Top 10 RWS Stories that the TV Series Did Better

Thanks for watching! Next week's video is uber-special, so watch this space! Thanks to all the following musicians for allowing me to use their arrangements in this video:
Intro Music by EJRox: / ejrox
ThomasSebyMG: / thomassebymg
Francis S: / @franciss2985
MusicOfSodor: / musicofsodor

[@Ryder-a-Blaze]

I have to agree with something The Unlucky Tug said. I love the change they made in the episode “The Flying Kipper”, where they didn’t add in the scene of the guy complaining about his coco being ruined which adds a level of seriousness to the crash scene.

[@ralse22]

"I dont care that you're a helpless broken tank engine CLEAN UP MY FUCKING COCOA"

[@ryandyer3466]

One of the only times I could think of where the TVS was more realistic than the RWS.

[@j.d.wilkes7189]

That’s what I was thinking.

[@Zacman1123]

Agreed

[@motorwayt-s628]

The intro also just flows better

[@NorthWestern1919]

Personally, I think that "The Flying Kipper" is another example of a TV adaptation being better than the original RWS story. The episode treats the crash seriously, as it should. While in the book, Awdry plays it off as basically a joke (probably because he hated Henry and enjoyed seeing him suffer). Personally, I don't like seeing my boi be screwed over like that. I gotta love how you were honest about how you only like Smudger better than Stanley because of his laugh. Can't say I blame you, however. And believe me, I hate "Percy and the Trousers" too. Literally nobody needed it or asked for it.

[@robbiewalker2831]

How I would write a simple joke without ruining the tone: {They came out of the break van, and see a train going fast. They got scared and jumped into the snow, it crashes the van and toppled off the tracks.} Guard 1: Well, so much for my Cocoa. Guard 2: Nevermind that, look! {The Guard gasped to see it was Henry that has been severely damaged.} Guard 1: Oh no... poor Henry. What will Sir Topham Hatt say?

[@NorthWestern1919]

@@robbiewalker2831 Now that was quite well-done.

[@robbiewalker2831]

@@NorthWestern1919 Funny enough, the guy complaining to Henry about the Cocoa is shown in the TV adaptation, but it was at day time.

[@9975praj]

Wrong Road is an underrated gem of an episode. I always found it to be a really good Gordon and Edward episode. Also, the night shots in it are just beautiful. Definitely one of the more underrated episodes from the Classic Era.

[@JAProductions494]

The Flying skipper is definitely my #1 I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m not a fan of the book version as it’s too homey and not taken very seriously which isn’t great because the crash is so violent. The TV show takes the crash seriously and it’s much better. It makes the story so much better. Also, I prefer the model work to the illustrations

[@e-122psi3]

A Scarf For Percy isn't just better for season placement, but also how it expanded the story, adding extra plot at the start and finish to give Percy's wants a more humourous depth. Also ironically given it comes back to Henry getting the last laugh in the end like in Gordon's Whistle, it actually feels more like a Henry relevent story than the book version.

[@russellgxy2905]

Exactly! Had the original story been written like that...well it still would've felt out of place in Henry's book, but at least he was in it more

[@LittleBlueTrain67]

And I’ll be honest, it’s one of the rare times where adding Thomas into a story he wasn’t originally in feels natural.

[@stepneybulstrodemusic1761]

@@russellgxy2905 I couldn’t agree more. It would’ve been nice to see Henry play a role like this in his own book

[@connorflaherty175]

In my opinion, the way escape starts with Edward telling Douglas about how he and the vicar saved Trevor gives Douglas more context and motivation to helping Oliver.

[@LoneWolf1493]

“Escape” was one of my favorite episodes when I was growing up. Even as a kid, I understood what was going on in that episode and you know the writing’s great when a serious story’s told in a way that a small child can understand it. As an adult, I appreciate the episode that much more and the musical score is just the icing on the cake

[@killdozer7792]

One thing about Wrong Road that I really like is the explanation of Gordon and Edward's late night trains. It always felt very awkward in the book, where it was randomly tacked in midway through the green hat incident. Explaining how the trains worked BEFORE the incident, whilst Gordon and Edward were waiting (and a great panning shot sells it) makes the episode flow SO much better.

