Dave

"*Hey hey hey. I'm back bitches!
Dave. It's you. Thank God!
Miss me did you?
Ha, not in the slightest old friend.*"
— Dave and Brian, Who Goes There?

* **Class**: LMS Class 5MT "Black 5"
* **Designer**: William Stanier
* **Build date**: 1935
* **Configuration**: 4-6-0
* **Arrived on the DR**: 1958

**David**, primarily known as **Dave**, is a large mixed-traffic engine who lives on the Dark Railway.

## Bio

### Service with LMS & BR

Dave was built at the Vulcan Foundry on May 31st, 1935 and initially based in Birmingham. His years here were rather rough, particularly regarding his relationships, one of which involved a Stanier Mogul called Linda. He fell into bouts of depression, and once resorted to self-harming. It reached a point where he eventually broke down in front of his visiting brother, Stan, and established a desire to see his brother again in the future.

In 1952, Dave was reallocated to Carlisle, where he hauled freight trains into Scotland, a job he hated. He was reallocated again in 1954 to the Somerset and Dorset Railway for hauling passenger trains, and it was here that he was repainted into green for the first time. While here, his confidence grew, and he made several friends, including a Bulleid Pacific named Sir Eustace Missenden, a Fowler 4F named Ed, and a LMS 2P named Sid.

During 1954, Dave was transferred to New Harwick on the Island of New Wessex. He left Bath Green Park with an excursion train bound for Repford Junction, where he was reunited with Stan, who by this point had also been allocated to the island. His initial impressions of the other midland locos in the region were far from pleasant, and this did not improve upon his arrival at New Harwick sheds, whereupon the Black 5 quickly got into a row with Seaforth & Falkland before jumping ship & heading to Repford to join Stan & the other engines based there including Stanier 8F 2-8-0 Max (disowned by Seaford, Falkland and Frank for being built by the GWR at Swindon Works).

During Dave's stay on New Wessex, both Black 5s were put to work hauling boat trains over the section of line between Stomouth & Alfredston during the summer season. This route took trains up & over the formidable Stoborough Bank, where a banking engine was often required to assist. This came in the form of Shawe, a heavy freight tank who had been relegated to banking position at Stoborough to learn the importance of such duties, following previous insubordination on the incline towards Castle Stovell. Dave, not realising the true cause of Shawe's bad behaviour & considering him to be mentally disturbed, took it upon himself to 'have some fun' with Shawe in a so-called attempt to lighten the mood. This involved regularly shutting off steam & forcing the 5205 to do all the work whilst climbing Stoborough Bank, as well as verbally antagonizing him on occasions. Protests from Stan did little to deter Dave's efforts, and this bad blood between Dave & Shawe eventually culminated in a near-miss at Stoborough with the "New Wessex Pullman" following an act of retaliation on the bank by the latter, causing the train to slip back down the incline & narrowly avoid running into the path of the "Wessex Wyvern" express (the slip mainly being due to oil on the rails from a broken oil tanker).

Shawe mysteriously disappeared after this incident whilst Dave's involvement earned him a scolding from Lord Stovell as well as a damaged reputation among the resident fleet. The relationship between Dave & Stan was also strained as a result, with the latter refusing to speak to his brother out of anger. With morale & unity amongst the resident fleet declining as a result of Shawe's departure, Stan lost patience with Dave at Repford sheds one evening, blaming him for shattering the peace whilst the fleet was still coming to terms with Bride's departure during the previous year following withdrawal from service by BR. Dave was initially taken aback by this before retaliating by rebuking his brother after he lamented that he'd failed the Saint, asserting that she was no longer of importance to the island. To Dave's shock, a furious Stan snapped at him before storming out of the sheds, as the realization dawned on Dave that he'd made an already dire situation even worse.

After a while, both Black 5s made amends and Dave eventually departed New Wessex to return to Bath Green Park during the latter half of 1955, where he continued to operate services along the S&D to Bournemouth.

### Preservation

In 1958, Dave was purchased by Mr. Dark. Mr Dark required a mixed traffic engine for his own railway in East Kent, and Dave happened to be available for a knockdown price, therefore, Dave was purchased. Before he headed to East Kent to join the Dark Railway, he was re-routed to a scrapyard to pick up another locomotive that had been saved by Mr Dark; a 4MT tank engine called Brian. The latter had accidentally been sent to Barry Island instead of Ashford Works for cylinder repairs.

