Another request from tate310, this time it's "James and the Red Balloon" from Season 6. Enjoy and comment.
It was summer time on the Island of Sodor. Many vacationers come from far and wide to enjoy the sights and sounds of Sodor. It is the busiest time of the year for Sir Topham Hatt' engines.
Thomas was excited. Sir Topham Hatt had sent him to pick up a special, to deliver to the airfield.
"What is that?" asked Percy.
"A balloon." replied Thomas.
"A party balloon?" asked Percy excitedly.
"No. This is a very special balloon." said Thomas as he chuffed away.
Soon, Thomas arrived at the airfield. Hot air was puffed into the balloon. Thomas watched with amazement.
Then, James puffed in.
"What's that?" puffed James.
"A hot air balloon." said Thomas. "It will take passengers on rides around Sodor."
"But taking passengers is our job!" wheeshed James crossly.
Then, just like magic, the hot air balloon rose up into the sky!
"What if the hot air balloon replaces us and takes our passengers?" chuffed James as he puffed away.
This made Thomas worried. Suddenly, he wasn't so excited about the balloon. It could be seen by everyone on the Island of Sodor.
Duck gazed at it for so long, that he ran straight into Stepney, who was visiting Sir Topham Hatt' railway.
"Look Douglas!" exclaimed Donald. "It's a floating basket with people in it!"
"What will they think of next!" said Douglas.
James and Thomas were waiting at the level crossing. They were still worried about the hot air balloon.
"If the hot air balloon takes over, then we'll not be useful anymore!" chuffed Thomas.
"Passengers should travel on trains, not in silly hot air balloons" huffed James.
Just then, the hot air balloon drifted towards Thomas and James.
"We're out of hot air!" cried a voice.
James screamed, as the hot air balloon ran out of air and landed right on top of James! He was so cross, that he let off a huge puff of steam, causing the hot air balloon to blow up again! It rose up into the air once more.
"Well done James!" called his driver. "Your hot air did the trick!"
"You caused the balloon to go up again!" said Thomas.
"I didn't mean too! Now that balloon will surely take our passengers for sure!"
Wherever James went, he could see the hot air balloon carrying passengers across Sodor. This made James very cross.
"Rails are better than hot air anyday!"
James arrived back at the station, where Sir Topham Hatt was waiting for him.
"Well done James!"
"But now the passengers will ride in the hot air balloon!"
Sir Topham Hatt laughed.
"You're right James. But they will need a ride home, in a train!"
James was delighted!
Sir Topham Hatt was right! The engines were busier than ever, taking vacationers to and from the airfield.
Whenever James sees the hot air balloon, he whistles and toots, and when he's asleep, he dreams about flying too, just like the red balloon.