(Thomas and Gordon reverse by the sheds in surprise at the way it looks. Percy, Edward, Henry and James are lined up respectively with Toby on the turntable. Sir Topham Hatt walks up)

When Thomas and Gordon arrived back at Tidmouth, they were surprised by what they were seeing; there were painters with paint pots…and the sheds were being decorated.

Gordon: (surprised) My!

Thomas: What's happening?

Percy: Shh! (whispers excitedly) Sir Topham Hatt's going to tell us now, Thomas.

Topham: (clears his throat) Ladies, gentleman and engines, I have just received a letter from Buckingham Palace in Westminister…(the engines listen closely with excitement)…and I am pleased to inform you all that in honor of her coronation, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth herself is coming her to visit us. (The engines all cheer and whistle in delight, as Sir Topham Hatt clears his throat and continues) Yes, yes. Well, now, on with the preparations, please. I expect you all to decide on which jobs you wish to fulfill by the morning, and depending on your performances in the yard tomorrow, I will decide on who will pull the Royal Train. (turns around and leaves)

As Sir Topham Hatt and the painters went home for the night, the engines all wondered who will pull the Royal Train.

(Scene shifts to nighttime and zooms on in Gordon, Thomas, Percy, Edward, Henry and James lined up at the sheds and Toby facing them on the turntable)

Toby: Percy and I have much work to do tomorrow on Thomas' branch.

Percy: I think we'd be too small to pull such a big train anyway.

Edward: Well, I'm far too old to pull important trains. Surely I have my own branch line to run too.

Thomas: I wish I could set the solution. Only, I don't have a branch line anymore.

Gordon: Thomas and I are both in disgrace. Sir Topham Hatt would never choose me to pull coaches anymore.

James: Ha! Well, it's a shame for both of you. Perhaps Sir Topham Hatt will choose a splendid red engine like me.

Henry: (surprised) You, James?

James: Why, well, of course. There's no doubt about it all.

Henry: (doubtfully, smiling) Can you really climb hills, James?

James: Mmm, maybe. I am shorter than both you and Gordon, so I'll give it a try.

Henry: (half-suppressed laugh) Nonsense. He'll ask me to pull the train…after I get a new coat of paint of course.

(The engines all laugh. Toby rings his bell as he leaves the turntable)

The days passed, and the engines worked hard to prove themselves for Sir Topham Hatt. Both Henry and James requested to pull the Royal Train, and Sir Topham Hatt kept this in mind while thinking of a decision to be made. Meanwhile, Thomas and Gordon went about their usual shunting in the yard.

Thomas: (sighs, backing down towards Gordon) I really wish there was something we could do to help out with the Queen's visit. These trucks seem to be giving us no chance at all.

Gordon: (sighs) I couldn't agree more, Thomas. But just remember:: as long as we're working together: we can be a team of our own.

Thomas: That's right. All we need is strength and confidence after all, and who knows? Sir Topham Hatt might make us really useful again.

(Thomas and Gordon whistle loudly in agreement, until James whistles as he arrives with his goods train)

James: (chuckling) You're a silly pair of engines, you know that? You both really amuse me.

Gordon: (surprised) Oh, really?

Thomas: (confused) 'Cause, why so, James?

James: (raising an eyebrow) You honestly think that YOU are going to pull something as special as the Royal Train? And after what you two have done to yourselves to put you in the positions you are?

Thomas: (indignantly) Hey, at least we're optimistic.

James: Optimistic? (scoffs) Please. Sir Topham Hatt is still narrowing down his decision between me and Henry. Neither of us had had an accident since the preparations started. He'll choose either one of us for sure, and at the rate I'm going, that one is bound to me.

Thomas: (jokingly) Oh, really? Perhaps you'd need a set of tar wagons to prove it then.

Gordon: (chuckles) Oh, yes, tar wagons. Or maybe even a bootlace?

(Thomas and Gordon laugh as James whistles indignantly and leaves the yard)

James set off to collect his passenger train. He wasn't quite too keen on Thomas and Gordon having the last laugh. He was still fuming when he arrived at the platform for his coaches.

(Henry whistles as he pulls into the platform between him and James)

Henry: (tauntingly) What's the matter, James? Afraid you'll be losing the bet already?

James: (sighs, trying not to be nervous) All in good time, Henry. Now, where's Percy and those coaches?

Percy: (from behind) Coming, James.

Topham: (walking up) I do believe you're on the wrong platform, James.

James: (confused) Begging your pardon, sir.

Topham: Today, James, it's your turn to pull the express.

James: (thrilled) Oh, why, thank you, sir.

Topham: And, um, Henry?

Henry: (at attention) Yes, sir?

Topham: Um, the trucks are waiting. Perhaps you can yourself a test for strength since you've pulled the express enough times to prove it.

