Disappearing Diesels

"They don't call me Devious Diesel for nothing!"

- Diesel

Disappearing Diesels is the fourth episode of the eighteenth season.

Plot
Some of the diesels on the island of Sodor can be very troublesome, but not Paxton. He is friends with everyone whether they work at Brendam Docks or the Blue Mountain Quarry. The engine Paxton has to try his hardest to make friends with is Diesel himself. Diesel is not a very friendly engine at all.

One day, Diesel arrives at the Dieselworks and tells all the other diesels there to hide from Paxton as a joke. Paxton arrives and looks all over the Dieselworks, but he cannot find his friends anywhere. Paxton comes to the conclusion that something is making the diesels on Sodor disappear. Paxton leaves to see if he can find any diesels on Sodor. After he's gone, Sidney, Den and Dart tell Diesel that they think they have all taken the joke too far. Diesel disagrees and insists that jokes are funny.

Paxton does not think the situation is a joke at all. He clatters up to the Blue Mountain Quarry to ask if there are any diesels there. Rusty calls out to him, but Paxton doesn't hear him as he is already rolling away to try somewhere else. At Knapford Station, Paxton asks if Thomas has seen any diesel engines. Thomas says he can see Paxton, but Paxton tells him it's the other diesels that have disappeared. Paxton leaves Thomas rather confused.

At Brendam Docks, Paxton clatters in and asks if Cranky has seen Salty. Cranky thinks Paxton is talking nonsense and tells him that Salty passed by five minutes ago. Just then, Salty rattles up and Paxton is delighted to see him. Salty thinks Paxton is burning fuel over nothing and assures the worried diesel that his friends will turn up by the end of the day. Just then, Cranky announces that Diesel has arrived with a delivery. Much to Diesel's annoyance, Paxton spots him. Diesel races away with Paxton in hot pursuit.

Diesel pulls into a siding behind some trucks at the scrapyards. Paxton arrives and asks Reg if Diesel is there. Diesel answers, pretending to be Reg, but Paxton doesn't fall for the trick and Diesel races away once again. Reg is confused as to why Paxton would bother chasing after silly Diesel, but Paxton insists that Diesel is his friend.

Diesel is having so much fun tricking Paxton that he decides to head to the quarry to hide there. Unfortunately, as soon as Diesel pulls off the main line, his engine starts to cough and splutter. Paxton races up and Diesel admits that he had only been teasing him all along. Paxton is confused; the middle of the line is not a very good place to hide. Diesel says that he is no longer hiding, he has run out of diesel fuel. Despite all worry Diesel has caused Paxton, Paxton still helps by pushing Diesel to the next station to refill.

Diesel is not sure what to make of the situation; why is Paxton being so kind to him? He doesn't say thank you, but he does ask Paxton why he has helped him. Paxton just smiles and says that's what friends are for.

That evening, Paxton is delighted to see all of the diesels back at the dieselworks. Shortly afterwards, Diesel arrives and pulls into the berth beside Paxton. Diesel still doesn't manage to say thank you, but he does give Paxton a friendly smile and that's good enough for Paxton.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Percy
 * Diesel
 * Salty
 * Den
 * Dart
 * Paxton
 * Sidney
 * Skarloey
 * Rusty
 * Reg
 * Cranky
 * Some Children
 * Porter (does not speak)
 * Henry (cameo)
 * James (cameo)
 * Stanley (cameo)
 * Norman (cameo)
 * Rheneas (cameo)
 * Sir Handel (cameo)
 * Peter Sam (cameo)
 * Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
 * Bertie (cameo)
 * Owen (cameo)

Locations

 * Shunting Yards
 * Blue Mountain Quarry
 * Vicarstown Dieselworks
 * Knapford
 * Brendam
 * Kellsthorpe
 * Crocks Scrap Yard
 * Anopha Quarry (mentioned)

Trivia

 * This episode was released a few days before the release of Tale of the Brave in the UK, meaning the audience may not have known who Reg is.

Goofs

 * At the end, as Diesel backs into the berth beside Paxton, Sidney is missing his wheels.
 * In the close up of Paxton on the turntable near the end of the episode, the turntable doesn't move, only Paxton does.
 * The doors to the sheds at the Dieselworks mysteriously open and close by their selves.
 * How was Dart raised up inside the Dieselworks? There does not appear to be any workmen present.
 * Paxton should have easily spotted Sidney.