[@andrewboyd8073]

I think @Usual Bloke Luke also made a good case for "Bulldog" being an adaptation that outdoes the book. Mainly because it raises the stakes for how seriously damaged Falcon will be if he falls.

[@stingky3689]

Whistles and sneezes is very nice. I love how unique it is because it focuses on 2 characters separately. And I always loved the line "it isn't wrong.. But we just don't do it. I always felt so satisfied everytime I watch that episode, and the flying kipper.

[@TheThomasCynic]

I agree - it's a story that wraps itself up very nicely, quite self-contained.

[@michaelsoulz8447]

Here's an idea. How about top 10 books that should've been adapted for the show.

[@lukeslocomotives]

I wish Henry And The Express had been adapted

[@ajaxengineco]

Very Old Engines would've been great but they couldn't have done it with the S4 models.

[@Baello999]

Very Old Engines should have and could have been adapted. They would have had cabs the whole time, but it still could work.

[@generalhorse493]

@@ajaxengineco They could adapt nowadays and use that as a catalyst to remake Duke the Lost Engine and thus bring Duke to the modern day.

[@toadim64]

Mountain engines

[@dabluepittoo-aqua4213]

Surprised the other changes to Trucks! weren't mentioned as they really make the episode a memorable one. The intro and ending with Rusty and Harold on the cliffside provides for an entertaining and more natural introduction to Rusty through a character the audience is already familiar with (Harold). Also the crash in the book is much less severe, with Peter Sam basically being fine aside from a crack funnel and even making a remark about getting a cold bath. In the show it's much more dire. Peter Sam is battered and bruised everywhere, making more sense why he limped home and couldn't work for a while.

[@PeePeeSam]

1:08 it may have been shot very well but it still hurt like hell 😂

[@TheThomasCynic]

lol

[@georgspielberger9780]

i feel bad for your accident but your special funnel looks great!

[@PeePeeSam]

@@georgspielberger9780 ikr I’m cool now 😎

[@georgspielberger9780]

@@PeePeeSam you're cute for me but sure

[@fanofeverything30465]

Sorry about your accident 😔 How are you feeling

[@joshproductions07]

I feel like Escape could of been even better if it was slightly longer. But sadly, episode could only be 4:30 minutes long.

[@Dark-sx3bd]

But 4:30 gave us a digestible runtime to enjoy, not like the HIT series

[@joshuaW5621]

Maybe 5 minutes could work

[@JonSmithsVoyages]

I really like that you put "A Scarf For Percy" and "Escape" on this list. Both of those examples show how talented the writers of the show could be by expanding on the stories and giving a greater context for the events.

[@JonSmithsVoyages]

Also, as an American I have to agree that "Rusty Helps Peter Sam" is one of the worst, most unimaginative titles in the US. The US had a lot of garbage changes to perfectly fine titles, like changing "A Close Shave" to "A Close Shave For Duck" as if we couldn't figure out that Duck was the main character without them telling us...

[@TomsRetroGames]

Great video! This is was a video that seems like a spiritual follow up to the Railway Series Ranking.

[@davidguthary8147]

0:48 It's worth noting that this title change was only done in one release: the "Rusty to the Rescue" VHS/DVD. All other releases kept the original title, even though "truck" was usually changed to "freight car" in the American dub.

[@Dat-Mudkip]

One theory I heard recently was that Whistles and Sneezes is connected a lot more closely then you might first thing. The theory goes that Gordon was one of the first engines to fall victim to the boys throwing stones at the coaches. One of the stones hit his whistle and jammed it in such a manner that it couldn't close all the way, with Gordon somehow not noticing in all the chaos that followed. The next day, Henry fell victim to the boys, except this time they managed to take out a few windows. This is what got the attention of everyone, and led to the whole plot by Henry's driver to pay them out.

[@bladeobrian2144]

For the most part, I agree with you on your #1 choice, but with one exception. The TVS version of Escape feels somewhat incomplete without Isabel being there! I know the show had budget issues, but Isabel would’ve cost less to make then Scotsman’s tenders! If Thomas gets to have Annie and Clarabel, and Toby gets to have Henrietta, then Oliver should at least have Isabel! I’d be fine with just her but no Dulcie….

[@TheThomasCynic]

I mean, Isabel doesn't do anything... ever. So although I see your point, I think Isabel wasn't made for good reasons. Flying Scotsman (or at least part of him) was needed to make Tender Engines work - Isabel isn't an integral part of Escape and was therefore dropped.

