Disclaimer: I do not own Thomas and Friends, The Railway Series, or any of the characters.
Chapter 9: James's Triumph (Based off of Troublesome Trucks/ Foolish Freight Cars)
James was miserable. As punishment for his rough treatment of the train, he was barred from driving his engine and forced to clean during the day. James was sorry.
"Why did I have to be so stupid?" he sighed. "If only I hadn't been so cross, I wouldn't be in this mess!"
Sir Topham Hatt came by to see him.
"I know you are sorry, James," he began, "and I know that you want to be really useful. People are laughing at my railway, and I do not like that at all."
"I will try hard to do my best," said James
"That's good," Sir Topham Hatt said, "There's nothing like determination. Now I need you to take a goods train to Maron for me."
James, happy to get out of the house, agreed and got his engine ready. Once it had built up enough steam he set off for Knapford.
When he arrived he saw a group of Sledgehammer's preparing his train. Once it was ready, he backed down on it.
"Hello, James," said one ,"Do you have a pair of bootlaces ready?"
The group laughed, while James snorted away. Unbeknownst to James, the group had meddled with the train by loosening the coupling halfway down the line. James, forgetting what happened the last time a group of Sledgehammers prepared his train, didn't bother to check the trucks for any tricks.
James was enjoying himself immensely. He passed by many wonderful sights, and nothing had happened so far. Then came Gordon's Hill. The engine needed a lot of steam for this part, so he shoveled more coal into the firebox. At first it was hard work, but all of a sudden he had no trouble at all.
"Hmm, that was too easy," James thought, and then looked back. Sure enough, the last few cars and the Break van were rolling back to the bottom of the hill. "Bother! Of course those idiots would do something to my train! Why can't they ever just do their work quietly?"
James put his engine into reverse and rolled back to the bottom of the hill. Edward had seen the runaway and stopped it with his engine before it came off the rails. He helped James fix the coupling, and then James set off again
"Do you need any help up the hill, James?" He called.
"No thank you," James called back. "I can manage."
And so he did. He brought the train into Maron on the other side without further trouble. When he got to the station, he saw Sir Topham Hatt on the platform.
"Oh dear," he thought. "What will he say?"
But Sir Topham was pleased.
"Well done, James," he said. "Edward called me and told me about the accident, and how you acted so quickly. Despite your setback, you managed to bring the train in without too much confusion and delay. For that, your engine deserves to keep its red paint."
"Oh, thank you, sir," James said, happy to hear some praise. With that, he uncoupled his engine and set off for home.
A/N: And, done! Sorry it was so short, but there wasn't really much else to add. Anyway, let me know what you guys thought of it. Bye!