On a cold winter's morning, Thomas pulled into Elsbridge Station with his snowplough. On the other platform he saw James.
"What an ugly thing that is!" said the red engine, "No wonder you have to wear it. They wouldn't want a splendid engine like me to be ruined with something like that!"
"More likely they want you to get stuck so they can leave you there," teased Thomas.
James fumed, "I'd never get stuck! I'm not a little tank engine like you!"
He puffed away and Thomas chuckled to himself.
Soon, James was passing over the viaduct. The snow had gotten heavy now. His wheels slipped on the rails until he came to a stop.
"You're stuck!" said James's driver, "We'll have to send for another engine!"
And before long a tank engine with six small wheels arrived.
"I thought you never got stuck?" Thomas asked.
Thomas's snowplough was removed and he coupled up to James. The snowplough was then moved to the back of Thomas. Soon enough, he had James free. Thomas was uncoupled from the train at the next station, and James was allowed to continue his journey. He didn't say a word as he left and he made sure never to insult Thomas's snowplough again.