Dennis Runs Away

***Dennis Runs Away*** is the thirteenth episode from the first series.

## Plot

After several days of being shut up in the shed for going on strike, the Fat Controller visits Diesel 10, D199, and Class 40. He tells the three that he hopes they are sorry and have learned they are not as important as they thought. He informs them that there is a new diesel shunter named Dennis and that BoCo and Diesel have been running the branch line well by themselves. However, he is willing to let them out and return to work on the condition that they be good and do not complain about shunting anymore. All three agree and they quickly resume their duties.

The Fat Controller then speaks to Diesel, BoCo, and Dennis and as a reward for their hard work, allows them to play on the main line for a few days. Diesel happily collects his express coaches while BoCo and Dennis go and play with trucks in the yard. BoCo and Diesel leave and Dennis is left alone where he enjoys watching the larger diesels go by. He also enjoys being cheeky to them, which makes them very cross.

Later, after doing some more shunting, Dennis heads back to the yard, but the points are against him. Dennis is so eager to work, he carelessly forgets that BoCo had told him to honk when he got to the signal box so that the signalman would know he was there. Suddenly he sees something that does make him honk, in panic; Diesel 10, on the same line, heading towards him full speed with the express. Dennis is horrified, but cannot do anything and closes his eyes as Diesel 10 gets closer. Luckily, Diesel 10 applies his brakes and stops just in time. However, by now a frightened Dennis has begun to move and intending to run away, begins running backwards.

Dennis runs straight through BoCo's station and is so frightened he runs straight up Diesel 10's Hill without stopping. After he descends the hill, Dennis quickly becomes tired but is unable to stop because his crew had jumped out when they saw Diesel 10. Luckily, a signalman sees that Dennis is in trouble and sets the points into a siding, where Dennis finally stops in a big bank of soil. By now, Dennis is so tired he does not care where he stops. He realizes he has stopped and is thankful that it is over. He is dug out of the soil by some workmen, who offer him some diesel oil to make him feel better.

Diesel 10 arrives with his cable wire and congratulates Dennis on starting quickly and stopping a potential accident. Dennis apologizes for his previous cheekiness and Diesel 10 pulls Dennis out from the bank.

Now friends with Diesel 10, Dennis quickly settles into his new role as station pilot. Although he never loses his penchant for cheekiness, he now knows to always be careful when he goes on the branch line.

## Characters

* BoCo
* Class 40
* Diesel 199
* Dennis
* Troublesome Trucks
* Sir Topham Hatt
* Diesel (*does not speak*)
* Express Coaches (*do not speak*)

## Trivia

* The episode is based off the seventeenth episode from the first series of *Thomas & Friends*, Percy Runs Away.
* Dennis' mishap is based on four real events; the first one occurred in Thirsk in 1892, the second one occurred on Christmas Eve 1910 at Hawes Junction, the third occurred in Quintinshill on 22 May 1915 and the fourth one occurred at Newton Abbot August 1939 shortly before the beginning of WWII.
* A workman digging the soil behind Dennis resembles Ringo Starr.