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Sampson gave a small embarrassed hiss as he couldn’t help but shake a little, as if he were a dog trying to shake off water, causing the large bells to jingle as he did so.
“Oh, Sampson don't you look darling!” Katrina beamed as she stepped back, admiring her handiwork.
Sampson had a large red harness of sorts over his middle that was adorned with sleigh bells, Holly and a big red ribbon at the top. It took some serious coaxing to get him to wear it as it did remind him Slightly of the shackle harness he was forced to wear in the mountains, but Katrina managed to talk him into it, promising him it was only to be for this week since it was right before Christmas. Both Sampson and Linus usually had some sort of special decorations for their passenger cars at least as this was their Christmas run, but this had been Katrina's idea for sampson at least. Linus would not be making it this year as he was still injured.
“I thought I heard sleigh bells.” Linus chuffed in amusement as he had just finished shunting Sampson’s cars out to the station, “It must be one of Santa's train-deer.”
“Very funny. Ha…ha…” Sampson chuffed back as he looked at Linus very dryly, “This was Katrina's idea.”
“Sampson, you look great.” Henry said as he had just walked up to the group, holding out his hand for the large train, “You all set to go then?”
Sampson nuzzled into Henry’s hand with an embarrassed chuff.
“It's going to be fine.” Henry smiled as he and Katrina both climbed up into the cab.
“Onward Sampson.” Katrina said as she patted his cab.
“Onward my mighty train-deer.” Linus couldn’t help but chuff as he gave a teasing hiss.
“Oh just wait, your turn is coming.” Sampson hissed back as he then pulled up to the station to couple up to the cars. His cars had also been decorated out as well to have garland of holly and poinsettias running alongside each roof of the car.
Sampson waited patiently for the passengers to climb aboard. He was feeling a little silly all decorated up like this as he chuffed to himself, “I can't believe I got talked into this.”
But it was then that he saw a group of children coming up and pointing to him, all were talking about the trip they were supposed to take with him. He could tell how excited they were as he couldn't help but smile. He then rose up, taking a stance that spoke of his size and power and then gave a mighty blast of his whistle. Afterwards, smiling and winking at the excited children who were now being collected up by their parents to board.
Once that was done, he gave another departing whistle as he slowly began to chug off on his run.
“Merry Christmas, Linus.” He whistled
“Merry Christmas, Sampson.” Linus whistled back