[@fanofeverything30465]

What about Duck with Alice and Mererbell

[@bladeobrian2144]

@@TheThomasCynic well Isabel’s big moment in the RWS version of Escape was ringing her bell in celebration, that would’ve added to the triumphant feeling of the TVS version. Also, while she admittedly didn’t do much in the RWS, that gives us a blank slate for her with original TVS stories. On top of that, her nature as an auto coach gives her the ability to be more active in the story. Here’s an idea, the other engines tease Oliver when they see him running in reverse with Isabel in the lead and her basically running him, which is what auto coaches did. However, Annie, Clarabel, and maybe even Henrietta become jealous that they can’t do the same with Thomas/Toby. Isabel could’ve also added to Busy Going Backwards. When Toad complains about always going backwards, he could’ve brought up the fact that Isabel gets to lead and go forward on return journeys. When Duck got the slip coaches, he and Oliver could’ve gotten into a rivalry over what’s better, slip coaches or auto coaches! Also, if I were in charge of the show, I would’ve canceled Tender Engines once it became clear that all of Scotsman wasn’t going to happen! Now with CGI, there’s no excuse for anyone not to appear!

[@bladeobrian2144]

@@fanofeverything30465 honestly, I’d consider the Slip Coaches to more or less be TVS equivalents for them. In the same way Fearless Freddy is basically Ivo Hugh and Smudger is basically Stanley (narrow gauge) for the TVS.

[@fanofeverything30465]

@@bladeobrian2144 I can understand that. I consider Salty to be the equivalent to Bear

[@brycelandon6387]

How does "The Flying Kipper" not make your list? The TV version is much better than the book version, especially in how it handled Henry's violent crash.

[@bernarda1247]

TVS is mid, besides, we don’t get to see the coco man scolding Henry.

[@aliminator1310]

"Why would you do something so controversial, yet so brave?"

[@MarvelMTs]

Thomas Cynic, James the Really Splendid Engine is my favorite engine song, thanks so much for having it in your intro

[@balajiseshadri872]

I would have added the flying kipper to my list

[@Kevin-ch4qo]

What about Bowled Out? The ending in the TV series is a bit more subtle than the RWS story - a rather nasty smell... and a battered bowlered hat! vs a rather nasty smell of diesel oil and a battered bowlered hat.

[@martaklups8387]

5:46 So percy and the trousers broke the geneva convention?

[@TheThomasCynic]

Absolutely. Percy was tried by a UN tribunal later that year, found guilty, and is now languishing in the depths of a high-security prison for war criminals.

[@NorthWestern1919]

@@TheThomasCynic He would have been hung, but escaped the death sentence as hanging him would be physically impossible.

[@fanofeverything30465]

What is the Geneva Convention

[@TheThomasCynic]

@@fanofeverything30465 It was a list made in 1929 (and updated a few times), of the "rules" of war. That's what "war crimes" are - breaking the Geneva Convention.

[@fanofeverything30465]

@@TheThomasCynic Thanks 😊 Never expected to get a reply from you

[@SrMechaGojira93]

Thomas’ Train & Thomas and the Trucks (The Adventure Begins) - Thomas mistook a guard’s whistle being the reason he left Henry’s first train behind (former) - Sir Topham Hatt scolding Edward for trading jobs with Thomas, I never like that he got away scot free in the original story (latter) The Flying Kipper - specifically where the 3 men inside the brake van got out just in time instead of being flown into the air during Henry’s crash Tit for Tat - we actually see Awdry & Boston apologize to Bert, and Bert apologizing in return.

[@inkywright]

I can't even battle Trucks with Trust Thomas despite the latter being one of my favorite episodes of all time.

[@Zacman1123]

The Flying Kipper is definitely better in the show.

[@55twintv39]

Thomas’s Christmas Party wasn’t from the railway series it was always going to be a Tv episode but they needed it in book form first because that’s how it was when doing the series in it’s early days. So they ask Rev W Awdry to make a book based off their ideal.

[@ThomasSirHandel]

Percy and the Trousers should have been saved for Percy's book.

