Nearly all of the 42 books in the series have been recorded by one of five different narrators: Johnny Morris, William Rushton, Ted Robbins, Michael Angelis, and even the Rev.
Each 7" (45rpm) vinyl record contained two stories, taken from the first eleven books of The Railway Series.
While on the back, there was a list of the other recordings in "The Railway Engine Series" [sic], together with an introduction from the Rev.
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.
W. AwdryThe label on the record was also quite distinctive, showing a smiling red engine on a blue/white background.
New recordings were made for six further books from The Railway Series, starting with 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.
Recordings were produced by Peter Johnson ('Peter John Productions'); with Kaye & Ward Ltd and Third Man Music being identified as owners of the works.
[1] 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.
The Willie Rushton compilation was released again after Decca's acquisition by PolyGram in 1980, this time as a twin boxed set.
Decca was shown as copyright holder; Kaye & Ward Ltd and Third Man Music were no longer mentioned in the sleeve notes First release: The Railway Stories - ARGO - SAY 87/1 - two mono cassettes - (date unknown) These tapes were marked as 'a Delesé Production.'
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.
The first new Railway Stories recording in over 10 years was released on CD by BBC Audiobooks in March 2006.
[1] It contained adaptations of the first three Railway Series books, and was narrated by Michael Angelis.
[1] Known subjects include: Thomas, Gordon, Henry, James, Toby, Bertie and Terence.