Skarloey Remembers | A Thomas & Friends based short BramGroatFilms 2024-05-11 | At last, here it is; right on time! (Early even!)This is an idea I've had as early as September of 2015; after a day visiting the Talyllyn Railway; the Skarloey Railway's real life inspiration. This was especially since that very day I listened to my Mother read aloud the book Four Little Engines, which she had bought from the railway during our visit.I also wanted to adapt this story since I feel the official TV version didn't do the original justice. At this time, only Skarloey and three trucks had been announced by Bachmann. Regardless, I decided I wanted to use Bachmann models to adapt it. As the Bachmann narrow gauge Thomas line expanded, my consideration of actually making this continued. Once Skarloey and the coaches, and the brake van was announced, I decided to go for it as soon as I had the brake van. This is exactly what I did. So, after working on this for about a year, here it is! I hope you enjoy! Even though it is fully wholesome, I decided to label it as "not for kids" just to see if I could.Also, I decided to upload at 12 am May 12 UK time; for the anniversary of the Railway Series.
Exchange at Vicarstown BramGroatFilms 2024-05-02 | The website "Sudrian Industries" has a RWS (TVS what if?) Vicarstown Station building. (which can be downloaded here:) sudrianindustries.wixsite.com/sudrianindustries/add-onsSince I couldn't find any routes using it, I decided to make one of my own. I then decided to make a video featuring it. Most of the the models are from The Sudrian Industries. Others are from Sodor Workshops. I can't remember where exactly the Big City/Foreign Engine model came from. Music by NW06. Hopefully I've explained everything thoroughly enough.
Old Clay Animations | Mort & Ripley BramGroatFilms 2024-04-19 | I think I've explained everything in the Video.
Sir Handel Meets Gordon BramGroatFilms 2024-04-08 | Another of those projects I mentioned back in January; a reenactment of when Sir Handel and Gordon meet. This is the first in a series of steps leading up to the Duke Project. #1 Sir Handel and Gordon meet #2 Gordon suggests Sir Handel pretends to be ill in Trucks#3 Little Old Twins, in which Sir Handel attempts to pretend to be ill a second time, and a television crew visits for the first time.And that leads up to the Duke project, which will include portions of Duck & Dukes, in which the television crew visits for the second time.
20 Years of Stopmotion & Clay Animation BramGroatFilms 2024-03-27 | Just something I put together to celebrate twenty years since my first stopmotion/clay animated film.
Beginning of Gordon Goes Foreign BramGroatFilms 2024-03-15 | Here is one of those Gordon Goes Foreign adaptations I mentioned back in January. This is an idea I've had for at least fifteen years; Gordon Goes Foreign with Spencer- mentioned by name- in the role of the Foreign Engine. I had previously decided against it because Spencer is technically a LNER engine, like Gordon; so he would agree with Gordon about London being King's Cross. But, I decided I could let that slide for this video. I decided that, since there are SOOOO many full adaptations of this story already, it was unnecessary to adapt it myself in full.
Preview | The Dairy Crash BramGroatFilms 2024-03-09 | An Upcoming remake of this video: youtube.com/watch?v=-yZ4j9GtE3EI thought since I have WAY more CGI models than I did five years ago, I thought I should remake it.
Couple of Mike Quotes BramGroatFilms 2024-02-02 | Hopefully I've explained the reason for this thoroughly enough in the video. Reviews of “We Need Another Engine” and “Three Wise Engines.” Personally, I LOVED THEM! “We need Another Engine” especially makes me happy simply for existing. It frees me from any obligation to adapt it myself. I had only a few nitpicks. One was Mike sounding so different from his actual CGI voice. It’s why I recorded the first part of this. Though I might actually prefer his voice in these fan videos to his actual voice. Second was that I didn’t like how the engines seem to all hate each other. Third, I didn’t like how Frank was treated like dirt; especially at the end of “We Need Another Engine.” But other than that, it was amazing! One part from “Three Wise Engines” that I DEEPLY appreciate was the “Thank you, Half!” Having had years of theatre experience.
