James and the Trouble with Trees

"Ooh! Help! Go away!"

- James

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 disapointed when he can't recieve 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 if the line. Henry contradicts James by saying they're all pride of the line, but James doesn't listen.

The next morning, Henry has a 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 reache 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 slid onto the tracks infront of James! He tried to reverse, but the train was too heavy. Luckily, Thomas came to James' aid. At first, James was afraid Thomas would tease him, but he didn't. Thomas helped James move out of the way before the tree fell over.

Back at the yard, James thanked Thomas. Edward came 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)

Locations

 * Kirk Ronan
 * Wellsworth
 * Brendam
 * The Coaling Plant
 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Gordon's Hill
 * 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.
 * In the UK narration, the line "Your colour is nice, James, pitty about your face though!" is said long before it is in US narration.
 * The scene of the tree sliding down the embankment is similar to the scene in the film "The Railway Children", when the three children see trees sliding down a cutting, causing rocks to fall onto the rails.
 * When James puffs away with the trucks, a truck beside him has "N. E." written on it.

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 branchline coaches.
 * 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.
 * James has Duck's whistle sound when he leaves the forest, Kirk Ronan, and Brendam Docks.

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.


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


 * 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 (retired)
 * Take-Along (discountinued)

Episode
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