Ok. This one has some changes to the original. I just wanted to have a story where I was driving James without him having an accident. Anyway, here we go.

James And The Express

Narrator: Sometimes, Henry and Gordon often slept at Knapford Sheds with James. Although the Fat Controller was beginning to think well of him, whenever they had a chance, Henry and Gordon sometimes would talk about nothing but bootlaces.

Gordon: Remember the time when you learned to tie a bootlace to mend the brake pipe on your coaches? Hahaha!

Henry: I thought only people could tie bootlaces, not engines.

Narrator: James tried to get his own back by talking about engines who were shut up in tunnels and get stuck on hills, but they never listened. He wasn't the only one getting teased though. At Knapford Hotel, Rainbow Dash would often tease Rachel about the bootlace blunder too, as well as tease William for other things he did wrong.

Rainbow Dash: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh my I can't believe you let that happen to James! Heheheheh! First you land him into cow pasture, then soak the Fat Controller's Tophat. Now Rachel had to mend a broke brake pipe with a bootlace! Hahahahahaha! I must admit, you may have done some pretty silly things in past you 2, but this, this has to be greatest masterpiece yet! HAHAHAAHA! What did you read the engine drivers guide to bootlace tying? Did you double knot your laces? Hahahaha! Get it? Double knot!

Narrator: Rainbow Dash, though she meant well, sometimes didn't know if she was taking jokes too far. Rachel felt rather hurt, but William was furious!

William: (Angry) HEY LEAVE HER ALONE! At least she was able to finish a passenger run without bursting an engines safety valve. Unlike somebody I know back in 1922.

Narrator: Rainbow Dash perked up angrily.

Rainbow Dash: Excuse me!? At least me and Gordon have never had embarrassing accidents!

William: You mean besides hitting me in the eye with cricket ball in 1921, being co-responsible for hitting the Fat Controller's car in the same year, getting stuck on Gordon's hill with a goods train, having to be helped up said hill by Edward, and freaking out when Gordon burst his safety valve all in 1922? (Smug smile) Shall I go on, or do you feel dumb enough?

Rainbow Dash: Oh, mighty big words for someone whom was also co-responsible for hitting the Fat Controller's car in 1921, got stranded in tunnel because a certain ten wheeler was scared of the rain in 1922, Went out of control on Gordon's hill with Thomas, crashed into a cow pasture with James and Rarity, all of which happened in 1923 and gave the Fat Controller's hat a shower in 1924.

Narrator: William's jaw dropped. Rainbow Dash just smiled smugly.

Rainbow Dash: Yeah. I guess the joke is really on you William.

Narrator: William was furious.

William:Hhmph I bet I could make perfect Journey with the wild nor wester all the way to vicarstown without bursting a safety valve and break your record again.

Rainbow dash: What you do you mean again!?

William: Oh didn't I tell you I made it to Brendam from Vicarstown with 25 minutes to spare and that was with Edward, Fluttershy and Rachel back in 1922.

Rainbow dash: Oh you want to do this the hard way? Will do this the hard way.

William: Yeah! Lets bet on it! I bet you my 40 pounds that I could bet your record of 20 minutes to spare on a perfect trip on the Wild Nor Wester from Vickorstown, plus a water stop at Crovans Gate to Knaphord.

Rainbow Dash: And I'll bet 50 pounds that I can break my record of 20 minutes to spare on a perfect trip on the Wild Nor Wester from Knapford plus a water stop at crovans gate to Vickorstown.

William: Your on Dash, I'll let you drive him tomorrow morning.

Narrator: And the two friends shook hands and hooves. Rainbow Dash then left to practice her flying tricks.

Rachel: Thank you for standing up to her.

William: Of course. I'm not going to let anyone bully my childhood friend.

Narrator: Meanwhile, back at Knapford Sheds...

James: Oh coming from some engine whom was scared of the rain and hides in tunnels, and some engine whom get stuck on hills because they don't want to pull trains.

Gordon: Ah, you talk too much little James. A fine strong engine like myself has something to talk about. I am the only engine whom can pull the express. When I am not there, they need 2 engines, think of that. I've pulled express trains for years on the GNR railway, and have never once lost my way. I seem to know the right way by instinct.

