The Red Engine!

"There's another red engine on the Island that's even smarter and shinier than you!" "Impossible! Show me!"

- Thomas and James

The Red Engine! is a magazine story.

Plot
After a rainy night, the sun is shining brightly as James puffs proudly through the Main Station yard. Suddenly, he runs through a massive puddle and makes his paintwork muddy. Thomas, who is nearby, is soaked too. James is worried what his passengers will think of his muddy paintwork. Thomas points out his muddy paintwork too, but James is only concerned about himself.

James makes such a fuss that the Fat Controller has him polished before his passenger run to a summer fête, but there is no time left for Thomas to be cleaned as well. Thomas doesn't think it's fair, but James just carries on boasting about being a really smart red engine. Thomas has enough and informs James that there is another red engine on Sodor that's even smarter and shinier than him. James doesn't believe it, but Thomas says he will show him soon enough as the engine will be at the fête.

Later, at the station by the fête, James meets Thomas again bringing more passengers from his branch line. James asks where the mysterious red engine is and Thomas points it out. James stares in surprise as men in special uniforms show children the other red engine. James realises he's been tricked - it's a fire engine! Thomas reminds James that he never said it was a steam engine.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * James
 * Sir Topham Hatt

Trivia

 * Elements of this story are similar to the episodes The Fastest Red Engine on Sodor and Apology Impossible.

Goofs

 * Part of James' buffers are uncoloured. Both engines' lamp irons are also uncoloured.