Flying Penguin
rating: 0+x

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-3xxx-a and SCP-3xxx-b are to be kept in Containment Hangar 18 at Site-xx. Containment Hangar 18 has been modified with a set of standard gauge (1435mm) rails connected to Foundation-approved rail networks in North America. SCP-3xxx-c is to be kept off-rails in an open hangar at Site xxx. Any potential components are to be reported and brought to Site xxx for testing.

SCP-3xxx are only to be tested at an approved external site with Administrator authorization. They are not to move under their own power outside of testing circumstances, and must be transported to the testing site by other means.

Description: SCP-3xxx is a trio of Streamlined New York Hudson J3a steam locomotives, designed by Henry Dreyfuss and [REDACTED] and built in 1938 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO). Externally, they appear identical to non-anomalous engines of the same make. Internal assessment of SCP-3xxx are ongoing, but difficult due to their anomalous properties. Current assessments show that their internal mechanical systems have been heavily modified. All standard components have been replaced with ones made of an unidentified metal, and rebuilt such that [DATA EXPUNGED]. How [REDACTED] came across these designs and components is unknown.

All three known instances of SCP-3xxx share the following anomalous properties:

  • The ability to operate autonomously. With no manual input for a certain amount of time, SCP-3xxx will begin to control its own throttle, braking, and all other functions necessary for operation. The amount of time before this state occurs heavily varies from near-instantaneously to over 60 minutes, and is often longer when in motion. Testing with SCP-3xxx-b shows that it will stop at predetermined locations (see Test Report 3xxx-b). SCP-3xxx will exit this state if any of its controls are interacted with, and only when the engine is in an operational state.
    • SCP-3xxx-a is not to be brought up to steam under any circumstances. See Incident Report-3xxx-a.
  • The ability to repair and reassemble itself. When any component of SCP-3xxx is removed, it will eventually return itself to the exact spot it was located in. Replacement parts that did not come from the original engine will be forcibly removed. Damaged components have been observed to reform themselves to their original shape, and “meld” back together, before returning to the main assembly. This occurs in any condition, up to total molecular disintegration. The speed at which components repair depends on three observed factors: The integrity of the engine as a whole, the distance between the component and the main assembly, and the amount of time the component has been damaged or detached.
    • This has made assessment of the internal workings difficult, as dismantled engines will quickly repair themselves. The current state of SCP-3xxx-c has allowed for a more thorough, but slow, analysis.
  • Performance beyond what is typical of modern locomotives. SCP-3xxx-b has been tested to run at speeds of up to xxx km/h when unencumbered, pull loads up to xxxx metric tons, and reach operational boiler pressure in x minutes.

SCP-3xxx-a was first brought to the attention of the SCP Foundation in 19xx, when an idling engine (numbered 54xx) entered it's autonomous state after its crew stepped out for a routine safety check. [DATA EXPUNGED] casualties before colliding head-on with an oncoming freight train. Foundation personnel stepped in and confiscated the wreck when it was observed reassembling itself by local authorities. All witnesses were administered Class-C amnestics, and a cover story that the engine suffered a brake failure was passed through the New York Central railroad. Engine 54xx was reported as being scrapped (as most steam engines were at the time), and classified and contained at Site x.

A second autonomous engine was reported moving slowly in a rail yard at [LOCATION REDACTED] later that year. Undercover Foundation personnel, still investigating SCP-3xxx-a, reported the incident and confiscated the second engine (classified SCP-3xxx-b). Afterwords, all J3a Hudsons were soon retired, and had been scrapped by 1956.

One more instance of SCP-3xxx was discovered in 19xx. Various mechanisms and structures across North America, all likely built utilising scrap from the J3a Hudsons, reported having components suddenly break off and move on their own. In certain cases, metal surfaces would have sections seemingly “melt off” and reform into their original components of SCP-3xxx. The components converged on [LOCATION REDACTED] where they began to reassemble themselves into what was later classified as SCP-3xxx-c. This instance is still undergoing reconstruction at Site xxx.

All blueprints of the J3a Hudson were confiscated. While investigating the engine’s designers, [REDACTED] was found dead in his home of multiple gunshot wounds and all personal effects removed from the premises. Any public record of his involvement with the engine’s design has been expunged. Several ALCO employees were reported to local authorities as missing at the same time. All other individuals related to the design process have been determined to be unaware of the engines’ anomalous capabilities.

All instances of SCP-3xxx were kept at Site x until [DATA EXPUNGED] eventually rebuilt themselves and were recovered by Foundation crews. All instances were then moved to their current locations.