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Seeing-Eye Engine - ThomasNATION Fanstory

July 31, 2021

 

One day on the island of Sodor, Samson and Bradford had been sent over from the Mainland to help out at the Waste Dump. Being as boastful, self-involved and arrogant as Samson was, you can probably tell he wasn’t too stoked about working with garbage.
ā€œUghā€¦ā€ grumbled Samson. ā€œit’s just not fair, Bradford.ā€
ā€œOh, behave yourself, Samson.ā€ Bradford scolded. ā€œSometimes you have to do things you don’t want to in order to get on with life.ā€
ā€œI get that,ā€ Samson rebutted, ā€œbut rubbish?! Not what I was made for, old bean!ā€
As Samson rolled into Vicarstown, Bradford still wasn’t having any of his bickering. ā€œSamson, I thought all you wanted was to be a really useful contributor to the North Western Railway!ā€
ā€œYeah, but not like this.ā€
ā€œWill you quit your whinin’, matey? You don’t even know Whiff!ā€
ā€œYes, but I know he’s very pongy!ā€
ā€œAgain, you don’t know that!ā€
ā€œIt’s in the name! His name is Whiff, Bradford!ā€
As Samson and Bradford bickered, Whiff approached the two. ā€œHello!ā€
Samson took one good long look at Whiff, and he knew all there is to know about the lad. But one thing managed to catch his eye.
ā€œI take it you two are here to help me and Scruff?ā€ Whiff asked.
ā€œUhā€¦ā€
ā€œYes, we certainly are,ā€ Bradford called out from behind. ā€œIt’s nice to see you again, Whiff. This is my associate, Samson.ā€
ā€œUh, yes, hello. Come along, lads, let’s just…get this over with.ā€
ā€œAh, eager to go, I see,ā€ Whiff chuckled. ā€œAway we go, I guess.ā€
As the three left, Samson had to quietly talk to Bradford. ā€œDo you see that too, Bradford?ā€
ā€œEh?ā€
ā€œWhiff, he’s wearing glasses. I’ve never seen an engine with glasses before! I didn’t even think it was a possibility.ā€
ā€œWell, plenty of folk on the Mainland are visually impaired, Samson,ā€ said Bradford.
ā€œYeah, but not engines.ā€ Samson protested.
ā€œI’m sure it’s best to get on with your work as per usual and just ignore his spectacles, lad,ā€ Bradford assured his friend. ā€œAfter all, Whiff’s glasses don’t make him any less useful.ā€
 
Soon, Whiff, Samson and Bradford had arrived at the waste dump, where Scruff was awaiting their arrival.
ā€œAh, hey, guys!ā€ Scruff called out. ā€œSamson, was it?ā€
ā€œYes it is.ā€ Samson sighed. ā€œPractical, strong, and not wanting to be here at all.ā€
ā€œSamsonā€¦ā€ Bradford scowled.
ā€œOh, alright.  What do we need to do, Scruff?ā€
ā€œFirst off,ā€ Scruff started, ā€œwe have some trucks of recyclables on Sidings 2, 4 and 9. Can you two take care of it for us?ā€
ā€œHuh. Guess you’re going easy on us.ā€ Samson smirked. ā€œAlright, Scruff. We’re on it!ā€
Soon, Samson and Bradford had collected the trains of recyclables and lined them up in one long train. As soon as Samson was about to disembark for the other end of the dump.
ā€œWHOOAA!ā€ Bradford cried as he slammed the brakes.
ā€œBradford?ā€ asked Samson. ā€œWhat’s wrong?ā€
ā€œAccording to the Railroad Safety Guidelines, goods trains pulled by tank engines are not permitted to exceed 15 trucks.ā€
ā€œSo?ā€
ā€œI counted, and the amount of trucks lined up here culminate in a total of 22! You need to uncouple seven or find a back engine before you can continue.ā€
Samson simply scoffed. ā€œOh, tish tosh, Bradford. I think you’re forgetting I’m the strongest tank engine on Sodor. These recyclables are nothing!ā€
Samson tried pulling away from the dump, but he couldn’t proceed. ā€œBradford, let go of the brakes.ā€
ā€œUncouple some trucks first, Samson!ā€
Samson and Bradford went back and forth, but the brakevan wouldn’t let him move, until…
SNAP! The coupling on the trucks snapped, sending Bradford hurtling down the line. ā€œWhoa, whoa, whoa!ā€
Bradford tried applying his brakes, but he was too late as he collided into the back of Whiff.
Then there was trouble. Whiff’s glasses wobbled on his nose for a couple of seconds, until they fell off and landed on the rails below. Thankfully, they were unharmed. ā€œPhew!ā€
But Whiff’s relief was short-lived. ā€œWatch out, Whiff!ā€
Samson crashed into the train, knocking Whiff forward, and over his glasses, cracking the lens. ā€œNo!ā€
 
