Let's Watch - The Brave Locomotive

Choo choo! But seriously, go support this amazing short
• The Brave Locomotive

[@WasatchWind]

5:48 - to answer your question, Samson is an amalgamation of like 1920s to 1940s bigger steam locomotives, the kind you'd see pulling express trains and such. Berkshires like the Pere Marquette 1225 - the inspiration for the polar express - come to mind. Edit: further info, Samson appears to be a 4-8-4, that is, he has truck of 4 leading wheels, 8 driving wheels, and a trailing truck of 4 wheels. This type of locomotive is called a Northern. You can tell that the people making this short knew their stuff, cause this locomotive type in particular was well suited for speed, able to easily go an excess of 100 mph.

[@Gearz-365]

What's also interesting is that the short takes place in the 1890s (according to the newspapers shown in a few clips) and 4-8-4 locomotives didn't exist until 1926. So Samson is literally a locomotive way ahead of his own time

[@yearlygymnast9865]

1) hey look a fellow hycechord member 2) foamer

[@joeythecat7482]

​@@Gearz-365well if you look closely at the first newspaper it is said Samson is ahead of his time

[@WasatchWind]

​@@yearlygymnast9865dadgummit you have found me out

[@Lordbread-M1899]

​@@yearlygymnast9865 Oh hey HYCE memeber let's goo

[@cryoine7194]

i really am glad that they didnt just 'kill off' samson, in the grand scheme of everything he isnt a bad guy and no real reason for him to be sacrificed

[@WasatchWind]

I just love how this feels so in the spirit of the classic Disney short "The Brave Engineer."

[@majorblitz3846]

Ah, that one odd memory of me accidentally fpund it on KZbin Disney made engineer gaming before it was even a thing

[@WasatchWind]

​... Engineer gaming?

[@crits9427]

​@@WasatchWindTeam Fortress 2 meme

[@TheLazyFusspot_3428]

And the TVS adaptations of the Railway Series, or original spin in S5 if you will.

[@Codiswartz063]

Cross over idea!?

[@Inactive18302]

You know Disney really lost when someone makes a short that’s more Disneyer than them (ironic cause he did worked for Disney)

[@ayden_clisham]

The wonders that could be worked when you don’t have higher-ups breathing down your neck and imposing unrealistic deadlines on you.

[@pugglebiscuit9600]

"Am I out of touch?..... No, it's the children who are wrong" is def Disney company recently 💀 the fact that they are legit competing for views on this platform even for trailers says more words than needed 😩

[@Scarshadow666]

It kinda reminds me of how Don Bluth got started when he broke away from Disney(he had also made his own short as well - Banjo, the Woodpile Cat), and then would go on to make his own classic movies that out-did Disney in the '80s. Shows that competition in the animation industry is extremely needed - especially since megacorporations in general buying out other companies is getting out of hand. Here's hoping indie animation helps provide that much needed competition!

[@NSS247]

Let’s be real here. We all want this animation style back

[@dreamguardian8320]

You said it.

[@pixelcat29]

Super expensive and time consuming but yes it is very good.

[@dreamguardian8320]

@@pixelcat29 And it can be worth it sometimes.

[@Scarshadow666]

@@pixelcat29 It's easier to do so with the technology that is around now and there's plenty of people that are willing to work for indie animation industries. It, unfortunately, doesn't mean it'll be less expensive and easier - but there's some indie animation studios that are starting to pick up and arguably do better than corporate ones (like Vivzie's Spindlehorse, Glitch Productions, and the crew that have been working on Lackadaisy).

[@calebc.2290]

What I find most fascinating about this is that Samson is an engine extremely ahead of his time for when this story takes place. roughly 30 years. The earliest Norther, the type of engine Samson is, was built in 1927. Even the media is stunned by this. as the newspapers mentions how Samsons strength is easily doubles that of the next strongest locomotive available at the time. I also love how realist linus death was. When that gun slinger shot him, he shot him in a place where water can dangerously and quickly leak out. without it a part in of the fire box quickly builds up extreme heat raising the steam pressure to a point where the boiler explodes. it is one of the most dangerous things to happen to an engine. at least it was linus who exploded. image the same thing to happen to Samson.

