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“Isn’t he Marvelous Henry? This Locomotive is the future that will give us massive improvements to our Von Kapital Railway,The best part? He knows no hunger or weakness!”
This sentence has been stuck in Samson’s mind ever since he arrived here, in this very own main station, and that was years ago.
And Baron, was right.
Samson has been a hardworking engine, transporting passengers and freight trains back and forth, Filling Baron’s pocket with money, and putting a big smile on his owner’s face, and he will continue doing that for a long time.
Samson, seems to be having a habit of having some large expectations, assuming a lot of things, Like assuming that he will still run on this railroad, assuming that He has no flaws, and worst, even assuming that he will never be replaced.
Samson thinks like this because he’s the ‘future’ engine, since he’s extremely a new and powerful Locomotive, it would probably take years for him to get replaced, And besides, Baron keeps talking about how powerful and special Samson is, so it’s a guarantee that he will never be replaced, or at least that’s what Samson Thinks..
It was early in Tuesday morning on the railway of Von Kapital Railway.
And around the train yard, was Henry’s house of course, and next to it was double sheds where Linus and Samson sleeps in, it seems that Linus had already woken up, but the big engine on the other hand, was not.
Samson struggled to wake up that day, as his eyes were too tired to even open, he was in a situation where he would either sleep in or wake up, but luckily, Linus was still in the said shed, but he’s not planning waking Samson up in the old fashion way.
The little engine was as still as ever, and staring at the sleeping giant in a smiley face, but just as the right moment has came, Linus blew his whistle, The long and high noise jolted Samson awake, his bells rang from how much he lifted his head up aggressively, Linus chuckled at his reaction.
“Linus, DON’T ever do that again.” Samson growled, his eyes glared at the blue engine, causing him to stop chuckling and smiled awkwardly.
“Come on Samson, we have some work to do!” Linus whistled excitedly before dashing off to the train yard.
Samson then began to follow his little friend to the shunting yard, he had a freight train to pull, which is basically a bunch of van wagons and some trucks with coal in there, and he have to deliver them to the other parts of the Railway, soon, Samson reached the train yard, where he saw his long freight train that Linus had shunted before he and his engineer left to go to work, as Samson reached to the beginning of the long freight.
the big engine backed up to his train, and he coupled to it, his bells ringed, and he heard the whistle, it was time to go, and be the super locomotive he had always been.
The animals around the forest felt the ground rumble, the smaller critters ran to their homes, while the larger beasts skipped back to the forests to hide themselves, the birds flew away from the tracks, and the large steam engine passed them in marvelous speed that the gust of wind made the poor birds struggled to fly pro, while the smaller critters was very frightened by the loud noise of his bell and whistling and they ran even faster, away from the source of the sound, the beasts went too deep into the forest that when they felt a bit safe they stared at the locomotive that was causing all of this.
Samson chuffed in high speed, as he stayed focus on the line that he was driving on, the stoker was sucking up all the coal that Samson has in his tender and spitting it out in the large furnace that was heating up with its enormous fire, His boiler filled with water was boiling hot, making large steam puffs out of his chimney, it covered the whole sky right behind him, and casting a shadow on the grounds that he passes by, Samson noticed the birds and the beasts running away from him, and away from the tracks, which is a good thing to Samson’s view, he doesn’t wanna stop for anyone, and he also doesn’t wanna…end something, he hoped that there’s no animal on the tracks…But unfortunately, there was a certain animal.
the only animal that happens to be on the tracks, the same tracks that both Linus and Samson uses, was a turtle named mokey, the turtle.
Mokey was crawling slowly, as usual, to cross the tracks that it puts the poor turtle in a risky situation, Mokey didn’t realize that all the critters has left the spot, but he didn’t, he was too busy crawling, to where? To cross the tracks of course, and the green small turtle seems to be in a good mood, confident even, he’s confident that he can cross the tracks without any train causing him a scare, but he didn’t know that a train was making the grounds rumble, and also he didn’t realize that this engine thats coming towards him was Samson, the engine that he got hit a while ago and was so scared to see him again.
As mokey was crossing the rails, he felt something strange, as he turned to look, expecting his favorite blue engine, he saw his death, coming straight towards him, mokey shaked in fear before he huddled on the tracks, both his little stubby arms on his head, closing his eyes glued shut.
