Air date: March 17th, 1992 (US), December 26th, 1991 (US)
Adapted from: The Eight Famous Engines, "Double Header"
Gordon is resting from pulling the Express, so James does his work, which makes him become more boastful than before and brags about his importance to Toby, who is in need of repairs. During his journey to the works, Toby takes on water at Maron until he is told to clear the path to make way for James. Toby struggles to the next station, but runs out of water. Toby's driver takes a ride in Henrietta back to Maron, and tells an angry James of the situation. James pushes Toby to the Works, where several children joke that Toby was needed to help James with the Express, prompting the embarrassed red engine to disappear in a cloud of steam.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Acquired Situational Narcissism: This happens to James after he pulls the Express while Gordon is resting.
- Berserk Button: James was angry when he was told that Toby was on the main line, making him late, but was even angrier when he has to push Toby to the station while pulling the express simultaneously.
- Compressed Adaptation: Of "Double Header" from The Eight Famous Engines. However, Percy is added to the adaptation where he offers to take Henrietta and takes Toby's driver to the station to warn James.
- Also, Gordon calling to the coaches and his line when he leaves the station is the same as "Gordon Goes Foreign", which was intended to be a season 2 episode, but was cancelled due to its high budget. Incidentally, "Double Header" took place directly after "Gordon Goes Foreign".
- Disneyfication: The adaptation omits the part where James is scolded by his driver, fireman, the passengers, and the guard for refusing to push Toby and pull the Express.
- "Just Joking" Justification: Toby assured to James that the kids were only joking about the express, but James wasn't convinced.
