Dennis

**Dennis the Lazy Diesel** is one of the deuteragonists and the seventh diesel on the North Western Railway.

## Backstory:

Dennis worked at the Steamworks alongside Amanda, Frankie, Theo, Lexi and his brother Norman. Unfortunately, right before he and Norman were to transfer to Sodor, Norman died saving him from fast melting slag.

## Station pilot crew

### Amanda

Amanda is annoyed by Dennis' constant need to nap, but she does like getting her own back by teasing him. This in turn gets on his nerves.

### Rosie

Rosie often makes jokes at Dennis' expense of his laziness, much to his displeasure. Rosie is also the more organised of the pair, and she often whips him into line.

## Other relationships

### Arthur

Arthur is quick to be annoyed by Dennis due to his laziness and calling him 'Artie'. Dennis' poor listening to Arthur's distress also caused him to spread rumours, which further hurt Arthur and Dennis' relationship.

### Hurricane

Dennis was quite fond of Hurricane, and he was wishing him and Norman well when they were due to go to Sodor. However, right before they were due out, Norman died saving Dennis. He tried to comfort Dennis when he was due to leave, but that didn't do much good.

### Lexi

Despite Lexi's more goofy side, Dennis enjoyed their company. They unfortunately got a great shock: when Dennis and Norman were due to head to Sodor, Norman got into an incident where he saved his brother and died. Lexi was devastated to lose two good friends, but hoped Dennis would be okay in his new home.

### Theo

Theo was very patient when working with Dennis, and Dennis found Theo a sweet little brother figure. He did try to console Dennis when Norman died, but that did little good.

### Norman

Dennis's grumpy twin brother, he always complained about Dennis' laziness. When the duo were chosen to go to Sodor, they had a massive fight. It culminated in Norman calling Dennis "a lazy, pathetic slug who couldn’t pull his own weight to save his life". Determined to prove him wrong, Dennis worked himself to the frames until it was time for the two to head to Sodor. Unfortunately, he got caught in slag and Norman pushed him to safety… but he was damaged beyond repair and given a final firing. Dennis left for Sodor, alone and devastated.

## Personality

Dennis is a bit of a lazy diesel, somewhat like Daisy when she first came to Sodor. However, the grey diesel has a tragedy lying under the surface which made him flat out refuse to work at first. Now, he does still sleep, but only if he really is on a break. He’s not much of a chatterbox in the sheds in the evening.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Dennis is based on British Rail (BR) 11001, a prototype Bulleid diesel built at Ashford Works, England in 1949 and scrapped in 1959. He also carries his basis' number. Dennis' twin, Norman, is also based on the BR 11001.

### Livery

Dennis is painted two-tone grey with dark grey wheels, gearboxes, roof, running board and front. His number (D7) is painted on his sides in white, and his jackshaft is red.

## Differences between the episodes and this series

* Dennis is far more prominent in this series.
* Dennis and Norman knew each other, rather than being unaware of each other until the latter's arrival.
* Dennis takes up Norman's place in the Brenner era on Sodor.
* Dennis is D7 in this series. His pre-sodor number is 11001.
* Dennis is the Vicarstown station pilot alongside Rosie.

## Trivia

* The preferred voice actor for Dennis is Tim Whitnall, who played Mr. Lazy from The Mr. Men Show.