The Winx Club's Sodor Adventures - Season 1

Episode 10: A Proud Day for James

One night, Henry and Gordon were alone with James at Tidmouth Sheds. Although Sir Topham Hatt was beginning to think well of him, whenever the chance came, the other engines would talk of nothing but bootlaces.

"Remember when they had to use a bootlace to get you out of trouble, James?" they would tease.

James tried to get back by talking about Henry who got shut up in a tunnel, and Gordon who got stuck on a hill, but they wouldn't listen.

"You talk too much, little James," said Gordon. "A fine strong engine like me has something to talk about. I'm the only engine who can pull the Express. When I'm not there, they need two engines. Think of that! I've pulled expresses for years, and have never once lost my way. I seem to know the right line by instinct."

Every wise engine knows, of course, that the signalman sets the switches to make the engines run on the right tracks. But Gordon was so proud, he had forgotten.

"Wake up, James," said Gordon next morning. "It's nearly time for the Express. What are you and Stella doing? Odd jobs? Ah, well! We all have to begin somewhere, don't we? Run along now and get my coaches, don't be late."

James and Stella went off to get Gordon and Aisha's coaches. They were all shining with lovely new paint. James was careful not to bump them, and they followed him smoothly into Knapford Station, singing happily, "We're going away! We're going away!"

"I wish Stella and I were going with you," said James, "I should love to pull the Express and go flying along the line."

Gordon, with much noise and blowing of steam, got ready to back on to the train. Sir Topham Hatt was on the train with other important people, and as soon as they heard the conductor's whistle, Gordon started. "Look at me now! Look at me now!" he puffed, and the coaches glided after him.

And Aisha called out, "Goodbye, James! See you and Stella tomorrow!"

James and Stella watched the train disappear, and then went back to work. He pushed some freight cars into their proper sidings, and went to fetch the coaches for another train.

They had just brought the coaches to the platform, when the heard a mournful noise. There was Gordon, trying to sneak into the station without being noticed.

"Hello, Gordon, is it tomorrow?" asked James.

Gordon and Aisha didn't answer, the big engine just let off steam feebly.

Even Stella was surprised to see them back so soon. "Did you lose your way, you two?" she asked.

"No, your Highness, it was lost for us. We were switched off the main line and onto the loop. We had to go all round and back again."

"Perhaps it was instinct," said James.

"Oh, shut up, James!" snapped Aisha crossly.

Meanwhile, all the passengers hurried to the ticket window. "We want our money back!" they shouted.

But Sir Topham Hatt climbed onto a cart and blew the conductor's whistle so loudly, that they all stopped to look at him. Then he promised them a new train at once.

"Gordon and Aisha can't do it," he said, "Will you and Stella pull it for us, James?"

"Yes, sir, I'll try."

So James was coupled on and everyone got in.

"Do your best, James," said Sir Topham Hatt.

"Come along! Come along!" puffed James.

"You're pulling us well! You're pulling us well!" sang the coaches.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!" puffed James.

Bridges and stations flashed by, the passengers cheered, and they soon reached the station. Everyone said "thank you" to James and Stella, and Sir Topham Hatt was very impressed.

"Well done," he said. "Would you two like to pull the Express sometimes?"

"Yes, please," answered James.

"I would consider it an honor," agreed Stella.

Next day when James and Stella came by, Gordon and Aisha were pushing freight cars.

"We'd like some quiet work for a change," Gordon said. "We're teaching these cars manners. You did well with those coaches, I hear. Good, we'll show them!" And he gave his cars a bump.

James and Gordon are now good friends. James and Stella sometimes take the Express to give Gordon and Aisha a rest. Gordon never talks about bootlaces, and they are both quite agreed on the subject of freight cars.

The End