James

"'I'm feeling a little blue- which isn't so hot when you're red!'"James’s family moved to London shortly after he turned 7. Unfortunately, he spent most of his childhood unable to be his true self. Enrolled in an all-girl Catholic school, any attempted masculinity was harshly suppressed and he became depressed and withdrawn into his teenage years. Desperate, he left home at 18. He was technically homeless during this time and stayed with various friends while he worked retail. Eventually he found his way to Sodor and got a job cleaning engines, but started learning to operate an engine when a spare driver was needed. He’s come a long way and loves to show off, and while he’d never admit it, he deeply cares about what his friends think of him. He may not like to get dirty, but he loves his job. In a sense, his job and the friends he’s made are all he has.

Past
James was born in Madrid, Spain. Shortly after turning 7, his parents moved the family to the U.K. and settled in Cardiff, Wales. He was enrolled in an all-girl Catholic schools as soon they moved to England. James knew he was a boy from a very young age and would sometimes try to present more masculine, but his strict parents never approved of their "daughter" looking like a "tomboy" and always suppressed these attempts. James acted out and resisted his parents when he was younger, but as he began puberty he grew more withdrawn and depressed.

He'd been packing long before, but as soon as James turned 18 he left home. During this time he was essentially homeless, staying with various friends while he worked in retail until he could save enough money to rent a place. He eventually found his way to the Island of Sodor and got a job cleaning engines, and then cleaning and firing. He hated such grimy work and only stayed for the double pay. Initially, he had no interest in learning to drive the engines and wanted to leave as soon as possible. James wasn't shy about this fact, either. But when the railway's controller was looking to bring another engine back into service– the No. 5– for passengers and tours, he told James that if he complained a little less and worked a little more, it could be "his" engine to pull passengers with. James was still apprehensive about railway work, but he liked the idea of having an "audience" of sorts.

According to James, it was one of the most gruelling experiences working his way up from fireman to driver. According to the crew that mentored him, the only one making things difficult was James.

Even though James had no initial interest in driving trains, he discovered he quite enjoyed it- at least, he enjoys the work he believes to be suitable for himself. Mainly, he likes being able to show off. Once James was promoted to driver, he began associating much more closely with Gordon, which only intensified the drama Gordon had started.

James's natural accent is Welsh, but puts on an English accent most of the time so that his coworkers can understand him more easily, and to avoid being teased by Gordon.

Present

 * James can work hard when he wants to, but he still really doesn't like doing freight work
 * his attitude towards it has significantly improved over the years though
 * he reigns in his attitude more because he actually cares about the people he works with and their opinion of him- though he can still be very arrogant at times
 * currently rather content with his place in the world, but he's still trying to work out his family issues

Future
He wants a child but is also scared of responsibility.

He'll also start to feel like he's only really done one thing in his life and that he hasn't achieved a whole lot, and it's going to cause a huge midlife crisis. This is triggered by Thomas going off to university.

Past jobs
He worked several short-term jobs in his teens and late adolescence, usually involving retail. His progression on the railway is the only "career" he's ever had.

Current job
He drives the NWR No. 5, often pulling passengers (and the express, occasionally) but sometimes pulling freight as well. James strongly prefers pulling passengers and giving tours so he can show off both himself and his engine.

Crashes & Accidents

 * brake block incident was the most notable crash he's had
 * caused by, you guessed it, wooden brake blocks
 * for once, it wasn't actually his fault
 * he was injured in the crash, worsening his hearing condition, but he was ultimately fine
 * Topham let him pick what color the No. 5 would be repainted with (within reason), which only made James more attached to the idea that this is "his" engine

Familial

 * two parents, only child
 * he's something of a "weird uncle" to the railway kids

Platonic

 * He had a group of close friends at his all-girl secondary school to whom he disclosed his gender identity. They supported him and his plans to transition, and were his primary support system when he was homeless.
 * One of these friends, Morgyn Amber, ended up coming out as trans as well, and is James' longest-standing friend he still regularly talks to
 * His other closest friends are Henry and Gordon. He wasn't a fan when they started dating, and isn't afraid to invite himself when they make plans

Romantic
He's in a relationship with Edward.

James gets crushes very easily. He's had a minor crush on nearly every guy he's worked with

Negative relations
James has been rude to just about everyone on the railway, but the only people he would voice personal disdain towards or consider his "enemies" is Spencer and Diesel.

Personality
James is arrogant, conceited, and will throw a fit if told to do anything he believes to be unsuitable. He loves showing off both himself and his engine, but mostly himself. It's hard to believe at times, but underneath that cocky smile and perfectly-gelled hair is a soft insecure soul who wants to his friends' approval. He may live for attention, but at the end of the day he’ll always choose friends over fans.

James also has a self-destructive streak, which becomes very apparent to anyone who knows him for more than a week.

Interests
James likes following fashion trends and reading pop magazines. He can also play the piano but typically only does so as an opportunity to show off. He likes watching Spanish dramas, as well.

Physical description
James has olive skin and dark brown hair that's usually in an updo. Naturally, it's very curly but he straightens most of it. He has defined crinkles around his eyes because of his nearsightedness and how he used to always squint. Now he wears contacts. James wears a white hearing aid in his left ear. Both of his ears are pierced. His belly button was pierced as well. He has narrow shoulders and a thin frame, and would appear wiry if not for his hips and thighs filling out his figure. He's had surgery to remove his breasts and the scars can be seen when he's shirtless. James hardly ever hides his figure unless it's a trending look.

He wears some makeup, but not very heavily. He likes to go for a "natural" look, just enough to show off his own natural beauty. James is also severely allergic to bees.

He has self-inflicted scars on his upper thighs. This is the only part of his body James is self-conscious about.

Uniform
Please see the following visual reference:

Quotes

 * "What's that, Duck? Are you afraid of bees? They're only insects, after all."
 * "Edward is impossible. He and his engine clank about like a lot of old iron, and they are so slow he makes us wait."
 * “She's a splendid engine. Ready for anything. You never see her paint get dirty.”
 * "An old slowcoach like you is sure to slow me down."
 * "Mind her paintwork!"
 * "I...am not...a hero...I...am the silliest...and muddiest...man, on Sodor..."
 * "WHY DID RAJIV WIN?! HE JUST PUT SOME TINSEL ON IT!"
 * "Now you're the one blushing..."
 * "Whatever you say, Mr. Receding Hairline!"
 * "If police come to the door asking about property damage just tell them it was [Edward's] date and I’ll pay for it later."

Trivia

 * James' friend Morgyn is taken directly from the Sims 4 expansion pack "Realm of Magic"
 * James is the only person not allowed to call Duck unless it's an emergency