Timekeeping
There are many engines on the island of Sodor, they do many jobs and occasionally ones they weren't built for. Many of the engines do not mind, even express engines like Gordon and Henry do not mind doing occasional goods. Especially with the promise of a washdown for the next morning. However some engines like James dislike it.
James is a very proud engine. He was built for the NWR by the Southern Railway and after an accident was given a red coat of paint. After this he worked hard as a mixed traffic engine around the island, occasionally the red engine was given express duties to allow Henry and Gordon rest. He liked these the best and was very proud of being one of the few engines who could pull it.
One day in the Spring of 1976 he awoke, sunlight beamed onto the other engines and James said "HELLO LADS!"
The engines jumped and Henry said "What in blazes?! Oh it's you, when did you get here?"
"Last night, my new paintjob is done." James said.
"Anything else?" Duck said crossly.
"I will be pulling the express today, why else would I be at Tidmouth? I want you all to know that-."
"You forgot something very important James." Henry said as the other engines eyed him.
"What?"
"The main passenger station was switched two years ago to Knapford." Henry scoffed and the other engines groaned. As much a pain he could be Henry's alert caused the red engines face to grow dark red.
"What do you mean?" James growled as a whistle sounded out.
"Laddie, calm yourself. Henrys pointing out that you're here for goods and locals." The shedmaster, Patrick Caine, said. "Today you start with a mini-express to Great Waterton to practice getting ready for its opening.."
James smiled and said "Oh that will be a treat."
"Then, you and Arthur will be handling the trains at the harbor. The scrap company won a bid to melt down a troop of Churchill tanks and we'll need all hands so go about it quickly. Arthur, you'll do some light goods and shunt the scrap trains then get two freight trains ready for you to take to Wellsworth." As he continued on Arthur felt worried, ever since he arrived the tank engine had worked hard but after his arrogance and accident the others had seen him as a joke.
He hoped James would not take advantage of this.
James went to collect his carriages and grumbled, "Making a splendid engine like me pull scrap trucks!"
"Steady James." Consoled his driver.
James grumbled dreadfully, he left with the train. His paint job from last night was still gleaming "What a waste. That Bert and Arry get to see me at my most splendid and not paying passengers! I might get it dirty!" His speed started to increase at a worryingly fast rate.
"Hang on James!" His driver called, "We have to be careful!"
"Well, what do you want me to go slow?"
"Yes!" His driver said "Not too slow though or we'll be late to help Arthur!"
James nearly smiled as an idea flew into his funnel. He didn't like Arthur and saw him as a loudmouth. Sure Thomas and Rosie professed that he was ready but he didn't work nearly hard enough to justify his coal and water.
James then made plans in his head, luckily geography was going to help him here.
As James came into the station he saw Thomas who was going to collect trucks, "Well Thomas? Here to ensure my day goes smoothly?"
"No, I am here to ensure Morgans mine reopens." Thomas said crossly. Out of all the engines he had expected trouble with James had surpassed his expectations.
"Oh silly little engine, a mine is not as important as my train." James giggled and made enough noise with the steam to limit his crews hearing. Then he boasted for the next 40 minutes loudly causing Thomas to grow crosser and crosser until James's driver went next to the face mask and said "TIME TO GO!"
James smiled and said "We'll be right on time."
"We have to pick up the pace though, we're twenty minutes late and we've delayed poor Thomas. You have to pay attention or some other engine will have to take the train." The driver said.
James smiled and said "Of course driver, I am sure Arthur could handle it. You know he talks."
Thomas eyed him and before he could say anything James left slowly coming out of the station.
As he vanished from view Thomas said "I wonder."
James dwalded at all of his stops and made a mess of the timetables, his crew tried to fix that but their engine wouldnt listen.
As they came back into Tidmouth his driver said "You are a naughty engine."
"Oh that engine could, its not like the yards in a mess." James said.
1 Hour Earlier
The harbormaster was worried, James was over an hour late and his train was ready. Arthur was slowly becoming agitated from the trucks around him. He had already requested for another engine to pick up the workmen as Arthur would have to do James's important load.
He went to Arthur and said "A fine job Arthur, I need you to take James's job. This can't wait any longer or else other shipments will be delayed."
Arthur was about to complain but then he said "Of course." As he saw Emily pick up some trucks, if she could do a load that her class wasn't meant to do then he could take James's trucks.
The harbormaster said "Thank you Arthur, I'll talk to the fat controller later. Your a good lad."
Arthur smiled nervously but slowly went to collect the trucks, he felt depressed as he left the harbor.
He enjoyed passenger trains and enjoyed them the most before his two year 'Ghost Trains'. He had been looking forward to taking the workmen home.
2 hours later
James came into the harbor with some light trucks, dropped them off and went to the station at the harbor and said "I'm here!"
Donald looked at him and said "Jeams, whaur hae ye bin?" (James, where have you been?)
"Oh doing jobs. I just brought in trucks to be loaded." James said until the harbormaster appeared.
"James, The Fat Controller and I have been talking. We both know you have been dawdling and are most displeased. Donald had to be called in to handle shunting while Arthur did your job. I hope youre happy."
James gulped and said "Well, the land was very hi-."
"Dont you dare use that excuse, Edward and yourself can handle the steeper grades of his line with ease. Now, your schedule will be slow goods through the day while Arthur handles the passenger trains." The man said and James shook in impotent fury.
"Get turned and take Arthurs goods. Donald, you take the train." The black engine smiled and he said "Sers ya richt!" (Serves you right!) as his guard blew the whistle.
Donald was taking the coaches not only to Knapford to drop the workmen but to Vicarstown as 'empties' where Emily would take them for the last train of the day.
He then realized something and smiled, if the harbormaster was right then maybe Arthur would have something to smile about. He sped forward.
At the junction for Thomas's branchline Arthur delivered some empty coaches for James's slow passenger train and went for a drink. The trains he had to do had went well but he was tired from the long journeys and was about to doze when Donald came in and eyed with a grin.
Arthur blushed as the Scottish engine went to collect the parcel vans for tonights mail train. As he added them to his empty coaches the Scottish engine said "Lang day?"
"Yes, Donald. I apologize for my earlier behavior. I was a right nuisance and I never apologized for making fun of your brother."
Donald said "Ye leared yer lesson whan Tammas aivis ye." (You learned your lesson when Thomas tricked you.) "Apalagy accepted." (Apology accepted.)
Arthur sighed and said "Thats a relief. Where's James?"
Donald smiled a wolfish smile and said "Hover araund here, antrin thing ye list see." (Wait around here, a strange thing you will see.)
Arthur raised an eyebrow as the scot left. "What a peculiar engine."
Ten minutes later he saw a strange sight indeed as James passed through with his trucks while the stationmaster had granted him permission to take the train.
As far as days went, Arthur felt it was a good day indeed.
(Based off of James gets a new coat)