//------------------------------// // James and the Top Hat // Story: Thomas and Friends: The Retold Adventures // by The Blue EM2 //------------------------------// James is a mixed-traffic engine, built to pull both passengers and freight, known as a Mogul. This means he had 2 small wheels, and 6 larger ones, called driving wheels. He is smaller than Henry but larger than Edward, and is somewhere between them in terms of pulling power. He did not have a good start to his time on the Island of Sodor, having derailed in a field on his first day, but both he and his driver Rarity has been cleared of any wrongdoing, which was certainly a relief for him. He was perhaps the furthest from home of all the engines, having been built for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in 1921 as a prototype 2-6-0 goods engine. However, the design had not been continued in favour of the Hughes-Fowler Crab, and as a result James had been unique from the very beginning. He had eventually wound up here, and here he would stay. James had also received a much-needed repaint since his accident. Gone was his nondescript black livery with red stripes. In the place of his old colours sat a wondrous livery of red with gold stripes. His dome shone with a brass gleam, and his tender bore the same colours as well, though lacked a number given there were only five locomotives in total on the Island of Sodor. One morning, Sir Toppham Hatt (who by now had been promoted to the Fat Controller) was speaking to both James and Rarity at Tidmouth station. “James,” he said, “You’re a special mixed-traffic engine, which means you can pull both coaches and trucks. But, like all engines, you must learn from your mistakes.” “Really sir,” Rarity began, “I don’t think it is fair to blame James for the derailment. Those wooden brake blocks catching fire was hardly his fault, after all.” “True,” Sir Toppham Hatt replied. “But still, you both have a lot to learn. I want you to work with Edward and Applejack today on the Local to Vicarstown.” “Yes sir!” James replied, relishing the opportunity to pull a passenger train instead of trucks. Rarity and James went to get the coaches, and moved them out of the carriage sidings into Platform 1. “Please do slow down a bit James!” Rarity exclaimed, her eyes concerned at the speedometer. “These coaches don’t like being banged!” “Sorry!” called James, who seemed a little surprised, “but we need to do this quickly or else the train won’t leave on time!” “Jamesy,” Rarity smiled, “any person or engine can do ‘quickly’. Sir Toppham Hatt asked us, so clearly he’s going for fabulous, and fabulous takes time!” “Fabulous takes forever!” shouted Rainbow Dash from Gordon’s cab, as the Pacific passed them on the Up Fast. Rarity sighed, shaking her head. “No wonder they are so slapdash,” she said. James sniggered. “Good pun Rarity!” he replied. Presently, Edward backed down onto the train, and Applejack hopped out to couple the two engines together whilst Rarity was engaged coupling James to the train. When that was done, she walked over to the other girl spoke to her. “Ah don’t believe we got the chance to introduce ourselves proper. Ah’m Applejack.” She then extended her hand. Rarity smiled. “Rachel. But you may call me Rarity if you so prefer.” She responded to the handshake in kind, then saw Applejack’s look of surprise. “Yes, darling?” “Yer dressed all kinds a’ fancy fer a local run.” Applejack indeed had a point, as instead of the white boots, purple shorts with a diamond pattern on them, white socks, and the turquoise sleeveless shirt, she was instead wearing purple boots and socks, a purple skirt, and a low-cut turquoise blouse. “Well,” the fashionista replied, “I concluded that for James’ first passenger run I simply had to look my best. Nothing else would do!” “If ya say so.” Applejack looked unconvinced. “Well, Ah got a few last checks ta run on Eddie, so Ah gotta dash. See ya!” “See you later Applejack,” Rarity replied, before heading onto James’ footplate. Lots of people gathered to admire James. Nobody had seen a red engine on this line before, and as a result James was causing a lot of fascination. I am sorry to say it rather went to his smokebox. I’m a really splendid engine, he thought. Just then, he let off steam, which whooshed across the platform and soaked the clothes of several spectators, including Sir Toppham Hatt! This was most unfortunate, given that today he had just taken order a new top hat to replace the one the goat had eaten. And now it was wet. James looked about in a panic, and saw the signal drop. “Let’s go!” he shouted, suddenly pushing into Edward and starting to move the train. “Don’t push! Don’t push!” Edward called back. “There’s plenty of time!” Rarity shook her head as they rolled off. “Patience James, PLEASE. You’re like my sister when she was five!” “Don’t go so fast! Don’t go so fast!” the coaches cried, but nobody paid any notice. They flew along the line, and out of the station approaches, past the curve where James had derailed (although this time they were going nowhere near as fast so derailment wasn’t something to worry about). Presently, they came to a station, and Applejack and Rarity applied the brakes on their respective engines to bring them to a smooth stop in the platform. They came to a steady stop-with two coaches outside the platform. James looked back. “Right,” he said, “who’s idea was it to try and fit a four-coach train into a three-coach platform?” As the coaches lacked corridors, they had to back up and let the passengers off from each and every coach. It was horribly time consuming, and they set off late, arriving at Thomas’ station, Knapford Junction, behind schedule. The Blue E2 looked over to them with a smile. “Hello James! Hello Edward!” he called, with a happy smile. “Enjoying yourselves?” Twilight called over as well. “Nice to see you two Rarity!” she called. “Well, I must say Twilight you look positively fabulous,” Rarity replied, also smiling as she did. Just then, a signal dropped, and a while sounded. “Sorry, can’t chat now!” Thomas called. “That’s my guard. Catch you later!” And away he went, with two coaches in tow. The two engines made a spectacular job of Gordon’s Hill, although it is hard to say it was particularly difficult with two engines pulling only four coaches, and came to a stop at the big station at the end of the line. James was happy he had been given a chance, but he was worried somewhat. Rarity saw his long face as she backed him into Tidmouth sheds. “Whatever’s the matter Jamesy?” she asked politely. “I don’t know what Sir Toppham Hatt will say tomorrow,” he replied sadly. “How will he do without a top hat?” “Surely it will have dried out by now!” Rarity answered. “I wouldn’t worry, he’ll understand it was just an accident.” And then she headed off for home. James simply looked worried, and hoped Rarity was right.