Dart

Dart is a small diesel shunter who is Den's best friend and assistant at the Vicarstown Dieselworks.

Biography

When Percy first visited the Dieselworks, Dart hid Flynn's new hose in the rubbish by the order of Diesel 10. He later complained about the Dieselworks needing a new crane, leading to Kevin being brought to the Dieselworks. During Diesel 10's takeover of the Sodor Steamworks, Den and Dart took Thomas and Kevin to the Back Shed, but released them after the Dieselworks caught fire. He later helped with the reconstruction of the Dieselworks.

One Christmas, Den, Dart and Diesel tried to find a Christmas tree for the Dieselworks whilst in competition with Thomas. Dart later teased Flynn for spraying Edward and his driver.

After Mavis had an accident, and Den had to cover for her at the quarry. Dart was distraught at being separated from his best friend, and was slow to start repairing Mavis. When Mavis reminded him that the quicker she was fixed, the sooner he could be back with Den, Dart took her advice and soon, Den returned.

Den, Dart and Paxton were part of Diesel's plot to be taken to The Great Railway Show. Diesel had the three disguised under crates in a large train, to make it look as though he was pulling it himself so he would be entered into the strength competition. This plot failed when the three diesels mistook Thomas' whistle for Diesel's horn, leading them to push Thomas and cause him to collide with Norman.

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 dark fuchsia with white lining and the Dieselworks logo on the sides of his cab. He has yellow and black hazard stripes painted on his bufferbeams. It is based upon the livery the MP-15 diesels based at Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England Bethlehem Steel Mill in the USA wore. ^[1]

Appearances

Official Description

Audio Files

Horns

Trivia

• Dart is the first standard gauge diesel engine to have a two-toned horn and the second overall, the first being Rusty.
• Aside from Stop That Bus! Dart is one of the few characters to speak in every episode he appears in.

Quotes

References