“Ah- what the!?” Samson blurted loudly.
He immediately began to stop his wheels from moving, and since he’s going in a high speed, it’s gonna be hard, the loud screech from between his wheels and tracks made Samson’s ears hurt, he tried to even reverse his driving wheels in order to stop faster before harming mokey, Samed leaned backed and gritted, and soon, he stopped, just few inches away from running over the turtle.
Mokey felt something poking him on his shell, as he opened his big green eyes to look, the only thing he was met by with the panting Samson, but he wasn’t panting because he’s tired from all the strength he had to do when he pulled the brakes, but more like he’s panting in anger, mokey watched the glaring locomotive giving him the most horrifying face ever, and after Samson catched his breath, he yelled at the turtle.
“You…” he breathed.
Mokey gulped, as he slowly got up to continue his crossing journey, but slowly.
“SCRAM! GET OUT OF MY WAY!!” Samson shouted, gritting his teeth.
his deep voice and angry tone scared the living soul out of mokey, and he started to crawl even faster and ended up disappearing through the trees, Samson growled and then he began to run again, he then felt an ache all around his driving wheels, he sighed.
‘That turtle…he made me late.’ Samson thought to himself, he glared at where mokey went before he started to pick up the pace, and continued his journey.
The sun was beginning to set, and the lightbulbs that lit the tracks has brightened it for Samson, who has finished all of his jobs, Samson watched the sunset, and smiled at the view, but as he came closer to the big station, he dropped his smile and went back to his usual intimidating face, if he’s gonna show up to the public, the best he could do is look formal, as Samson was about to pass the station and go back to his shed, he noticed something around the corner of his eyes, or maybe, someone.
Samson slowed down, and started to drive very slowly, there were a lot of passengers there, but he noticed someone, and few others near the office.
It’s Baron Von Kapital, and his daughter, Katrina, and…two men in suits.
Samson didn’t know who these two men are, both of them look classy and rich, just like Baron, and they all seem to be laughing, and they look like they’re having a conversation, and Baron opened the office door for all of them to come in, Samson watched carefully, he heard Baron laughing before asking them a question, but then, one of the men pulled out something, and what it looks like to be a paper, Samson stared at the window where now he’s looking at Baron sighing the papers, but Before the big engine could do anything, he was bumped into another train.
“Ou-!“ Samson shuts his eyes, the force made him backed up.
“Watch where you going there pal.” The engine spoke in a annoyed but calm tone.
Samson opened his eyes, and he could not believe what he is seeing right now.
In front of him, was a completely, different type of engine he had never seen before, he was the same height as Samson, and was longer then Samson, he had his bright red pain coat that looked flashy, his coupler rods and wheels were as shiny as silver, and his body looked sleek, and that’s something a streamlined engine would look like.
Samson couldn’t keep his eyes off of him, he was, extremely confused, he didn’t know who is this, he didn’t know why he’s here.
“What’s wrong? Did a cat got your tongue?” He chuckled.
“Excuse me?” Samson finally found his voice, but didn’t know what to say, he was still speechless at the sight of the streamliner in front of him.
“Ah come on old fella, I was just joking, you know.”
Samson opened his mouth to say something, but the door office has opened before he could say anything.
“And here sir, is the steam engine that I was talking about.” A seller in a suit spoke.
“Isn’t he beautiful?” Another seller said.
Samson saw Baron coming near him, and looked back at the streamliner fully and smugly staring at him.
Baron then walked towards the large streamliner, and stared at it for a few moments.
“Goodness, that’s a one marvelous engine!” Baron commented.
“I know, one of the fastest type of Locomotives ever! But it’s only for passengers though.” The man laughed.
“Yes, he’s our newest locomotive we recently built!” The other continued.
“Hmm, he does look nice.” Baron said, examining the new Locomotives.
Samson watched the two men blabbing about this new engine, and Samson felt something building up in his boiler, and it was not steam, it was fear, but he didn’t know why he was feared, it’s not like he was getting replaced, right?
“Oh, is that yours Baron?” A man pointed at Samson.
Samson stopped thinking and stared at them before he pretended he didn’t hear anything, he puts on his intimidating face, and made himself look ‘bigger’ to make them think that he’s a strong steam engine, and hopefully shows them that he can be better, better then that streamliner.
