Diesel (Thomas & Friends)

"Devious" Diesel is a fictional diesel shunting locomotive, originating from "The Other Railway". The character appeared in The Railway Series books, Duck and the Diesel Engine and Thomas and the Evil Diesel, and also appears as the primary antagonist in the television series, Thomas & Friends.

Diesel in the Railway Series

When Diesel came on trial to the North Western Railway, Duck was asked to show him around. Duck was unimpressed by Diesel's claims of being "revolutionary" and left him to his own devices. As a result, Diesel was made into a laughing stock by the trucks for trying to pull some rusty old trucks and failing spectacularly, and Diesel blamed Duck for not helping him. He then attempted to seek revenge on Duck by spreading rumors to the trucks by calling Henry Old Square Wheels, James Rusty Red Scrap Iron, and Gordon a Galloping Sausage, and blamed it on Duck. When the three engines heard about it, they accused Duck for the situation and refused to let him in the sheds. However, The Fat Controller was aware of Diesel's antics and immediately sent him away in disgrace.

Diesel in the Television Series

Diesel reprises his role from the Railway Series book "Duck and the Diesel Engine", however, he later returned when Duck and Percy needed help at the Arlesburgh Harbour. He proved to be just as troublesome as ever and was sent away after pushing a load of China Clay Trucks into the water.

Since Season 7, Diesel has not had any form of acknowledgment that he belonged to the Other Railway and has remained on the North Western Railway ever since.

Voice Actors

• Kerry Shale (UK; Season 13 onwards, US; Season 19 onwards)
• Michael Brandon (US; Season 13 - Blue Mountain Mystery)
• Martin Sherman (US; King of the Railway - Season 18)
• Daisuke Gõri (Japan; second, third, seventh, and eighth)
• Hisao Egawa (Japan; sixth season only)
• Ken Sanders (Japan; Calling All Engines! onwards)