Air date: August 15th, 2004
James has been repainted and he boasts to the other engines that he is a very special engine because he has bright red paint. This makes Percy upset, thinking that the Fat Controller would not think that he is special because he is green instead of red. Thomas tries to put some sense into James' smokebox, explaining that looking splendid is not the same as being Really Useful, but James thinks looking splendid and being Really Useful makes him even more special, leaving Thomas and Percy speechless.
The next morning, the Fat Controller sends James to the Coaling Plant to help Percy fill and deliver an important order of coal to Brendam Docks. However, James ignores the Fat Controller's orders and puffs along a canal to see his reflection and goes to various stations and branch lines so that people can see him. Thomas, seeing James on his branch line, reminds him that he should be working, but James takes no notice.
At the Coaling Plant, Percy is struggling to fill the coal trucks on his own and time is running out. The Plant Manager is concerned that the order will not be filled, but he knows that it is not Percy's fault - James should have arrived hours ago. At last, James arrives at the Coaling Plant, very late. Percy is cross and so too is the Plant Manager. Due to the delay, a very long line of coal trucks must be taken to the Docks to make up for lost time. James takes the trucks, excited to be going to the Docks where people can see his new coat of paint. Percy warns James that the coal trucks are being naughty, but James takes no notice.
On his way to the Docks, James is quick to realize that Percy was right as the coal trucks bump into each other and James, covering him in coal dust. Soon James no longer has a new coat of red paint - he has a new coat of black. Now James does not want to be seen, however, Emily, Edward, and Thomas pass by him, and at the Docks, Gordon is surprised to see James so dirty.
At last, all of the coal had been delivered to the Docks on time. James is tired and upset, whilst Percy with the rest of the coal trucks admires James' "new" black coat. Soon all of the trucks are laughing and even James laughs about his "new" coat too.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Acquired Situational Narcissism: James becomes even more vain than usual after being repainted, to the point where he skives off his work to admire himself and show off.
- Actually Pretty Funny: Despite the trucks laughing at him, James laughs about his "new" coat of coal dust.
- Attention Whore: After his repaint, James becomes more concerned about showing others his paint than going to the Coaling Plant to help Percy.
- The Dandy: James, as usual, is very boastful about his new coat of paint. This makes him forget about helping Percy at the Coaling Plant.
- The Freelance Shame Squad: The other engines and the trucks are amused by James being covered in coal dust and laugh at his misfortune.
- Laser-Guided Karma: For being too busy focusing on his paint and arriving late to the Coaling Plant, James gets covered in coal dust as he takes the trucks.
- Luminescent Blush: James blushes in embarrassment after being spotted by the other engines. Thomas lampshades this:Thomas: The only red thing left on James is his face!
- Take the Third Option: Thomas tells James that looking splendid is not the same as being useful, but James responds that being useful and looking splendid is the best.
