James and the Trucks (magazine story)

James and the Trucks is a magazine story.

Plot
One day, James is busy arranging his regular goods train when the stationmaster informs him there will be more trucks this time and that he will need an engine to push from behind. James is sure he will not need help but The Fat Controller arrives and agrees with the stationmaster.

Edward arrives to be James' banker but James is not keen to have his help. He warns Edward not to hold him back. Edward laughs and the two make their way down the line. The two engines soon race up Gordon's Hill and James proudly cheers that he was able to do it himself. Edward corrects him by saying they did it together but James cheekily states that Edward did not do anything.

When the two engines reach their destination, the stationmaster arranges for them to take more trucks back to the yard. This time, Edward is not coupled on. When they reach Gordon's Hill again, James finds himself going slower and slower and shouts at Edward for holding him back. Edward then clarifies that he is not coupled on due to James believing he could take the trucks on his own. James admits he was wrong and that he would like Edward to help him. Edward agrees and James does not boast about himself for the rest of the day.

Characters

 * Edward
 * James
 * Sir Topham Hatt