It was a cold winter night on the Island of Sodor. Snow had just begun to fall and the engines were happily asleep in their sheds and sidings. The wind howled around Tidmouth Sheds as the engines happily began to fall asleep waiting for the snow to stop.
The clock struck midnight when Sir Topham Hatt came up to the sheds with Winston instead of his regular car.
"Hello everyone," he greeted as Winston skidded to a stop on the icy rails, "As you may have noticed, the roads are snowed over. I fear the same for my tracks. So I will have Murdoch, Hiro, Hank, Gordon, and Emily clear the line for the rest of you once the snow stops."
Gordon and Emily happily whistled, eager to keep the railway running even in the snow. However Henry was disappointed. He wanted to help the other engines. After all, he was nearly as big as Gordon.
The Fat Controller noticed this and turned to him with an announcement, "I'm sorry Henry, but you must pull the Flying Kipper tonight. It's a big night."
"But sir, why can't I help clear the line?" he asked, "I'm bigger than Emily,"
"I resent that!" responded the emerald green engine.
"Sorry Henry, but you're the only one who can pull the train," responded the Fat Controller.
James saw that his friend was sad. So he inched forward out of the sheds, "Um, sir, I could pull the Flying Kipper. I've done it many times before!" he bravely volunteered.
"Oh well, Henry you may clear the line tomorrow. As for you James," he said, turning to the red engine, "Hurry down to the docks to collect your train."
"Right away sir!" he beamed as his driver and fireman equipped his snowplow and he steamed away.
The path from Tidmouth Sheds to the docks to collect the vans was mostly uneventful. James steadily backed down on the line was he was coupled up.
"Good job James," praised the dock manager, "It's a big night, do you understand?"
"Yes sir," responded James as he started off.
"Wait!" called the dock manager, "You also have to go down to Brendam Docks to go get another load. But first, unload some of the delivery at Knapford for Thomas to take it down the Ffarquhar Branchline. Once you come off of Edward's Branch, then you continue all the way to the mainland. Got it?"
"Of course I do," boasted James, "I've pulled this train before. In fact, I set a record while pulling two other broken down engines!"
"Was this before or after you delivered the fish to Percy?" mocked the fireman. The driver chuckled alongside him.
"Oh quiet. Sir Topham Hatt said that it was no one's fault," spat back James as he set off, laying down plenty of sand on the frozen tracks.
As he pulled into Knapford, James slid past the platform and completely missed it! He tried to reverse but the tracks were far too slippery.
"I'm sure nobody will mind if I leave them here. Thomas will understand that it's too icy to expect me to leave them exactly where he wants them."
"I wouldn't be so sure," said his driver, pointing into the night.
It was Thomas! He was puffing so fast that he didn't have time to stop properly, before he bumped into the vans. Luckily the fish were safe, but Thomas was thoroughly cross with James.
"What do you think you're doing!" he barked, reversing from the vans.
"Leaving," the red engine snorted.
"Rules are rules!" the tank engine had lost his patience, "You can't just leave vans all willy-nilly!"
"Grab the popcorn," said James' fireman to his driver, " Show's starting!"
"I don't have to listen to you!" responded James with fire in his eyes.
"You don't listen to anyone! You're James the Grand!" Thomas mocked.
"And don't you forget it!" responded James as he puffed away, blasting his whistle and leaving a much angrier Thomas.