Engines'']] 
* Book 17: [[List of Railway Series Books#Gallant Old Engine|''Gallant Old Engine'']] 

'''Sides Three & Four''' &ndash; (tape 2 - individually labelled '''ARGO xxxx'''): 
* Book 18: [[List of Railway Series Books#Stepney the “Bluebell” Engine|''Stepney the "Bluebell" Engine'']] 
* Book 19: [[List of Railway Series Books#Mountain Engines|''Mountain Engines'']]  
* Book 20: [[List of Railway Series Books#Very Old Engines|''Very Old Engines'']]


'''Further Railway Stories - ARGO xxxx - Double stereo cassette - ([[19xx]])'''
* Narrator: [[Willie Rushton|William Rushton]]
* Cover picture: [[Henry the Green Engine|Henry]], from "Super Rescue"

'''Sides One & Two''' &ndash; (tape 1 - individually labelled '''ARGO xxxx'''): 
* Book 21: [[List of Railway Series Books#Main Line Engines|''Main Line Engines'']] 
* Book 22: [[List of Railway Series Books#Small Railway Engines|''Small Railway Engines'']] 
* Book 23: [[List of Railway Series Books#Enterprising Engines|''Enterprising Engines'']] 

'''Sides Three & Four''' &ndash; (tape 2 - individually labelled '''ARGO xxxx'''): 
* Book 24: [[List of Railway Series Books#Oliver the Western Engine|''Oliver the Western Engine'']] 
* Book 25: [[List of Railway Series Books#Duke the Lost Engine|''Duke the Lost Engine'']]  
* Book 26: [[List of Railway Series Books#Tramway Engines|''Tramway Engines'']]

==Ted Robbins recordings==
In association with Reed-Tempo Publishing, [[Ted Robbins]] recorded most of the stories written by [[Christopher Awdry]].  These were released in the 1990s by Egmont Books, on a series of four audio cassettes. In each case, the 'middle' book was split across the two sides of the cassette:

'''''Thomas and the Twins, and other stories''''' (1994) ( ISBN 1860210007 )
* Book 33: ''[[List of Railway Series Books#Thomas and the Twins|Thomas and the Twins]]''
* Book 32: ''[[List of Railway Series Books#Toby, Trucks and Trouble|Toby, Trucks and Trouble]]''
* Book 30: ''[[List of Railway Series Books#More About Thomas the Tank Engine|More About Thomas the Tank Engine]]''

'''''Gordon the High Speed Engine, and other stories''''' (1994) ( ISBN 1860210015 )
* Book 31: ''[[List of Railway Series Books#Gordon the High Speed Engine|Gordon the High Speed Engine]]''
* Book 36: ''[[List of Railway Series Books#Thomas Comes Home|Thomas Comes Home]]''
* Book 37: ''[[List of Railway Series Books#Henry and the Express|Henry and the Express]]''

'''''Really Useful Engines, and other stories''''' (1995) ( ISBN 1860210139 )
* Book 27: ''[[List of Railway Series Books#Really Useful Engines|Really Useful Engines]]''
* Book 29: ''[[List of Railway Series Books#Great Little Engines|Great Little Engines]]''
* Book 38: ''[[List of Railway Series Books#Wilbert the Forest Engine|Wilbert the Forest Engine]]''

'''''James and the Diesel Engine, and other stories''''' (1999) ( ISBN 186021021X )
* Book 28: ''[[List of Railway Series Books#James and the Diesel Engines|James and the Diesel Engines]]''
* Book 34: ''[[List of Railway Series Books#Jock the New Engine|Jock the New Engine]]''
* Book 35: ''[[List of Railway Series Books#Thomas and the Great Railway Show|Thomas and the Great Railway Show]]''
<!--Note that Amazon ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A1067084&page=1 ) lists a number of other titles, but these may be mis-classified as audiobooks, since most state the number of pages!-->


A selection of the stories were later released for the [[Early Learning Centre]], under the title ''Storytime with Thomas the Tank Engine'': "10 classic railway stories with music and sound effects". There were two cassettes released, both using the same [[Ken Stott (illustrator)|Ken Stott]]-style illustration, the second being labelled 'Volume 2'.

==Michael Angelis recordings==
A new Railway Stories recording was released on CD by [[BBC Audiobooks]] in March 2006. It contained adaptations of the first three Railway Series books, and was narrated by [[Michael Angelis]].  The cover artwork featured a picture of [[Thomas the Tank Engine|Thomas]] from the [[Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends]] TV series.

A new Railway Stories CD, again with Angelis narrating, is due out in September 2007.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}

Angelis has also recorded a number of stories for the "Thomas & Friends Audio Range". Each book, which is of a similar form to those in the [[My Thomas Story Library]] range, is accompanied by a CD containing the story narrated by Angelis, with sound effects and music. Known subjects include: Thomas, Gordon, Henry, James, Bertie and Terence [http://www.worldofthomas.co.uk/acatalog/Coming_soon.html]<!--This is C Awdry's own webstore, hence books may not be available elsewhere yet.-->.

==Other Recordings==
There have been other audiobooks containing stories from The Railway Series, although most of these are based on stories re-written for the [[Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends]] TV series.

==Translations==
At least one set of stories has been released in Welsh [http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0905775139 (Tomos A'r Goeden Nadolig)].  Published by Cyhoeddiadau Mei in September 1998, it is ISBN 0905775139, but no more is known about this recording.

==External links==
* [http://www.pegnsean.net/~railwayseries/awdryania.htm 'Awdryania'] - Description of the merchandise spawned from The Railway Series before the advent of the TV series.  Includes pictures of The Railway Stories vinyl singles and albums.
* [http://melgarvewarrior.tripod.com/sodorisland/narrators.html Profile of the narrators of the TV series and audio recordings]

{{Thomas}}
[[Category:The Railway Series|Railway Stories, The]]
[[Category:Audiobooks|Railway Stories, The]]