Addressing Arlesdale Railway Timelines BramGroatFilms 2024-01-31 | Wow; five videos from me in one month. It's going to drop down to only one or two per month n the following months.I thought this was something that should be addressed, since it's something that keeps being brought up to me.
Percy Whats a... Compilation- UK versions BramGroatFilms 2024-01-17 | Having already made this compilation with US clips, I decided to do a UK one as well. I decided to not have my last video for the month be a depressing one. This one has been on the back burner for a while. I wasn't going to do this altogether, but someone said please. Since I used UK clips for my Sir Handel Banish based idea, I decided it was time to put this together.
Grief | A Clay Animated short (TATMR music version) BramGroatFilms 2024-01-12 | I decided to post two different versions of this; one with music from the movie Thomas & the Magic Railroad, and the other with music that I thought was royalty free, but I'm not sure. The idea goes back several years. It actually began with thinking about Chef Skinner's office in Ratatouille; filled with memories of Gusteau; and wondering "What if Skinner was actually devastated by Gusteau's passing?"I believe inspiration for crying over a photograph came from the Wallace & Gromit shorts "The Wrong Trousers" and "A Close Shave," in which both characters cry when they are separated from each other and look at a photograph of them together. What inspired me to make this an actual film was losing a friend. The anniversary of his passing is this week. Jack was his name. As I mentioned in another video, he voiced the Engine Driver in my adaptation of The Wind in the Willows. I reused the model of him for the pictures in this video. The man mourning his loss is based on me. The woman who comforts him is based on my wife. While I have never wept aloud over losing Jack, I have mourned deeply for him on the inside. Two others I know passed away last year, as well as one more who was the father of someone I know. I hope, somehow, this is a comfort to everyone who has lost someone.
Grief | A Clay Animated short (Regular Version) BramGroatFilms 2024-01-11 | I decided to post two different versions of this; this one with music that I thought was royalty free, but I am not sure; and the other with music from the movie Thomas & the Magic Railroad.The idea goes back several years. It actually began with thinking about Chef Skinner's office in Ratatouille; filled with memories of Gusteau; and wondering "What if Skinner was actually devastated by Gusteau's passing?"I believe inspiration for crying over a photograph came from the Wallace & Gromit shorts "The Wrong Trousers" and "A Close Shave," in which both characters cry when they are separated from each other and look at a photograph of them together. What inspired me to make this an actual film was losing a friend. The anniversary of his passing is this week. Jack was his name. As I mentioned in another video, he voiced the Engine Driver in my adaptation of The Wind in the Willows. I reused the model of him for the pictures in this video. The man mourning his loss is based on me. The woman who comforts him is based on my wife. While I have never wept aloud over losing Jack, I have mourned deeply for him on the inside. Two others I know passed away last year, as well as one more who was the father of someone I know. I hope, somehow, this is a comfort to everyone who has lost someone.
2024 Video Announcements BramGroatFilms 2024-01-01 | The usual things. To sum up: -Skarloey Remembers- Bachmann-Gordon Goes Foreign Opening- Bachmann-Gordon Goes Foreign Ending- Trainz (So many adaptations exist in full that I don't feel the need for the whole thing.)-Gordon & Sir Handel ConversationsLittle Old Twins-Clay Animation: Grief, -Clay Animation- Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog Most likely 2025-Duke -Thomas Comes Home
Mystery Commercial (Sears, I think) BramGroatFilms 2023-12-29 | A commercial from a broadcast taped copy of Mickey's Christmas Carol. My parents didn't trust commercials, so they rarely (if ever) recorded the commercials. My wife identified it as a Sears commercial, but I looked all over YouTube for this. I have found many similar ads, but I have not been able to find this one. (In case you wonder how I know the last word is "gold," the closed caption last slightly longer than the audio, and recorded the last word.)
