Diesel's Christmas Carol (10th anniversary remake)

**Diesel's Christmas Carol** is the remake of the original episode of the same name. It was released on 22 December 2022 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the original's release.

## Plot

With Christmas just mere days away, the engines do their final jobs before the big Christmas party at Knapford station. Everyone was in good spirits about it, except Diesel, who never really liked Christmas and made sure that everyone took notice. He has no sympathy for Philip's failing engine, despite Paxton trying to convince him otherwise.

The Fat Controller asks Diesel to shunt and prepare a train of Christmas decorations that came with a Mainland engine for the party at Knapford, which he reluctantly does. However, his bad attitude towards Christmas gets the better of him and he shunts the train in a siding rather then preparing it. With time passing, the Fat Controller checks with the yard master who asks Diesel about the trucks. He angrily assures him that the trucks have been delivered and the manager recalls his response to the Fat Controller.

As the engines head to Knapford, Philip discovers the missing trucks in the siding Diesel left them in. He convinces his driver to get the trucks to Knapford despite his engine problems. Unfortunatly for Philip, he doesn't make it further then a few yards outside the yard before breaking down. He tries to ask Diesel for help as he passes by, but Diesel ignores him before resting in the shed. Paxton later arrives and helps him get the decorations to Knapford. Despite them arriving, the Fat Controller decides to postpone the party and the engines sadly return to their sheds. The Fat Controller confronts Diesel, who reiterates his spite for Christmas. The Fat Controller tells him that a visit from three ghosts might change his mind before departing. Diesel scoffs at the idea before falling asleep.

Shortly after falling asleep, he is awoken by the church bells, which annoys him before he settles down again. Some time later, a blue engine, seemingly Edward, arrives at the sheds. The engine rebuffs Diesel's claims of him being Edward, and introduces themselves as the ghost of Christmas Past. They buffer up to Diesel and takes him into the air. After some time, they land in a yard from Diesel's past. It's revealed that he was a shy engine, but Barry encouraged him to join the Christmas party. Diesel fondly remembers how Barry was his first true friend. However, as the setting changes, it's revealed that Diesel's new driver inflicted the thought of diesel engines being revolutionary into his mind, and left Barry stranded despite him calling for help. The spirit explains that Barry was subsequently scrapped despite him still being useful. Diesel then demands to be taken back, which the spirit eventually agrees to after warning him that past actions can't be unchanged.

Shortly after returning to the shed, Diesel is visited by another spirit in the form of Salty, who explains that they're the ghost of Christmas Present and how Christmas is a time to be kind to each other and have generocity. They also remark that Diesel lacks this ability. They bring Diesel out into the air again and stop mid-air to observe a scene at Tidmouth Sheds. There, Paxton remarks that Diesel didn’t ruin everyone’s togetherness. This makes an impact on Diesel, who begins to feel sorry for Philip and his current state. Diesel asks what would happen to Philip, and the spirit implies that Philip would be scrapped. Diesel asserts that the Fat Controller would have enough money to repaire Philip. The spirit reminds him of his own words to Barry just before a strong snow storm blows. The sheds become empty and the spirit laughs until the storm settles.

As the storm settles, Diesel is back on the rails again, finding himself in a yard. A scrap engine approaches him and Diesel guesses that it represents the ghost of Christmas Future. He declares that he knows that it would do good with it's purpose and asks it to lead on. Like the two other spirits, it brings Diesel into the air and they fly for some time before landing at Tidmouth Sheds again. There, the engines are discussing a newly withdrawn engine, which some express happiness for being withdrawn. Douglas notes how Philip has now been avenged. The other engines share his sentiment, but Diesel is confused. The spirit buffers up to him and couples him to a train. It brings him to a scrapyard, where Diesel spots Philip's remains in a scrapheap, and later his own in a pile of snow which later clears. Another snow storm picks up, and Diesel realises that the scrap engine is actually Barry. Finally realising what the spirits has been trying to tell him, he pledges to behave and celebrate Christmas as Barry shunts him into a scrap shed. Barry uncouples from him and seemingly lets him go. He then rushes forward and pushes Diesel further into the shed just as he awakens.

He then wakes up on the morning of Christmas Day, being met by his driver. His driver notes his change in attitude and Diesel asks to talk to the Fat Controller.

The Fat Controller meets Diesel at Wellsworth and agrees to his plan, explaining that the decorations trucks are in a siding at Tidmouth. As Diesel leaves, he noting to himself that maybe three spirits visted Diesel after all. Diesel pulls the decorations train to Tidmouth and workmen begin to decorate the place.

The other engines return to Knapford, and are surprised that Diesel has taken the step to ensure the decorations were put up. Diesel explains how Edward, Salty and an old friend made him realise his mistakes. The party comes into full swing, and Diesel tries to cheer Philip up, but becomes uneasy at the thought of Philip possibly being scrapped. The Fat Controller explains how he doesn't have the funds for Philip's repairs. Diesel then says that he will handle Philip's work, which the Fat Controller appreciates. And Diesel kept his work, keeping the workflow going, giving the Fat Controller enough funds to eventually have Philip's engine repaired. The two engine become friends, and Diesel treats Philip like a brother. And it's always said of him, that he knows how to keep Christmas well.

## Characters

* Edward
* Gordon
* James
* Duck
* Donald and Douglas
* Oliver
* Emily
* Diesel
* Bear
* Paxton
* Philip
* Salty
* Barry
* Sir Topham Hatt
* The Butler
* Bill and Ben (*does not speak*)
* Roderick (*does not speak*)
* Lady Hatt (*does not speak*)
* Thomas (*cameo*)
* Henry (*cameo*)
* Percy (*cameo*)
* Toby (*cameo*)
* Daisy (*cameo*)
* Rebecca (*cameo*)
* Rosie (*cameo*)
* Stepney (*cameo*)
* The Flying Scotsman (*cameo*)
* Wilbert (*cameo*)
* Hiro (*cameo*)
* Fergus (*cameo*)
* Arthur (*cameo*)
* Murdoch (*cameo*)
* Dennis (*cameo*)
* Derek (*cameo*)
* Lady (*cameo*)
* Skarloey (*cameo*)
* Rheneas (*cameo*)
* Sir Handel (*cameo*)
* Peter Sam (*cameo*)
* Rusty (*cameo*)
* Duncan (*cameo*)
* Duke (*cameo*)
* Victor (*cameo*)
* Annie and Clarabel (*cameo*)
* Henrietta (*cameo*)
* Victoria (*cameo*)
* Bertie (*cameo*)
* Trevor (*cameo*)
* Caroline (*cameo*)
* Jem Cole (*cameo*)