Class 08 Takes Charge

***Class 08 Takes Charge*** is the sixth episode from the second series.

## Plot

One day in the sheds, Dennis is eager to tell a disinterested Diesel 10 and D199 some news. Both quickly tire of Dennis' usual manner and the diesel shunter tells them that as the work in the yard is getting too hard for him, the Fat Controller is planning to bring a new bigger diesel in to help. D199 is unimpressed and tells Dennis that if he worked harder instead of chattering, the yard would be a happier place. Dennis then leaves to do his work.

As he works, Dennis is grumbling to himself about how the larger diesels see him as a "silly little diesel" ever since he accidentally reversed at a signal and often order him about. Dennis wants to teach them a lesson, but does not know how to do it. He then works very hard all day and by the afternoon he is worn out. After bringing some express coaches to the station, he sees the Fat Controller on the platform who notes that Dennis looks very tired, which Dennis confirms. The Fat Controller cheers Dennis up by telling him the new diesel is bigger than him and can probably manage the work alone. He then asks Dennis if he would like to help Diesel and Salty build the new harbour, which cheers Dennis up straight away.

Soon, the new diesel arrives. The Fat Controller asks the diesel his name and the engine introduces himself as Levi, but tells the Fat Controller he is often called "Class 08" due to his basis. Although he does not believe that he does, he admits to liking Class 08 better than Levi. With that, the Fat Controller agrees that the new diesel will be known as Class 08. Dennis arrives and the Fat Controller asks Dennis to show Class 08 around.

Class 08 does his work quietly as he brings some coaches to the station, leading Diesel 10, D199 and Class 40 to decide to boss him about like they do to Dennis. Diesel 10 and Class 40 then start to leave the station on either side of Class 08, blowing smoke at him. As Dennis sees everything and is cross, Class 08 takes no notice and just wants to wait until the larger diesels get tired of their teasing. Class 08 then asks Dennis if the larger diesels boss him about and Dennis confirms they do. Class 08 decides to take charge and put a stop to it and tells Dennis what they will do.

That afternoon, the Fat Controller is sitting at his desk looking forward to having toast for tea when he suddenly hears a horrible commotion coming from the yard. Looking out his window, he sees Dennis and Class 08 blocking the turntable and preventing an enraged Diesel 10, D199 and Class 08 from entering the sheds. The Fat Controller grabs his hat and rushes to the yard.

At the sheds, Diesel 10, D199 and Class 40 are furiously wheeshing and honking loudly when the Fat Controller arrives and demands silence before demanding an explanation from Class 08 and Dennis. Dennis politely explains that - as a Other Railway diesel- he prefers to do his work without any fuss, but wants the other diesels to know that he and Dennis will only take orders from the Fat Controller. As the three larger diesels start honking angrily again, the Fat Controller silences them. The Fat Controller then tells Dennis and Class 08 that he is pleased with their work that day, but not with their behaviour that night, as they have caused a disturbance. Diesel 10, Class 40 and D199 snicker at Dennis and Class 08's dilemma, but the Fat Controller turns back to face the three larger diesels and admonishes them too, as their actions have been much worse; he declares that they *made* the disturbance by ordering the two diesel shunters around and that Class 08 is right, that this is *his* railway and *he* is the one to give the orders, not them. With that, the three engines quickly fall back into line.

When Dennis is sent to work at the harbour on Diesel's line, Class 08 is left to do the work alone, something he manages easily.

## Characters

* Class 40
* Diesel 10
* Diesel 199
* Dennis
* Class 08
* Diesel (*does not speak*)
* Troublesome Trucks (*cameos*)
* Salty (*mentioned*)

## Trivia

* The episode is based off the eight episode of the second series from *Thomas & Friends*, Duck Takes Charge.
* This marks the first episode of a few things.
	+ The first appearance of Class 08.
	+ The first where a character reads the first line instead of the narrator.
* A Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus poster is seen at Knapford.
* Inside the Fat Controller's office, there is a picture of an LMS Jubilee locomotive.
* A first series-style truck can be seen when Class 08 leaves the yard with Dennis. It is also the final time in which these trucks were seen like this.
* This marks the only time that Class 08 is referred to as Levi.