Flutterhulk- Pony Avengers BramGroatFilms 2023-12-21 | Based on an old YouTube video "Power Ponies in a Nutshell" by HareDoctor. During the first four seasons of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic (or at least seasons 2-4) the YouTube series would mashup clips for the episode (I think just days after the episode's release) and mash it up with fitting audio. If I remember correctly, the Power Ponies video mashed up clips from both Avengers and Power Rangers. Last year, when I was rewatching both Season 4 of MLP and the first phase of the MCU, I decided to make this video, featuring the two Avengers clips I remember being mashed up with this episode. Since today is the tenth anniversary of "Power Ponies" first airing (Goodness, how has it been that long?) I decided to upload this.
Little Fan | Thomas Christmas Carol Scene by BGF BramGroatFilms 2023-12-19 | I hope I've explained everything thoroughly enough in the video itself.
Christmas Thief Concept Trailer BramGroatFilms 2023-12-01 | A Clay Animation idea I have had for years.I'm just not sure if I'll ever managed to actually make it. But I decided to at least do this. Music Source: (Thanks to the creator for letting me use it!)youtube.com/watch?v=gWllhx0K-98&lc=UgyzRpFI2vCulw0Pznx4AaABAg.9waCcR-sS8G9wjP6GxS_mJ
Trailer- Skarloey Remembers BramGroatFilms 2023-11-17 | This is the next Thomas project I have planned. Music by NWR06.
Drip Tank | Thomas & Friends CGI Style Fan Video BramGroatFilms 2023-10-26 | I have set this as "Not made for Kids" because, even though kids can watch it safely, I have the older fans in mind with this video. At long last, at least two years after first coming up with this idea (and writing the script), this project is finished. Just like how the video I did in March adapts Drip Tank in the style of the model series, this video adapts the story in the style of the CGI Series.
Count of Monte Cristo based Clay animation BramGroatFilms 2023-10-11 | Hopefully I explained everything in the video. Then again, I didn't mention why I used Wind in the Willows models. I guess I decided it wouldn't mean making new models; thus I could focus just on the animation. But the desire to animate this with Willows models dates back to 2016, before I even made the Sea Rat and Chief Weasel models; I knew who I wanted to be which character.
Oh Yeah! I have Ryan now BramGroatFilms 2023-09-17 | I meant to mention that I have Bachmann Ryan now. That's about it. Music came with my editing software
Trainz Thomas Stars V5 (and Final) BramGroatFilms 2023-09-05 | I keep making versions of these, for each Trainz Simulator Thomas Model update- facewise. First- 2D faces Second- 2D faces with different eye positions Third- Same, but with models with a more satisfactory expression collection Fourth- 3D faces Fifth - 3D faces and moving eyes I plan to make this the final one. I also decided to include the Rafiki scene to make the ending not be depressing. Audio is from The Lion King Models by Sudrian Industries and Sodor Workshops Route from Harwick Enterprises Casting of Henry as Simba, Timon as James, and Percy as Pumbaa based on Lloydie55's mashups. I chose Edward as Rafiki instead of Duck because 1) I like that better2) I wanted to use just Sudrian Industries models for the engines, and they have not (as far as I know) made Duck. Yes, I know I said I'd stop making these, but I miss them. Hopefully I have explained everything.
Final Trailer- CGI Drip Tank BramGroatFilms 2023-09-02 | I have enough confidence in the completion of this project to post an official date for finishing this project. I chose to post this final trailer on this day because it is one of the tenth anniversaries of King of the Railway, the first Brennersaince era Thomas movie. (Specifically, the 10th anniversary of its UK release.)
Update on Bachmann Thomas collection BramGroatFilms 2023-08-03 | I think the video explains everything. Except one other thing; I am strongly considering getting Ryan sooner rather than later.
Eels on Wheels | A Thomas & Friends Story in HO/OO Scale BramGroatFilms 2023-07-20 | Just as I promised, here is my adaptation of Eels on Wheels! I made this to keep myself busy while waiting for the Skarloey Brake Van(s) to be available. As of last month, they are at last, and I have one! (I'll show it next month, along with some other new models.) So, my next project will be adapting "Skarloey Remembers," but that won't be done until next year. And then after that, I plan to make Thomas Comes Home. I've already started filming both projects. (I also would love to do more videos of Paxton and Rosie, but I don't have any real story ideas. Well, that I'd love to make a story of Rosie and Emily FINALLY working together. Hence why they make a cameo of working together in this video.)(I prepared this upload on Saturday. On Monday I realized I forgot to credit Chris Renshaw, so I fixed that, uploaded the new version, and replaced the old one.)