[@lightbluewaves5526]

What i do like about Samson is that he doesn't get portrayed as a villain. Intimidating yes but just doing his job Same honestly for the Baron and his daughter

[@lProN00bl]

Though it does kill the Baron off in 1929.

[@Karvosh]

@@lProN00bl To be fair, the statue says he was born (I had to squint) around 1835, and was fully gray by the time of Samson's introduction. Guy probably just died of old age by that point.

[@flashbeat9521]

​@@Karvoshthat's far and he lived farther than most people at tht age.

[@inkling457]

His daughter was definitely portrayed as a good woman, eagerly helping the train conductor and thanking Linus for his bravery.

[@FreighttrainDaniel1225]

Samson is like a badass looking polar express All Aboard motherf-(train whistle)!! Btw he ends up doing long distance freight runs after Linus saved him

[@wrenwry]

So glad you’re covering this! Andrew Chesworth is an insanely talented animator, I love that his work is getting more recognition

[@VictoryTheProtogen]

For clarification, that locomotive on the bridge nearing the end IS Samson. He was just streamlined. You can also tell it’s him because of the driving wheel design.

[@SteamIsntKing]

I love how samson isnt really evil, he's just worried about his job.

[@poweroffriendship2.0]

This animated short feels like a love letter to the Golden Age of Animation, and this reminds me a lot of _The Little House_ and _Suzy the Little Blue Coupe,_ where even inanimated objects can tell its own story.

[@Dill_Pickle1997]

Those were exactly the shorts I thought of when I saw this short

[@Mason58654]

Because it IS a love letter to the golden age of American animation.

[@dreamguardian8320]

I remember those two good shorts, but this show feels more like Fantasia, since the characters don't talk.

[@deismaccountant]

Sort of a neat analog to animism in a sense.

[@racingraptor4758]

Samson was a 4-8-4 Northern type locomotive built for speed passanger service (so his potrayal was right-giant and fast). Whille the modern train at the end was a Streamlined C&O Hudson class steam locomotive (even faster but lighter locomotive). And for linus? Idk he is a mix of many early locomotives. I love this short, it is a love letter to old Disney!

[@cjfauxx6266]

a northern is a 4-8-4 wheel configuration. the 2-8-4 are known as Berkshires.

[@racingraptor4758]

@ethanschmid4104 shoot! I did not noticed that 2! Ima fix this

[@asmodai2025]

To be fair, Samson’s 2nd set of pilot wheels are mounted in the wrong place (they should be located further back, behind the cylinders), and his overall proportions are closer to a Berkshire than a Northern, so I think it is reasonable to say that Samson takes traits from both types of locomotives.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

Not all 4-8-4's were strictly passenger service. The Reading, Western Maryland, and Chicago & Northwestern Railroads had Northern's specifically designed for fast freight from the get-go. Many more were dual service like New York Central's Niagara's which was the most efficient non-articulated steam engine in North America.

[@cjfauxx6266]

@@OriginalBongoliath I have a Ho scale model of a Niagara (6004) by Broadway Limited, they are my fav version of the northern.

[@StarWolf2199]

As a lover of trains and classic animation vibes, this hits me in the feels

[@TheMrbigtires]

One prominent easter egg is the name of the town itself: Colonnaville. It's named for Jerry Colonna, who was the narrator for "Casey at the Bat", "Make Mine Music", and (most importantly for this animation) "The Brave Engineer".

[@ShinGhidorah17]

Samson is my favourite character in The Brave Locomotive. I’m a sucker for very large steam locomotives. Especially 4-8-4 northerns.

[@p24p14]

Edit: Wrong. It's the Steam Dome he shot, not the water tank. Everyone seems to misunderstand the whole "shooting the train" bit. The guy shot Linus' water tank, which in turn led to him overheating when he rescued everyone.

[@kosmostimber1174]

Well, they shot his steam dome, where the gas accumulates at its highest point before being fed into the cylinders. The water tank would be in his tender, the car containing his coal. TLDR; Linus wouldn’t explode if he didn’t slam into the ground.

