James didn't like a lot of the trucks on Sodor. Mainly because they were troublesome and very rude to engines- not to mention noisy!

But he does have a soft spot for the livestock trucks. They are much less bothersome, and don't complain so much. They are also really nice to him and often pay him a compliment on his red paint.

James also has a friendly nickname for them. Due to them pulling food for animals across Sodor He calls them 'animal feeders' as they ensure food gets to farms and that the animals wouldn't go hungry.

One morning, the Fat Controller was on his way to Tidmouth Sheds. He had planned to have James take the 'animal feeders' to Farmer McColl's and Farmer Trotter's farms.

However, the minute he saw James, he knew that wouldn't happen.

Poor James was coughing like mad and he was sweating as well. He couldn't breathe properly between coughs and his eyes looked glazed over.

"Percy I have a job for you!" He announced to the smallest engine in the Tidmouth fleet.

"Yes sir?"

"I need you to take some animal feed to Farmer McColl's farm and Farmer Trotter's as well."

"Yes sir!"

"Edward, you'll have to take James to the Steamworks for repairs."

"Yes sir." Replied the old engine.

...

Soon Percy was backing down on the trucks.

"Who is he?" Hissed a truck to the others.

"I recognise him!" whispered another. "He's James' younger brother apparently."

But that was all they knew, so they were a bit distrustful of the new engine.

...

The trucks didn't enjoy their ride. Percy was nice enough, but they didn't want him- they wanted James.

"I know you're not happy because James isn't here and I am sorry about that," Percy puffed, "But James is ill, you see."

"Oh dear- we hope he gets better!" Said the trucks in a fretting manner.

"So do I." Sighed Percy.

The trucks- although they were unsure of him, they did become a bit friendlier to Percy.

They collected the animal feed from the Depot, and delivered it to first Farmer McColl's and then Farmer Trotter's.

The livestock trucks all that time got to know their new engine, and began to trust him a bit at the end of the trip.