CGI Drip Tank- Summer Trailer BramGroatFilms 2023-06-03 | I decided to make this trailer to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the premiere of Kevin's Cranky Friend- the first episode of Season 17- the first Season of the "Brennersaince" era. Back when I first had the idea of this video, I had hoped to release the actual video on this date. But reality had other ideas. Somehow I keep getting overtime thrown at me. I think that covers everything.
(10 year Special) Gordon the Movie Star BramGroatFilms 2023-05-17 | Ten years ago today, I uploaded this: youtube.com/watch?v=ySDFSdpqTzsNow, it has nearly 22 million views (my most viewed video for nearly as long as it has existed!), and at least seven remakes! To celebrate, I decided to remake the video with Trainz 2019. Audio is from a trailer for the Rubbadubbers DVD Finbar the Mighty Movie Star.Models by Sodor Workshops and Sudrian Industries.Route by Me (The original route was lost with one of my old computers, so I remade it specially for this video!)I think that's about it.
Trainz Stars V4 (Trainz Thomas & Friends/Lion King Mashup) BramGroatFilms 2023-04-14 | A few months ago I realized that the last time I made a version of this, I was still using 2D face models. I decided to make a version with 3D faces; albeit just a portion, since I've already done this three times.I do have one more version in mind; Trainz 2019, the full scene again. I'm not sure when I'll get around to it. In the meantime, enjoy this!
Teaser- CGI Style Drip Tank BramGroatFilms 2023-04-09 | (Footage and music is for demonstration purposes and most likely will not be in the actually project.)Happy Easter! Not the happiest video for the day, but it's also the tenth anniversary of the DVD "Railway Mischief," in which we were introduced to Season 17; and the "Brennersaince" era, which the vast majority of Thomas & Friends fans would say was one of the best eras of the TV series; some say it's the very best. (I can't quite decided between it and the classic era myself.) So, I decided to upload this teaser today.
Thomas & Percys Breaks | Model Series Style Drip Tank Adaptation BramGroatFilms 2023-03-23 | A model series style adaptation of Drip Tank. Many have done this before, but most people have done it with the mindset of "What if it was adapted in Season 2 as a followup to Thomas, Percy & the Coal?" But I had a different mindset for this: "What if Drip Tank was adapted as a standalone during Seasons 3-7?" Hence the alternate title, inspired by titles such as "Gordon & the Famous Visitor," "The Trouble with Mud," etc.I also did my best to imitate music from that era. I hope you enjoy!
Paxton and Rosie at Elsbridge BramGroatFilms 2023-03-11 | A little video I put together while filming future Thomas HO videos. Previously, I mentioned not having opened Paxton yet. Well, now I have!So I decided to film both him and Rosie running on the sets of Elsbridge Station and the Els River Bridge. Music is a piece I reused from my Enterprising Adventures video(s).
Bachmann Plan Update- February 2023 BramGroatFilms 2023-02-16 | I said last month I'd state what my next Bachmann project would be, and I decided to go with "Eels on Wheels." I chose this over "Skarloey Remembers" because I am still waiting for the Narrow Gauge brake van, which I decided was important for the project, and appears to be almost ready for release. As for why I bought Paxton but haven't unboxed him yet, it's because he was under $100, and I wanted to purchase him while I still could at that price. And I like to give engines a chance to "shine" on their own. It was for similar reasons why I didn't get Donald, Douglas, and Diesel all at once back in 2011.Hopefully I have sufficiently explained everything.
2023 Announcement Video BramGroatFilms 2023-01-02 | Hopefully I have explained everything in the video.
Boxing Day Special BramGroatFilms 2022-12-26 | Featuring "upgraded" excepts for Enterprising Adventures, and Bachmann items I got for Christmas.
