The Winx Club's Sodor Adventures - Season 1

Episode 8: James Learns a Lesson

James and Stella enjoyed working together on the Island of Sodor, but they still had a lot to learn.

"James, you're a special mixed-traffic engine," said Sir Topham Hatt. "You can pull coaches or freight cars quite easily, but you and Stella must learn by your mistakes."

James and Stella both knew what Sir Topham Hatt meant. They could well remember that dreadful accident on their first day.

"Tell James to be careful with the coaches, Stella," said kind little Edward. "They don't like being bumped."

Everyone came to admire James. "You know, Stella, I'm a really splendid engine," he told her.

"Yes, James, the works did an excellent job on your new paintwork," Stella agreed. "Red paint really does suit you well."

Suddenly, James let off steam. A shower of water fell on Sir Topham's nice new top hat.

Just then, the conductor blew his whistle and James thought they had better go.

"Go on! go on!" he puffed to Edward.

"Don't push! Don't push!" replied Edward.

"Be careful, James," said Stella, "You'll ruin my hair."

The coaches were grumbling too. "Don't go so fast! Don't go so fast!" But James didn't listen.

When at last, they stopped at the next station, two coaches were beyond the platform. They had to go back to let the passengers out. But no one seemed to know about Sir Topham's new hat, so James felt happier.

Presently they came to Elsbridge Station where Thomas and Bloom were waiting with Annie and Clarabel.

"Hello, James!" said Bloom. "Feeling better? That's good."

"Ah! That's my conductor's whistle. We must go," said Thomas. "I don't know what Sir Topham Hatt would do without us to run the Ffarquhar branch line." And they puffed off importantly.

Edward, Tecna, James and Stella passed the field where James had had his accident. The fence was mended and the cows were back again.

They ended their journey and rested before setting off for home. James and Stella were still wondering what Sir Topham would have to say about his new hat.

"Don't worry, James," said Stella. "I'm sure Sir Topham Hatt has forgotten about the little incident."

James hoped so, too. But unfortunately, they were wrong.

Next morning, Sir Topham Hatt spoke severely to James. "If you can't behave, I shall take away your red coat and have you painted blue." James and Stella didn't like that at all.

Later that day, James was very rough with the grumbling coaches as he brought them to the platform.

"Careful, James!" scolded Stella. "You're being very rough today!"

"Don't talk, Stella! Come on!" he called to her.

"How rude!" shouted Stella in a rage.

"Gordon never has to fetch his own coaches," James thought to himself. "And he's only painted blue." To make James even more cross, this time no one came near him. "I'll show them!" he thought. "They think Gordon is the only engine who can pull coaches."

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!" puffed James.

"You're going too fast! You're going too fast!" replied the coaches.

James laughed and tried to go faster, but the coaches wouldn't let him.

"We're going to stop!" they said. "We're going to stop!"

"What's the matter?" James asked Stella.

"Well, judging by the gauges," explained Stella, "the brakes are slammed hard on. Leak in the pipe, most likely. And I find it hard to believe, but you've banged the coaches hard enough to make a leak in anything. The brake pipe has been damaged because of your banging around."

"How shall we mend it, Stella?" said the conductor.

Stella had an idea. "We'll cover it with newspaper and a leather bootlace," she replied.

"Well, where's the bootlace coming from?" asked the conductor.

"Ask the passengers if they have any," said Stella.

"You have a leather bootlace there I see, sir," said the conductor to Jeremiah Jobling, a smartly dressed man. "Please give it to me."

"I won't," said the man.

"Then," said the conductor, "I'm afraid the train will just stop where it is."

The passengers all said what a bad railway it was. Then they told Mr. Jobling how bad he was instead. Everyone was very cross. At last, he handed his laces over.

Stella tied a pad of newspaper tightly round the hole in the brake pipe, and James was able to pull the train. But he was a sadder and wiser James and took care never to bump coaches again.

The End