No Joke for James

No Joke for James is the eleventh episode of the third season and the sixty-third episode of the series. It first aired on Shining Time Station in the episode, Oh, What a Tangled Web in 1991. In this episode, James tricks Thomas into giving him Gordon's express, but soon regrets his trick.

Plot
One morning, James is boasting to Thomas and Percy that he is the smartest and most useful engine on the line. Thomas disagrees and thinks that all of the Fat Controller's engines are useful, and Percy tells James that he's getting all puffed up. Later, James boasts to Gordon that he's the pride of the line, but Gordon tells him that he saw him pulling trucks this morning, and that he's only a goods engine. James then tells Gordon that the Fat Controller has plans for him, and Gordon believes him. James then becomes worried, as he was lying and now needs to impress Gordon

Later, Thomas is shunting coaches in the yard. James asks if the coaches are for him, but Thomas tells him that they're for Gordon's express, and that he'll fetch James' trucks next. James decides to play a prank and tells Thomas that the Fat Controller told him that he is to take the coaches, and that Gordon is to pull the trucks. James is then coupled to the coaches, and he steams out of the yard, just as Thomas arrives with Gordon's trucks, leaving Gordon and his driver cross when Thomas tells them what James had said.

James is enjoying himself enormously, but when James sees the Fat Controller at Elsbridge, he scolds James for his trick and sends him to his shed until he is wanted. Gordon and Henry tease James by asking each other who will pull the express. A few days later, James is let out of the shed. He apologizes to Thomas, and Thomas tells him that the trucks are pleased to have him back. James then shunts trucks in the harbour for the rest of the day.

As James and his crew prepare to head home, a man arrives and tells James' driver that he's to attend an important meeting with the Fat Controller which he mustn't be late for, and he asks for a ride in James' cab. James' driver recognises the man as a railway inspector and agrees. When James arrives at Knapford, the inspector tells the Fat Controller that James gave him a splendid ride, and that he must be proud of him. The Fat Controller agrees and calls James a Really Useful Engine.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Percy
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Jeremiah Jobling (not named)
 * Edward (cameo)

Locations

 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Knapford
 * Knapford Yards
 * Brendam
 * Sodor Shipping Company
 * Henry's Forest
 * Wellsworth
 * Wellsworth Vicarage Orchard
 * Elsbridge
 * The Watermill (deleted scene)

Errors

 * In the first scene and the scene where James pulls up beside Gordon, studio equipment is slightly visible in the top centre.
 * When James talks to Gordon, James' eyes are wonky.
 * When James first arrives at the Sodor Shipping Company building, Thomas was seen shunting two salt wagons and a tanker. Then, red express coaches can be seen coming down the line two shots later. Then, the salt wagons Thomas was shunting is coming backwards, and Thomas is gone.
 * When James wheeshes steam at the Fat Controller, the latter shakes a bit.
 * In the shot of Henry teasing James, both of his brake pipes are facing upwards. One should be facing downwards.
 * When James tricks Thomas, the lining on Thomas' tank is slightly crooked.
 * Studio equipment can be seen when James arrives at the Sodor Shipping Co.
 * When James says "Actually Thomas", the smoke coming from the chimney in the background disappears and reappears.
 * In the restored version, the first shot at the harbour shows James pushing three trucks. Two of them are derailed as they are seen bumping across the sleepers.
 * When Thomas and James are talking, Edward is seen pulling a goods train on another line, then in the next shot, he is nowhere to be seen.
 * In a deleted scene, James is seen pulling the express past the watermill, but that is on Thomas' Branch Line.
 * When Thomas was shunting Gordon's trucks into place, the line next to him is clear. Then, in the next shot, express coaches appear. Then, when Thomas says "And so here are your cars!", Percy can be seen shunting some trucks on the same line. Then, in the next shot, Percy and his trucks disappear.
 * When James talks to Gordon in the background, there are red express coaches in then they turn into salt wagons.
 * James' driver should've known not to let James pull the express.

US Home Video Releases

 * Trust Thomas and Other Stories
 * Best of James