Another original Thomas story, this time it's "Winter Coal" with added lines by tate310. Enjoy and comment.

James and Percy are both reliable and useful engines. They love pulling cars full of coal from station to station, and they always right on time.

One winter day, James was on his way to Wellsworth Station to meet up with Percy, but instead found Sir Topham Hatt waiting for him.

"Percy has been given an urgent mail run today." said Sir Topham Hatt, "so you must do the coal run by yourself."

James was upset, but he agreed to do it anyways.

Once all the coal was delivered, James went to find Percy. He soon found Percy, but Percy wasn't feeling very happy.

"I can't do the coal run with you anymore." he said sadly.

"Why can't you?" asked James.

"Because I have to pull the special children's train.

James felt very disappointed that Percy had quit doing the coal run.

The next morning, James was in for another big surprise. Diesel was waiting for him, and he was carrying more coal than James was!

"Hello James!" oiled Diesel. "Here for the coal run?"

"Rubbish!" said James. "Who sent you here?"

"Sir Topham Hatt sent me of course." said Diesel.

"Fine!" snapped James. "Let's get this over with."

Soon the engines were on their way to deliver the coal. Diesel was humming loudly along the way.

"SHUT UP!" yelled James. "We need to get this coal delivered fast!"

"Can't I hum my tune?" said Diesel.

"No! Coal is more important than your stupid tune!"

James was cross, but like always, he stayed focused and got all the coal to the stations.

The next morning, James arrived on-time, and noticed that Diesel wasn't there!

"Where is he?" groaned the driver. "We can't do all this coal at once!"

But then they noticed, there was no coal!

"Diesel must have taken it all!" said James.

"Come on!" said the driver, "let's follow that diesel!"

They soon caught up with Diesel, but soon trouble occurred! Diesel was going too fast and the coal was falling out of his freight cars! Soon, Diesel slipped on a piece of coal on the tracks and derailed!

"Serves you right!" said James. "You weren't being careful.

Sir Topham Hatt soon arrived, and he was very cross.

"You have caused confusion and delay!" was all he had to say as he sternly walked away, leaving a ashamed Diesel by himself, still derailed.

The next morning, Percy and James were soon back working together.

"Even though Diesel has been sent away again, we can still work together, whenever you want."

James agreed, and the two friends set off at once.