Paxton

**Paxton the Helpful Diesel** is one of the deuteragonists and the eighth diesel on the North Western Railway.

## Backstory

### Main Timeline

Paxton worked at Paddington alongside Jackie, Collet and Diesel. His goofy and cheerful nature managed to win over a few of the steam engines, including Jackie. Paxton also helped Jackie escape to London Transport when she was under threat of withdrawal. Sometime later, he was purchased for Sodor right before Diesel 10 struck on Sodor a second time.

### Paxton AU

Paxton arrived on Sodor instead of Diesel. Though Duck was a bit distrustful of him at first, he eventually grew to like Paxton. No lies were spread about either engine, and Paxton ultimately became the station pilot alongside Duck as they worked together so well. When Diesel came to Sodor on trial, he was glad to see him, and Diesel was a changed engine for the better. Diesel starts going by his real name, Jasper, and he and Paxton co-run the yards together. One day, when the Blue Mountain Quarry opened, Paxton got reassigned to work there. Jasper was saddened to see his brother go, but knew he would work very well in his new job.

## Relationships

### Amanda

Paxton finds Amanda to be a bit on the bold side and snarky, but otherwise very loyal. He loves to listen to her constant stories she gets from traveling around the island.

### Harvey

Not much is known about their relationship, but Paxton does enjoy Harvey's wit and will to get things done.

## Knapford pilot crew

### Charlie

Paxton will be patient and listen to Charlie's joking side, but has a bit more moral high-ground than he does. Charlie is sometimes chewed out by Paxton if he takes his jokes too far.

### Stanley

Not much is known about their relationship, but Stanley appreciates Paxton's enthusiasm and kind words. He does find his more gullible side irritating though.

### Stafford

Though Paxton finds Stafford on the quiet side, the duo get along well enough.

## Vicarstown crew

### Rosie

Not much is known about their relationship, but Rosie does find Paxton to be very kind, and she laughs at his remarks. Paxton also admires Rosie's bold streak and her adaptability.

### Dennis

Paxton sometimes makes remarks about Dennis being lazy, much to his irritation.

### Diesel

It was most unfortunate that Paxton showed up on Sodor when Diesel was in a rough patch of his life. He was part of the group that influenced Paxton to get Thomas to the Dieselworks to hold him hostage to get Sir Topham Hatt to repair it (long story). Since then, Paxton had been a bit cautious of Diesel, but still trying to push some of his kindness out. Much to the surprise of many, it was working.

### Sidney

Paxton and Sidney are very close. Despite the latter's short-term-memory-loss, the two are always trying to think of new ways to have fun while working. He was also concerned for Sidney when he didn't have his wheels at the Dieselworks.

### Arry and Bert

Not much is known about the relationship, but Paxton was horrified when he found out they tried to scrap numerous Sudrians.

### Skarloey Engines

Paxton's relationship with the little engines is really tight, as he often goes to the Blue Mountain Quarry. He listens to Skarloey, Rheneas and Duke's words of wisdom, as well as makes jokes with Peter Sam, Sir Handel and Luke. Paxton admires Rusty's dedication to mending the line and often jokes about Fred, Duncan and Mighty Mac, much to their irritation. (Details regarding Ivo Hugh, Silver and Pepper to be added)

## Romance

### Jackie

Despite the whole 08 and 5700 feud, Jackie managed to find Paxton a very kind, open minded and loving engine to be around. She often taught him how to handle trains, and he sometimes gave her a reminder of what needed to be done. Through their friendship, it started to bloom into a deep romance, despite Collet's protests. Paxton was also the one who saved Jackie's life in the long run, by sending her to the London Transport route. When the duo reunite on Sodor, they are overjoyed. Paxton also calls Jackie 'Swan', for her inner and outer beauty.

## Personality

Paxton is a very naive and gullible little diesel, but his heart is in the right place. He makes friends very easily, and has a good sense of humour that can melt anyone's heart. Even the likes of Cranky have to smile when Paxton is around.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Paxton is based on a British Rail (BR) Class 08 diesel-electric shunter. In the real world, BR Class 08s were in fact the most successful shunting engines in the world with 996 of them built. Over seventy of them are preserved by heritage railways, such as the Dean Forest Railway and museums, such as the National Railway Museum. Around one-hundred BR Class 08s also remain in service on the national rail network. Paxton's real life counterpart was built on the 27th of February 1959, withdrawn on the 28th of February 2007, and scrapped March 2008.

Diesel, Arry, Bert, Sidney, Ulli, Zeke, Rayker, Matias, Ali, Prisca and Lyla are also based on BR Class 08s.

### Livery

Paxton is painted jungle green with yellow lining. His coupling rods and front bufferbeam are painted burnt orange. His rear bufferbeam, ladders, vents, lamps, railings, running board and footsteps are all painted black. His name is painted on his sides in white. His number "D8" is painted in white. His paint is chipped in places and shows signs of weathering, but that is fixed after *The Case of the Missing Parts*, where he gets his name on his side.

## Differences between the episodes and this series

* Paxton was the pawn Diesel 10 used in *Diesel 10 Strikes Back*, instead of Percy who should have known better.
* All the 08s know each other as brothers and sisters, rather than being supposedly unrelated.
* Paxton's number on Sodor is D8. His pre-Sodor number was D3688.
	+ The numbers that this diesel wore in real life were D3688/08526. This diesel was built later than Diesel's real life counterpart, so Paxton is younger than Diesel.
* After *The Case of the Missing Parts*, Paxton has his name painted on his side. Diesel and Sidney get similar treatment.