Dave and Brian quickly became friends, and he settled down on the DR. In 1960, Dave came into a relationship with a Stanier Jubilee called Leanne, and he brought her to the Dark Railway. She quickly offered to take him to Wales to meet her "family" and he accepted, unaware that she was actually bringing him to a scrapyard to be cut up in her place. The plan almost succeeded, but he was saved just in time by Brian and Raymond, leaving Leanne to be taken instead. When they returned home, Dave and Raymond had a heart to heart, and Raymond became his second best friend.

In 1961, Dave was repainted back into black, but was given a new set of nameplates as compensation. He teased visiting engine Dai due to his age and an embarrassing incident involving his tender, but was humiliated each time. At the end of the following year he was the engine responsible for pushing Maxen over the edge of the cliff at Merecombe. When Theo and Otto unveiled their time machine to the other engines, Dave was one of those accidentally sent back in time to 1953, returning him to his old haunts on the Settle and Carlisle Railway. Realising that he would cause a paradox if his past self saw him, he was quickly disguised as No. 44909, and renamed **Rupert**. They eventually rebuilt the machine, following a surprise encounter between Dave and his past self, and they were able to return to their own time.

On New Years Eve 1963, Dave failed on Walschurch viaduct with melted fusible plugs. This left him out of service for some time, as it later turned out that he needed other major repairs, which made Mr. Dark decide to give him an overhaul. Although the overhaul was fast tracked, he was then placed on loan to Newport, before finally returning home at the end of 1965. He was threatened upon his return by Leanne, who was planning to kill him and his friends in revenge, but her plans were thwarted once again and he was rescued.

Following his return, Dave was once again repainted back into green, though he now carried the Dark Railway's logo. Prior to working a railtour he rescued Cammer from Raxas Heath after he failed there, leading to Mr. Dark purchasing him, and he also had a freak encounter with the ghost engine Pogo, who warned him of a danger lurking on the horizon. He was later chosen along with Turbo to pull the Aspergers Flyer railtour from Colhapper to London Victoria, which also included an optional circular trip around London's suburban lines.

After two engines, Hannah and Repulse, arrived on the railway, Dave began developing feelings for Hannah while feeling depressed around the self absorbed Repulse. He found out that Hannah felt the same way and they became a couple. Shortly afterwards, Pogo's warning was revealed to be that Repulse was actually Leanne in disguise, and in the aftermath of the reveal, Dave was crushed in Gasworks Tunnel after derailing inside it. Fortunately, with some help from Pogo and 257 Squadron, the events of the day were reset, and ended with Leanne's own death in Gasworks Tunnel.

Dave returned to service in 1969 when the railway reopened. He was soon repainted into LMS Black, much to his annoyance but to the pleasure of his girlfriend, Hannah. Dave was later distraught when Cammer, Colin, and Owen were killed in a shed fire, and was left traumatised when the truth about it emerged. He was repainted back into DR Green the following year. In 1971, Dave learned that he would be going into the new Galen Junction Railway Museum as his boiler ticket was close to expiring. To his disappointment, he was placed on display at the back of the museum. He remained here for several months, until he found himself forming a friendship with Mr. Dark's son, Zeke Dark, who arranged to have Dave repositioned to the front of the museum instead to allow him to see Hannah again. He was eventually moved into the works for overhaul in 1972 alongside Ed and Sid, but was briefly let out to be reunited with Hannah and to hear Mr. Dark announce his retirement and appoint Zeke as his successor. He returned to service following overhaul in 1975, though his reawakening was disturbed by a nightmare involving his ex-girlfriend, Linda. After the DR's mainline connection was severed by British Rail, Dave surprised everyone by revealing he was unfazed by the development, as it meant that the railway he considered home was now truly free from outside interference. His belief inspired optimism from the others, who rallied around his support of the line.

Over time, Dave started being haunted by demonic visions of his old girlfriend Linda, resulting in an incident where he emergency braked during a service after seeing her on the line ahead. As nobody else saw the vision, Dave feared he was losing his mind. After getting himself checked over by Mr. Smash, he felt that the problem was solved, unaware that it wasn't a figment of his imagination at all. Not long afterwards, the demonic entity appeared in front of him again and this time teleported him away from the railway right in front of Hannah. It transpired that Dave's nightmare of Linda was actually the result of his consciousness somehow finding its way to an alternate dimension where demons resided, and when he awoke one demon followed him back and adopted Linda's form. This demon tormented Dave in its dimension, preying upon his despair as it asserted that everything bad in his life was his fault and that it would feast upon all that he loved once it was finished with him. Using his shapeshifting abilities to transform into said into his friends, Clyde managed to motivate Dave enough to throw off the demon's influence, freeing him from its control and allowing Pogo to rescue him from the dimension.