Narrator: Being the boastful engine he was, Gordon often never told the truth. He was actually a prototype A-0 pacific and was only used for one demonstration train before coming to Sodor in 1920. Every wise engine knows that Signalmen (Or Signalwomen) works the points to make engines run on the right line. But Gordon had been so proud that he had forgotten. The next morning, William, Rarity, Rachel and Rainbow Dash arrived for work.

Gordon: Wake up little James. It's nearly time for the east bound Wild Nor Wester. What are you doing today? Odd jobs? Ah well, we all have to begin somewhere don't we? Run along now and fetch my express coaches. Don't be late.

Rainbow Dash: (Teasing) Yeah don't be late.

Rachel: Don't get cocky Dash. Come on James. Let's do it.

Narrator: So she and Rarity lit James' fire. Rachel pulled the lever, and James went to fetch the coaches.

Rarity: My word. These coaches look simply fabulous. So modern and up to date, the paint work absolutely breath taking too. I should try making some fabric to match these darlings' paint work.

Narrator: And indeed Rarity was right. They were all shining with lovely new coats of paint. James was careful not to bump and they followed him smoothly into the station, singing happily as the entered platform 1.

Coaches: We're going away! We're going away.

James: (Sigh) I wish I was going with you. I should love to pull the express and go flying along the line.

Rarity: (Sigh) So do I James darling. You'd look smashing with these beautiful express passenger carriages.

Narrator: James left the coaches at platform 1. He went back to the yards just as Gordon,with much noise and blowing of steam, backed onto the train with Rainbow dash and William on board.

Rarity: Oh my word, these coaches even look good with Gordon. They make him look as beautiful as baby blue sapphire .

Narrator: Rainbow Dash was driving him that day as a part of their bet and she was ready to break her record again. The Fat Controller was the train with other important people and as soon as the guard blew his whistle, Gordon started.

Gordon: Look at me now! Just look at me now.

Narrator: And the coaches glided after him, he whistled to James.

Gordon: Good bye little James. See you tomorrow.

Rainbow Dash: (Snickering) Hey William, better have my 40 pounds ready by tomorrow.

Rarity: What was that all about?

Rachel: Oh, he and Rainbow Dash made a little bet to see whom can make perfect trip from here to Vicarstown or Vicarstown to here on the Wild-Nor-Wester.

Rarity: Oh. I see.

Narrator: The three friends watched as Gordon, Rainbow Dash and William disappeared and then went back to work. James pushed some trucks into their proper sidings and then went collect some coaches for another train on platform 1. Rarity, Rachel and James had just brought the coaches to the platform when they heard an astronomical racket. There was Gordon trying to sidle into the station on platform 2 without being noticed as Rainbow Dash tried to hide in his cab.

James: Hullo Gordon. Is it tomorrow already?

Narrator: Gordon said nothing. He just blew steam feebly. At that moment, Rachel saw a rainbow colored tail poking out from Gordon's cab.

Rachel : Hullo Dash.

Narrator: Rainbow Dash startled perked her head up in embarrassed terror.

Rachel: Well is just me, or does tomorrow seem to come faster than usual?

Rainbow Dash: (Sighing in defeat) Ah who am I kidding?

James, Rarity & Rachel: Did you three lose your way?

Rainbow Dash: (sigh and groan) No. It was lost for us.

William: We were switched off the mainline onto the loop at Peel Godred.

Gordon: Yes, and we had to go all the way around and back again.

James: Hmmmm. Perhaps it was instinct?

Rarity: Ahahahahahaha! Too rich James. Ahahahahaha!

Rachel: (Laughs) Good one James.

Narrator: Meanwhile, all the passengers hurried to the booking office.

Passengers: WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK!

Narrator: But the Fat Controller climbed onto a trolley and blew the guards whistle so loudly that they all stopped to look at him. Then he promised them a new train at once.

Fat Controller: Gordon can't do it. James, will you help pull the Wild Nor Wester for us?

James: Yes Sir. I'll have a jolly good try.

Rarity: That a boy James.

Rachel: Alright! Let's give it a go you 2.

Narrator: So James was coupled on and everyone got in again.

Fat Controller: Do your best James.

Narrator: The whistle blew and the Fat Controller scrambled into the train.

