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Jessie and the Coaches is the fourteenth story of volume three.

Jessie and the Coaches
Season X, Episode 64
JessieandtheCoaches
Air date 13 June 2021
Written by MainLineEngines
Directed by MainLineEngines
Episode guide
Previous
James and the Tar Wagons
Next
The Hose

Plot

Jessie the 'Austerity' Engine was proving herself to be very useful on Thomas's Branch Line and on the Main Line.

"I have to admit, she helps us out a lot," said Thomas to James at the Junction one day.

"Yeah, she handles trucks with ease," agreed James. "I attribute that to her days at the Steelworks."

"Hmm, now that you mention it, I don't think she's ever pulled coaches," said Thomas.

"She'll learn some day," said Annie.

"Though it may not be easy for her at first," said Clarabel.

"I think we both have had our difficulties when pulling coaches for the first time," said James.

"That is true," said Thomas.

Then James heard the Guard's whistle and puffed away. Thomas left shortly afterwards.

One day, Jessie was resting at Tidmouth sheds when the Fat Controller came up.

"Jessie, you have done a great job handling trucks and I am pleased with your work so far," said the Fat Controller.

"Thank you Sir," replied Jessie.

"Next, you must learn how to pull coaches. I'm aware you don't have too much experience but don't worry, a lot of the engines have experience."

"I will do my best," promised Jessie.

"Then I will make arrangements right away," said the Fat Controller.

Later, James was at Edward's station.

"Hey James."

"Hey Edward. I just found out that I am going to be double-heading a passenger train with Jessie."

"Jessie the new 'Austerity' right."

"Yes, her," said James. "From what I heard, she doesn't have much experience with coaches though since she mainly handles trucks."

"I see," said Edward, "well, it seems like you'll be teaching her how to pull coaches then."

"Huh, I hadn't thought of that," said James. "Usually, you're the one who has to teach everyone."

"By now, I think you have enough experience," laughed Edward.

"Then I'm sure everything will go well," said James, and he puffed away.

James reached the Big Station and found Jessie filling up with coal.

"Hey James," said Jessie. "I shunted our coaches already."

"Thank you Jessie. I'm just going to fill up with coal and then I'm ready."

Once James had filled up with coal, he headed over to the station and backed onto the coaches smoothly.

Jessie followed. However, she backed into James with a slight 'bump'.

"Careful there!" called James. "You can't bump coaches."

"I'm sorry," apologised Jessie. "I'll take better care."

"Just keep that in mind," said James.

Meanwhile, passengers boarded the coaches. The station was very crowded. The two engines could hear the hustle and bustle of people rushing to their train.

James was used to this but Jessie was growing rather impatient.

"When will the Guard's whistle blow?" she asked.

"Once everything is ready," replied James. "Just relax and get some nice rest. Don't blow off steam though. Trust me, I found that out the hard way."

"Right," said Jessie.

Finally, everything was ready. The Guard blew his whistle and waved his green flag and the two started off.

Jessie wanted to start off quickly but James didn't let her.

"We have plenty of time!" he called. "Remember we have to take care."

"All right then!" replied Jessie.

They puffed smoothly into the Junction.

"Hullo Jessie," said Thomas. "Good to see you. I suppose you needed help James," he teased.

"As a matter of fact, I am teaching her how to pull passengers," retorted James.

"That is impressive," murmured Annie and Clarabel.

"I know," said James.

"Well, I hope everything goes well then," said Thomas. Then he puffed away.

"I'm sure everything will be fine," said James. "Jessie, you just have to be a little smoother."

"I'm trying," said Jessie. "It's just not the same as it is with trucks."

"I understand that," said James.

Then the Guard's whistle blew and they puffed away.

Both engines had to work very hard. There were lots of coaches and the train was very heavy. Gordon's Hillw as right up ahead. James and Jessie pulled with all their might. Finally, they reached the top.

"At least the hard part is over," said James.

