I like the hierarchical undertones in which Awdry emphasised with the dynamics of the rail-based characters of his story, without undermining their physical solidities. This is a good example in his work where it is used to great effect in moving a plot forward. The big engines are the seniors, Duck and Diesel are young engines, but ones who benefitted from quality education for respective ends; Diesel uses his to spite Duck and send him away; the trucks are to Diesel what the hyenas are to Scar in the Lion King; his lower-class minions which he can manipulate to his advantage due to their cheek and retaliation value. The chaos that ensues is very seamless and structured. Yet the Fat Controller has grown as an equally well-studied character; he is a representative of high authority but uses it for honest means with deep respect for his engines; he maintains belief in Duck which defies even Diesel's sense of victory. Regards, Samuel Farris.
As much as Awdry wanted Diesel to be just a Starter Villain, you gotta admit Diesel made a much greater impression than Bowler and Spamcan. He actually did something!
Anyone else think Henry jumped onto the bandwagon too quickly? I mean, he did say that Duck wouldn't tell tales to the trucks, yet when Diesel says Duck did it, he instantly believes the former.
1. At this point beforehand, they were tired of Duck's constant boasting of the GWR. 2. Diesel really softened them up to him with his patronisation. 3. "I'm Old Square Wheels," fumed Henry.
Within the three big engines, I think there’s a hierarchy, with Gordon at the top, James in the middle (despite being smaller) and Henry at the bottom. What this could mean is that Henry might get pushed around a bit by the other two, so might have been more skeptical of Duck’s apparent actions but forced to go along with Gordon and James’ view. This is, admittedly, a bit more in-keeping with TVS Henry rather than RWS Henry though. It could also be that Henry believed Duck wouldn’t do such a thing as tell tales to trucks, so the shock of when he “does”, coupled with his growing tiredness of Duck going on about the GWR, would make him so outraged he wouldn’t even stop to think if there was something else going on. I do agree that all three big engines, not just Henry, fell for Diesel’s plan far too easily. When Diesel did get found out, I’d imagine they were outraged at two things. 1. They’d fallen for this suave, sweet-talking new engine who in reality was an antagonistic trickster. 2. They fell for the plan which resulted in them acting horribly to someone they respected; the engines may have been tired of Duck’s constant talk of the GWR, but would have respected the hard work he matched it with. Interesting that the big engines, who are usually at the top of the engine hierarchy, fell for Diesel’s flattery whilst Duck saw right through him.
@@TheBritFromOz008 Wow, you summed up perfectly a ton of the thoughts I have on this story! I def agree that Henry is in the bottom of the big engine hierarchy. another important thing to consider is the fact that the big engines have a lot of lingering resentment toward Duck from when he and Percy blocked them out of the sheds in Duck Takes Charge and the fact that they cannot push Duck around as the station pilot in the same way they could with Percy or Thomas. i think their resentment of Duck goes much deeper than being annoyed about his obsession with this heritage and ended up outweighing any sort of respect they might have had for him.
The “he did it to us; we’ll do it to him” line is a direct reference to Duck Takes Charge yes. Never considered they’d have lingering resentment from the events of that story, but not being able to push Duck around the same way they did with Percy would definitely get on their nerves. At least, on Gordon & James’, I doubt Henry would mind that much but he’s forced to go with the former two’s opinions.
@@ayrshireman94 By "it's not canon," I'm guessing it's either one of the Reverend Awdry's Specials (Extra stories published on their own or for publications like magazines, some of which have been narrated on this channel), one of Christopher Awdry's Specials, or, most likely, a fan story.
It killed me as well. I later found out that it was also the nickname of an experimental locomotive, called the LNER Class W1, with the nickname coming from its bulging boiler shape.
But in my own opinion, Duck kinda deserved it after pulling a prank on Diesel. Diesel just wanted to make a good first impression for his usage on the railway, and after getting publicly humiliated by a big-headed Duck, he in turn returned the prank on him, by vengefully spreading whispers and lies about what opinions Duck had on the others. Gee, just makes you get clicked in the brain and realize that both of these guys suck railroad spikes, figuratively of course.
