05x05 - James & the Trouble with Trees

Episode transcripts for the TV series, "Thomas & Friends". Aired: 9 October 1984 – 20 January 2021.*
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British series Based on The Railway Series books that follows the adventures of Thomas, an anthropomorphised blue steam locomotive on the fictional North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor, and several other friends Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, and Toby.
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05x05 - James & the Trouble with Trees

Post by bunniefuu »

(bright happy music)

(jaunty upbeat music)

- [Narrator] Thomas

the t*nk engine

had been working in

the coal yards all day.

The little blue engine

was covered in coal dust.

"We can't clean you

up tonight Thomas."

said his driver.

"There's a problem

with the hosepipe."

"Bother!" said Thomas.

"A bath would make

me feel much better.

The others are sure

to say I look silly."

But the engines were too busy

arguing to notice Thomas.

James was talking

loudest of all.

"I deserve a new coat of paint.

Sir Topham Hatt says I'm

the pride of the line and--"

"Rubbish!" huffed Henry.

"We're all the

pride of the line!"

"It's been like this all day."

confided Percy to Thomas.

"James is getting

a new coat of paint

and won't stop

boasting about it."

"Why James?

I'm the one who

needs a new coat!

Look at me!"

"I'd rather not" retorted James.

"You're not a pleasant sight,

and wouldn't

understand the needs

of a really important engine!"

Thomas was fuming.

Next morning,

as James was being repainted,

Henry had an accident.

(crashing)

"If you can't push

cars properly Henry,

why not talk to a tree instead?

You know how much

you like the forest!"

"As a matter of fact,

bossy boiler,

Sir Topham Hatt is

inspecting the island

for trees that are

too close to the line.

He's worried they

might cause trouble."

"Pah!" laughed James.

If I came upon a tree,

I'd just push it aside.

"Really?" Henry replied.

Soon James was showing

off his paint work.

"Make way for an

important engine!"

"You wouldn't feel important

if one of those

trees crashed on you.

You'd feel hurt."

reproached Percy.

"Rubbish!"

It wouldn't dare!"

"You should be careful James.

Trees can be just as

powerful as engines."

advised Terrance.

"Oh please!

Now excuse me,

Sir Topham Hatt needs

me to pull the express."

And he huffed away.

(pleasant music)

But James was wrong.

"You must go to the

yards and collect

and important good train James.

It's heavy so be careful."

said Sir Topham Hatt.

"But sir,

I've just been repainted.

Can't Thomas or Percy do it?

They're dirty and like

working with freight cars."

"Really useful

engines don't argue."

So James didn't.

(train chugs)

By the time he

arrived at the yards,

the weather had

changed for the worse.

"Your color's nice James.

Pity about your face though!"

said a freight car.

James ignored them and set off.

(pleasant music)

Soon they came to a hill,

and his driver knew they

were in for a difficult time.

An old tree close to the track

was being blown by

the strong winds.

And the rain had

weakened the slope.

All of a sudden,

the tree moved!

(suspenseful music)

"Oh help!" cried James.

"Go away!"

But of course the tree couldn't.

James tried to reverse

away from the tree,

but his train was too heavy.

(train chugs)

(whistles)

Then he heard a whistle.

"It's Thomas!"

called his driver.

(Thomas chugs)

James felt embarrassed

and worried

that Thomas would laugh at him.

But Thomas didn't.

He knew this was no

time for teasing.

"Beep beep!

I'm ready!" whistled Thomas.

"So am I." replied James.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

They were just in time.

(tree crashes)

Later James spoke to Thomas.

"Percy and Terrance were

so right to warn me.

Thank you for

rescuing me Thomas."

"Oh that's all right.

We engines must pull together,

whatever the weather."

Just then Edward bustled in.

(whistles)

"Sir Topham Hatt thinks

you're both brave engines.

Thomas you're going to

have a new coat of paint.

And James,

Sir Topham Hatt

says that tomorrow

you'll pull the

special express."

Everyone was very happy.

(jaunty upbeat music)
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