James the Red Engine

James is a bright red tender engine, a supporting character in Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, one of the minor characters of the specials (ex. King of the Railway and Tale of the Brave) and one of the two main tritagonists in King of the Railway and Tale of the Brave.

Behind the Scenes
James first appeared in the Railway Series in 1946, in the book Thomas the Tank Engine. He was painted black at this point. At the request of the publishers, Awdry dedicated the next book to the character. It was in this book that James received his red paint and his personality.

In the book The Island of Sodor: Its People, History and Railways, it is claimed that James is based on a rebuild of a Class 27 locomotive of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, designed by George Hughes. However, as with most of the early Railway Series characters, this is a case of retroactive continuity.

Martin Clutterbuck has pointed out that the character also strongly resembles an Austrian Goods engine of the Glasgow and South Western Railway, and Awdry himself used an engine of this class to represent James on his model railway. As with Edward, it is possible that he rejected this prototype for the character's official "biography" on the grounds that an English locomotive would be geographically more likely to end up on Sodor.

James as a model
According to the Rev W Awdry himself, James is a "Class 28" Hughes rebuild of the Lancashire and Yorkshire's Class 27 designed by Aspinall. Hughes added a Belpaire firebox and extended the footplate and sandbox. The engine below, the first of the series from the Horwich works (5th March, 1912), was fitted with a Schmidt superheater. The changes for James are quite obviously the new front pony truck added "experimentally", suggested by the real loco's large front overhang, and thus converting an 0-6-0 into a 2-6-0, besides the removal of the front sandboxes. James 2-6-0 Professionally made (a G&SWR Mixed traffic loco designed by Drummond.) It was painted red with yellow lining as in the books. a beautiful model, but there was one way the motor, though of a well-known and reputedly reliable make, was so unreliable, that the engine could never be put into regular service (Note W.A. 1989 Loco was sent 1983/84 to Stewart Reidpath for fresh chassis and Motor and returned completely transformed). James II, which the Reverend converted from the Triang 3F just as Hornby would do for its production James.

James in Thomas and the Magic Railroad
Susan Roman voiced James in the film, Thomas and the Magic Railroad James is one of the two main antagonists (the other being Diesel 10). He was briefly threatened by the evil Diesel 10 before being teleported out by Mr Conductor Junior (Michael E. Rodgers). At the beginning the fly annoying him was a reference to Buzz, Buzz.

James in the Guinness Book of Records
A large scale working replica of James (along with Thomas, Percy, Harold and Jack) was created by BBC Visual Effects (UK) for a 2003 live stage show tour. This battery powered locomotive is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest model railway engine ever built, at 2.64 x 1.5 x 6.52 metres.

"Real Life" James
The Mid Hants Railway repainted one of its engines – a Southern Railway N class – into the livery of James. The engine retained this colour scheme for many years, and participated in the Railway Series golden jubilee celebrations at the National Railway Museum. This engine was the only replica Thomas character to be certified to run on the main line.

It created a certain amount of controversy among railway enthusiasts, who felt that it was inappropriate to paint a historic main line locomotive in such a garish livery. Nonetheless, the locomotive was popular with the railway's younger visitors.

Trivia

 * In the TV Series, James makes a large number of cameos before his actual debut story. This leads to a continuity error in James and the Coaches.
 * In the Railway Series and The Adventure Begins, James was painted black before his accident and was given his red coat to cheer him up; he is red throughout the TV Series He speaks in Calm Down Caitlin.

Theme

 * James' theme is his Season 1 theme.

Counterparts (Boy/Male Version) (Hero Version)