Samson and Scruff had sent Whiff and his broken glasses to the Steamworks to inspect the damage. Victor take a good, long look at the damaged frames.
ā€œWhat happened here, anyways?ā€ Victor asked.
ā€œThere was a bit of a mishap at the dump, Victor,ā€ Samson explained. ā€œYou can probably guess the outcome, eh?ā€
ā€œAi, no me digaā€¦ā€ Victor groaned. ā€œDon’t tell me you ran over your frames, Whiff.ā€
ā€œIt was an accident, Victor.ā€ Whiff tried to explain. As a result of his busted glasses, he had a noticable squint to him. And even then, he couldn’t see much.
ā€œI know, but these frames take a while to make, my friend. Thankfully, we have the right materials to make you another pair, and we should get them to you by tomorrow, problema resuelto!ā€
ā€œI should hope so!ā€ Sir Topham Hatt bellowed as he entered the Steamworks. ā€œBut for now, Whiff, I need you to take a goods train up to Crovan’s Gate.ā€
ā€œYes, sirā€¦ā€ Whiff mumbled. ā€œā€¦uh, sir? Where exactly are you?ā€
ā€œRight here, Whiff.ā€ Sir Topham Hatt said further. ā€œSeeing as you’ve had an…ahem, accident, I’m appointing you what I like to call a seeing-eye engine.ā€
ā€œWhat’s a seeing eye engine, sir?ā€ Scruff asked.
ā€œThe seeing eye engine will be Whiff’s banker engine, in addition to pointing him in the right direction. Now, does anyone know where I can find Thomas?ā€
ā€œAh, you don’t need Thomas, sir!ā€ Samson said, triumphantly. ā€œI’ll be his seeing-eye engine!ā€
ā€œYou, Samson?ā€
ā€œYes, I know this island like it’s the back of my buffer! Plus the fact that this is a little bit my fault.ā€
ā€œVery well, then.ā€ said Sir Topham Hatt. ā€œNow, you two get going. Chop chop!ā€
 
As Samson and Whiff pulled into the Docks, Whiff was still struggling to see. ā€œUh, Samson? Are we there yet?ā€
ā€œYes, Whiff. We’re here.ā€
Salty immediately noticed something was different about Whiff. ā€œAhoy, lad. What happened to your spectacles?ā€
ā€œLong story, Porter,ā€ replied Whiff. ā€œis our train ready?ā€
ā€œUh, Whiff?ā€ Samson corrected. ā€œThat’s Salty.ā€
ā€œOh. Sorry, Salty.ā€
ā€œNo worries, matey. Yer cars are right there.ā€
Samson coupled up to the back of the train, while Whiff coupled up to the front…of Thomas. ā€œHey! Whiff, what’s going on?ā€
ā€œOh! Thomas, is that you?ā€
ā€œYeah, what’s going on?ā€
Samson had to explain the situation to Thomas as Whiff coupled up to the train, and before long, the two disembarked.
ā€œOh, this is going to be a long journeyā€¦ā€ Samson moaned.
 