“Oh yes, that’s Samson, but you see, he’s the reason why I wanna buy more newer and faster Locomotives.” Baron explained.
Samson’s face was dropped and turned to look at baron, not believing what he’s saying right now.
“He’s been a good engine, yes, he helped my railway more improved, but, i might think that he needs some help with newer engines, since he’s been…getting rather slower, and also not making any newer progress.” Baron continued, and Katrina, nodded.
Samson could not believe it, his eyes has widen.
“Alright baron, since you signed our contract, you have officially bought our new streamlined locomotive, wanna go for a ride?” The two men smiled, as one of them reached their hand to Baron’s.
“Ah, I’m glad.” Baron shaked their hands before him and his daughter followed them to the new engine.
“All aboard the future train!” One man exclaimed.
“Ah would you look at the time, I think I’m gonna have a tour around this railway, see you later, Samson.” The streamliner then chuffed backwards, switch the tracks, and passed Samson and out they went from the big station.
‘No…no..this..t-this can’t be happening..’ Samson thought worriedly.
Samson started to shake slightly, he felt sick in his boiler and his vision blurred, the fear has came true, his owner, baron, brought a new train, a newer one, a future one, a better one, he worked hard for this railway, he behaves well and never caused a scene, he befriended his hero that saved him, he did everything for this railway, and this is what Baron repays him? Getting a better model train and called it a ‘future’?
Samson uncoupled from his empty van wagons and trucks, and abandoned them there at the station, he started to chuff back to his shed, his breathing got heavy and felt his ‘heart’ pounding very hard, he gritted his teeth as hard as ever, Samson reached to his shed but never even stopped to let the turntable spin him around, he felt too sick to even try that, Samson chuffed all the way into his shed, and as he felt his space being too quiet and no one is there, Samson let out a lot of steam from his pistons, and tried to calm himself down from whatever he just witnessed, and close shut his teary eyes, trying to gaslight himself that maybe Baron isn’t considering replacing him, maybe he needed a new train for the passenger train types, right? Maybe Samson can focus on pulling freight trains while that streamliner can pull the passengers, he’s not actually gonna replace him, he’s too good of an engine to be replaced, right? He claimed that he’s not old now, even though he arrived here years ago, years ago wasn’t that long, right?
“You’ve had done a good job today Linus.” Henry patted Linus’ sides, Linus replied with his whistle, and the two passenger coaches ‘smiled’ at Linus happily, the caboose, on the other hand, was sort of not having a good day after being an unlucky wagon and dropped down on the hill for the millionth time.
“..huh?” Linus stared.
He slowed down as he saw something strange in front of him, it was a line of freight train, and it looks like it belongs to Samson.
“That’s strange.” Henry muttered.
They both stopped at the platform and the passengers has set their foots on the ground of the station, Henry did the same, he walked towards the beginning of the freight train to see that Samson was no where to be found.
“Now where’s Samson?” Henry questioned and turned to look at Linus, the blue train only shrugged at him.
“Well, I guess we have to take this back to the train yard.” Henry spoke, before he got back into Linus’ cabin.
Linus then pushed the long line of freight train back to where it came from, and he then returned his two green coaches and his caboose back to their place, Henry then drove Linus back to his shed before saying his goodbyes and going to his house, Linus backed up to his shed, and then he saw that Samson was with him in the said shed.
“Hehe, Samson?” Linus chuckled.
No answer, only the sound of Samson’s panting.
“Samson? Why did you leave your freight back there? You know it’s not supposed to be there…Samson? Sam?” Linus looked.
He looked behind him to see that he’s been literally talking to Samson’s tender and not near his face, Linus felt something was wrong, he sat on the turntable, he spun, and now he chuffed back to the shed and this time Linus could see his friend’s face.
“Hey..are you okay?” Linus asks, he shined the light at Samson’s face.
“Uh- oh Linus, you’re here-“ Samson blurted.
Linus stared at his face, he noticed that he looks..scared.
“What’s going on?” Linus whistled, his tone is concerned and his eyes locked on his friend.
“Oh well I was- I was just having a nap Linus, you know.” Samson smiled awkwardly.
Linus was still looking at Samson.
The big engine sighed.
“Linus…I have been replaced..” He gulped.
“Huh?” Linus tilted his head.
