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Description
AU History: D7101 was built in 1964 by British Railways during the height of the dieselisation scheme. He grew up in a rather anti-steam environment which was primarily spread by his controller. While he was built at Beyer, Peacock And Company his soon to be driver showed him photographs of engines at work to give him an idea of how his work life will be. The book was slightly old so it had pictures of both steam engines and diesel engines working together. 7101 gained a little bit of an admiration for the steam engines and was excited to see them when he started work, however he was soon to be quite disappointed after seeing the railway fully run by diesels and learning that a lot of steam engines in the UK had been scrapped.
He was one of two diesels brought on trial to the North Western in 1967. Unlike the other diesel, D199 7101 was polite to the steam engines and defended them against 199. His companion was blatantly arrogant and bad-mouthed the steam engines. Vulgar noises greeted this until Duck and 7101 managed to shut up 199.
The next day, 7101's vacuum brake ejector failed while pulling the Limited. Henry, who was already towing 199 and his train of fuel and oil tankers, came to help; 7101 was still able to move by himself with some help from Henry. To the passengers' delight, Flying Scotsman took their train, while Henry helped 7101 home. Along the way, Henry told the diesel about his failed regulator. 7101's opinion of steam engines was greatly changed after the incident. Despite this, 7101 was embarrassed and was sure he would be sent back, fortunately though Henry liked him and put in a good word for him with the fat controller and he decided to let him stay, at the works where he was repaired and repainted in green, a colour he had once worn before and preferred to blue.
There was one engine who he did however prove his worth to, and that was James. He stood up for him after the latter was insulted by 199 at Barrow, and James the next day was even able to make the rude diesel stop making fun of Sudrian engines by helping 7101 up Gordon's Hill after his engine had stalled. They were able to arrive about two minutes early, much to 199's shock, who couldn't even see James who pushed the train from behind. Even James gave him quite the remark, by calling him 'Bear', much to the diesel's astonishment!
He got on well with the other engines, he had good manners for a start, though they would make fun of the way his engine growled, almost like a bear, hence is nick name, which he likes, he says, "It's nicer than just a number, having a name means that you really belong." Even James, who was the last to accept diesels, could not help but like him.
(Now this is a big one! My own reason for painting him into a lighter shade of blue is meant to correspond with how certain children saw him in the merchandising, which I have thankfully allowed only to be applied about the years between Railway Series books till the very end. I also wanted his own liveries, like Boco & Daisy, to reflect many differences the NWR has with its engines than regular Stock, and Diesels are no exception.)

Original Sprites by www.deviantart.com/princess-mu… , www.deviantart.com/lewielol & www.deviantart.com/isleofsodor…

Thomas & Friends owned by Mattel.

Bear & The Railway Series (C) The Awdry Family.

Description
AU History: D7101 was built in 1964 by British Railways during the height of the dieselisation scheme. He grew up in a rather anti-steam environment which was primarily spread by his controller. While he was built at Beyer, Peacock And Company his soon to be driver showed him photographs of engines at work to give him an idea of how his work life will be. The book was slightly old so it had pictures of both steam engines and diesel engines working together. 7101 gained a little bit of an admiration for the steam engines and was excited to see them when he started work, however he was soon to be quite disappointed after seeing the railway fully run by diesels and learning that a lot of steam engines in the UK had been scrapped.
He was one of two diesels brought on trial to the North Western in 1967. Unlike the other diesel, D199 7101 was polite to the steam engines and defended them against 199. His companion was blatantly arrogant and bad-mouthed the steam engines. Vulgar noises greeted this until Duck and 7101 managed to shut up 199.
The next day, 7101's vacuum brake ejector failed while pulling the Limited. Henry, who was already towing 199 and his train of fuel and oil tankers, came to help; 7101 was still able to move by himself with some help from Henry. To the passengers' delight, Flying Scotsman took their train, while Henry helped 7101 home. Along the way, Henry told the diesel about his failed regulator. 7101's opinion of steam engines was greatly changed after the incident. Despite this, 7101 was embarrassed and was sure he would be sent back, fortunately though Henry liked him and put in a good word for him with the fat controller and he decided to let him stay, at the works where he was repaired and repainted in green, a colour he had once worn before and preferred to blue.
There was one engine who he did however prove his worth to, and that was James. He stood up for him after the latter was insulted by 199 at Barrow, and James the next day was even able to make the rude diesel stop making fun of Sudrian engines by helping 7101 up Gordon's Hill after his engine had stalled. They were able to arrive about two minutes early, much to 199's shock, who couldn't even see James who pushed the train from behind. Even James gave him quite the remark, by calling him 'Bear', much to the diesel's astonishment!
He got on well with the other engines, he had good manners for a start, though they would make fun of the way his engine growled, almost like a bear, hence is nick name, which he likes, he says, "It's nicer than just a number, having a name means that you really belong." Even James, who was the last to accept diesels, could not help but like him.
(Now this is a big one! My own reason for painting him into a lighter shade of blue is meant to correspond with how certain children saw him in the merchandising, which I have thankfully allowed only to be applied about the years between Railway Series books till the very end. I also wanted his own liveries, like Boco & Daisy, to reflect many differences the NWR has with its engines than regular Stock, and Diesels are no exception.)

Original Sprites by www.deviantart.com/princess-mu… , www.deviantart.com/lewielol & www.deviantart.com/isleofsodor…

Thomas & Friends owned by Mattel.

Bear & The Railway Series (C) The Awdry Family.