Another original Thomas story, this time it's "James and Arthur" Enjoy and comment.
It was a beautiful day on the Island of Sodor. All the engines were working hard, doing their important jobs.
At Tidmouth Sheds, Sir Topham Hatt came to see James.
"James, you will be working with Arthur today." he said.
James had never heard of Arthur before.
"We don't want Arthur getting into another accident, so please be careful."
Sir Topham Hatt then walked away.
Arthur was waiting for James at the fishing village.
"Hello James!" he exclaimed
James was surprised to see that Arthur had red paint like him.
"Do you like my new coat of paint?" asked Arthur. "I got it at the Works after my accident."
James was cross. He wanted a new coat of red paint, just like Arthur.
"It's not fair!" complained James. "Why do all the other engines get new coats of paint?"
Just then, a workman came over.
"Arthur, I need you to take fish to the wharf." said the workman.
"Can James help me too?" asked Arthur.
"I didn't know you had another engine working with you Arthur! In that case, he may help as well."
Arthur was excited, but James was cross.
"Don't be cross James. You don't have to pull freight cars, you can be my back engine."
This made James feel better.
Soon, workmen began loading loads of fish into Arthur's freight cars.
When the conductor showed his green flag, Arthur and James set off.
But the troublesome cars were up to no good. They had caused Arthur's spotless record to be ruined.
"Look at the funny red back engine!" they laughed at James.
"BE QUIET!" snapped James.
Then there was trouble. As Arthur and James approached the junction, a faulty signal sent James onto the track that led to the wharf, and Arthur was sent onto the abandoned track that led into the deep old sea.
The troublesome cars were excited.
"Ready to sink?" they called.
Arthur was heading for trouble.
Meanwhile. James was stopped at the next station.
"Bother!" said James. "There must be danger!"
The stationmaster came up to James.
"Arthur has been diverted onto the abandoned track." explained the stationmaster. "If he keeps going any further, he'll sink into the deep old sea. You must rescue him James."
James was worried for his friend, so he puffed off in order to find his new friend,
The old track was old and bumpy, so James had to go slow, but steady in order to find his friend.
Then, they spotted Arthur up ahead.
"There he is!" said the driver. We need to couple up to his freight cars so he won't fall into the sea."
But the old sea was in clear sight.
The cars wanted Arthur to fall into the sea.
"Go on, go on!" they call. "Push him, push him!"
Arthur's driver tried applying the brakes, but he couldn't!
"The brakes are stuck!" said the driver.
"I'm going to sink!" cried Arthur.
But James managed to couple up to the freight cars, and pulled Arthur to safety just in time!"
"What just happened?" asked a confused Arthur.
"James just saved you." said the driver.
Later, Sir Topham Hatt arrived with Henry, who was pulling the Flying Kipper. He was very pleased.
"James, you have prevented a very serious accident from happening. You are a very useful engine!"
"Thank you sir!" exclaimed James.
Then, he turned to Arthur.
"You are not to blame for the near-accident. A faulty signal was the cause. I am sending you to the Works to be polished, and get fitted with new brakes."
Arthur was pleased.
"But who will take the fish to the wharf?"
"Henry will take care of the fish for you."
James was the proudest of all. He had saved his new friend Arthur from sinking in the sea.