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- "Whoops..."
- ― Cranky after dropping sugar on James
All in Vain is a magazine story illustrated using images from the television series. It was reprinted in 2023 as part of the "Classic Thomas Story Collection" series with a few alterations to the images, text and had its title changed to James in a Mess!.
Plot[]
The Fat Controller goes to Tidmouth Sheds to ask James to help him with a very important job. He wants James to take him and the Mayor to the castle that night. James is very proud to be given such a special job.
Before James can do his special job, he has to complete all of his regular work. James works especially hard all day, but there is trouble at Brendam Docks. Cranky is lifting a sack of sugar when it suddenly explodes all over James. Next, there is a big splash as James is hit with sea water which turns the sugar sticky. Even though he is in a terrible mess, James keeps smiling and decides to go to the wash-down before his next job.
James is soon sparkly clean, but he spots a little scratch on his paintwork. He thinks he cannot possible pick up the Mayor with a scratch and he rushes off to the Steamworks to be repainted. When he arrives at the Steamworks, Victor tells him that the paint will not dry in time for his special job. James is sure the wind will dry the paint, so Victor agrees for him to be painted. Before the paint is dry, James sets off.
James is puffing along proudly until Edward calls out and directs the proud engine's attention to his paintwork which is now covered in dust, leaves and twigs. James knows he cannot do the special job now so asks Edward to do it for him.
The next day, the Fat Controller takes James to be repainted again. James is sorry and knows that he shouldn't have worried about such a tiny scratch. The Fat Controller knows how hard James had worked all day and allows him to take the Mayor to Vicarstown as a treat. James says that he'll do it if his paint is dry in time.
Characters[]
2020[]
- James
- Cranky
- Edward (not seen)
- Victor (not seen)
- Sir Topham Hatt (not seen)
- Big Mickey (cameo)
- The Mayor of Sodor (mentioned)
2023[]
- James
- Edward (not seen)
- Victor (not seen)
- Sir Topham Hatt (not seen)
- Cranky (does not speak)
- Big Mickey (cameo)
- The Mayor of Sodor (mentioned)
Trivia[]
- This story is based on the twentieth series episode of the same name.
- Unlike the episode:
- When republished in 2023, along with several changes to the text, all references to "the Fat Controller" are changed to "Sir Topham Hatt" in line with Mattel's latest guidelines.
- The 2023 title for this story shares its title with the US title for the first series episode, Dirty Objects.
Gallery[]
2020[]
2023[]
