James the Red Engine was first published in 1948. It was written by the Reverend W. Awdry and illustrated by C. Reginald Dalby.
Stories
James and the Top-Hat
James returns from the Works and goes to take a train with Edward. At the platform, he accidently showers water over the Fat Controller's new top-hat, and James, afraid of the consequences, starts off. Later, at Edward's station, James disturbs an old lady with his hiccups and makes her spill her parcels.
James and the Coaches
James is grumpy after being threatened by blue paint, and treats his coaches dreadfully. He gets crosser still when no one comes near him, and bumps his coaches so much that a leak happens in the brake-pipe. After a great amount of persuasion, a man named Jeremiah Jobling hands his leather bootlaces over and the train gets home.
Troublesome Trucks
James is shut up for several days, but the Fat Controller comes to see him and lets him out to take a goods train. The trucks play tricks on him, but they almost manage to reach the top of Gordon's Hill when the tail breaks off. They couple the trucks back on, and, with some cheering by Edward, get the train to Edward's station. The Fat Controller is pleased, and allows James to keep his red paint.
James and the Express
Gordon is bragging that he knows the right line by "instinct", but is proven wrong when he is switched off the main line onto the loop. The Fat Controller asks James to take the Express, and James, after a successful run and the promise of being allowed to take the Express, returns to see Gordon shunting. The two become friends, and Gordon refrains from teasing James about the bootlace incident.