I don’t. You do. I don’t. You do. Sir Topham Hatt came to stop the noise. Duck called me a galloping sausage, spluttered Gordon. Rusty red scrap iron, hissed James. I’m old square wheels, fumed Henry. Well Duck?!
Henry told Diesel that although himself, Gordon and James have their differences about Duck but Duck would never do anything as horrid as that. He then instantly believed Diesel when he told the engines Duck made names about them.
If you’re referring to the third illustration, that’s one of his boiler lining bands (which are golden) you can see. You can *just* see part of his red paint behind that.
There's plenty of tales about people spreading malicious falsehoods about others, often in retribution for some perceived slight, which then blows out of control into a chaotic catastrophe. This is probably one of the stories which happens simply because the engines are sentient rather than being based on an actual event as the other three are.
I like the hierarchical undertones in which Awdry emphasised with the dynamics of the rail-based characters of his story, without undermining their physical solidities. This is a good example in his work where it is used to great effect in moving a plot forward. The big engines are the seniors, Duck and Diesel are young engines, but ones who benefitted from quality education for respective ends; Diesel uses his to spite Duck and send him away; the trucks are to Diesel what the hyenas are to Scar in the Lion King; his lower-class minions which he can manipulate to his advantage due to their cheek and retaliation value. The chaos that ensues is very seamless and structured. Yet the Fat Controller has grown as an equally well-studied character; he is a representative of high authority but uses it for honest means with deep respect for his engines; he maintains belief in Duck which defies even Diesel's sense of victory. Regards, Samuel Farris.
I definitely enjoy the subtle callback to Domeless Engines, "I only wished that I had thought of those names myself. If the dome fits..."
I didn't even consider that, but considering Domeless Engines was in this book, you're totally right.
This story has aged remarkably well in an age where people can make heinous accusations about each other and get away with it.
3:28 I love Diesel's face here.
As much as Awdry wanted Diesel to be just a Starter Villain, you gotta admit Diesel made a much greater impression than Bowler and Spamcan. He actually did something!
Anyone else think Henry jumped onto the bandwagon too quickly? I mean, he did say that Duck wouldn't tell tales to the trucks, yet when Diesel says Duck did it, he instantly believes the former.
1. At this point beforehand, they were tired of Duck's constant boasting of the GWR.
2. Diesel really softened them up to him with his patronisation.
3. "I'm Old Square Wheels," fumed Henry.
But why would Henry, if he was tired about Duck boasting about being Great Western, would stand up for him and then believe Diesel
Within the three big engines, I think there’s a hierarchy, with Gordon at the top, James in the middle (despite being smaller) and Henry at the bottom. What this could mean is that Henry might get pushed around a bit by the other two, so might have been more skeptical of Duck’s apparent actions but forced to go along with Gordon and James’ view.
This is, admittedly, a bit more in-keeping with TVS Henry rather than RWS Henry though.
It could also be that Henry believed Duck wouldn’t do such a thing as tell tales to trucks, so the shock of when he “does”, coupled with his growing tiredness of Duck going on about the GWR, would make him so outraged he wouldn’t even stop to think if there was something else going on.
I do agree that all three big engines, not just Henry, fell for Diesel’s plan far too easily. When Diesel did get found out, I’d imagine they were outraged at two things.
1. They’d fallen for this suave, sweet-talking new engine who in reality was an antagonistic trickster.
2. They fell for the plan which resulted in them acting horribly to someone they respected; the engines may have been tired of Duck’s constant talk of the GWR, but would have respected the hard work he matched it with.
Interesting that the big engines, who are usually at the top of the engine hierarchy, fell for Diesel’s flattery whilst Duck saw right through him.
@@TheBritFromOz008 Wow, you summed up perfectly a ton of the thoughts I have on this story! I def agree that Henry is in the bottom of the big engine hierarchy. another important thing to consider is the fact that the big engines have a lot of lingering resentment toward Duck from when he and Percy blocked them out of the sheds in Duck Takes Charge and the fact that they cannot push Duck around as the station pilot in the same way they could with Percy or Thomas. i think their resentment of Duck goes much deeper than being annoyed about his obsession with this heritage and ended up outweighing any sort of respect they might have had for him.
