Keeping Up with James

"You must slow down and take care!" "I am taking care! Taking care to finish first!"

- Edward and James

Keeping Up with James is the twenty-fifth episode of the ninth season.

Plot
James is teamed with Edward to clear a path through the snow to Knapford. Edward can not go fast and James is afraid he will delay him, but cheers up when he finds he can slide at high speeds on the icy rails. James and Edward later collect coal from the coaling plant, and Edward warns James to take care on the icy rails, to no avail. James slides too fast down Gordon's Hill, loses control and derails into a snowdrift. The Fat Controller is cross and tells James he will not be able to pull the presents train, the reason why James wanted to go so fast, and gives the train to Edward. James offers to be Edward's back engine, and the Fat Controller agrees but tells him to be careful. The presents train arrives on time, and James feels proud.

Characters

 * Edward
 * Henry
 * James
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * The School Choir (vocalizes)
 * Gordon (does not speak)
 * Salty (does not speak)
 * Thomas (cameo)
 * Percy (cameo)
 * Toby (cameo)
 * Emily (cameo)
 * Cranky (cameo)
 * Stephen Hatt (cameo)

Locations

 * The Coaling Plant
 * Brendam Docks
 * Sodor Shipping Company
 * Maithwaite
 * Knapford
 * Gordon's Hill
 * The Works

Trivia

 * A deleted scene shows Thomas passing James and Edward. An alternate angle of the same scene is edited to show Thomas wearing a Day Out with Thomas face.
 * Percy's snowplough is Duck's from the sixth season episode, Toby Had a Little Lamb.
 * In 2011, Hilary Fortnam expressed her dislike of this episode, saying that her father would be distressed if he saw it. The reason is because with the airing, the term "Christmas" was omitted in favour of "winter holidays", offending her.
 * Going by production order, this is the twenty-third episode of the ninth season.

Goofs

 * Edward and James' snowploughs become blue and red respectively in the first scene of them in the snow.
 * When Edward and James pull the presents train down Gordon's Hill, James applies his brakes, but his wheels still move.
 * In the first scene of James and Edward clearing snow, James' front bogie is derailed.
 * As the scene fades to James and Edward going up Gordon's Hill with the empty trucks, James stops.

Merchandise

 * Magazine stories - Keeping up with James

Home Media Releases
{{Scroll box|

UK

 * Little Engines, Big Days Out
 * The Complete Ninth Series
 * Christmas Express
 * The Best of James

DVD Boxsets

 * 5 Adventurous DVDs
 * Classic Collection
 * Official DVD and Book (2011 version)
 * The Best of Friends
 * The Ultimate Collection
 * Ultimate Christmas Gift Set
 * Triple Pack (DVD)

US

 * Tales from the Tracks
 * Winter Wonderland

DVD Boxsets

 * 4-Disc DVD Box Set
 * Let's Explore with Thomas
 * Steam Engine Stories

AUS

 * Little Engines, Big Days Out
 * The Complete Ninth Series

DVD Boxsets

 * Complete Series 1-10
 * The Essential Collection (5 DVD Boxset)
 * The Great Adventures of Thomas and Friends

DNK/NOR/SWE/FIN

 * The Magic Lamp

TWN

 * Holiday Express
 * Thomas and Friends Volume 28 (Taiwanese DVD)

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 32 (Thai DVD)

CHN

 * Holiday Express

MYS

 * Thomas' Day Off and Other Adventures
 * Holiday Express

SA

 * Thomas Tries His Best (DVD)

SPN

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 7 (Spanish DVD)

JPN
}}
 * Thomas' Surprise Plan
 * Thomas the Tank Engine Series 9 Vol.6