Plot

Gordon loves to tease James like Henry does, and to brag about how he knows the rails so well, until he and the express are put on the wrong route by mistake and James gets his wish to pull it instead.

Although James is finally making a good impression on the Fat Controller after his success with some troublesome trucks, he still finds himself subject to teasing by Gordon and Henry. They constantly remind him of how a bootlace was needed to help him finish a journey with a passenger train. James tries to counter their insults by talking of engines that got shut up in tunnels and stuck on hills, but neither of them let up. Gordon boasts that he's the only engine capable of pulling the Express alone, claiming that he has never lost his way conveniently forgetting that it's the signalman who ensures engines don't get lost.

The next morning, James and Gordon prepare for work. Gordon once again harps on about how he gets to pull the Express while James is left with 'odd jobs' before sending the red engine to fetch his coaches. James, now knowing to be extra careful, especially with the elegant express coaches, takes them nicely into Knapford Station. James tells the coaches that he would love to be able to take the Express, before leaving them for Gordon who couples himself to the train as nosily and importantly as possible. Gordon then leaves with his train full of passengers, one of which is the Fat Controller. James then goes back to work shunting trucks and fetching coaches for another passenger train.

Later, James is in the station, having brought the next train's coaches to the platform, when Gordon, looking very sheepish, quietly slides into the station, trying not to be noticed. James asks if Gordon 'lost his way' and Gordon admits that he was mistakenly switched off the main line and forced onto the long loop back to the station. James finds this funny. However, the passengers are furious and demand refunds from the booking office, but the Fat Controller calms them down and promises them a new train immediately. With Gordon unable to pull the express again and no other engines available, the Fat Controller asks James if he will help to take the train. James is more than happy to and quickly couples up. The Fat Controller wishes James luck and he pulls out of the station. The journey goes without incident and upon reaching their destination the passengers thank James for a nice journey. The Fat Controller is very impressed with James and asks if he would like to pull the Express sometimes. James is very happy and says "Yes" at once.

The next day, James sees Gordon shunting trucks. The larger engine is enjoying the simpler work and getting to teach the trucks some manners. He then congratulates James on his success with the Express. Gordon and James soon become good friends. James sometimes takes the Express for Gordon to allow him to rest. Gordon no longer talks about Bootlaces and the two very much agree when it comes to their opinion of trucks.