[@p24p14]

@@kosmostimber1174 I see! Thank you for correcting me. I had assumed it was for water because in the animation it seems like there's little spurts of something coming out of the bullet holes. I guess the animation has no reason to be 100% accurate either.

[@kosmostimber1174]

@@p24p14 Of course, it’s a wonderfully put together cartoon which is way more accurate to real life than it needs to be

[@brianlevine871]

I love the classic Disney vibe presented in this short, especially with the music and animation.

[@jamesstutz6907]

This is a different version of the Engine that Could. I think that it was called. Very nice animation and music.

[@TheLazyFusspot_3428]

Or Edward's Exploit.

[@MatecaCorp]

It’s not the same story at all

[@rafeminsi]

It was different children's books titled "The Little Engine That Could". The engine in the story, depending which version you're looking at, is based/inspired off a 4-2-4 C.P. Huntington locomotive.

[@KingKuron_]

I LOVED this little gem! So cute.

[@Pyrotrainthing]

I liked how close Brave Locomotive was to actual history in a way. The big 8-coupled replaces a smaller 4-coupled. Also the finale made me cry when I first watched it.

[@TheLazyFusspot_3428]

The Brave Locomotive is basically just Edward's story in The Railway Series as I have noticed since I first watched the short. Both Edward and Linus are little old engines which are outdated designs, and they overcome obsolescence and adversity in the worst of times.

[@MatecaCorp]

It’s not the same at all lmao

[@the101stdalmatian8]

Not even close.

[@Fanoflotofstuff]

Besides that one Link, it is VERY different.

[@theowlreviewerofficial]

Checked out the short before watching your reaction and this was absolutely wonderful. I hope it does get a nomination for best animated short. It's fluid animation, top notch designs & great direction especially with the story & editing with the music & visuals really help it stand out. Love some of the detail in both the animation & design. I think what makes it so fluid & excellently designed is the fact that the director, Andrew Chesworth actually worked as an animator at Disney & worked on the film Klaus. No wonder. Excellent short. 😊

[@rjthebraveengine6419]

I watched it the first time and it was pretty good. I like this video so much that it’s almost like a classic Disney cartoon😊

[@cjfauxx6266]

The eyes of Samson are the marker lights, also he is an Alco (American Locomotive Company) 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive. They came in different forms depending on which railroad bought them, however, I can see the inspiration that he is modeled after a Santa Fe type Northern. also. the newspaper said.. 1895... Northerns didnt come to being until the mid 20's.

[@CO2707guy]

His value gear is a Berkshire

[@cjfauxx6266]

Then perhaps he is a mixture of berkshire in the design... but the face reminds me of a Santa fe Northern.

[@Jackcook27]

@@CO2707guyhe is still a 4-8-4

[@Mrstealth93]

One thing i really like in general is it seems the 2020´s has been really good for independent animators to form a team and produce amazing short animations or hell, even full on series.

[@ImperialKnight770]

I love that the Baron isn't a bad guy, he's just a man trying to run a business and even spends a huge fortune to help Linus get back on the track.

[@pinkdruid2347]

There’s something absolutely gorgeous about fluid hand drawn animation. It can’t be matched. It’s my favorite kind of animation, and I really hope this kind of thing continues to be made. Even if it’s just cool shorts.

[@Wishiwashi_64]

This is an stellar example of how to actually make a like-able TTTE episode, MATEL!!!

[@TBoneTony]

I can imagine some interesting YTPs with this Brave Locomotive short musical.

[@patrickwamsley3284]

I find it outstanding that for a cartoon short, all of the motion and valve gear and rods on the drive wheels are nearly perfect and accurate to real life steam locomotives equipped with Walchearts valve gear.

[@DeoxysPrime300]

This video should have been Disney’s 100 years of animation celebration.