Soon, the two were on their way to Crovan’s Gate. It was hard to keep on the right track, but Samson was doing a fine job of being Whiff’s seeing-eye engine, until they came to a junction.
ā€œAlright, Samson,ā€ Whiff called. ā€œwhat way do we go?ā€
Samson thought for a little bit. Truth of the matter was, he didn’t actually know the right way to go. He just wanted to do it because…well, anything was better than working at the dump.
ā€œUh…take the left track.ā€
ā€œYou sure? I can’t see much, but from what I can see, it looks overgrown and rusty.ā€
ā€œTrust me, Whiff-o,ā€ Samson smirked. ā€œI told you. I know this railway as if it were my own!ā€
ā€œUh, okay…if you say so.ā€
And away they went down the left track. Whiff was right, this track was overgrown and rusty. The biggest issue with that is, the tracks were also in shambles. But neither Whiff nor Samson could notice before it was too late and Whiff rolled off the rails and into the mud.
ā€œOh, dearā€¦ā€ Whiff sighed. ā€œI’m starting to think this isn’t the right track.ā€
ā€œThis is unbelievableā€¦ā€ Samson groaned.
 
Soon, Whiff had to be put back onto the rails as Sir Topham Hatt inspected the issue.
ā€œSir, if I may-ā€ said Samson.
ā€œNo, Samson, it’s not your fault,ā€ Sir Topham Hatt interrupted. ā€œI simply realised the issue with my seeing-eye engine plan.ā€
ā€œOh?ā€
ā€œYou see, the problem is that the seeing-eye engine had to go at the back of the train. I think you can guess where the problem lies.ā€
ā€œThe engine wouldn’t be able to see where he’d be leading the train?ā€
ā€œBingo.ā€ Sir Topham Hatt smiled. ā€œSo, I came to a solution. You need to couple up to the front of Whiff!ā€
ā€œThat’s…actually a good idea.ā€ said Samson as he coupled up in front of Whiff. ā€œCome along, Whiff, Crovan’s Gate awaits!ā€
 
Samson and Whiff had finally arrived at Crovan’s Gate with the goods train.
ā€œOoh, hello, lads!ā€ called Sir Handel. ā€œWhiff, where are your glasses?ā€
ā€œI’m waiting on a new pair,ā€ Whiff explained. ā€œbut for now, Samson’s my seeing-eye engine.ā€
ā€œRight you are, Whiff!ā€
Suddenly, Percy raced into the station with a flatbed, with a small crate on it. ā€œWhiff! Whiff! I have something for you!ā€
ā€œWait, what?ā€ Whiff asked. ā€œI thought they weren’t due to be fixed until tomorrow.ā€
ā€œI know,ā€ Percy explained. ā€œbut Victor was ahead of schedule and was able to fix up your glasses in no time at all.ā€
Two workmen opened the crate to reveal brand new glasses for Whiff! ā€œWhoa! They’re amazing!ā€
ā€œI know, right?ā€ Percy chuckled.
The workmen fitted the glasses onto Whiff’s face. At long last, he could see again. ā€œThey work perfect!ā€
Samson smirked at Whiff’s new frames. ā€œVery stylish, Whiff. Guess this means ya won’t need a seeing-eye engine anymore.ā€
ā€œNot until the next time my glasses break,ā€ Whiff chuckled. ā€œbut that doesn’t mean the two of us can’t work together!ā€
ā€œI guess so,ā€ Samson smiled. ā€œbut I do have one question.ā€
ā€œGo for it.ā€
ā€œ...does it have to be at the waste dump?ā€
Whiff chuckled at Samson’s question. Samson joined in as the two chuffed off.
ā€œNo, I’m being serious. Does it?ā€
ā€œYes.ā€
ā€œAw.ā€

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