[@therailwayengine]

Really good video. If you ask me, I would say that the episode Thomas’ Train was better than the original. The original it’s kinda nothing and maybe even boring, but the fact that Thomas’ theme (not the show’s theme) it’s introduced here in the T.V. makes the adaptation better in my opinion

[@sudrianrailwaystudios676]

That was amazing! Though I do agree with The Flying Kipper and A Scarf for Percy. Their TVS Styled Adaptations were better than the original RWS Versions.

[@stopmotionartist4987]

I’m kinda baffled as to why Escape is rated so high. Visually and in music I understand, but the writing is a clear downgrade. You see, the issue with the episode and by extent the show is that Douglas’s backstory is severely glossed over. In the books, it’s made abundantly clear that Douglas was the one who was meant to have stayed in Scotland such as in “Bluebells of England” and “The Missing Coach”. This is why Douglas rescuing Oliver in “Escape” was such a brilliant decision, as the engine who was saved from scrap saves another from being scrapped. In the show however, it’s never clarified who was meant to stay. Although this isn’t a bad writing decision, it does make Douglas feel more insignificant since he could be swapped out with Donald and the plot wouldn’t change. However, what irks me the most is how Douglas’ history is made pretty much irrelevant in the episode. It’s acknowledged both Trevor and Douglas have scrap in common, but it’s not hard to misunderstand Edward’s comment as him saying both have a fear of being scrapped which pretty much every character fears. It’s just too ambiguous for my liking. Furthermore, Douglas actually doesn’t recall what Donald and his crew did to save him…he recalls the story Edward conveniently told him before Douglas went to the depot. Heck, this story is treated as the motivation needed for Douglas to actually do something.This makes Douglas feel a lot more arbitrary of a choice because he isn’t motivated by his past but more so by a story that Edward told him. That’s not to say I would've liked Douglas to have been replaced with another character but the way he’s incorporated into the story is so much worse than in the RWS. Now Oliver’s recollection of his escape is admittedly more fluff than substance but I think it’s inclusion would’ve been understandable since it would’ve made Oliver’s escape feel much more grandiose and increase his ego, which we saw resulted in the events of “Resource and Sagacity”/“Oliver Owns Up”

[@amitysluzara2022]

Escape is definitely my favourite adaptation that's better than the origin

[@moeeyeguy531]

This is an interesting topic. Your videos are always very unique.

[@bernarda1247]

What about special attraction? In the RWS, the cliff was very tiny, but, in the TVS, the cliff is very big.

[@oscarkersey5027]

Smudger's Railway Series counterpart was also a very blatant "boorish American" stereotype, so it seems reasonable that the showrunners would have wanted to change him up so as not to offend a good portion of the series' main audience.

[@omarvazquez4075]

Now do the oposite, top 10 worst adaptations Number 1 tender engines

[@garrettsmith2776]

Number 2 Special Attraction (despite the crash and continuity with Percy and Toby’s mentor and student relationship).

[@AJsBusVideos]

Trucks/Rusty Helps Peter Sam: While I do like that, there is the problem where all of the engines are painted different colors vs. the book, where they're all the same. Then again: good episode Wrong Road: I love that episode. The dynamic between Bill, Ben, Gordon, and Boco is perfectly hilarious. And very beautiful indeed. Steamroller: I liked it alot. Especially Carlin's narrations. That was funny, and the whole argument was good. This is one of my favorite Season 4 (US) episodes. A scarf for Percy: yeah, the story was hot garbage and literally would've fit in somewhere else in the RWS canon, but the TVS did it a lot of justice, especially making it a season 3 episode. James and the coaches (UK)/James learns a lesson (US): I got to admit, it wasn't a very bad episode; in fact I would say it could be #12. Yeah maybe they didn't named Jeremiah Jobling, or say that the conductor/guard walked back to his compartment, but it was good. Old Iron: I just love it. That's it. Granpuff: I haven't read that story yet (I have The Thomas the Tank Engine collection and currently I am on mountain engines.) But it's really good. Season 4 was George Carlin's sendoff season, and boy, he brought more energy than season 1 Ringo Starr. Especially with smudger sounding like a gangster. But yeah, I love the dynamic tone also: starts all light hearted, then crashing down to depression Whistles and Sneezes: I did like this episode, but I think the annoying part was the thing about whistling. Thomas and Stepheny: I love this episode, and the story also. The only problem I have with both is that they said nothing about them actually being cousins. I think that's a GIGANTIC missed opportunity to unlock potentially more stories and a much better dynamic between all of the characters, especially Thomas and Gordon. Escape: everything about this episode was, in a word: spectacular! I loved everything about it! Everything about season 3 was just full of adventures. Beautiful. Honorable mentions: The Flying Kipper: perfect in 80 ways. That's it. It taught me one moral: everyone has flaws, but lots can be done to correct them I would also say bulgy, Toad Stands By, and Donald and Douglas, but I think that's a topic for another day

