Another original Thomas story, this time it's "James and Bertie" This story is a semi-remake of the Season 1 episode "Thomas and Bertie's Great Race" but with James instead of Thomas. Enjoy and comment.

One morning, James was letting passengers off at a station, when Bertie the Bus pulled in.

Usually, Bertie would see Thomas, because he usually did the junction route, but today Thomas was doing Henry's route, so James was filling in for him.

James had never seen Bertie before, and Bertie had never seen James's before.

"Hello!" said Bertie. "Who are you?"

"I'm James. I just got a new coat of red paint. Who are you?"

"I'm Bertie. I have red paint just like you. What brings you here?"

"I'm doing Thomas's route today!" said James.

Bertie was confused.

"Are you replacing Thomas?" he asked.

"Just for today." replied James.

"Well then. Want to race?"

"Rubbish!" said James "Sir Topham Hatt says really useful engines do as they are told. And I have passengers to take!"

"I could take your passengers." said Bertie.

Just then, the stationmaster came over.

"James, you need to collect passengers at Elsbridge Station and take them to see the cricket match at the grounds. Bertie will take your passengers to where they need to go."

"But we were going to race." said Bertie.

Then, the stationmaster had an idea.

"Why don't I send Gordon to take the passengers, and you two race to Elsbridge?"

Both James and Bertie's drivers agreed to the race.

The stationmaster waved his green flag and blew his whistle, and Bertie and James started to race.

James started off with the lead, since he was much faster than Thomas, with Bertie edging close behind.

"Go faster, go faster!" cried Bertie's driver. "He's getting away, he's getting away!"

When they approached the crossing, Bertie took in front.

"Goodbye James!" he called.

After that, it became tougher to see where Bertie was, but James figured they were in front.

Bertie was still in front, until they reached Dryaw station, where Bertie had to collect passengers.

"Please get in quickly." said Bertie's driver.

But James's pulled right in front.

"I'm winning, I'm winning!" called out James.

"Chase him, chase him!" cried Bertie's passengers.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!" panted James.

Then, they saw Bertie retake the lead at the bridge.

"Oh dear!" said James. "Now he's bound to win the race."

"Steady James." said the driver as they approached the windmill. "We'll soon catch up."

"I'm going to beat him this time!" replied James.

At the next station, Bertie yet again had to let on passengers, allowing James to take the lead!

"Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!" exclaimed James.

But Bertie was bound to win the race.

"Go as fast as you can!" said Bertie's driver.

And he did.

But James was still ahead, but not by that much.

As they crossed the bridge by the river, Bertie took the lead as the traffic light turned green, and chased after James again.

But James started going as fast as he could, and was able to retake the lead.

Bertie tried to go faster, but James was way too fast for him.

With a WHOOSH! James sped through the tunnel at warp speed, leaving Bertie far behind.

When they arrived at Elsbridge Station, a crowd of people clapped and cheered loudly for James, but they still applauded and whistled for Bertie too.

"Well done James!" said Bertie. "You were way too fast for me!"

"At least we had fun." replied James.

The next day, Bertie told Thomas all about their race. Thomas was impressed of how James was able to beat Bertie.

James doesn't see Bertie as often, but they always give a friendly hello when they see each-other. They want to race again, but I figure they might, someday very soon.