Thomas & Friends. Season fan-made

James' Banking Duties

It was a crisp morning on the Island of Sodor, and the engines were busily preparing for the day's work. Gordon was getting ready to pull the Express, his favorite job, as he waited at the platform of Knapford Station. As usual, he was boasting to the other engines about his strength and speed.

"No engine is as fast or strong as I am," Gordon said proudly. "Especially when I climb Gordon's Hill. I never need help from a small engine."

James, the bright red engine, was nearby, listening to Gordon's boasting. He huffed in annoyance.

"I'm strong too, Gordon," James retorted. "I could pull the Express up the hill without needing any help!"

Just then, Sir Topham Hatt arrived, looking serious. "Edward has been delayed at Brendam Docks today. Their was a landslide near Suddery. He should be able to get back to the sheds later today but for now he isn't able to leave, so he won't be able to assist with banking duties at Gordon's Hill," he announced.

The engines all looked at each other, wondering who would take over Edward's job. Banking was an important job—it involved helping heavy trains up the steep incline of Gordon's Hill, giving them an extra push from behind.

"James," Sir Topham Hatt continued, "since Edward is unavailable, I need you to take up the banking duties today."

James was taken aback. "But sir, I'm supposed to pull a passenger train today! From one side to the other!" he protested. "I can't be see pushing trains up the hill! It would spoil my image!

"Your passenger train can wait," Sir Topham Hatt replied firmly. "Today, the others needs you. Remember, being a really useful engine means helping out wherever you're needed."

James didn't want to argue, but he felt disappointed. He was proud of his bright red paint and loved showing off by pulling coaches and trucks, but banking didn't seem like an important job to him. However, he knew better than to disobey Sir Topham Hatt, so he reluctantly agreed. 

Topham soon left and once he did the others began to talk once more. "What do you mean it would spoil your imagine?!" Henry questioned, quite annoyed. "I have an image to keep up!" Said James. "I can't be seen pushing your fat tender up the hill. Maybe if you got some exercise you wouldn't need help!" "Your image is as clean as the inside of my smoke box James." Henry retorted before setting off to collect a passenger train. 

James sniffed as he puffed away toward Gordon's Hill, he muttered to himself, "Why do I have to push other engines? I'm just as strong as they are! Why couldn't one of the twins do it, or Boco, or Duck!"

Soon, James arrived at the bottom of Gordon's Hill and waited for the first train to need his help. Whilst waiting he decided to pass the time by shunting around the yard. He never liked doing shunting but it was better than sitting around doing nothing. It wasn't too much longer before he heard a big booming whistle echoing through the air.

Gordon appeared racing along the line, pulling the long, heavy Express. He was determined to show James that he didn't need any help. However that wouldn't be the case. As he began to climb the hill, the weight of the train started to slow him down. Gordon puffed and panted, and pulled and puffed. His wheels slipping on the steep incline but he was determined not to stick again. 

"Come on. Come on!" Gordon huffed, trying to keep up his speed. But the heavy coaches were dragging him back, and he began to struggle.

James saw what was happening  from the yard and quickly puffed up to the hill, buffering up behind the coaches and coupled up to the back of Gordon's train. With a strong push, he puffed and pushed and shoved and shunted as he struggled to get the heavy train up the hill. He whistled loudly and yelled "Come on Gordon! You can at least try more than this!" But all Gordon said was "I'm doing my best! This wouldn't have happened with Edward, he's actually reliable!" At that moment something snapped in James. He felt strength he had never felt before. Gordon just sat at the front of the train, still slightly pulling, waiting for another engine to arrive to join the charge. But then it happened.

At first, Gordon didn't want to admit that James was actually doing well, but as the train moved steadily up the hill, he realized that James was actually doing very well. Better than he would've guessed. He didn't want to admit it but knew there was no way of hiding his appreciation. So he called back to James.

"Thank you, James," Gordon admitted as they reached the top. "I couldn't have done it without you."

James smiled, feeling a sense of pride. Maybe banking wasn't such a small job after all. It felt good to be needed, especially by the engines who usually didn't ask for help.

As the day went on, James helped several more trains up the hill, including Henry with his long line of trucks and even Boco with a heavy line of china clay trucks and a few oil tankers. Each time, James felt more and more proud of his work. He realized that banking was an important job—it kept the trains moving and made sure everyone got to where they needed to go safely. Plus it meant that any passengers in the coaches he pushed, would finally realise James' true strength.

When the day was finally over, James returned to Tidmouth Sheds, feeling tired but satisfied. The other engines were already there, and they greeted James warmly.

"Good job today, James," said Edward, who had just returned from the docks, the landslide had been cleared around half way through the day but Topham had chosen to just let Edward take the day off. They never did admit that to James or Gordon though. "I heard you took care of the banking duties very well."

James beamed. "It wasn't what I expected, but it felt good to help," he admitted. "And I learned that every job on the railway is important, even if it's not what you're used to."

Gordon, who was resting in his berth, gave James a respectful look. "I suppose we all need a little help sometimes," he said, not quite as boastful as usual. "But I of course!" He began, slipping back into old habits. "RARELY need the help. I may need it on my off days, like today, but I wont need it everyday. You were lucky I struggled today James. You wouldn't have gotten to show off your full strength otherwise."

James felt proud as he settled into his berth for the night. He had learned that being a really useful engine meant more than just pulling shiny coaches or speeding along the tracks. It also meant being there for others when they needed you, no matter what the job.

And with that, James closed his eyes, content with the day's work, ready to take on whatever challenge might come his way next, hoping slightly it wouldn't be trucks.