Unpopular Thomas Opinions

I had no idea there were whole books in the RWS that were ranked between "Best" and "Worst".

Well, there are, and it seems that Thomas Comes Home is considered one of the worst – or at least, is lowest on lists.

It's not that it's the worst, it's just not the best.

As a 13 year old I feel like some of the older fans (cough* cough* SiF staff cough*) put too much emphasis on nostalgia and put a lot of the first 10 or so books much higher on the lists than they should be.

There's a lot to be said for nostalgia, luc. If something makes me feel nostalgic, I'm definitely going to like it. As for SiF, I don't remember them doing that.

luctheminecrafter wrote:It's not that it's the worst, it's just not the best.

As a 13 year old I feel like some of the older fans (cough* cough* SiF staff cough*) put too much emphasis on nostalgia and put a lot of the first 10 or so books much higher on the lists than they should be.

I think that the first eleven (the Dalby era books) are deserving of that status, mainly because they introduced so many of the classic characters (Edward, Henry, Gordon, Thomas, James, Annie & Clarabel, Bertie, Terence, Percy, Toby, Henrietta, Trevor, The Narrow Gauge Engines, Duck), and they are just such good stories. Plus, a lot of them were the first to be adapted to the television program, so they have that running for 'em.

As for Thomas Comes Home, it isn't the best, but it isn't the worst. Though, in my opinon, Christopher's books were not as good as the Reverend's, but they are still good stories.

I like the Reverend's and Christopher's books the same and don't really think there are any worst or best books. But I do prefer the designs of the engines from the early books because they're a bit closer to the TV Series models. I don't really like how Percy and the Trousers was put in Henry the Green Engine when I think Troublesome Engines would of been a better spot for it. Some other things I don't really like is how one of the IOS books says Thomas arrived around the same time as Edward in 1914 or 1915 when he was acting like he was just built in Thomas the Tank Engine which is why I think it would make more since if Thomas arrived after the events of The Three Railway Engines (at least TAB fixed that for the TV Series) and I also don't really like how Duck and Oliver kept their original numbers instead of becoming 8 and 11 in the RWS.

I agree that Christopher Awdry's books weren't as good as the Reverend's. Anyway, more from me:
Some more from me:
1) Duck is both over-hated and overrated. I don't see him as unlikeable as others do, but he certainly does need some more character development.
2) Tale of the Brave has almost completely lost its charm to me. Very few moments still hold up. As much as I hate Thomas and the Magic Railroad, its good scenes/elements are still good.
3) Reds vs. Blues is one of my favourite episodes of Season 19.
4) Helping Hiro is an absolute mess of an episode.

ThomasSirHandel wrote:I like the Reverend's and Christopher's books the same and don't really think there are any worst or best books. But I do prefer the designs of the engines from the early books because they're a bit closer to the TV Series models. I don't really like how Percy and the Trousers was put in Henry the Green Engine when I think Troublesome Engines would of been a better spot for it. Some other things I don't really like is how one of the IOS books says Thomas arrived around the same time as Edward in 1914 or 1915 when he was acting like he was just built in Thomas the Tank Engine which is why I think it would make more since if Thomas arrived after the events of The Three Railway Engines (at least TAB fixed that for the TV Series) and I also don't really like how Duck and Oliver kept their original numbers instead of becoming 8 and 11 in the RWS.

I don't like their later RWS appearances either. One reason for that is because I was exposed to the TV Series before I knew about the books.

I totally agree on that second point. If they did become 8 and 11, it would've been a lot clearer that they're part of the NWR.

Actually, thinking back, I do prefer Christopher's books to the Reverend's.

Although I really do like Really Useful Engines, I find Wilbert's books in the stronger category.

And as far as Season 19 goes, I actually agree that it's the weakest of the Arc era to date. Granted, it has a lot of good episodes, but some of them are pretty weak. I don't hate Season 19, but of all seasons of the Arc era to date, it's the least good.

I can't say I agree with that; there have been some great episodes here and I am noticing that compared to season 17, the animation quality has really shot up.