Henry: Oh, well, no problem, sir. (whistles and leaves the station, as James switches lines and reverses back into the station)

James backed down to the express coaches, and didn't have to wait much longer for Percy to bring his coaches.

Percy: (panting) There!

James: (whistling) All aboard!

Just then, Gordon pulled in with a slow goods train. Percy and James were ready for another tease.

(Percy whistles as he switches from the express line and backs down from Gordon's track to the next)

Percy: (jokingly, as he switches line) What is that you're pulling, Gordon? The Royal Goods Train? Perhaps that was the one Sir Topham Hatt was talking about.

James: (half-suppressed laugh) Oh, indeed, Percy. Indeed. I too feel a little jealous. Her Majesty will certainly be comfortable riding that.

Gordon just ignored them as he stopped at the platform beside James.

Gordon: (politely) Those trucks pushed me down the hill this morning, James. The rails are slippery. You sure you won't need some help?

James felt insulted.

James: I don't need help on hills, Gordon. I'm not like you. I don't need a back engine. (whistles and leaves the station after the guard's whistle blows)

James felt quite confident, but Gordon was concerned. Percy was worried too as he felt the wind blow and the leaves rustle on the tracks. Darks clouds loomed overhead.

(Percy pulls up by the platform between him and Gordon, whistling. They both look up at the sky)

Percy: (ashamed) Please, forgive me, Gordon. I'm sorry I was rude to you. I thought those jokes would be funny, but they weren't. The wind is blowing heavily, and it looks like rain is on the way. James may encounter trouble on his route after all.

Gordon: Oh, you don't have to apologize to me, Percy. I'm in disgrace after all. What matters now is that I make sure James gets up that hill without encountering any trouble. Please, will you deliver my goods train?

Percy: (whistling, proudly) Sure thing, Gordon. I'd be happy to.

Gordon: (as the shunter uncouples him) Thank you, Percy. (whistles loudly and leaves the station) Rescue engine coming through!

(Reprise, titled Splendid Red Engine Coming Through plays as the scene shifts from Gordon leaving Knapford to James with the express)

Gordon was happy that he still had a good friend in Percy, but now he needed to show James a thing or two about climbing. Meanwhile, James went faster and faster as he pulled the express along.

James: Pfft! Slippery hills. Gordon thinks he knows everything. (to his coaches) Come on! Come on!

(singing) Make way!

Splendid Red Engine Coming Through

Look out!

To Crovan's Gate in good time too

'Cause right up ahead is a shining streak of red

Through every green signal

The sight may be dismal but…

(speaking) At least I know my way through

(Song shifts into instrumental as James thunders through Edward's Station)

Edward: (surprised) Whoa, James! Slow down. You'll slip on that hill if you're not careful.

Gordon: (whistling as he races through) You can say that again.

Edward: (confused) Gordon? What is going on now?

Gordon: No fear, Edward. I've got it all under control.

Edward: Hmm…

James: Silly Gordon,

Why are you stop predicting?

Her Majesty The Queen won't be contradicting

To a splendid engine like me

Children: (waving on the bridge) Go, James, go!

I'll chuff right up that hill with glee

Children: (waving on the bridge) Go, James, go!

The signal's turning green for me

Main Line-ing (holds out)

(James whistle as he passes under the bridge and up the hill)

James: I can do it! I can do it!

Halfway up, James took a closer look at the dark clouds. Raindrops started padding down, and James wasn't so sure anymore, as his wheels tugged against the steep slope.

James: I must do it! I must do it!

Just then, his driver let off steam.

Driver: That does it, James. We shan't go any further.

And he brought the train slowly to the bottom of the hill. Gordon had seen everything.

Driver: (to the fireman) We must telephone for a back engine.

Gordon: Don't despair, sirs. I'll help out.

James: (surprised) You, Gordon?

Gordon: Precisely, James. We all live and learn after all, don't we? Never mind. I'm going to push behind.

James: (as the train moves) Huh. Let's see how you can do that then.

(Instrumental starts up again as James and Gordon make their way up the hill)

Gordon: Make way!

Rescue engine is coming through

Hey!

I'm more than just big and blue

Because once again,

I raced to the scene

To help out a friend;

To regain my esteem

James: Come on, Gordon

I know what I can do it

Gordon: Another ounce of steam and we WILL do it

It doesn't all come down to speed

Children: (waving on the bridge) Go, Gordon, go!

James: We have the strength we really need

Children: (waving on the bridge) Go, James, go!

Both: To reach the top in full steam

Main Line-ing (holds out)

(James whistles as he races over the top of the hill and down the other side. Gordon switches lines and follows him. The two engines as they chuff side-by-side along the track. Scene shifts to Crovan's Gate, beginning the next chapter)