James: Come along! Come along girls! There we go. Gently does it.

Coaches: Your pulling us well, your pulling us well.

James: Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!

Rachel: Now for sprint. Ready James?

James: Ready when you are Rachel.

Rarity: Oh I am so proud of you James.

Narrator: Rachel opened the regulator and James was now at his top speed, his wheels and side rods were like blurs. Bridges and stations flashed by, the passengers leaned out of the coaches and cheered. They reached the terminus with 50 minutes to spare, breaking Rainbow Dash and Gordon's record. Everyone congratulated James, Rarity and Rachel.

Fat Controller: Well done James, Rachel and Rarity. Would you three like to take the Wild Nor Wester sometimes?

Narrator: All three's faces lit up like Christmas Trees.

Rarity, Rarity and James: Oh yes please sir!

Narrator: Next day, when James, Rarity and Rachel came back, Gordon was busy pushing trucks in the yard with Rainbow Dash and William.

Rainbow Dash: Well, looks like we have to try again. I'll win this time!

Narrator: But to her surprise, William shook his head.

William: Nah Rainbow Dash, I'm calling the bet off. We both lost. That run with the express just showed me how stupid betting on petty things can be. Plus, I've got a surprise for all of you at the hotel.

Rainbow Dash: Really? Can't wait to see it.

Rarity: My goodness. How very generous of you William.

Rachel: Ooh. I'm excited to know William.

James: So what are you up to Gordon?

Gordon: Ah. Just pushing trucks. Ah well. I like quiet work for change. I'm teaching these trucks some manners and I heard you did well with Wild Nor Wester yesterday.

James: Good. We'll show them.

Narrator: And he gave his trucks a furious bump. Gordon and James are now great friends. James sometimes takes the Wild Nor Wester to give Gordon a rest. Gordon never talks about bootlaces anymore, and they are both quite agreed on the subject of trucks.

Narrator: That night, William, Rachel, Rarity and Rainbow Dash returned to the sheds excited. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle all came down too because William called the reminder of the ponies to meet them down at lobby for a surprise.

Twilight Sparkle: Rachel, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and William. How nice to see you again.

Rarity: What wonderful day this has been.

Rachel: Indeed Rarity. Not only did we get to take the Wild Nor Wester with James and do a perfect run, but we even managed to break Rainbow Dash's and Gordon's record. No offence Rainbow.

Rainbow Dash: (Sigh) None taken. I had it coming. I'm sorry I teased you and William. It was very uncool of me. Thanks for getting the Wild-Nor-Wester to Vicarstown and back Rachel.

Rachel: Oh that's alright Rainbow Dash. But at least now, James has finally become a really useful engine now.

Applejack : That's… cool but...

Pinkie Pie: What's the surprise that William promised?

Twilight Sparkle: Pinkie Pie, manners.

William: These.

Narrator: And he pulled out 8 tickets.

William: A cross country tour around the islands railways. We'll be visiting the Mid Sodor Railway, then the Culdee Fell Railway, and then the Skarloey Railway, curtsey of the Fat Controller for both Rarity and Rachel's great efforts with James. We'll be leaving tomorrow aboard Edward.

Fluttershy: Oh, how wonderful.

Twilight Sparkle: Wow, that sounds great.

Rainbow Dash: Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! That's going to be so awesome!

Applejack: YEEEHAWW! That's sounds quite neat!

Rarity: Oh that is the most wonderful idea. A trip around the Island Of Sodor would be wonderful.

Pinkie Pie: Oh! That sounds so exciting! I'll get packing for the trip.

Twilight : Oh Rachel, Rarity, William, that is so wonderful! I'm so proud of all three of you.

William: Well consider this a little holiday gift from me to all of you.

Narrator: Applejack then poured some apple cider into 8 mugs and passed them down to everyone.

Applejack: Well on that note, heres some Sweet Apple Acres Cider on the house. Now I propose a toast. To James the red engine!

Everyone: To James the red engine!

Narrator: All 8 smiled happily. Tomorrow was going to be a very good day.

Next is "Sodor Rail Tours", which is actually going to feature the other railways of Sodor, (Minus the Arlesdale Railway because it doesn't exist yet). Look out for those stories.