ThomasSirHandel wrote:I like the Reverend's and Christopher's books the same and don't really think there are any worst or best books. But I do prefer the designs of the engines from the early books because they're a bit closer to the TV Series models. I don't really like how Percy and the Trousers was put in Henry the Green Engine when I think Troublesome Engines would of been a better spot for it. Some other things I don't really like is how one of the IOS books says Thomas arrived around the same time as Edward in 1914 or 1915 when he was acting like he was just built in Thomas the Tank Engine which is why I think it would make more since if Thomas arrived after the events of The Three Railway Engines (at least TAB fixed that for the TV Series) and I also don't really like how Duck and Oliver kept their original numbers instead of becoming 8 and 11 in the RWS.

I completely agree with you on this part. In Thomas' very first appearance, he wasn't allowed to do anything except doing the jobs of a pilot at Vicarstown. I think it would have been a more valid reason that Thomas was not allowed to haul troublesome trucks or a fast main line passengers (along with the fact that he is inexperienced). In my mind, I just pretend that Thomas wasn't built until '22-very early '23 so it would suit his "seeing the world" persona a lot more than stating that he was built in 1913-1915.

Rusty to the Rescue is the only episode I hate in Seasons 1-4.

I have a new unpopular opinion:

I find Diesel in S2-11 to be REALLY scary when he gets mad. The sight of his angry face is enough to give me nightmares for months to come! I'm not joking either.

1. Henry Spots Trouble would of worked with Phillip instead of Henry.
2. I don't like how they used Sir Topham Hatt as the controller for the Skarloey Railway instead of Mr. Percival in Seasons 4-7.
3. Old Thomas merchandise is better then the New Thomas merchandise.
4. Hank and Charlie would of worked better as visitors.

I've updated my opinion on The Great Race after seeing some spoilers. I hate to say this but, I'm no longer looking forward to it.

ArthurEngine wrote:I've updated my opinion on The Great Race after seeing some spoilers. I hate to say this but, I'm no longer looking forward to it.

Why not?

I think Seasons 17 and 18 are better then 19.

ThomasSirHandel wrote:1. Henry Spots Trouble would of worked with Phillip instead of Henry.
2. I don't like how they used Sir Topham Hatt as the controller for the Skarloey Railway instead of Mr. Percival in Seasons 4-7.
3. Old Thomas merchandise is better then the New Thomas merchandise.
4. Hank and Charlie would of worked better as visitors.

1) That one's not unpopular (except outside the fandom). I'm one of those who think that.
2) The way you phrased that made it seem as if they weren't visitors (they were). I do know what you meant, though.

1. I'm okay with Henrietta having a gray face instead of a built in face like Annie, Clarabel, the Skarloey Railway coaches from S4 or the slip coaches. Old Slow Coach had a gray face and fans seemed okay with that.
2. Knapford Station looks better with the lighter whiter classic roof from the first four seasons instead of the greener darker roof seen from TATMRR onward.

Yeah, I'm fine with her having a face like that, too.

Something I've noticed throughout reading the posts in this thread is that a lot of them actually aren't unpopular. I think a truly unpopular one would be mine - TATMRR is the best movie of ALL TIME!

I have mixed feelings on the face actually.

On the one hand, it does finally give her a voice, but on the other... its kind of awkward now, since an exit door is supposed to be there.

Frankthetriviaman wrote:I have mixed feelings on the face actually.

On the one hand, it does finally give her a voice, but on the other... its kind of awkward now, since an exit door is supposed to be there.

Maybe they could of put her face on the exit door.

ThomasSirHandel wrote:

Frankthetriviaman wrote:I have mixed feelings on the face actually.

On the one hand, it does finally give her a voice, but on the other... its kind of awkward now, since an exit door is supposed to be there.

Maybe they could of put her face on the exit door.

If they didn't have diaphragms connecting the vestibules together. Which would make service on an express very impractical, what with the inability of the passengers to switch cars along the way.

My guess is between the early seasons and now, Henrietta had some sort of rebuild, and the face was a side effect