A/N I'm just trying to honor the original show being British and say how I imagine the characters would think and feel in the stories. For those new to this story, I pretend they dictated it. I'm not British, they are.
Hello, it's me, James again and this is when I got the Express. It was a proud day for me.
One night, Henry and Gordon were alone with me. Although Sir Topham Hatt was beginning to think well of us, whenever a chance came, my fellow engines could talk of nothing but bootlaces.
Henry said, "Remember when they had to use a bootlace to get you out of trouble, James?" They would tease me like that just because they're bigger, perhaps. But I'm older. I tried to get back at them by Henry who got shut up in a tunnel and Gordon who got stuck on a hill. But they wouldn't listen. I just gave to them what they gave to me. If they couldn't handle me cheeking them, they shouldn't do that to me.
"You talk too much, little James," said Gordon to me. "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 the express for years and have never once lost my way. I seem to know the right line by instinct."
Gordon was so proud he forgot about the signalman.
"Wake up, James," Gordon said to me the next morning. "It's time for the express. What are you doing? Odd jobs? Ah well. We all have to begin somewhere, don't we? Run along and get my coaches. Don't be late."
Just because I'm a smaller engine than those two, I thought. I went to get Gordon's coaches. They were all shining with new paint. I was careful not to bump them and they followed me smoothly into the station, singing happily. I wished I could pull them, splendid red engine I am.
"We're going away, We're going away," was what they sang.
"I wish I were going with you," I said. "I should love to pull the express and go flying along the line!".
I saw as Gordon, with much noise and blowing off steam, got ready to back onto his train. Sir Topham Hatt was on the train along with other important people and as soon as they heard the conductor's whistle, Gordon started. All I could think was how my splendid red self should get a turn at pulling all those important people.
"Look at me now! look at me now!" he puffed and the coaches glided after him.
Gordon said to me, "Poop poop poop poop poop! Goodbye little James! See you tomorrow!"
I watched the train disappear and then went back to work. I pushed some freight cars into their proper sidings and went to fetch some coaches for another train. I had just brought the coaches into the platform when I heard a mournful noise. Gordon was trying to sneak into the station without being noticed.
"Hello, Gordon. Is it tomorrow?", I said. I was wondering what happened because I knew something had to be wonky.
Gordon didn't answer me. He just let off steam feebly. I wondered just what had happened.
"Did you lose your way, Gordon?" I asked.
"No, it was lost for me. I was switched from the main line onto the loop. I had to go all around and back again", he replied.
"Perhaps it was instinct", I said.
All the passengers were shouting at the ticket window. "We want our money back!"
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 a new train at once. I was the only engine who could. That other train I had to get coaches for was Henry's. Edward was an express engine once, I knew and I'm no smaller, even if I'm not as big as Henry.
Sir Topham Hatt said to me, "Gordon can't do it. Will you pull it for us, James?', referring to the Express.
"Yes sir, I'll try", I said. Though I'd wished I could pull the Express earlier, I wanted to give the right answer in his eyes.
So I was coupled on and everyone got in.
"Do your best, James", said Sir Topham Hatt to me. It felt good to be pulling the Express, given my splendid red paint.
"Come along, come along", I said to the coaches. Coaches were much better than the Troublesome Trucks in my view at that time.
"You're pulling us well, you're pulling us well!", sang the coaches in reply to me.
"Hurry, hurry, hurry", I puffed. I was being like Gordon. Bridges and stations flashed by, the passengers cheered and we soon reached the station. Everyone said thank you to me and Sir Topham Hatt was very impressed.