James and the Trouble with Trees

"If you can't push trucks properly, Henry, why not talk to a tree instead? You know how much you like the forest!"

- James taunting Henry

James and the Trouble with Trees is the fifth episode of the fifth season.

Plot
Thomas had been working at the coaling plant all day. He is disappointed when he cannot receive a wash-down due to a broken hosepipe and is afraid that the other engines will make fun of him. However, when Thomas returns to the shed, he finds James boasting. James believes he deserves a new coat of paint, as Sir Topham Hatt has told him that he is the pride of the line. Henry contradicts James by saying they are all pride of the line, but James does not listen.

The next morning, Henry has an accident while shunting and James insults him, saying he should go talk to trees instead. Henry tells James that Sir Topham Hatt is working on removing trees that are too close to the line. Later, James meets Thomas, Percy, and Terence while in the forest removing the trees. James thinks that trees are silly, so the others try to warn him, but the red engine just ignores them.

James then arrives at the station to collect the express, but Sir Topham Hatt re-assigns him to an important goods train. This puts James in a very bad mood. The trucks tease James about shunting and he sets off with the train. They soon reach a hill and begin to climb. An old tree by the side of the line was being blown by the wind. Rain had softened the soil and the tree slowly slides onto the tracks in front of James. He tries to reverse, but the train is too heavy. Luckily, Thomas comes to James' aid. At first, James is afraid Thomas would tease him, but he does not. Thomas helps James move out of the way before the tree falls over.

Back at the yard, James thanks Thomas. Edward comes in to tell them that Thomas will get a re-paint, while James will pull the express.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Henry
 * James
 * Percy
 * Terence
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Gordon (cameo)
 * Jeremiah Jobling (cameo)

Locations

 * Kirk Ronan
 * Wellsworth
 * Brendam
 * The Coaling Plant
 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Henry's Forest
 * Shunting Yards

Trivia

 * This episode was likely written to amend the third season episode Henry's Forest, which caused great anger on the Reverend W. Awdry's part.
 * The scene of the tree sliding down the embankment is similar to the scene in the film version of "The Railway Children", when the three children see trees sliding down a cutting, causing rocks to fall onto the rails.

Goofs

 * After James leaves Brendam, his trucks lose their faces.
 * When James brakes to prevent hitting the tree, his front bogie is derailed.
 * James says he is to pull the express, but he couples up to red branch line coaches.
 * At the shunting yard, the two trucks to James' right move positions between the wide and close-up shots.
 * When Thomas and James start to back away from the tree, Thomas' driver's head looks up, possibly coming off its joints.
 * When James and Thomas back away from the tree, the tree is standing up again.
 * In the final shot of James, his face is not fitted properly as the gap between his face and eyes is exposed.
 * James has a different whistle sound when he leaves the forest, Kirk Ronan, and Brendam Docks.
 * James has pulled more than six trucks before, so he should have backed up without much trouble.
 * Thomas is covered in coal dust at the beginning of the episode, but when James is warned about the trees and when Thomas rescues James, Thomas is clean. Then, when James apologizes to Thomas, he is covered in coal dust again.

Quotes

 * Thomas: Why James? I'm the one who needs a new coat, look at me!
 * James: I'd rather not. You're not a pleasant sight.


 * Percy: You wouldn't feel important if one of these trees fell on you. You'd feel hurt.


 * Truck: Your colour's nice, James; pity about your face though.

Merchandise

 * Wooden Railway (discontinued)
 * Take-Along (discontinued)