Dennis

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This article is about 'the diesel engine'. You may be looking for 'the Story Library book'.

Dennis the Lazy Diesel
Background Information
First appearance	Thomas' Day Off (T&F)
Last appearance	The Great Discovery (T&F)
Creator(s)	Sharon Miller
Overview
Name	Dennis
Title	Dennis the Lazy Diesel
Nicknames	Lazy Dennis (DVD Bingo)
Gender	Male
Country	Island of Sodor England (formerly)
Relative(s)	Norman (brother)
Affiliation	North Western Railway Thomas Vicarstown Dieselworks Diesel 10 Norman
Technical Details
Basis	BR 11001
Gauge	4'8½" (1,435 mm; standard gauge)
Power type	Diesel–mechanical
Vehicle	Locomotive
Type	Diesel shunter
Fuel type	Diesel
Configuration	0-6-0DM
Wheels	6
Top speed	45 mph (72 kph)
Designer(s)	Oliver V.S. Bulleid
Builder(s)	Ashford Works
Year built	1949
Number	BR/NWR 11001
Railway	North Western Railway British Railways (formerly)
Company	Vicarstown Dieselworks
Owner(s)	Sir Topham Hatt

Dennis is a lazy, grey, diesel shunter. He has a twin named Norman.

Biography

Thomas & Friends

When Dennis was new to the railway, he tried to take advantage of Thomas by getting him to do all his work for him. He soon learned his lesson when he reversed into a ditch. With Thomas' help, he was able to finish his work and promised to be a Really Useful Engine from then on.

In The Great Discovery, Dennis and a number of other diesel engines were waiting in the quarry yard upon hearing that Thomas had been found in the days leading up to the reopening of Great Waterton.

Personality

Dennis is considered to be a very lazy diesel who tries to take advantage of others and depend on them to do his work instead. Dennis will often create excuses to get out of work, but usually gets caught in his lies and always says sorry - but whether or not he means it is the question.

Technical Details

Basis

Dennis is based on British Rail (BR) 11001, a prototype Bulleid diesel built at Ashford Works, England in 1949 and scrapped in 1959. He also carries his basis' number. Dennis' twin Norman is also based on BR 11001.

Dennis' basis

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Livery

Dennis is painted two-tone grey with dark grey wheels, gearboxes, roof, and front. His number 11001 is painted on his sides in white.

Appearances

Thomas & Friends Series 9 - Thomas' Day Off Specials 2008 - The Great Discovery (cameo) 2011 - Day of the Diesels (dropped) Music Videos Series 10 - There's Always Something New Learning Segments Series 10 - Diesels and Steamers (cameo) Series 12 - Thomas' Favourite Friends - Neville and Dennis

Books 2009 - Trainloads of Fun and Watch Me Draw Thomas & Friends 2011 - The Big Book of Engines and The Ultimate Diesel Guide 2012 - Full Steam Ahead! 2015 - Thomas the Helpful Engine 2018 - Character Encyclopedia (mentioned) My Thomas Story Library - Dennis Magazine Stories 2006 - Dizzy Dennis, Justice for James and The Lazy Diesel 2007 - Easy for Edward 2008 - Come Back, Please! 2011 - Salty's Surprise! 2012 - Bubbling Boiler (cameo) Dennis also appeared in the magazine stories, Diesel Display, Do-Nothing Dennis, and Speedy Dennis. Video Games 2008 - Begins Educational Learning Dennis also appeared in DVD Bingo.

Voice Actors

• Tsutomu Densaka (Japan)

Audio Files

Horn

First used	Last used	Sound Effect
Series 9	Series 9

Trivia

• According to a magazine article, Dennis lives at Vicarstown Dieselworks with Diesel 10, possibly a part of the original script idea for Day of the Diesels.
• Six different facial expressions were sculpted for Dennis, although only five were used on-screen. He had a total of six face masks, one of which a unamused face was never shown on-screen.
• Dennis was originally intended to return in Day of the Diesels, however, he was later dropped and replaced by Norman, who is also based on the same engine as Dennis and is known as his twin.
• Dennis' horn sound was reused for Flynn in "Steam Team to the Rescue".
• Dennis' horn sound can been heard in Tractor Tom multiple times as that of main character Rev.
• Dennis, along with Flora and Hank are the only characters introduced in the HiT Entertainment model era to not have a Capsule Plarail toy.

Merchandise

• Wooden Railway (discontinued)
• Take Along (discontinued)
• Take-n-Play (discontinued)
• Motor Road and Rail (discontinued)
• TrackMaster (discontinued)
• My Thomas Story Library (discontinued)

References

North Western Railway

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* RWS only | ** T&F only | --- Dropped