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“Hello Gordon, is it tomorrow?"
"...."
"Did you lose your way, Gordon?"
"No; it was lost for me. I was switched off the main line onto the loop; I had to go all round and back again."
"Perhaps it was instinct.”

―James teasing Gordon

James and the Express, retitled A Proud Day for James in American releases, is the twelfth episode of the first season. It is based on the story of the same name from The Railway Series book, James the Red Engine.

Plot[]

Although James is finally making a good impression on the Fat Controller after his success with some troublesome trucks, he still finds himself subject to teasing by Gordon and Henry. They constantly remind him of how a bootlace was needed to help him finish a journey with coaches and while James reminds them of Gordon getting stuck on a hill and Henry refusing to leave a tunnel, neither of them let up. Gordon boasts that he is the only engine capable of pulling the Express alone, claiming that he has never lost his way (conveniently forgetting that it is the signalman who ensures engines do not get lost).

The next morning, James and Gordon prepare for work. Gordon once again harps on about how he gets to pull the Express while James is left with 'odd jobs' before sending the red engine to fetch his coaches. James, now knowing to be extra careful, especially with the elegant express coaches, takes them nicely into Knapford Station. James tells the coaches that he would love to be able to take the Express, before leaving them for Gordon who couples himself to the train as nosily and importantly as possible. Gordon then leaves with a train full of passengers, one of which is none other than the Fat Controller. James then goes back to work shunting trucks and fetching coaches.

Later, James is in the station when Gordon quietly slides into the station, trying not to be noticed. James asks if Gordon 'lost his way' and Gordon admits he was mistakenly switched off the main line and forced onto a long loop back to the station. James finds this funny. However, the passengers are furious and demand refunds from the Fat Controller, who promises to find another train. With Gordon in disgrace and no other engines available, the Fat Controller asks James if he wants to take the Express. James is more than happy to and quickly couples up. The Fat Controller wishes James luck and he pulls out of the station. The journey goes without incident and upon reaching their destination the passengers thank James for a nice journey. The Fat Controller is very impressed with James and asks if he would like to pull the Express sometimes. James is very happy and says yes at once.

The next day when James sees Gordon shunting trucks, the larger engine is enjoying the simpler work and getting to teach the trucks some manners. Gordon then congratulates James on his success with the Express. Gordon and James soon become good friends. James takes the Express for Gordon sometimes to allow him to rest. Bootlaces are never mentioned and the two very much agree when it comes to their opinion of trucks.

Characters[]

Locations[]

Trivia[]

Series 1 Series 2 >>

#01 Thomas and Gordon #07 Thomas and the Trucks #13 Thomas and the Guard #19 Dirty Habit #25 The Flying Kipper #31 Off the Rails
#02 Edward and Gordon #08 Express Coming Through #14 Thomas Goes Fishing #20 Percy Runs Away #26 Whistles and Sneezes #32 Down the Mine
#03 The Sad Story of Henry #09 Thomas and the Breakdown Train #15 Thomas, Terence and the Snow #21 Push Pull Percy #27 Toby and the Stout Gentleman #33 Paint Pots and Queens
#04 Edward's Express #10 James and the Coaches #16 Thomas and Bertie #22 Coal #28 Thomas in Trouble #34 Left Behind
#05 Edward, Gordon and Henry #11 Troublesome Trucks #17 Tenders and Turntables #23 James' Special Coal #29 A Ring of the Bell #35 When the Whistle Blows
#06 Thomas' Train #12 James and the Express #18 Trouble in the Shed #24 Scarves and Trousers #30 Dirty Objects #36 Thomas' Christmas Party
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