Dave was asked to haul the inaugural service along the extension to Bellgrave. Unfortunately, his fear of Colhapper Tunnel got the better of him, resulting in him making an emergency brake stop outside the tunnel which locked his brakes hard-on and damaged his tyres in the process. Upon being sent to Caracus Smash Ltd for repairs, Dave discovered the existence of the replica of Dark Railway No 1202, much to the annoyance of Mr. Smash. After he was repaired, Dave was thrilled to be reunited with Gary and Stan, who were visiting the line for a gala. The trio spent much time together, making Barry jealous. At the end of the gala, after rescuing Barry from a breakdown, Stan revealed he was staying on the line for a while longer, to Dave's delight.

One evening shortly after the gala, Stan pitched the idea of Dave coming back to New Wessex with him for a holiday period, which Dave agreed to subject to Hannah's consent. After Stan mentioned that the island was accessed via a tunnel, Dave confessed to his brother that since the collapse of Gasworks Tunnel back in 1968, he'd been terrified of going through tunnels in general. Stan therefore agreed to help Dave overcome this fear, and the pair began making small journeys to the tunnel to allow him to make progress venturing inside. Stan eventually took Dave through the tunnel on the back of Barry's engineering train, allowing him to finally conquer his fear of tunnels altogether.

By 1980, Dave and Stan were in the planning stages of their visit to Stan's home on New Wessex, and when the pair encountered Zeke at Colhapper Sheds one morning, they asked if permission could be granted for their departure. To their disappointment, Zeke explained to Dave and Stan that due to a large portion of the Dark Railway's fleet requiring repairs and long overdue maintenance once Mr. Smash reopened his workshop, he required both Black 5s to remain on the Dark Railway for a while longer until enough of the DR's engines were back in operational use.

One night after covering for Caracus Smash on "The Ventura" dining train, Dave was invited to see the DR1202 replica wake up for the first time. He immediately helped the newly built engine learn about the world and also helped him come up with his name: Rick. He also made a guest appearance outside the Museum during the ceremony when Rick was being unveiled to the public. Dave continued to take on a paternal role with Rick as he entered service on the railway. After they learned the truth from Theo and Otto about what the original engine had been like, Dave assured Rick that he was his own engine and that he could forge his own image and destiny separate from his predecessor.

During an Autumn Steam Gala he returned to Merecombe shed to discover that one of the visiting engines Cederwood was angrilly berating Rick believing him to be the original DR1202 as he plus a number of his friends had been victims to Big Bob's bullying. After Rick left the shed upset, Dave attempted to attack Cederwood for his outburst at Rick but was persuaded by Alfred to not beat up Cederwood as he wasn't aware that Rick wasn't DR1202 and told him to find Rick and comfort him. Dave left Mercombe to find Rick and eventually located him at the side of Mr Smash's Works. He comforted Rick telling him that he was like a father to him, as he'd been there when Rick woke up for the first time & had helped him become the engine he was.

Eventually following the end of the railway's Autumn Steam Gala he was persuaded by Stan to have a repaint from Dark Railway lined green and go back to BR colours, he didn't want to go back into BR lined black but Stan told him that he should be repainted into BR lined green as it was the livery he wore when he visited New Wessex in the 1950's. He agreed to this idea and spoke to Mr Smash about wanting a repainted into BR lined green & he also informed Hannah about him being repainted into BR lined green like her. After Mr Smash spoke to Zeke about what Dave wanted to do he was sent in for repainting. He also decided that to keep it historically accurate he would have his nameplates taken off for while he was away at New Wessex. Eventually he was loaded onto a low loader alongside Hannah and following a final goodbye to Rick, both left by road for their journey to New Wessex.

## Persona

Although Dave started life rather miserable, he is now rather cocky and will often tease other engines, but is still good natured and willing to help his friends out when they need assistance.

## Livery

Dave is currently painted in British Railways lined green with the late crest painted on his tender.

When he was first built, Dave wore standard LMS Black with stylized lettering for his running number. In 1938, the lettering of his number was simplified, lacking the scripted style.

In British Railways employ he wore both BR Lined Black and BR Lined Green, both of which he wore with the early and late crests on his tender. During most of his time on the Dark Railway he wore Dark Railway green with white lining and the Dark Railway logo painted on his tender. During his time on the DR he has worn several variations of BR Black (both lined and unlined) & BR Green, DR Green, and LMS Lined Black.

## Basis

Dave is based on a London, Midland and Scottish Railway Stanier Class 5MT 4-6-0, better known as a "Black Five".

