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Diesel is a devious diesel shunter, and was the first diesel engine to arrive on the North Western Railway. He appeared with a key role in Duck & The Diesel Engine, where he caused trouble for Duck and the big engines. He left Sodor with the apparent order not to return, for he never featured again in the main book series. In complete contrast, he became the prime antagonistic force of the Thomas & Friends TV series.
Bio[]
Duck and the Diesel Engine[]
When Diesel was brought in on trial, Duck, showing him round, was unimpressed by his crafty arrogance, but had no idea of the newcomer's deceitful streak. Diesel blundering when he tried to pull some rusted trucks - unknowing they were in their siding for some time - turned him into a laughing stock, but Diesel pinned the whole blame on Duck. He spread rumors claiming Duck had given the big engines rude nicknames. Duck was thus sent to Wellsworth pending further investigation, but Diesel was found out after word began to spread that Henry said bad things about Gordon, and was almost immediately sent packing.
(The North Western Railway's accounts relate how their minor tank engine Celia, already based at Wellsworth as Edward's subordinate, filled in for Duck in his place. Having formerly served under Army ownership, Celia was fairly quick to query the accusations being made against Gordon, which as it turned out was what Sir Topham Hatt had partially thought. Even so, Celia's actions that ultimately caught out Diesel surprised even her controller, as, with support of new ally Rosalind, she indicated to the trucks they were being duped for a one-sided taking. Already ruffled by Diesel's low regard for them, the trucks gave the evidence Sir Topham needed via a payback, without Diesel knowing until he was cornered and forced to take his leave.)
The Little Old Engine[]
In the third story from this book, Diesel was mentioned by James who stated he sent him packing to make an impression on Duncan, who fell for it.
Thomas and the Evil Diesel[]
Several years later, Diesel was brought back to help on Thomas' Branch Line whilst Percy was being repaired, though Diesel was not expected, catching even Duck out. Diesel tried to tempt Thomas and Toby over without success, and after he destroyed several trucks an outraged Sir Topham Hatt ensured he would be sent away. However, on his day of departure, Clarabel slipped on oily rails left by Daisy and came off at some points near Dryaw. Diesel, realising that Thomas was blocking his only way home, went to the rescue. Clarabel put in a good word for Diesel, and Diesel, although he returned to the Other Railway, is mutually welcome on Sodor.
Related[]
In 1966-67, work on the redevelopment of the Arlesburgh Branch Line meant that Donald and Douglas, who were assigned to help relay the rails and then haul ballast away, couldn't be on hand to assist Duck with shunting at busy times. Percy sometimes helped but only when he was available. As such, Sir Topham Hatt called the Other Railway for a spare engine, only for he and Duck to find (as per Thomas and the Evil Diesel) that Diesel himself was the only one spare, presumably since his exposed reputation had made his controller question his versatility. To that point, he was still painted in the black livery he wore when he first came, whilst others of his class had since been repainted green with wasp stripes.
Diesel's roles in the 3rd season of the television series fairly resemble the events that happened during his second, somewhat longer, stint on Sodor. His winter encounter with Mavis was different in nature to the concerned episode, but closer to his arc in Evil Diesel. Diesel had been briefly relocated from the big yard to Anopha Quarry to manage trucks, and Mavis, showing development, treated Diesel with suspicion. Diesel ended up being of unlikely assistance when tools kept going missing from the quarry. His ability to deduce foul play determined two rogues camping in a van in the hills closeby were responsible. Diesel ultimately left in the same way as the 3rd season, but with a layer of compensation this time round.
Basis[]
Diesel is based on a BR Class 08 0-6-0 Shunter. Over seventy members of this class survive today in preservation. They were in fact the most successful shunting engines in the world, with 996 of them built.
Livery[]
Diesel is painted in the black livery used by British Railways for shunting engines in the 1950s.
Appearances[]
Railway Series[]
- Duck and the Diesel Engine
- The Little Old Engine (mentioned)
- Thomas and the Evil Diesel