[@alsizar7865]

This gives off "Pixar short" vibes so hard and I love it

[@TheMNrailfan227]

The railfan community as well as I have gone through a lot of shit through the five years I’ve been in it and I am definitely not the same person I was when I first started. Not gonna lie, when I watched this short for the first time it felt pretty damn good

[@DaylightMainline4449]

Emergency Situations: In emergencies, train whistles may be blown continuously and more intensely to signal distress or a need for immediate attention. -Samson (2023)

[@franky717-ux9rr]

I am so glad you covered this short film. I love trains and this is one of the best things I’ve seen on KZbin. I’m also currently making a 3d model of Samson and will draw more of these characters

[@austinmorrison6953]

Disney animators + the freedom of indie animation = animated 24 karat gold. Seriously this blows anything cg Disney does right off the tracks

[@marthaelenabrenesorozco2953]

WHAT AN ADORABLE ANIMATION, I liked that the baron's daughter is not a cliché of a rich blonde girl, she helped on the bridge and in the repair of the small locomotive

[@tooner58]

"Banjo Guy" is a caricature of David Lundin, one of Andrew's classmates at MCAD. Having had both of them as students in my comic book classes, when cartoon David popped up on screen, it got a HUGE laugh from me. Very much an inside joke.

[@Legomastr365]

Theres a lot of little details in this that i really appreciate, like how the heavyweight coaches' lamps look back with linus when they realize samson is still on the bridge. Also from a railroad standpoint, its funny to notice how theres a roundhouse behind the station but samson is too big to fit in it so he sleeps in the station. Lots of little details to get lost in!

[@ECtoysOfficial]

I KNEW IT FROM THE MOMENT YOUR COMMENT POPPED UP SABER THIS WAS GONNA HAPPEN

[@austinmorrison6953]

Gotta love that both the Baron and Samson aren’t really villains so much as just men of progress.

[@obelic71]

Walt Disney would be proud of the creation of this creator.

[@randylaytonorangeboy]

No Rishi? Did she finally had enough of him. 😢😅

[@WasatchWind]

That land before time stream did her in lol

[@andrewharkin9774]

Please tell me she will be back in future Saberspark streams

[@weirdoburritopros7505]

I’m glad this short finally finished after all these years, love it to win an Oscar.

[@dreamguardian8320]

We'll have to see if it makes it to the Oscars first.

[@London_J]

Anyway to find your animal farm video?

[@christinejoyreyes1767]

There’s a show I recommend you watching, it’s called Carol and the End of the World, it’s a depressing yet hilarious show about the Prospect of what happens when you have no goals when you’ll die soon, everyone else is having fun but living THEIR goals, but you, nothing, you were fine before, not happy but, you were fine, it’s an amazing show and the animation isn’t bad at all, it’s great!

[@spyfan62591]

I foolishly hesitated Like, 3 weeks to see it when it came out. As a thomas the tank engine fan. This was well made. Take notes disney. I pointed out in the comments of the original vid. That samson and mr. Von.capital weren't villians per say. Especially Samson. He was just replacing linus and soing what he was built to do, and eventually, Samson will be in the same position as linus. And he might not be as lucky.

[@jacknedry3925]

Love the two fighters at the end...

[@philiphamel8504]

The music reminds me of Disney's Little Toot

[@nathanlerma9891]

The fact that this is based off reality shows what life was like in the railroad back then Samson being a band new (at the time) 4-8-4 Northern compared to linus an 18th century locomotive, it's so real

[@greenapple9477]

I remember seeing this a while ago! Love the huge amount of train euthathuists here.

[@Purpie_Slurpie]

what a gorgeous short! exceptionally well made, from start to finish

[@amtrakp4242]

6:44 this is where all of every Foamers Favorite trains went, the dead range RR

[@MarkStevensII]

I love the details in this animation. The station actually looks like small town stations at the time. Samson's light placement makes me think it was inspired by an actual locomotive. It reminds me of Union Pacific 844 or New York Central Hudson locomotives. I'm glad you got around to see this Saber.

