(with elements from the RWS story Overhaul, I realized how much I like episodes like these from Andrew Brenner's team with James at the forefront so I've been thinking this one for a while. Enjoy!)

Moral: overhauls are a serious matter/hard work pays off

Short Synopsis: when Gordon bursts a safety valve pulling the express, he is sent for repairs for the rest of the week. Henry pulls the express in his place but is due for an overhaul the next day. So Sir Topham Hatt arranges for James to double-head the express with Henry to Crovan's Gate.

(Scene starts at Knapford Station with Gordon, Rosie as the station pilot pushing his coaches up to him. James is nearby at the middle platform)

It was a sunny morning at Knapford Station. Gordon was getting ready to pull the morning express.

(Rosie struggling as he shunts the coaches into the station)

Rosie: (breathlessly) You must be very strong to pull the express, Gordon.

Gordon: Indeed, Rosie. In fact, I am the only engine on Sodor who can pull the express. When I'm not available, they'd often need two big engines or three small engines such as yourself to pull the train.

Rosie: So I see. Well, I better get to the shunting yards now. Goodbye, Gordon. (whistles and chuffs away)

(Gordon waits as all his passengers board the express)

Gordon had to wait while all the passengers got on board. James was on the next platform with ordinary coaches. Henry chuffed to Gordon's platform with a goods train.

(Henry whistles as he chuffs into the station between Gordon and James)

Gordon: Ha. It's a shame you have to pull a goods train, Henry. But I don't think they belong at this platform.

Henry: But it's only goods, Gordon. Besides, all our jobs are important.

Gordon: Well, that may be so. But neither of you are strong enough to pull the express on your own. That's why Sir Topham Hatt chooses ME to pull the express.

James: We can pull the express too, Gordon. Don't you remember the time when you lost your way on the main lane and I pulled the express in your place.

Gordon: Perhaps you got lucky that time, James. But the fact is that I'm the only engine who can pull the express. When I'm not here, they need two engines. (guard's whistle blows) After all, the passengers prefer it. (Gordon whistles as he leaves the station)

Henry: (sighs) Why is Gordon such a showoff sometimes?

James: I don't know, Henry. But what I can tell you is this. (guard's whistle blows) I'll teach that big blue bossy boiler a lesson once the time allows it. (whistles and leaves the station)

(Henry looks confused as James leaves the station. Gordon's classic theme played by Robert Hartshorne starts as he races across the Island)

Gordon was proud of being the only engine strong enough to pull the express, or at least he says. While the local trains, like Thomas and Emily for instance, would drop their passengers off at every station, Gordon's coaches would only stop once before reaching the mainland and that would be at Crovan's Gate. But today, Gordon had to pick up a few station specialists. They were going to inspect Crovan's Gate to see if it was in good order in terms of transport. It wasn't long before the express reached the station that Gordon admired the most out of any other.

(Scene cuts to Kirk Ronan. Thomas, Annie and Clarabel are waiting for their passengers to board)

Gordon: Good morning, Thomas.

Thomas: Good morning, Gordon.

Gordon: What brings you here to Kirk Ronan?

Thomas: I'm here to pick up passengers, Gordon. Just like you.

Gordon: I see. Well, this is one of the more important stations on my route so I'm here to pick up station specialists.

Thomas: That's nice, Gordon.

Gordon: After all, this is a station of MY honor.

Annie: How so, Gordon?

Gordon: Well, that view up ahead is my panoramic view.

Clarabel: (confused) Panoramic?

(Thomas' guard's whistles blows)

Thomas: (whistles) That means that Gordon's view is wide enough for people to see him. (chuffs away) Goodbye, Gordon.

It wasn't long before all the passengers were on board and Gordon was ready to go again. He chuffed at a tremendous speed along the main lane, surprising all his friends as he raced by.

(Gordon chuffs speedily on the main lane past Donald)

Gordon: Express coming through!

Donald: Aye!

(Douglas is up ahead as Gordon passes him)

Gordon: Out of the way, Douglas!

Douglas: Oi, what a speedy engine Gordon is.

