Derek

**Derek the Paxman Diesel** is one of the deuteragonists and the fifth diesel on the North Western Railway.

## Backstory

Derek met 7101 back on the mainland, and the two became close despite meeting once. Unfortunately, Derek, like the rest of his siblings, were plagued with mechanical problems. He somehow met Harriet once before coming to Sodor.

## Brendam Crew

### Edward

Edward had taken Derek under his wing as a younger brother of sorts. He enjoys his jovial, open minded nature. Edward keeps Derek on the right path when his more naïve traits come into play.

### BoCo

BoCo sees Derek as something of a little brother. He enjoys Derek's enthusiasm and optimism, and relates to him in the technical difficulties department. Derek also appreciates BoCo’s kindness and patience.

### Bill and Ben

The cheeky duo get along really well with Derek. Instead of them pulling pranks to annoy Derek, they do it to cheer him up when he’s upset. They also like to listen to Salty’s stories together.

### Salty

Derek loves to listen to Salty’s stories, and admires his enthusiasm and work ethic. Salty also enjoys Derek’s optimism in tough situations.

### Porter

Not much is known about this relationship, but Porter and Derek seem to have a decent one so far.

### Philip

Derek is one of the more tolerant engines of Philip’s hyperactiveness. He also tries to get him on the straight and narrow with learning about the world around them.

### Timothy

Derek and Timothy don’t know each other as well, due to Derek’s transfer to the mainline. But their relationship is a fairly positive one.

### Marion

Derek is more willing to listen to some of Marion’s stories. She also appreciates his optimism and way of keeping the twins in check.

## Other relationships

### Henry

Derek and Henry get along really well. When Henry couldn’t take the Flying Kipper one day, Derek was more than willing to fill in. The duo also joke about smelling “fresh air”.

### Merlin

Derek and Merlin often bring goods trains to Tidmouth or Vicarstown. Merlin, having been around experimental engines for so long, understands Derek's teething troubles despite never seeing him during that time period.

### Lexi

Derek often sees Lexi in their shed at Cronk or shunting trains for the airport. They often make Derek laugh at their antics when they constantly change their voice. Derek and Lexi also understand each other as experimental engines.

### Bear

Derek and Bear have met each other prior to their Sodor days, and share views on steam engines and respecting them. Bear is excited to see Derek join the NWR as part of the Brendam crew, but not too much else is known about their relationship.

## Personality

Derek is a very jolly and enthusiastic diesel. He loves to try any job available to him, be it a line of China Clay trucks or the Flying Kipper. However, he is a sensitive soul and can be upset if someone berates him for his mechanical faults.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Derek is based on a British Rail (BR) Class 17, also known as the Clayton Type 1. 117 members of this class were built between 1962-1965 by the Clayton Equipment Company of Derbyshire, England (Derek's 'real life' counterpart was built 13th of November 1962). Derek's problems were undoubtedly inspired by those of his basis, as the Paxman engines fitted to most of the real Class 17s were prone to a series of many mechanical issues. Because of these, all Class 17s were withdrawn by the end of 1971, after less than 10 years of service. One Class 17, D8568, is preserved at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway in South Oxfordshire, England. Derek's 'real life' counterpart was sadly withdrawn on the 12th of October, 1968, and scrapped in January in 1972.

### Livery

Derek is painted in the BR Deep Bronze green livery. He has yellow warning panels on his front and back ends. He has white lining on his window frames and he has the BR Ferret and Dartboard crest on his sides. He also wears his number, "D5" on his sides.

## Differences between the TV series and this one

* Derek is a lot more prominent in this series.
* Derek was on the Brendam branch before eventually transferring to the mainline after he came back from the mainland.
* Derek is rebuilt following his debut story.
* Derek knew Bear back on the mainland.

## Trivia

* At first, it was decided Derek would go back to the Brendam branch after his stint on the mainland. But Railfanbronymedia decided he would be on the mainline down at Cronk, taking trains from there to both Vicarstown and Knapford (sometimes Tidmouth). As a result, this also gave Merlin a purpose to be on Sodor, in that he would help Derek.
* By coincidence, Derek debuted in the series 5 redux and he was D5.
* Derek's pre-Sodor number was D8509. This is a nod to him appearing in series 5, and the ninth story of the Series 5 redux.
* Derek's preferred voice actor is Justin Fletcher, who plays Jake from *Tweenies*.