A Hearths Warming Tail beginning- except its like The Muppet Christmas Carol BramGroatFilms 2022-12-17 | Ever since I saw A Hearth's Warming Tail six years ago, I've had the idea of "What if it was like The Muppet Christmas Carol?" This was largely inspired by the style of having preexisting characters playing the character in the story- down to having a narrator with a wisecracking sidekick. Since very little has been done comparing the two (to my knowledge) I decided to make this. I started way back last Summer, after rewatching the first Hearth's Warming Eve as part of a full rewatch of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. (Just last month I finished rewatching Season 6!) Slowly I have been working on it over the last year and a half, concluding with this. I might continue if this becomes popular enough. It's occurred to me that it it similar to my Enterprising Adventures concept; for years it was just a fantasy I had, until I got tired of it being a fantasy and made it a reality.
Clay Christmas 2022 BramGroatFilms 2022-12-10 | I always like making Clay animated Christmas videos (as long as I don't have too much to do in too little time), so I decided to make this. My time is limited, so I decided to keep it short and simple.
Two (or Three) Elf Practice Videos BramGroatFilms 2022-12-06 | I made these five years ago, back in 2017, when the "Why weren't you at elf practice?" moment from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was trending. I posted them on Twitter, but not here. I decided to change that.Alternate title for the last one: Nopony misses Elf Practice Clips fromRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964 TV special)My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 2-14 T"he Last Roundup"
A (Mostly) Snowless Christmas | a Bachmann Thomas Video BramGroatFilms 2022-12-03 | This is basically a video to use up miscellaneous train ideas. I chose to make it a Christmas video for two reasons:1) To give me more time to make it. 2) To use some extra musicThe music started when I composed a piece for Enterprising Adventures. It being around Christmas, my wife mistook it for Deck the Halls. I decided to make a special reworked version to be so. Then, I felt a different Enterprising Adventures piece resembled the Sussex Carol. So I decided to make that as well. I then combined it with this footage. Unfortunately, Edward is currently out of service. Hence him being on a flatbed in this video. I think I've managed to explain everything.
Music Recreation- The Muppet Christmas Carol Opening Credits BramGroatFilms 2022-11-25 | Something I put together while working on that Hearth's Warming Tail project I mentioned earlier this month.
Gordon the High Speed Engine Abridged BramGroatFilms 2022-11-18 | I teased this back in June; and, just as I promised, here it is in Fall! Way back in 2012, (I can't believe it's already been a decade!) I adapted "High Speed Gordon," the first story from the book "Gordon the High Speed Engine."It bothered me that I didn't adapt the rest, but I did not have the time (nor the budget) to adapt the entire book. so I decided to compromise and make this instead.
Early Concept- Muppet Style Hearths Warming Tale style BramGroatFilms 2022-11-14 | I chose this day for uploading because it marks 6.5 years since A Hearth's Warming Tail first aired. I wanted to post the final video today, but I decided I needed more time. I think everything else is explained in the video.