Donald: (chuffing up) I know. It's noot always safe to go safe to go at such a speed.

Douglas: That is unless yer Gordon.

Donald: Ah, Dougie, ye'd be surprised.

Gordon was looking for another engine to surprise. He saw Emily up ahead at Maron station with her coaches.

Gordon: I'll give Emily the surprise of her life.

He was almost at the station whenWHEEEEEEESH! As he was about to blow his whistle loud, something snapped and smoke started billowing from his funnel. Gordon went slower and slower as he reached the station and came to a complete stop. His crew examined him.

Gordon: What has happened to me? Steam is bursting from my funnel.

Driver: You've burst your safety valve, Gordon. You'll have to go to the SteamWorks to be repaired. It will be a long job.

Gordon: Oh, dear. And we were going so nicely too.

Emily: (laughs) I know you've pulled the express for years, Gordon. But I thought you were meant to stop at all the more important stations. (laughs, whistles and chuffs away)

Gordon: (groans) Oh the indignity!

Nevertheless, Emily went to the next signal box and told the signalman about Gordon, no matter how funny she found the situation. It wasn't long before James arrived to take Gordon to the SteamWorks.

(Shunter uncouples Gordon from the train)

James: Well, well, well, so much for the Island's only express engine. I think all that steam puffed up in your funnel has finally been released. (chuckles and Gordon groans and changes lines)

(Henry chuckles as he backs up to the express. The shunter couples him up and he pulls it away)

Henry managed to finish the morning run with the express all in good time. Crovan's Gate was inspected and the station specialists were very impressed. Soon Emily arrived to take them back to Kirk Ronan while Henry traveled to the mainland and back with the express.

(Henry crosses the bridge from the mainland to the North Western railway with the express)

James dropped Gordon off at the SteamWorks and the workmen got to work on him on his safety valve right away. He felt very miserable.

Gordon: (sighing) How long of a job do you think this will be, Victor?

Victor: Well, Gordon. You're not exactly the SteamWorks' top priority but the workmen are doing all they can. I'd say that since there are other engines who need fixing, this is a bit of a long job, Gordon but we can promise that it will be done by the end of the week.

Gordon: (groans) Oh the indignity.

(Next scene cuts and zooms in to Knapford Station with Henry, Edward, James, Emily, Donald and Douglas all lined up between the three platforms)

Later that afternoon, Sir Topham Hatt called his tender engines over to Knapford Station. He and the stationmaster were in the middle of an agreement over who would pull the express in Gordon's place.

James: What's taking them so long?

Emily: Sir Topham Hatt's discussing with the stationmaster, James, over who will pull the express for the rest of the week.

James: Well, it's taking an awful long time. After all, any engine could do it so I could be very suitable for this job.

Henry: We could all take it in turns to pull the express, you know. That might be what they're talking about.

Edward: Not when you're a mixed-traffic engine, Henry. James and I would probably have enough work to do with coaches and goods anyway.

Donald: Aye. And we have goods to pull up oon de Little Western line anyway.

Edward: You don't always need two tender engines to do that.

Douglas: Aye, Edward. But Sir Topham knows for fact that Donal' and I work better when we're in pairs.

Topham: (clears his throat) Quiet, everyone, please. (walks out with the stationmaster by his side) Now, I'm guessing you all know by now why you're here. We need a big strong tender engine to pull the express on this Island and it only takes one to pull the express so it could be any of you. But, judging from the events that followed Gordon's incident this morning, the stationmaster and I took a vote and we have both come to a consensus that Henry shall pull the express.

Henry: (whistling happily) Thank you, sir.

James, on the other hand, was disappointed. He enjoyed pulling the express more than local trains. Then he had an idea.

James: But the express also runs in the evening, sir. If Henry takes the express, then who pull the Flying Kipper?

Topham: Good point, James. Never actually thought of that so thanks for reminding me.

James: You're welcome.

Topham: And since you're so concerned about Henry's nightime duties, perhaps YOU would like to pull the Kipper instead of Henry.