 * Gani (Tayo the Little Bus, both red)
 * Top Hat (TUGS/Salty's Lighthouse)
 * Foduck (Theodore Tugboat)
 * Emery (Chuggington)
 * Schemer (Shining Time Station)
 * Oogtar, Wario, Waluigi, Luigi or Mario (Super Mario Bros.)
 * Funky Kong (Donkey Kong Country)
 * Antoine D'Coolette, Knuckles the Echidna, Rotor the Walrus, Griff, Sonic the Hedgehog or Miles "Tails" Prower (Sonic the Hedgehog)
 * Roy (Garfield and Friends)
 * Red Max (Wacky Races)
 * Mr. Plotz (Animaniacs)
 * Plucky Duck (Tiny Toon Adventures)
 * Daffy Duck (Looney Tunes)
 * Policarp Avendañe or John Charles Bodoque (31 Minutes)
 * Norval the Fish (Dr. Seuss/The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss)
 * Little Peter Rabbit III (Wee Sing Together)
 * Jester (King Cole's Party)
 * Punchinello (Grandpa's Magical Toys)
 * Buddy Bitty Booty (Wee Sing in Sillyville)
 * Poofer (The Best Christmas Ever!)
 * Stuck-Up Steve (Horrid Henry)
 * Ed Crosswire or Binky Barnes (Arthur)
 * Squidward Tentacles or Mr. Krabs (SpongeBob SquarePants)
 * Drew Pickles (Rugrats)
 * Ernie Potts (Hey Arnold)
 * Chalky Studebaker (Doug)
 * Fico (The great Adventures of Doki (T J & J Series), Both are Selfish)
 * The Chief (Kablam!/Action League Now!)
 * Larry the Cucumber (Veggietales)
 * Midgel (3-2-1 Penguins)
 * The Musician (Rayman)
 * Turtwig (Pokemon)
 * Tokkori or Knuckle Joe (Kirby)
 * Cosmo or AJ (The Fairly OddParents)
 * Dash Baxter (Danny Phantom)
 * Biff (T.U.F.F. Puppy)
 * Falco Lombardi (Star Fox)
 * Mido (The Legend of Zelda)
 * Sebastian the Crab or Tip the Penguin (The Little Mermaid)
 * Gary Coleman, Rod, Princeton, or Nicky (Avenue Q)
 * Hiram Flaversham (The Great Mouse Detective)
 * Marty -Llogoma (Marty- Yogoma/Super Samson Herms)
 * Scooter or Floyd Pepper (The Muppet Show)
 * Skatch the Dumper (Construction Site)
 * Bungle (Rainbow)
 * Sweep (The Sooty Show)
 * Mr. Potato Head, Rex, or Slinky Dog (Toy Story 1, 2, and 3)
 * Francis (A Bug's Life)
 * Bender (Futurama)
 * Moe Syzlak or Homer Simpson (The Simpsons, Both Moe and James are Unlucky Sometimes)
 * Glenn Quagmire (Family Guy)
 * Lester Krinklesac (The Cleveland Show)
 * Suvorik (Train Tishka)
 * Dale Gribble (King of the Hill)
 * Hunter (Spyro the Dragon)
 * Dingodile (Crash Bandicoot)
 * Roger (American Dad)
 * Handy Pandy (The Little Engine That Could)
 * Donald Duck, Goofy or Mickey Mouse (Mickey Mouse)
 * The Prince (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
 * Adult Thumper (Bambi)
 * Luigi, Ramone or Lightning McQueen (Cars 1 and 2)
 * Pierre (Talking Friends)
 * Timon (The Lion King)
 * Tall Dexter (Dexter's Laboratory)
 * Banana Joe or Rocky Robinson (The Amazing World of Gumball)
 * Vince LaSalle (Recess)
 * Clay Bailey (Xiaolin Showdown)
 * Aqualad (Teen Titans)
 * Sheen Estevez (Jimmy Neutron)
 * Hugo (The Hunchback Of Notre Dame)
 * Terk (Tarzan)
 * Brick or Butch (The Powerpuff Girls)
 * Mong (Cubix: Robots For Everyone)
 * Ling (Mulan)
 * Bubbles or Gurgle (Finding Nemo)
 * Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman or Kenny McCormick (South Park)
 * C.H.A.D or Meat Boy (Super Meat Boy, Both are Red & James and Meat Boy are Both Unlucky)
 * Puss in Boots (Shrek/Puss in Boots)
 * Stefano or King Julien (Madagascar)
 * Hickory (Oakie Doke)
 * Monkey (Kung Fu Panda)
 * Jeremy Johnson (Phineas and Ferb)
 * Emmett Heglin (Good Luck Charlie)
 * Blooregard "Bloo" Q. Kazoo (Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends)
 * Kyle Bloodworth-Thomason (Fanboy & Chum Chum)
 * The Kid (Codename: Kids Next Door)
 * Donald (Coilbook)
 * Master Tubby Bear (Noddy's Toyland Adventures)
 * Peter Fogg (Postman Pat)
 * Elvis Criddlington (Fireman Sam)
 * Tokki or Pow (Canimals)
 * Nibblet (Little Charley Bear)
 * Beatrice (Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night)
 * Phoney Bone or Smiley Bone (Bone)
 * Rat (Pearls Before Swine)
 * Bucky Cat (Get Fuzzy)
 * George Banks or Bert (Mary Poppins)
 * Mr. Jelk (Bedknobs & Broomsticks)
 * Fork (The Legendary Starfy)
 * Link (Super Smash Bros.)
 * Tigger or Rabbit (Winnie the Pooh)
 * Claus (Earthbound/Mother)
 * White (Harror the Robot, Both are Unlucky)
 * Chef Cookie (Drawn to Life)
 * Gene, General Hologram or Sonic the Hedgehog (Wreck-It Ralph)
 * Proto Man (Mega Man)
 * Simon Belmont (Captain N: The Game Master)
 * Mitshubishi or Verschae (Vehicles, James and Mitshubishi are Both Splendid)
 * Louie (Pikmin)
 * Bagheera or Rama (The Jungle Book)
 * King Louie (Talespin)
 * Sir Kay (The Sword in the Stone)
 * Diego (Ice Age; Diego is Spanish for James)
 * Ed or Bill (Sitting Ducks)
 * Mr. Washington (Caillou)
 * Robin (Scooby Doo)
 * Anthony Driggers (West Wilson Middle The TV Series, Rutland Elementary The TV Series)
 * Muck (Bob the Builder, Both are Red)
 * Duncan (Total Drama)
 * Douglas J. Needles (Back to the Future)
 * Jim Crow (Dumbo)
 * Pleakley (Lilo & Stitch)
 * Han Solo (Star Wars/The LEGO Movie)
 * Thief (Golden Axe)
 * Adam Hunter (Streets of Rage)
 * Fei Long (Street Fighter)
 * Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
 * Herky (Jay Jay The Jet Plane)
 * Yamcha (Dragon Ball Z)
 * Beemo (Adventure Time)
 * Benson or Muscle Man (Regular Show)
 * Easter Bunny (Rise of the Guardians)
 * Zhang Fei (Dynasty Warriors)
 * Zak (Dragon Tales)
 * Jaller or Mr. Matoran of Bigfoot (Bionicle, Both Jaller and James Starts with "Ja" & are Unlucky Sometimes)
 * Bert or Grover (Sesame Street)
 * Needleman (Monsters, Inc.)
 * Jeff Dunham (Jeff Dunham)
 * Flameslinger (Skylanders)
 * Ruben Rabbit (Skipper & Skeeto)
 * Eric (3 Friends and Jerry)
 * Liam Malone (Flushed Away)
 * Chet (Turbo (2013))
 * Nick Loop'n Lopez (Planes)
 * Fender (Robots)
 * Tootle (Casey Jr. and Friends)
 * Mr. Hamilton (Fawlty Towers)
 * Del Boy or Denzil (Only Fools and Horses)
 * Grumpy or Dopey (Snow White)
 * Reggie (The Wind in the Willows)
 * Adult Arthur (Babar)
 * Pingo (Pingu)
 * Algy (Rupert)
 * Brucie Kibbutz (Grand Theft Auto IV)
 * Han Solo (The LEGO Movie)
 * Denzel Dugglemonster (Henry Hugglemonster)
 * King Agamemnon (Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014))
 * Jimmy (The Nut Job (2014))
 * Flip the Grasshopper (Maya The Bee)

