Dart

**Dart the Fast-Talking Diesel** is a supporting character in the Seventyverse who works at the Vicarstown Dieselworks.

## Backstory

Dart arrived on Sodor with Den, 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

Dart works at the Vicarstown Dieselworks supporting and assisting Den. The two have worked together for so long that Dart can often guess what Den is thinking before he can get it out himself. Although not so much the thinker of the duo, he is usually the doer and can be the chattier of the two. He quickly buzzes about the Dieselworks, occasionally bashing, crashing and clanging into things. He can be heard to grumble "Dizzy Diesels!" when something goes wrong. Dart is very able in his work and a valuable team player. Despite being small in size, he is feisty and fast. Dart also likes jokes, sometimes to the annoyance of the other Diesels. If feeling bothered (particularly by the steam engines), Dart is far from devious, but can get grumpy, gruff, irritable, cantankerous and sometimes cheeky too, but otherwise he is the quick-witted assistant of the Dieselworks.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Dart is based on the 0-4-0 diesel-hydraulic shunter no. 3207 "Leys" built by W. G. Bagnall. It was the last locomotive built by Bagnall before the firm was taken over by English Electric. It is now preserved on the Foxfield Railway, along with Harvey's basis. Natalie is another member of this class.

Unlike his basis, Dart has three windows on the back of his cab rather than two, in an arrangement similar to other diesel locomotives produced by Bagnall.

### Livery

Dart is painted yellow and claret with white lining and the Dieselworks logo on the sides of his cab. He has yellow and black hazard stripes painted on his bufferbeams.

## Differences between the episodes and the series

* In the original special, it was unknown when Dart arrived on Sodor. In the adaptation, Dart 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.