James: Well, um…

Topham: Excellent! So it will be arranged then. I can always count on my mixed-traffic engines to do the job. Edward and Emily, you can take it turns to do Henry's goods duties whenever he's pulling the express. (clearing his throat) Unless, James would like to the honors.

James: N-n-n-no, sir.

(Everyone laughs except James who just groans and whistles as he leaves the station)

Henry got ready to pull the express as James shunted trucks in the yard. He felt very sad.

James: (sighing) Why do I have to shunt trucks in the yard while Henry gets to pull the express? He can't be that much more important then me.

Thomas: (whistling as he chuffs by with Annie and Clarabel) Every job on the railway is important, James.

Annie: You can't always do the jobs you like best.

Clarabel: Well said, Annie. Well said.

(Thomas, Annie and Clarabel laugh as they leave the yard. James sighs and goes back to work. Next scene cuts to Tidmouth Sheds)

That night, James chuffed slowly into his berth at Tidmouth Sheds. He was tired and almost forgot about his evening job.

(James yawns as he pulls into his berth)

Percy: (as he backs up to his mail coaches) Don't go to sleep yet, James. You still have to pull the Flying Kipper, remember?

James: (sighing) Don't you have your own job to do, Percy?

Percy: (whistling) I know, James. That's why I have my mail wagons. (laughing and chuffing away)

(James groans as he leaves the sheds. Next scene cuts to Brendam Docks with Porter shunting the fish wagons into place)

James arrived at Brendam Docks where Porter had the Kipper ready for him.

Porter: Evening, James. (jokingly) Are you here to collect coaches? (laughs)

James: No, Porter. In fact, I am here to collect the Flying Kipper because Henry gets to pull the express in Gordon's place.

Porter: Oh, surely it can't be all that bad.

James: Well, it wouldn't hurt to give my mixed-traffic duties to Edward and Emily while I pull the express and Henry would be doing the job he enjoys best.

Gator: (pulling in) I like climbing mountains best of all but I'm happy working here at the docks. You can't always do the jobs you like best, James.

James: Pfft! Like I haven't heard that one before. (chuffs away)

James stopped at every station to deliver the fish. Once he went further on the main lane, he noticed a red signal up ahead.

James: (stops at the signals and sighs) What could be holding up a train like this?

Henry: (whistling as he races by) Express coming through, James. (laughing as he races by)

(James rolls his eyes as the signal turns green)

James: Well, I guess the express is THAT much more important than the Kipper, huh? (chuffs away)

(Next scene cuts to morning at Tidmouth Sheds)

Next morning, the engines awoke to a strange sound.

(James opens his eyes with a start to hear a rattling sound coming from next to him. Henry pulls out of his berth)

James: Henry, whatever is that strange sound?

Henry: I don't know, James. I feel kind of strange.

Emily: You should go to the SteamWorks, Henry. Strange rattling sounds are something to be concerned about.

Henry: I can't go to the SteamWorks now, Emily. I have to pull the express. Maybe Sir Topham Hatt will know what to do. (chuffs off the turntable)

(Next scene cuts to Knapford Station with Henry arriving at the platform)

When Henry arrived at Knapford, Sir Topham Hatt was surprised at what he was hearing from his engine.

Topham: Is there something wrong with your boiler this morning, Henry?

Henry: I don't know, sir. James and Emily asked me questions about my rattling noises as well. I think something's wrong with my system.

Topham: Right you are, Henry. There's only one way to sort this all out. You, Henry, will have to go for an overhaul. I can't have my railway running with my engines in this condition.

Henry: Does that mean I have to go back to Crewe, sir?

Topham: (chuckles) Absolutely not, Henry. You'd probably say I'm bluffing but nowadays, people at Crewe can't do the work you need. There's only one solution to this problem: we'll have to get you to the SteamWorks. Victor and the workmen can do everything there.

Henry: But what about the express, sir?

Topham: Hmm, that's a good question, Henry. What if you break down on the way to Crovan's Gate? I would just have another engine take the express from there but… (hears James' whistles as he enters the station)

Then Sir Topham Hatt had an idea.

Topham: James, how would you like to double-head the express with Henry to Crovan's Gate?

James: Why, sir?

