The only children's book written and illustrated by C. Reginald Dalby — the third and most fondly remembered illustrator of the Railway Series (Thomas the Tank Engine). Narrated by Dinger, the ancient turret clock overlooking the fictional port of Flitterwick, the stories follow Tubby the tugboat and his nautical friends Donald the dredger, Sandy the sand barge, and Flip the ferry. A genuinely scarce one-off title, never followed by a sequel, with strong crossover appeal for Railway Series/Thomas the Tank Engine collectors.

Details

Condition: Blue cloth boards with gilt titling to spine and front board, no dust jacket. Boards show light rubbing and soiling with some fading to the spine, and a hairline crease/mark visible on the rear board. A previous owner's name ("Richard Freeman") is inscribed in pencil to the front free endpaper. Internally clean and bright — the colour illustrations remain vivid, text is complete and legible, with only light overall toning to the page edges consistent with age. A solid, honest reading copy of a hard-to-find title.