Samson

"Samson here, at your service!"

- Samson Samson is a dark teal cabless tank engine who works on the Mainland. He has a brake van named Bradford.

Biography
Samson first came to Sodor when he brought across a shipment of dinosaur models from the Mainland, to the Earl's estate at Ulfstead Castle, however he got lost on the way and had to spend the night at the Blue Mountain Quarry. He did not make it to the estate until the next morning. He remained on the island to help out with the construction of the Earl's Dinosaur Park. While helping with construction, he and Harvey both teased Millie, only to get a shock when she tricked them into believing a volcano model was about to erupt. He was asked to collect stone from the Blue Mountain Quarry, but after some teasing from the other engines about the time he got lost, he became determined to not make another mistake. Unfortunately, this led to him taking Gordon's Express coaches to the quarry by mistake. He was also put on scrap duty with Harvey, but got so carried away that he chose to scrap a postman's bicycle, a bus stop sign and Sir Topham Hatt's car, believing they were scrap.

Samson also briefly helped out with the construction of the Harwick Branch Line.

Once, Samson brought his brake van, Bradford, to Sodor. He later picked him up and the two returned to the Mainland together. Soon after, he was trying to save time by pulling too many trucks of stone from the Blue Mountain Quarry. This ended up with him getting stuck on Gordon's Hill and Thomas and Paxton had to help push him up the hill.

When the Great Railway Show was being held and Thomas jumped the Vicarstown Bridge to bring Gordon his safety valve, Samson was the first to notice Thomas when he landed on the Mainland. Seeing Samson going in the same direction as him, Thomas realised he was on the wrong track and had to avoid head-on collisions with Connor, Hiro and Sidney in quick succession.

One foggy day, he ran over a detonator and thought it was fireworks. Scared, he rushed away, nearly colliding with Rebecca and pushing Nia out of the way before he stopped at a siding to rest. Bradford then told him that there was nothing to fear about fireworks. When the fog lifted, Samson went up to Ulfstead Castle and discovered fireworks are not so bad after all.

Personality
Samson is a dignified tank engine with a lot of pride for the work he does. He almost never asks for help or advice to avoid seeming inexperienced around the Island. He is also quite arrogant and boastful, believing himself to be the Island's strongest tank engine and knowing what he is doing whatever is right or wrong. While a hardworking engine, he tends to be impatient, impulsive, and overenthusiastic, which often leads to trouble. He also had a fear of fireworks, though his good friend Bradford was able to help him overcome this fear.

Basis
Samson is based on Barclays & Co. Works No. 214 built circa 1874, an 0-4-0 saddle tank engine that is believed to have been purchased by the Cleator and Workington Junction Railway after the Carlisle Goods Avoiding Lines contract was completed in 1877 and became their No. 2 engine 'Ennerdale'. This engine was sometimes loaned to the Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railway.

Livery
Samson is painted viridian (grey-green) with red lining. He has nameplates, number plates with his number 15 and handrails, all in brass. He has a light grey running board and red bufferbeams and valences.

Appearances
Television Series= {{Scroll box|

Thomas & Friends

 * Series 18 - Marion and the Dinosaurs, Samson at Your Service, Samson Sent for Scrap and Millie and the Volcano
 * Series 19 - The Truth About Toby
 * Series 20 - Bradford the Brake Van and Saving Time
 * Series 22 - Samson and the Fireworks

Specials

 * 2015 - Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure
 * 2016 - The Great Race
 * 2017 - Journey Beyond Sodor

Music Videos
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 * Series 18 - The Best Friends Express
 * Thomas' YouTube World Tour - Night Train
 * Series 19 - Engine Roll Call
 * Series 20 - Accidents Will Happen
 * Journey Beyond Sodor - I Want to Go Home
 * Series 21 - Set Friendship in Motion and Trying
 * Series 22 - Engine Roll Call
 * Series 24 - Party Train
 * -|Other Media=

Magazine Stories

 * 2015 - Marion and the Dinosaurs

Books

 * 2018 - Character Encyclopedia
 * 2020 - Thomas the Tank Engine Encyclopedia

Audio Stories
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 * 2020 - Marion and the Dinosaurs

Trivia

 * Samson is named after two people:
 * The former railway consultant Sam Wilkinson.
 * The Biblical figure Samson, who is known for being powerful. Samson also has made a mention that the name Samson is strong.
 * Nathan Clarke did an audio sample for Samson on his DAA Management Page.

Merchandise

 * Wooden Railway
 * TrackMaster
 * Take-n-Play
 * Minis
 * Classic Minis
 * Heroes Minis
 * DC Super Friends Minis
 * Creatures Minis
 * Monster Minis
 * Steel Minis
 * Back to School Minis
 * Hawaiian Minis