Topham: Henry is due for an overhaul and I need an engine to help him take the express to Crovan's Gate station.

James was pleased.

James: I'd be honored, sir. (whistles and chuffs backwards)

James reversed backwards and switched tracks before buffering up to Henry. By this time, Stanley had already bought the express coaches into the station.

Stanley: Here you go, you two. Remind me again, Henry, why James is helping you.

James: Apparently, Stanley, Henry is due for an overhaul so I'm double-heading the express with him to the "Works Station".

Stanley: I see. Well, good luck with that. (whistles and chuffs away)

(Emily chuffs into the station beside Henry)

Emily: Don't worry, Henry. I'm sure you and James will manage the express splendidly together.

James: (jokingly) Huh! Two engines with one express are too much of an overhaul if you ask me. (chuckles)

Emily: (sternly) It's not funny, James. Overhauls are serious and they are essential to every engine.

James: Well, I rarely even had one before and just look at me. A splendid red engine and I'm in fine shape.

(Emily rolls her eyes as her guard's whistle blows and she whistles as she pulls her coaches out of the station)

Soon the passengers boarded the express and the train was ready.

Topham: Good luck, you two. And don't worry about the express, Henry. Victor's workmen always know what they're doing.

Henry: (whistling) I know, sir. I just hope nothing breaks.

James: Pfft, so do I. (chuckles) Overhauls.

James enjoyed having the chance of pulling the express. But he really wished he could pull it by himself.

(Guard's whistle blow)

As soon as the guard's whistle blew, Henry and James pulled the express out of the station.

Henry: Everything alright back there, James?

James: For the time being, Henry. I just hope nobody sees us.

But there were plenty of engines to see Henry and James pulling the express together and they all laughed too.

(Duck, Oliver, Rosie and Toby all laugh as they watch Henry and James pass by Knapford Junction with the express. Next scene cuts to the countryside)

The express went past every station on Henry and James' route. Because of the issues with his boiler, Henry couldn't help much and this made James impatient.

James: Come on, Henry. At least try to help me here, please.

Henry: I'm trying my very best, James. But my smokebox is leaking.

(James rolls his eyes as the express carries on)

James still didn't take overhauls too seriously and what Henry said about his smokebox was true. Henry's crew discussed his troubles.

Driver: Do you think Henry's boiler will last any longer, fireman?

Fireman: Before we get to Crovan's Gate? Not for certain, driver. But I'm stoking up Henry's fire as much as I can. He doesn't seem to be making much steam though.

Driver: That's bound to be a problem. We should keep a close on Henry till we get there.

And Henry's driver was right. By the time the two engines reached Gordon's Hill, things got a bit more difficult. Henry felt a little more strange than ever.

Henry: Um, James. I'm afraid we have a problem.

James: (sighs) What is it now, Henry? (sarcastically) Is it your special coal?

Henry: Absolutely not. You know I don't need special coal anymore.

James: (rolls his eyes) I'm aware of that, Henry. It was just a joke. Now what is your problem?

Henry: One of my wheels seems to be wobbling and my smoke box feels more stuffy than ever.

James: We can do it, Henry. Once we're done with this hill, it won't be long before we get to the "Works Station".

Henry: Look out, James!

James: (confused) Huh?

Then it happened. Henry's wheel came loose and started rolling down the hill behind the express, startling James. Then black smoke really started to flow from Henry's funnel. With that, the train came to a complete stop and rolled quickly down the hill. James applied his brakes and stopped as they reached the bottom…

(Edward stops before the express with his passenger train)

...just in time. Henry's crew went to pick up his wheel and James' crew helped. Together, they carried it into Henry's cab.

Edward: Is everything alright?

James: Um, yes. Sorry, Edward. Henry's wheel came loose and started rolling downhill. Then Henry had trouble with his boiler and that brought the express back down the hill. I realize now how serious overhauls can be.

Edward: Oh, dear. Well, you were very clever to stop that accident, James. Sir Topham Hatt's on board the train but I need to get him to the "Works Station" immediately. Do you think you can get Henry there on time, James?