In his current form, he carries a Stanier 2nd generation boiler (with long firebox, separate top feed and dome and slanting throatplate), though the real No 45101 had a 1st generation boiler ("Domeless" with a single top feed, short firebox and straight throatplate) throughout its life up until withdrawal on March 31st, 1968.

## Appearances

### The Dark Railway Series

Episodes:

* Series 1 - Pilots, The Party, The Shunter's Gamble (*does not speak*), Will and Won't, Dave's Dating Tips, Something's In the Air, The Beauty Overheard, The Betrayal, The Road to Radstock and Sir Eustace's Secret
* Series 2 - Dave's Reward, Dave and Dai, Colin and the Coaches (*does not speak*), Tenders, Allan (*mentioned*), Hide and Seek, Goodbye, Dai, Eddie and Maxen, Some Kind of Fuel and Taking Out the Trash
* Series 3 - The Return of Sir Eustace Missenden, Like a Sir, 257 Squadron (*mentioned*), Tender Moments of Tender Engines (*mentioned*), BR Blues (*mentioned*), Poor Leno (*mentioned*), Who Goes There? and Revenge of the Forgotten
* Series 4 - Traction Reaction, Cammer, Colin and Cows (*does not speak*), Owen's Woes, Tender Tantrum, The Big Bad Wolf, Turbo, Allan Does Galen, Trucks, Instant Crush and Pogo Rides Again
* Series 5 - What a Catch!, Abomination, Signal Lost (*does not speak*), Haunted Hannah, Ed and Sid, Claim to Fame, Repulse, Make Love, Time Waits for No One and Time Waits for No One, Part 2
* Series 6 - Ouverture, Trepid, Fustercluck, Ed, Ed and Eddie, Plunk 'n Bang, Asphalt Assault (*cameo*), Burnin' (*does not speak*), The Purple Man (*mentioned*) and The Prime Time of your Life
* Series 7 - Futura, Smashing!, Braking Bad, The Road to Colhapper, Ey Up?, The Red Herring (*mentioned*), Mothership Reconnection, Rollerskate Disco, What a Clarence! (*cameo*) and The Man in Overalls
* Series 8 - Revolution 909 (*mentioned*), Face to Face (*mentioned*), Colossus (*mentioned*) and Outro
* Series 9 - 9, Goose (*cameo*), Rock Shock, Time Wasted, Extend Extra, Wipeout (*cameo*), Shapeshifter (*does not speak*) and Pogo / Mere Anarchy
* Series 10 - 101, Welcome to the Tunnel, Body Angels (*cameo*), Tunnel Vision, The Road to Bellgrave, Coaled Weight, Dirty Colossus and Barry the Steam Engine
* Series 11 - The Times, Relations, Since Then, Quatro, Further, Sundowner (*cameo*), Chord Memory and The Brickenkopf
* Series 12 - Ventura, 1202, Fresh, Night Beats (*mentioned*), What To Do, Outrun (*does not speak*), Outrage, Shuffle, High Fidelity and Eternal Feedback

Specials:

* The Bramley Engines
* Brian and the Bank Robbery
* Pogo
* The Missing Christmas Presents
* 200 Subscribers
* An Unconventional Visit
* The Adventures of Sir Edgar Woolwinder and Bob the Invisible Pink Sailor
* Zombies!
* Christmas Special 2012
* The Aspergers Flyer
* You Bang Snowploughs
* Pilots (remake)
* Mere Anarchy
* Phantoms Can't Hang (*mentioned*)

Films:

* Event Horizon

## Trivia

* Dave was the first character introduced in *The Dark Railway Series*.
* Dave has had the most livery changes in the series so far, having worn several variations of LMS Black, BR Black, BR Green and DR Green so far.
* Dave is apparently aware of his fame in the real world.
* His first nameplates were red, but since 1968, he has had case chromium nameplates fitted, to the same design as Raymond and Turbo's nameplates.
* Because of the "Black Five" model in the simulator being based on a later pattern boiler design, Dave actually carries a different boiler to the real No 45101 (see above).
* In his appearance in The Bramley Engines, Dave's number is 44703 rather than 45101.
* Dave has appeared on more promotional material and merchandise than any other character, stemming from his main character status in the series.
* Dave is almost always depicted by Dark DJ as wearing sunglasses.

* Dave has also made appearances in *The Stovell Valley Railway Series* and *The Three Fives*.
* From May 2018, Dave's old model was retired, being replaced by the Stanier Black Five, released by Bossman Games for Train Simulator. This change took effect after Dave "entered the works" during Season 8.