Then they had to stop at Maron station.

However, Jessie stopped a bit too suddenly. This caused James to bump into her and then into the coaches.

"Ouch!" cried the coaches.

"Oh dear, not again," said Jessie.

"I told you to be gentle!" scolded James.

"I know, I know," replied Jessie. "It's not that easy, you know."

"Pah!" snorted James. "It's easy!"

This made Jessie rather cross.

"I am trying my best," she thought to herself.

As they continued their journey, James felt the train get heavier.

"What's going on?" he wondered. "Jessie, stop holding back!"

Jessie didn't reply.

Eventually they reached the Works station.

"All right Jessie, what the heck is going on?" asked James.

"I figured I might try pulling coaches another day," replied Jessie. "Clearly today just isn't the day. You can take the train from here."

Jessie was uncoupled and she puffed into a siding.

Just then, Rheneas puffed in.

"Hullo James," he said. "Is everything all right?"

"Hullo Rheneas," said James. "Everything's fine. I'm just going to have to get this train to Vicarstown by myself."

"By yourself? What happened?"

"Well, Jessie and I were supposed to double-head this train but that didn't work out. She just needs more practise," explained James.

"Aren't you supposed to be helping her?" asked Rheneas.

"I tried to but she just kept being rough with the coaches."

"I must say that that sounds like you when you first started pulling coaches," Rheneas chuckled.

James stopped suddenly.

"Oh dear, you're right. How could I be so harsh with her when I was the exact same way. I must make things right," said James.

He puffed over to Jessie.

"What do you want?" asked Jessie.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry. You might know that the first time I pulled coaches, it didn't go too well. I sprayed water on the Fat Controller and then there was the whole boot-lace incident," said James.

"You certainly have improved since then," said Jessie, cheering up a bit.

"Definitely!" said James. "Anyways, because of that, I should have been more patient with you."

"Look, I'm sorry too. I really should've listened," said Jessie.

"I think the best thing we can do is work together," put in James.

"So you do want me to pull this train with you?" asked Jessie.

"It's really heavy so I'd say yes," replied James. "Now let's go! The passengers are waiting."

The two engines backed onto the coaches again.

By now, the passengers were ready and waiting. The Guard's whistle blew and the two engines puffed slowly away. They reached Vicarstown safely and turned 'round for the return journey.

By now, Jessie was feeling a lot more confident. She backed onto the train gently and smoothly.

"Very nicely done," said James.

"Thanks," said Jessie.

Once all the passengers were on board, the Guard's whistle blew and the two engines started off.

"You were a bit rough that time," called James.

"I'll be careful next time," replied Jessie.

James knew now that he simply had to guide Jessie. Slowly but surely, Jessie began to be smoother.

By the time they reached Edward's station, Jessie was feeling very pleased with herself.

"Hullo Jessie and James," said Edward. "How is everything going?"

"Everything's fine now," said James. "I must say that it hasn't been easy teaching someone else. I don't know how you're so patient with us."

Edward smiled. "The truth is I know that it's easy to get too excited or careless sometimes."

"I understand," said James.

"Not to worry though," cut in Jessie. "James is doing a fine job. The best thing we could do is work together and just hope for the best."

"That's the spirit! Good job both of you," said Edward.

Then the engines went on their way.

At the end of the line, both engines were tired but glad to have finished the journey.

"I have to say that this journey was unlike any other," said James. "I hope you learned a lot."

"I certainly have," said Jessie, "and I'm sure I'll improve with a bit more practise."

"Definitely."

"Thanks for helping me."

"No problem. Even if I'm not such an expert in helping others like Edward is!" laughed James.

"I know," chuckled Jessie. "You did well though. We may even double-head some other day."

"Perhaps," said James.

Then, both engines went back to the sheds.

Characters

Locations

Trivia

  • There are references and elements used from the stories, "James and the Top-Hat" and "James and the Boot-lace" from James the Red Engine.
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