Counterparts (Girl/Female Version)

 * Mavis, Emily, Molly, Daisy or Lady (Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends)
 * Sonia the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat, Blaze the Cat or Bunnie Rabbot (Sonic the Hedgehog)
 * Sirica (Kirby)
 * Shirley the Loon (Tiny Toon Adventures)
 * Rainbow Dash, Rarity or Twilight Sparkle (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)
 * Candace Flynn (Phineas and Ferb)
 * Cher Leader (Fanboy and Chum Chum)
 * Henrietta Von Marzipan (Codename: Kids Next Door)
 * Molly Mouse or Lizzie Bee (Skipper & Skeeto)
 * Pearl Krabs (Spongebob Squarepants)
 * Mrs. Chicken (Garfield and Friends)
 * Buttercup (Powerpuff Girls)
 * Cassie (Dragon Tales)
 * Peach (Finding Nemo)

Counterparts (Villian Version)

 * Spamcan/D199 (The Railway Series)

Parodies

 * 1) James/Thomas (same series)
 * 2) James/Tayo
 * 3) James/TUGS
 * 4) James/Sonic
 * 5) James/Arthur
 * 6) James/Rio (2011)
 * 7) James/The Simpsons
 * 8) James/Shrek
 * 9) James/Winnie The Pooh
 * 10) James/Toy Story
 * 11) James/The Lion King
 * 12) James/Sesame Street
 * 13) James/Sooty
 * 14) James/Veggietales
 * 15) James/Bob The Builder
 * 16) James/Happy Feet
 * 17) James/The Lorax (2012)
 * 18) James/Fireman Sam
 * 19) James/Postman Pat
 * 20) James/Pingu
 * 21) James/Noddy's Toyland Adventures
 * 22) James/Oakie Doke
 * 23) James/Brum
 * 24) James/Tots Tv
 * 25) James/Rosie & Jim
 * 26) James/Teletubbies
 * 27) James/In the Night Garden
 * 28) James/Joshua Jones
 * 29) James/Charlie Chalk
 * 30) James/The Animal Shelf
 * 31) James/The Wind in the Willows
 * 32) James/See Spot Run
 * 33) James/Gremlins (1984)
 * 34) James/101 Dalmatians
 * 35) James/101 Dalmatians - The Animated Series
 * 36) James/101 Dalmatians (1996)
 * 37) James/102 Dalmatians
 * 38) James/BBC Television Children's Favourites
 * 39) James/Dora the Explorer
 * 40) James/Rosie
 * 41) James/Old Bear
 * 42) James/Harry Potter 
 * 43) James/Scooby-Doo 

Gallery

 * Main Article: James the Red Engine/Gallery