Troublesome Trucks
James had not seen The Fat Controller or Jock for several days. They left James alone in the shed and he was not aloud out to push coaches or trucks in the yard.
James (Thinking): Oh dear, I shall have to stay in this shed for always and no one will see my red coat again. Oh dear, oh dear.
At last he saw Jock arriving at the shed.
Jock: Hello James; how you feeling?
James: Terrible, I feel like the worst engine now. I'm sorry I cause you so much trouble with the coaches. Oh why did I have go so fast?
Jock: Well lad, you're still a bit new and everyone has made stupid mistakes before. To be honest I am starting to miss my job and working with you, that's why I came to see you.
James: Thank you, I missed you too; I wish I was pulling something today.
Just then they saw The Fat Controller, James was still very sad.
The Fat Controller: I see you are sorry James. I hope now that you will be a better engine. You have given me a lot of trouble. People are laughing at my railway and I don't like that at all.
James: I'm very sorry sir, please give me another chance, I will try hard to behave.
The Fat Controller: That's a good engine, there's nothing like determination. I want you to pull some trucks for me and Jock well be with you today.
Jock: Thank you sir.
James was delighted and puffed away.
Edward: Here are your trucks James.
Lady: Good luck, and please be careful.
James: Thanks Lady!
Trucks: Oh, oh, oh! We want a proper engine, not a red monster!
James took no notice and started as soon as the guard was ready.
James: Come along, come along!
Trucks: We won't, we won't!
Jock: Oh yes you will, oh yes you will!
And soon James pulled the screeching trucks sternly out of the station.
The trucks tried hard to make him give up, but he still kept going.
Sometimes their breaks would slip on, and sometimes their axles would run hot, and each time the trouble at to be put right, and each time James would start again, determent not to let them beat him.
Trucks: Give up, give up. You can't pull us; you can't, you can't!
James: I can and I will, I can and I will!
Jock: You tell them James; do it!
At last they saw Gordon's hill and began to climb.
James' Driver: Look out for trouble James. We'll go fast and get them up before they know it; don't let them stop you.
So James went faster and soon they were half way up.
James: I'm doing it, I'm doing it!
Jock: Will this top never come?
Then with a sudden jerk, it all came easier.
James (Thinking): I've done it, I've done it; hooray, its easy now!
But Jock looked back and bark at the driver, who shut off steam.
James' Driver: They've done it again; we've left our tail behind, look.
The last 10 trucks were running backwards down the hill, the coupling had snapped. But the guard bravely put the brakes on and stopped the trucks at the bottom of the hill.
Then he got out to warn approaching engines.
James: That's why it was easy. What silly things trucks are; there might have been an accident.
James back the other trucks carefully down, while the guard stopped Edward, who was pulling a passenger train.
Edward: Shall I help you James?
James: Uh, no thank you Edward; I'll pull them myself.
Lady: Good; don't let them beat you.
James was struggling up the hill.
James: I can do it, I can do it!
Jock: Come on, come on!
Edward and Lady: You're doing well!
James: I've done it, I've done it!
They reach the top at last, came gently down to the bottom of the hill, and they soon reach their station safely.
James was resting the yard and was having a drink of water.
Jock: Excellent work James; I'm very proud of you.
James smiled; soon they saw Edward arriving.
Lady: Well done James; that was impressive.
Then walking towards them, James and Jock saw The Fat Controller.
James (To Jock): Oh dear, what will he say?
But The Fat Controller was smiling.
The Fat Controller: I was in Edward's train and I saw everything; you've made the most troublesome trucks on the line behave. After that you deserve to keep Jock and your red coat.
