Thomas, Percy, and James were shunting trucks in the yard at Knapford station when a big, blue engine puffed up. He blasted his whistle and said,
"Hello there!"
"Hello!" Thomas said. Sir Topham Hatt got out of the engine's cab and said,
"Thomas, Percy James, this is Colton, a Garratt-engine. I've leased him to test pulling mainline goods. I need you three to show him around the island." The engines were amazed at Colton's massive size. He had two sets of six driving wheels and two leading wheels, with his cylinders facing outwards. Later, when they were working together in the yard, James biffed some trucks and scoffed to Thomas and Percy
"What and unwieldy engine! He's much to big for these rails!" Thomas and Percy did not like James' attitude towards Colton.
"He's not unwieldy! With his strength, he could be really useful!" Percy replied.
"A really useful conversation piece." James said as he pushed some more trucks. Colton had heard what James had said, and this made him sad. That night, when the work day was over, Thomas and Percy went to cheer up Colton.
"Did James really mean what he said?" Colton asked the two little engines.
"No! Not one word! He thinks you're a really useful engine, but he doesn't want to admit it." Percy answered. Colton was somewhat comforted, but James' words still hurt. The next morning, James was very cross. Edward's passenger train was running late from some sheep out on the line, meaning he couldn't be on time to collect his morning goods train. James was told by Sir Topham Hatt to take his and Edward's trucks from Brendam Docks. This made him very cross.
"This is bollocks! Why couldn't Duck or Henry do this instead of me? I've got enough work on my own, and now I have to pick up Edward's slack!?" he griped
"Duck is occupied on his own branch line and Henry has an express to pull! Sir Topham Hatt needed an engine quickly and you were in the right place at the right time." his driver replied. As they were making their way up Gordon's hill, James huffed and puffed his hardest to pull the long line of trucks.
"Hold back! Hold back!" the silly trucks giggled. James heaved with all of his might to pull the trucks, but then, a snap was heard, then he slid down the hill. His driver got out to see what was the matter. In all of the stress, one of his rods had snapped off,
"Oh, bother!" James growled, then he let off a cloud of steam, while the silly trucks cackled and giggled with amusement. An engine then was seen cresting the hill. It was the long, slender form of Colton.
"Please, Colton, I'm in a bit of a jam! My side rod snapped and now I can't pull." he pleaded.
"But I thought I was...what did you say...Too unwieldy to be useful! It's a shame I can't be of service to you." Colton said, sarcastically. James was now sorry for what he had said to Colton.
"I'm sorry I was so rude to you, Colton. Engines your size are in fact one of the most useful on the railway!" James said.
"I knew you would come around. I'll help you out, James." Colton said. He went around the loop and then backed onto James, where he was coupled up and all four of his massive pistons pumped together.
"Oh! Ow!" the troublesome trucks groaned as Colton heaved the train up the hill. In no time, the two arrived at the depot and James thanked Colton.
"Thank you for helping me. I'm sorry I was rude."
"It's alright. We all have something we're good at." From that day onward, James gained a new respect for Colton, and Colton for James, and the two engines are now good friends.