A/N: Hey, guys! Here's the next chapter! I have some things coming up this week, so I thought I should upload the next chapter while I have the time. So here it is!

Disclaimer: I do not own Thomas the Tank Engine.

Chapter 8: James and the Coaches

A few weeks after James's accident, his engine was good as new. It had proper brake blocks, and a new coat of shiny red paint. James loved this especially, as he felt it made his engine look splendid. One evening, Sir Topham Hatt came to see him at the sheds as he parked his engine there for the night.

"I'm glad to see that your engine has been properly repaired," he told James, "I'm sure you and it will be a welcome addition to my railway. However, you still have much to learn."

James understood what he was talking about. If he had kept a closer eye on the workers, then he might not have crashed.

"Tomorrow, you and Edward will be taking a stopping Passenger Train to Vicarstown," Sir Topham Hatt continued. "I want you to listen to every word he says. He's come from a long line of railway men, and knows what he's talking about."

James promised to listen, and Sir Topham Hatt walked away.

The next day, the two drivers backed their engines down onto the train. Edward's engine was in the front, followed by James's. All the passengers crowded around James's train, marveling at its paintwork. James enjoyed it immensely, and accidentally made his engine let off steam. Unfortunately, the water landed on Sir Topham Hatt's brand new top hat (try saying that five times fast).Luckily for James, everybody else had ran for the coaches, and as soon as the guard blew his whistle they were off.

Before long they reached Knapford junction, where the main line met Thomas's branch line. Thomas's engine was at the platform, waiting to connect with their train. Edward and James pulled the whistle cord for their engines, and Thomas did the same. Since they had a few minutes before they had to depart, they chatted with Thomas about recent events.

"How are Annie and Clarabel?" Edward asked.

"Oh, they're just wonderful," Thomas said, "We've really bonded over the past few weeks, and I've managed to enroll them at Ffarquahr Elementary. I think I've really made a difference in their lives."

"I've been meaning to thank you for rescuing me, Thomas" James spoke up, "It was very kind of you."

"Think nothing of it," Thomas said kindly, "I'm sure anyone would have done it. I was just the closest one."

At that moment, Thomas's guard blew his whistle.

"Oh, I had better get going," Thomas said, "I'll talk with you later. Goodbye."

And with that he drove his engine out of the station. A few seconds later, Edward and James's guard blew his whistle, and they set off again.

The journey was a smooth one, except for a few hiccups. Once a few coaches were past the platform and they had to reverse. All throughout, James was worried about what Sir Topham Hatt would say about his hat.

He found out later that night. As he reversed his engine into the shed, he saw Sir Topham Hatt standing nearby and looking very cross.

"You need to pay more attention to what you're doing," he told James, "You shouldn't let off steam when there are passengers on the platform. If you can't behave, then I shall paint your engine blue."

James didn't like that at all. He bumped his coaches into the platform, grumbling all the way.

"Gordon never has to fetch his own coaches," he said, "and his engine is painted blue."

No one approached his engine today in fear of incurring James's wrath. James drove his train out of the station still fuming. He drove the engine roughly, bumping the passengers about. They didn't like this one bit.

"Come on, come on," James said, trying to go faster. All of a sudden, a loud banging noise was heard, and the train screeched to a halt. James climbed out of the cab and met with the guard to see what had happened. Their answer soon became apparent.

"You've busted a leak in the brake pipe," the guard observed. "With the way you were bumping the coaches, it's no wonder."

"Never mind that," James said embarrassed, "How do we fix it?"

All we need is some newspaper and bootlace," said the guard. "I've got some newspaper in my compartment, but we'll have to ask the passengers for the bootlace."

James rounded up all the passengers and explained the situation. Nobody stepped forward, until James noticed a smartly dressed man. This was Jeremiah Jobling, a businessman on holiday.

"Excuse me, sir," James told him, "I see you have a nice pair of bootlaces on you. May we have them?"

"Certainly not," Jeremiah said, "These boots were a gift. I won't ruin them just because you were reckless."

"Then it looks like we won't be going anywhere," said James.

The passengers starting complaining about how bad a railway this was, then got bored and told Jeremiah Jobling how bad he was. Finally, Jeremiah conceded.

With the brake pipe mended, the train set off. All James could think about on the journey home is what Sir Topham Hatt would say when he found out.

A/N: Well, what did you think? Please let me know in the comments.

Before I go, I have an announcement. After the stories from Tank Engine Thomas Again have been adapted, I may possibly put this story on hold. The reason being is that I am considering making my own version of Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure, and I don't know if I can work on both it and this story at the same time, especially considering I have The Reign of Silas to work on as well. I'll let you guys know more when I have made my decision.