[@j.d.wilkes7189]

Could you do the same thing but vise versa aka RWS stories that did better than the TV series?

[@sebmark2559]

Where is Thomas and the special letter?

[@jamessmithandgarrettsmith3623]

The crash was done so much better than the original.

[@trainsRawesome]

“Rusty Helps Peter Sam” is probably the worst title they could’ve come up with. It’s like if they called The Sad Story of Henry “Henry Doesn’t Listen to Sir Topham Hatt”, Down the Mine “Thomas Ignores a Danger Sign”, Sleeping Beauty “A Man Falls into an Old Shed”, or Old Iron “James Does Not Have a Driver”

[@mythicbadger9855]

While I agree wholeheartedly, especially since Rusty was barely in the episode, what better title do you think Rusty helps Peter Sam could’ve had for the US?

[@Baello999]

Escape to Oliver and Toad don't Die

[@3foolsatrain105]

@@mythicbadger9855 Freight Cars, since that's what the US version calls them.

[@garrettsmith2776]

Or maybe “Peter Sam’s Predicament”.

[@ethandouro4334]

This video is great but don't get me wrong, you didn't gave us pretty arguments or reasons rather than visuals and scores, and has such a little in depth about it that it just make the video seems faster...

[@LegoMiester14]

Yea, escape is a fantastic episode.

[@YimYum911]

5:09 when scarloey is on the mid sodor

[@N00N01]

Also how : break it SNAP IT are

[@terencewilliammckenna6121]

Nice

[@alexthomas637]

😎😎😎👍

[@55twintv39]

0:53 That’s why the UK dubs are better then US dubs

[@lisaandethanc4284]

I’m an American and I hate the rusty helps Peter sam title trucks is so much better cause the title doesn’t what it includes unlike rusty helps Peter sam and I just like the UK dub better in general.

[@motorwayt-s628]

Why not just title it “foolish freight cars” since the didn’t want them referred to as trucks in the US narration

[@jamessmithandgarrettsmith3623]

@@motorwayt-s628 Or Peter Sam’s Predicament.

[@joshuaW5621]

Bulldog is another example of a story that was done better in the show.

[@TheThomasCynic]

That's probably fair. I do like the book version, but the TVS episode is modelled amazingly.

[@Unsubscribbled]

I hate Whistle and Sneezes. I don't get why the driver would plot to cover some children in soot. It's just not the right way to handle the situation.

[@55twintv39]

Wrong road was better in the books then in the show.

[@DodotheWishFanboy]

Hey, Cynic, no offense, it when you said “Rusty Helps Peter Sam” was one of the worst titles ever, don’t you worry your American viewers like myself might be offensive (don’t worry, I’m not offended, I’m just pointing it out)?

[@TheThomasCynic]

If they're offended at that then they have really, really thin skin. Me saying a title for the US dub is bad doesn't mean I dislike America. If I said Michael Angelis was bad in Season 7, does that mean I dislike Britain? No, of course not. So I don't worry that they'll find it offensive (and if they do, the internet might not be the best place for them).

[@DodotheWishFanboy]

@@TheThomasCynic if you say so.

[@ThomasSirHandel]

I think the UK title should have been Slate Trucks and the US title, Slate Cars.

[@DodotheWishFanboy]

@@ThomasSirHandel For me it doesn’t matter but your call

[@DiamondKrusher]

In all honesty, as much as I do prefer the name "Trucks" over the latter, it's merely the name of an episode and nothing more. It has zero impact on the episode itself. Sure "Trucks" is better, but it's no more than a small disappointment that they went with a far less creative name. I would definitely rather a great episode with a dumb name than a dumb episode with a great name. Yes I am American. (Southern States)