The next morning, Thomas informed both engines. Toby was receptive to the idea but Percy was miffed.

"What in blazes? I go to sleep with the impression we would send him away in disgrace and your coddling him by the morning!" Was Percy's first exclamation. Thomas waited before saying "His driver seems to be an old hand, someone who knows Dennis. His first action was to scold the diesel for his laziness. Daisy's driver never did that when she first came."

"After all that happened, you're forgiving him that easily?!" Percy exclaimed.

Thomas sighed and said "He's on his last wheels. His driver is convinced that if he's given a bad report that by this time next year he'll be scrapped. So, either way. By the Fall he'll no longer be a problem. With this way, he has a chance to reduce the wear on our wheels."

Percy groaned and said "He promised?"

"No swear, just a rock solid promise." Thomas said.

Percy then said "One problem and I will be sure to give my report to the Fat Controller personally!"

"Fair enough. Now I have to go collect Annie and Clarabel." Thomas said and he left. Percy looked fuming and then said "Lets collect the first train, which is?"

"Normally the trash trucks for the dump but our first is a workman train. I wonder who's taking that?" Percy rolled his eyes and then frowned as Dennis arrived. However the silver engine without complaint or incident coupled up to the garbage train and slowly took it out.

Percy held in the grin until Dennis was far out of sight and finally released it as the stationmaster explained Thomas had suggested it.

"And I thought you had gone soft!" He said to himself as he left.

Over the next two weeks, Dennis would work hard pulling lighter trains and the occasional passenger train. He did well and proved himself in the eyes of the Ffarquhar engines.

However, trouble was to come.

One night, three days after Dennis had begun his new regimen Sir Topham Hatt arrived at Ffarquhar. He was looking very cross and headed right to Dennis.

"Good evening sir." Dennis said, the sun had set and he didn't see the oncoming storm. Thomas and Toby did, the former said "Uh oh!"

"Uh oh indeed, Dennis! What is the meaning of your behavior?" The Fat Controller demanded. The diesel stammered and said "I, uh, felt I couldn't pull the trucks. So I," For a moment it looked like he would pause.

To his credit he continued, "I acted stupidly and caused trouble."

Sir Topham Hatt looked fit to burst but he held in his breath for a minute and his face returned to its usual color. "I appreciate your honesty Dennis. However I am displeased with your actions. While your on my railway, I expect you to work. If you have issues with jobs, inform the Operations staff. As a result, you will be performing extra duties on the mainline during the Fall and Winter season."

Dennis's face fell and he murmured "Yes sir."

Sir Topham Hatt then straightened himself out and said "Do this well and we'll correct your outstanding issues."

The big engines at the time were not fans of diesels. The first Other Railway diesel to arrive had acted horribly and caused issues for them before he had been sent away. The engines as such were displeased at the thought of another diesel coming into their sheds.

The engines complained bitterly in the sheds as Percy was about to find out.

Coming in on a damp September night, the little engine was tired. The trucks had given him no end of trouble. Most of the engines saw this and gave him a wide berth.

"Evening." Percy let out with a yawn.

"Trucks gave you trouble?" Rosie asked.

James scoffed, "No, they have a modern diesel handling the jobs. There's no way they'd be overworked. In fact he's so modern, that Sir Topham Hatt will be sending him here." The sarcasm was biting and obvious in his tone.

Rosie yawned and said "Stop beating your gums, ya red weasel. I'm browned off with your grousing."

Gordon looked over and said "I understand your position but using that army slang here is not appreciated. Here we use English or Sudrian. Whatever is easier to learn."

Rosie rolled her eyes while Percy said "He's alright now. Sir Topham Hatt has made it clear that he's being sent back to England with as many black marks as he can put on the report. Plus his driver is watching him like a hawk. He'll be fine."

James rolled his eyes and said "We'll see."

Soon fall came and Sir Topham Hatt made the announcement he would keep Dennis on the island. Dennis and Rosie worked hard in the yard Winter came and went, Dennis had to stay on the mainline after Rosie had an accident caused by ice.

Dennis began to struggle as icy rain, hail, ice and snow began to strike Sodor. Due to his weak brakes and lack of air brakes he slipped and slid across the rails. The other engines grew worried as they saw him slide, their doubts about his worries now put to rest.

However, the engines of the other railway had a great laugh at this misfortune.

One day, a diesel arrived and watched Dennis struggle. He scoffed and said "Give it up little diesel and let us take over. We are the future while you and the kettles are destined to become well, kettles."

Dennis only glared over as he managed to stop and said "I thought you BR engines worked hard. If this is how hard you lot usually work then no wonder people dislike you."

The diesel scoffed and said "This little island isn't Manchester." Then Dennis got an idea as Neville came into the station. He looked closely at the diesel who was a Class 40.

He then said "Oh I didn't recognize you. Your quite the celebrity on the mainland."

The diesel blushed and said "Well, it seems you do know manners after all." Then Dennis said "Oi, Neville do you recognize Marshall?"

Neville looked over at the Class 40 who looked confused and eyed him over. Then he realized where Dennis was going with the question. His face grinned and grinning said "I do, I almost didn't recognize him. I've always wanted to talk to you, how does it feel to be the first 100 mph diesel?"

The Class 40 looked confused for a moment and the two engines grinned, "Yes, its always nice to see another Southern Engine. Not those rotters who are descended from him. To quote Gaines, "Those ungrateful muskrats." Don't know what a muskrat is but it doesn't sound pleasant." Neville added.

The class 40 finally realized who he had been mistaken for and what the insults meant. Glaring at them the diesel went to collect his train early in solitude. The other engines in the station chuckled as they slowly realized what Dennis had done.

For the rest of the winter, Dennis was seen as one of the 'good' diesels despite his issues.