James: I'll try. I really don't want to let down Sir Topham Hatt or Henry. I must do this. (thinks for a moment) I can do this. Edward, it would be much appreciated if you could reverse and switch tracks so Henry and I have enough time to maneuver.

Edward: Much obliged, James. I won't be in your way. (whistles and chuffs backwards)

So Edward reversed down the line and switched onto the next track before going forward again. James was trying his very hardest to push Henry up the hill and pull the express at the same time.

James: (grunting and panting breathlessly) I can do it. I can do it.

Edward: (whistling as he chuffs by) You can do it, James. Go it!

James pushed harder and harder until the train almost reached the top. Edward was out of sight but Thomas and Percy chuffed by the opposite way with a freight train.

Percy: Hooray for Henry!

Thomas: Go on, Henry. You can do it.

James: I'm not the one pulling, Thomas. I'm due for an overhaul, remember?

Thomas: What? (looks and sees James) Oh, James. You're the one pulling the train.

James: (grunting) That's right, Thomas.

Percy: Go on, James!

Thomas

And (whistling loudly) Hooray for James!

Percy:

James was a bit more confident now that he had the encouragement from his friends. He felt puff he never knew he had. It wasn't long before they reached the top and the express flew downhill but James was careful with his speed by applying his brakes regularly. This way, he would prevent Henry from having any more parts falling off.

(James whistles as the express passes Edward. Edward whistles after him. Next scene cuts to Crovan's Gate with Emily and her coaches)

It wasn't long before the two engines reached Crovan's Gate, the "Works Station" that ran nearby the SteamWorks. James felt tired but triumphant. Henry spoke kindly to him.

Henry: That was a very brave thing you did for me, James. Another engine could have came and took me here but you kept on puffing.

James: Thanks, Henry. I never took overhauls seriously beforehand and you were right, Emily. They're essential to every engine.

Emily: At least you know now, James. And that's what matters most.

Then Edward arrived at the station. Sir Topham Hatt was on board. He exited his passenger coach and walked up onto the platform…towards James.

James: I'm sorry, sir. I didn't take the time to wait for an engine to take Henry to the SteamWorks. I know I should have waited but I knew how serious Henry's issue was and I wanted to make it up for it.

Topham: James, there's nothing to be upset about. You have made up for it. I witnessed everything on Edward's train and I'm proud of you.

James: You are?

Topham: That was a very brave thing you did, James. You helped Henry out at a time where he really needed it. You showed courage, determination and great moral fibre.

James: Moral fibre? Whatever does that mean?

Edward: I believe, James, that it means you showed yourself strong to get Henry here with the express here all in good time.

Topham: Precisely, Edward. And that, James, is why you've proved yourself worthy of pulling the express for the rest of the week.

James: (gasps) The rest of the week, sir? Do you really mean it?

Topham: (clears his throat) Yes, of course. That is until Gordon's repaired. (clears histhroat again)

James: Thank you, sir. The rest of the week is long enough for me. And I'll make up my good duties aftewarsd. Unless Edward or Emily would like to take it in turns to pull the express with me.

Emily: I've got my own coaches, James.

Edward: And I've got a branch line to run. Looks like the express really is all for you.

Henry: And I can get back to pulling the Flying Kipper. Once my overhaul is finished.

James: That's great, Henry. Are you sure you don't want to take it turns with me to pull the express?

Henry: No, thank you, James. Just remember that it runs in the evening as well.

James: Alright then. So the express really IS mine for the rest of the week.

Topham: Arrangements are made, James. It's all yours.

Emily: (whistling after her guard's whistle) Good for you, James. Good for you. (chuffs away)

Edward: Hard work pays off, James. (whistles and chuffs away)

Thomas arrived to take Henry to the SteamWorks and James got ready to take the next express. But not before wishing Henry good luck.

James: Good luck with your overhaul, Henry.

Henry: Thank you, James. It won't take long.

James: Sure it won't. But maybe it won't take so long with your wheels before you would need "retiring".

(Thomas and Henry laugh as they head to the SteamWorks and James also laughs as he whistles and pulls the express away. Scene fades to white smoke)