Den

**Den the Thoughtful Diesel** is a supporting character in the Seventyverse who works at the Vicarstown Dieselworks.

## Backstory

Den arrived on Sodor with Dart, Paxton and Sidney (who was on a flatbed with no wheels attached to it) with the former coming to help run the Dieselworks. The four diesels arrived at the Dieselworks which had grown derelict. There, they met Diesel 10 who decided to use them as part of his plan to take over Sodor for the second time, along with Diesel, Arry, Bert and a very reluctant Dennis. However, when Diesel 10 kidnapped Thomas, Dennis got Den and Dart to reconsider their actions (Paxton, who only wanted to help the Dieselworks get fixed up, had already shown remorse and went to alert the other engines). Then Diesel 10 set the Dieselworks on fire as part of his attempt to murder Thomas (with Arry, Bert Sidney trapped inside as well). Just as the Warship attempted to make his escape, the other engines arrived to block him, including Den and Dart. Diesel 10's plan was foiled as Thomas, Arry, Bert and Sidney survived the fire and Sir Topham Hatt sent Diesel 10 packing. When the Dieselworks were restored, Den and Dart were assigned to run the operations and have been doing so to this day.

## Personality

Den is the diesel engine who runs the Vicarstown Dieselworks, repairing other diesels. He is stately and deeply pensive. He tries to make sure everything he says is deeply considered and can often be heard muttering "what I mean to say is..." and can tend to over-think. He may come across as a little slow, but nothing could be further from the truth. He is rather astute and likes to take into account as much as he can with regards to a problem. Although he is not a worrier, he may tend to be on the fence about taking particular action over a matter before making a calculated, informed decision that will be worth the wait.

Sometimes, Dart - his assistant at the Dieselworks - can tell what he is thinking and cut to the chase a little quicker for the benefit of the other engines, which is why they support each other so well as a team. Den is a hard worker and is popular and well respected among the diesels for fixing them with a whisk of his wheels, even if his tools may be old and shoddy and his machinery may be outdated. Although he is trustworthy and authoritative, Den may have the occasional chuckle at an engine's expense.

### Basis

Den is based on a Rolls Royce Class 4DH Sentinel diesel-hydraulic 0-4-0. These engines were built to replace Sentinel's steam line for use in various industrial shunting roles. Larger 0-6-0 and 0-8-0 variants were also produced. Several engines of this type are preserved, including one at the National Railway Museum and another at the Bluebell Railway. A real life number has yet to be decided, so it's unknown when the 'real Den' was built, withdrawn and scrapped.

### Livery

Den is painted slate grey and orange with cream lining. His buffer beams are painted with orange and black wasp stripes. He has the Vicarstown Dieselworks logo on each side of his cab.

## Differences between the episodes and the series

* In the original special, it was unknown when Den arrived on Sodor. In the adaptation, Den arrived on Sodor to run the Dieselworks.
* In the original special, Den and Dart were the ones guarding Thomas and backed down when Percy confronted them. In the adaptation, Arry and Bert guarded Thomas whilst Dennis got Den and Dart to turn on Diesel 10.