The “he did it to us; we’ll do it to him” line is a direct reference to Duck Takes Charge yes.
Never considered they’d have lingering resentment from the events of that story, but not being able to push Duck around the same way they did with Percy would definitely get on their nerves. At least, on Gordon & James’, I doubt Henry would mind that much but he’s forced to go with the former two’s opinions.
I’m kinda sad we never got to see what happened with Diesel after Duck was sent away.
It's not canon, but look up "Percy's Ploy". You'll get a kick out of it.
@@epicdude8742 oh yeah?
What book is that part of, because I have a big book I bought as part of the 75th anniversary
Honestly I think it’s better if we don’t see his comeuppance. Diesel’s entire concept is comeuppance enough.
To be fair, he doesn’t deserve one, he’s one of a million, nothing remarkable at all and deserved no attention
@@ayrshireman94 By "it's not canon," I'm guessing it's either one of the Reverend Awdry's Specials (Extra stories published on their own or for publications like magazines, some of which have been narrated on this channel), one of Christopher Awdry's Specials, or, most likely, a fan story.
Galloping Sausage Killed Me As A Kid, Still Does! ;)
It killed me as well. I later found out that it was also the nickname of an experimental locomotive, called the LNER Class W1, with the nickname coming from its bulging boiler shape.
I understand Duck's pain, I know how it feels to be framed for stuff you didn't even do
Same :c
But in my own opinion, Duck kinda deserved it after pulling a prank on Diesel. Diesel just wanted to make a good first impression for his usage on the railway, and after getting publicly humiliated by a big-headed Duck, he in turn returned the prank on him, by vengefully spreading whispers and lies about what opinions Duck had on the others. Gee, just makes you get clicked in the brain and realize that both of these guys suck railroad spikes, figuratively of course.
At least, the annuals have added explanations to this story (as well as apologies at the end)
James, Henry, and Gordon may be stubborn, but still are wise and golden-hearted, right?
Duck called me a galloping sausage!
Rusty red scarp-iron!
I’m old square wheels!
I don’t. You do. I don’t. You do. Sir Topham Hatt came to stop the noise. Duck called me a galloping sausage, spluttered Gordon. Rusty red scrap iron, hissed James. I’m old square wheels, fumed Henry. Well Duck?!
I-I-I-I D-d-d-don't think so
Duck considered...
“I only wish sir,” he said gravely, “That I thought of those names myself, if the dome fits...”
He made the cars laugh at us, accused the engines.
Did you, duck?
Is that true, Duck?
The big engines still do are golden-hearted, right?
While Diesel smirk with triumph in the darkness.
Henry told Diesel that although himself, Gordon and James have their differences about Duck but Duck would never do anything as horrid as that. He then instantly believed Diesel when he told the engines Duck made names about them.
No it was the trucks that said Duck told tales about them
Sorry that was what I was meant to say but thank you for the correction
@@theburpman8006 no problem :)
2:42 I Don't, You do, I Don't, You do.
Duck returns from delivering his trucks that Diesel arranged for him, and the trucks continue singing pop goes the diesel, right?
Still singing Pop goes the diesel, aren’t they?
my thoughts exactly, I hate cusswords
I only hate them when my family uses them too much.
you think devious diesel is bad, you should see diesel 10, he is monster!
Diesel 10 is consistent.
10 out of 10. For devious deeds and brutal strength.
But we never know what those deeds were or what happened it the past.
@@rafaellucas1433 bro
Diesel’s pretty devious, deceitful and very untrustworthy.
Diesel 10 is worse
We know.
He even has a non-regulation hydraulic claw installed on his roof which he uses as a devastating weapon against steam engines.
dude why is james yellow?
Where?
If you’re referring to the third illustration, that’s one of his boiler lining bands (which are golden) you can see.
You can *just* see part of his red paint behind that.
What was the real-life event of this story?
There's plenty of tales about people spreading malicious falsehoods about others, often in retribution for some perceived slight, which then blows out of control into a chaotic catastrophe.
This is probably one of the stories which happens simply because the engines are sentient rather than being based on an actual event as the other three are.
well diesel may be a tade gurmy cross at times and bad but unlike hary and burt and disael ten deathatly not mumdersus and evil from what I have seen