Enterprising Adventures | A Fanmade Thomas & Friends Video BramGroatFilms 2022-10-27 | At last; after working on this for nearly two years, I have finished it! This is meant for families, meaning kids and adults alike enjoy it. That may not stop the YT bots from marking it for kids, especially since people have sworn multiple times in video descriptions and their videos still got marked as "for kids." Worse still, evidently penalties are coming for those who have swearing in "for kids" videos. (Couple of the reasons I'm not bothering to swear. That and it doesn't feel natural to me.)Way back in 2016/2017, when the Thomas& Friends TV series was at its peak, I had the idea of "What if the book Enterprising Engines was adapted the way the first two RWS books were adapted for The Adventure Begins?"I especially wondered, as Flying Scotsman was introduced to the Television series. I decided to include the story "Ballast" from "Small Railway Engines," In order to build up to Oliver's arrival to the Little Western, and because the story was never adapted for the television series, even though the other three stories from the book were.I also included "Donalds' Duck" from "Oliver the Western Engine," as further build up, and so Donald and Douglas's appearances would be more even with each other. It was also during this time that I thought up the idea of recurring phone calls to The Fat Controller to convince him to try out BR diesels. For years, these ideas remained in my head, apart from writing an outline of the story. During this time, BWBA happened, reducing my confidence to any new RWS material being added to the TVs to hope. Then, All Engines Go was announced, shattering even my hope. Soon, however, I shook off my discouragement. I decided "If they won't make more RWS stuff, I'll make it myself!" This was the first idea that came to mind, due to how much I had thought up, and because the book "Enterprising Engines" was written to protest changing times. I decided adapting the book for the same reason was fitting. Furthermore, I thought this idea was the least likely to be also done by someone else. I decided that making an all-out video version would be too much, so I decided to go with an audio production with illustrative stills. I didn't think about the fact that editing dialogue and making music would still take just as much time. Nonetheless, I started writing an actual script by January 2021, finishing it and sending it out to VAs by Spring 2021. However, it took until Fall for me to finish editing the dialogue, and until after Christmas to finish the music- which I made all from scratch. After that it took until March to record all edit all the sound effects, which led to the audio only version being released that same month. I had hoped to finish the visuals by the end of the Summer, but by the time the audio version was finished I knew that would not be possible. I was worried it would take until November, but by September I was confident I could finish it in October. Now, at long last, here it is!!An extra thank you to all my amazing VAs, who help to make this sound like an official CGI era adaptation. And thanks to any of you who took the time to read this whole subscription.(And yes I did copy pasting and editing from the Audio-only Video description.)
Spooky Starlight Skeletons BramGroatFilms 2022-10-04 | Random idea I had a couple years ago, due to how the rhythm of "In Our Town" seems to match that of "Spooky Scary Skeletons. I decided to post it here. I chose today, since it was 7.5 years ago today that this episode (The Cutie Map part 1) aired. It was also five years ago today that the infamous Thomas & Friends episode "A Shed for Edward" aired. I bring this up because I have finished basic editing of Enterprising Adventures! It should be ready by the due date (AT LAST).
Queer Lodgings A Clay Animated film BramGroatFilms 2022-09-22 | Took longer than I attended (by three weeks!), but I have finished this at last. I feel like the live action adaptation did not do justice to. this part of the book at all, so. I decided to do it myself. I also decided it would take to long to animate to the level of effort that I put into my full Hobbit project, hence it not being as good. In addition, I recast Gandalf, because his original VA from my full project wasn't available. I can't help but wonder how long this will be a habit for me; adapting Hobbit/LOTR portions slowly because I decided the other adaptations didn't do it justice. However, I do not have anything else planned at the moment.
Enterprising Adventures REAL final trailer BramGroatFilms 2022-09-06 | Uploading this on the day Full length specials used to come out on DVD in the United States; the Tuesday before Labor Day (which used to be my University's move in day.)Things are humming along smoothly enough that *inset good luck action* I should actually be able to make the date posted in this video.
Daisy at Knapford BramGroatFilms 2022-09-03 | Just some stuff I did while I had my Knapford Station set up.My original plan was to release this later in the month, and release a Hobbit related Queer Lodgings video around this time of the month- for the tenth anniversary of part 1 of my bigger project being released- but that project was taking longer than I hoped, so I decided to switch things around. I should be able to get the Hobbit project done by the end of the month.
Reflecting on the Bouncing | Chats by the Railway Episode 2 BramGroatFilms 2022-08-29 | I meant to finish this earlier this month, before the 5th Anniversary of Journey Beyond Sodor, but reality kicked in. Which reminds me; future HO projects will be delayed, but I will explain more in a video next month.But this is an idea I've had since shortly after watching JBS. But, at the time, and the two years after, I was hard at work on The Wind in the Willows. And I didn't get around to doing the stopmotion part until last year. But I reused some items from The Wind in the Willows; most of the bouncing engine, the cab interior, and the engine driver (I was even able to bring back his original VA!).Hopefully I've explained enough.
Toad, TFC, and Percy Love Chocolate BramGroatFilms 2022-08-01 | After my Gordon Hates Chocolate video, I received a request for a Toad LOVES chocolate video. After making that, I decided to go even further with it.