“I..have been..replaced.” He repeated.
“Replaced? Wait what?-“ Linus leaned closer to Samson before he jumped back.
“LINUS, DON’T YOU GET IT!?” Samson shouted, his bell ranged angrily, his marker lamp eyes glared at the little blue engine.
“I GOT REPLACED BY AN ENGINE WHOS A LOT FASTER THEN ME, LOOK BETTER THEN ME, AND BARON? HE-..he...he bought him and-.. left me alone…told those sellers that I was Slower..And I needed ‘help’…Linus..what do these words even mean? I helped him make this railway famous, I ran for his money…and he just…”
Samson couldn’t talk anymore, his voice was shaking, he didn’t want to appear weak, especially to someone like Linus, but, he is weak, he is slow, he’s not the future anymore, since that’s what Baron probably thinks.
Linus stared at Samson going from loud and quiet, it seems that he had a lot of royalty to Baron Von Kapital, but never really told anyone about it.
Ever since the bridge incident has occurred, and Linus was first presumed ‘dead’…
A lot of people from the town had spread rumors, saying that Samson, the super locomotive, is the reason why Linus has ‘passed away’.
People sent letters to baron, telling him that they’ll never ride his trains anymore, and some complaints are even worse.
Telling the Von Kapital Railway to scarp Samson.
Linus has and will always be a special engine to the railway and the town, people loved that train, and so did his engineer, and his wife.
But when Linus was gone, and they got Samson instead, they were impressed for a brief moment, until his service was nothing Like the lovable blue engine.
Samson would go in high speed, throwing them around when he passed their destination, and he wasn’t really ‘fun’ like Linus, he was intimidating, mean looking, scary even.
People claimed that if Samson wasn’t here, Linus would still be alive, people would still be enjoying train ride with Linus, but no, he had ‘passed’, and the only train that the railway has is that scary mean looking train everyone claimed he was.
Some people didn’t even send complaint letters, they just come up to baron face to face and tell them straight up to ‘get rid of Samson or else he’ll do more damage.’
Whenever Samson does his job, he couldn’t help but feel angry glaring eyes staring at him, and for safety, they had to watch him or else people will scrap him themselves since baron would never do such a thing.
Until one day, something happened.
Baron, spoke up about it after a few days of silence.
He told people with their pitch forks, that Samson, is not at fault.
He instead, took the blame, and explained himself that the bridge was not stable for crossing on, and he didn’t listen to those who warned him about it, he explained that to make it up for it, Samson will be reassigned to fix the bridge, the same way he built the town.
But after that, he explained that he would never dare scrap his locomotives, and shouldn’t blame on Samson since all he did was doing his job.
Samson watched baron defend his super locomotive from the crowd, and luckily, they listened.
They stopped sending complaint letters to the railway, they stopped blaming Samson for things he didn’t do, they simply left him alone.
Samson was forever grateful for Baron standing up for him, at that time, Samson was drowning in guilt and thinking that he was at fault, and Baron changed that perspective.
“I would never scrap or Replace Samson with another engine.”
Was a speech that Samson still remembers, but it seems that this speech was aged like milk.
“Samson.” Linus whispered.
Samson looked down on his cow catchers.
“I know how it feels…but it’s gonna be okay.” Linus smiled to Samson.
“Really..?” Samson sniffed.
“Yes, of course, but you need to know that I was in the same place as you since you…well..replaced me back there, but look, I’m still on the rails, am I?”
Linus is right, he had been replaced before, and he’s still there.
“And besides Samson, I am here for you, by your side.”
Samson looked at him.
“Henry, scarlet, maybe even my passengers, all of us are your friends, you may get replaced, but I’ll never replace you with someone else.” Linus continued.
Samson’s eyes glow with hope, he smiled warmly.
“..thank you Linus, I..I really needed to hear that.” He talked softly.
“That’s what friends are for.” Linus smiled.
Samson didn’t seem to be afraid anymore, he realized that being replaced by something, or anything that worries him, won’t be that much of a problem as long as he has his friends besides him, and a best friend too.
And surprisingly, Samson is still working on the line, the streamlined on the other hand, was still here, just pulling passengers as usual, both of them run on different rails, so they rarely see each other, and that might seem like a good thing for Samson after being ‘replaced’.