[@LegoMannnnn]

If you guys are wondering why this reminds you of Klause, it’s because that the person that animated this was an animator that worked on klause

[@NSaw1]

Love this little short! Its so good. Also as for the trains since apparently a lot of people don't know many basics of trains from the past and that's annoying me haha. Not sure of the models of each one, but all are steam engines. Linus seems to be one of the first steam engines to be in the west around the 1880s. Then Samson is just a more refined, larger, more powerful, and faster steam engine. Looks similar to ones from the 1900s to 1940s or so for passenger service. Then at the very end the white locomotive is probably some of the last uses for steam engines. Its a streamline steam locomotive. Powerful but very fast. Streamliners where some of the last passenger steam engines to be used in the US. 1940s to late 1950s or so before diesel started taking over. I just love how much detail went into this! Its great!

[@CasualREDACTED]

They need to bring back Fantasia and ONLY have animations that are by small teams like this

[@dreamguardian8320]

Agreed, and all 2D animated.

[@CasualREDACTED]

@@dreamguardian8320 no.

[@FunAngelo2005]

I'm a simple person: I see train, i click (yes i have autism)

[@cegicreator2476]

a steam locomotive is a type of locomotive powered by steam. it doesn't matter if they are fired by coal, oil, or can't even create their own steam, if the drive wheels are rotated by steam then it's a "steam" locomotive.

[@lizzyobrien2376]

Interesting thing to note! The logging line Linus is sent to work on is based on real life logging railroads, which were usually dirt poor and took whatever locomotives they could get their hands on for cheap, running them into the ground because most of them didn’t have the facilities, the staff, and/or the money to fix them up.

[@nonashubeltaine2861]

Huh, an actually delightful animation, on my Saberspark channel? Who woulda thought.

[@anthonydrawsome3648]

i find it funny that saber is watching a train animation when he voiced deisel ten in defenders of sodor😂

[@achesworth]

Thank you so much! ❤

[@dustinmayfield2148]

Samson is a northern type with a baker valve gear.

[@MarkMark-lx6gl]

Saberspark you must watch Plague dogs if you dont ever seen this. Warning: This a really depressing and dark movie with unexpected ending.

[@mikadoggo7699]

Saber I'm going to send you some of my train books. You gotta know more lol. I've been obsessed with them since I was 3 and I'm 25 now lol

[@TBoneTony]

I was thinking of Man Vs Train, the Postman Pat x Thomas the Tank Engine crossover from Mashed. So that might also be worth a watch too,

[@pokclaymonmaster5286]

Samson lookin like a Union Pacific big boy. I love this ❤

[@TheLazyFusspot_3428]

It's more like a 2-8-4 Pere Marquette 1225. If this was Britain though, Gordon will be the first choice that comes to mind.

[@ShawnC.W-King]

Northern Type; 4-8-4

[@leo81482]

Samsun is also named after a locomotive that was built in the 1838 in America

[@irenesmarra1745]

I just noticed at the station in one of the scenes you can see a old character from his old video

[@generalprincecodyhedgewolf2944]

Samsons based off the NKP Berkshires and PRR K4

[@behawiorystka98]

That train liiks like Wonder

[@SeanBodine]

Outstanding.

[@MakriaMicronation]

"😀🤷‍♂️😀😀😀😀😀😀🤷‍♂️😀🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️😀😀😀😀😀😀😀🤷‍♂️😀😀😀🤷‍♂️😀🤷‍♂️😀😀😀😀😀😀" best reaction ever

[@mizu_the_floatzel]

I watch it just a little bit ago and omg ! A classic cartoon feel

[@dreamguardian8320]

Indeed.

[@joefrew1614]

Why does the man who shoots Linus in this short look like an evil version of Rogers from “The Swan Princess”?

[@JasonRoblesSembrano]

10:28 Hey, Linus! You got my train and my tender, but you didn't get meeee!!!

[@kcbc9037]

I’m going to be nerdy for a sec. The front isn’t called a cow catcher though that term has been popularized it’s actually called the pilot.

[@thegreatgoldfilms6311]

I know this is Saber's channel, but this feels naked without his furry gf

[@cornerstonerailfanimation]

THANKS, SABERSPARK! 😄😁😁

[@darkstarmoonshadow]

I love how it resembles the rubber hoes esthetic of the 1910s

[@GamerB2022LikesTugs]

Anyone remember that one time Saberspark was in a TTTE video?

[@WikiEngine]

7:59 samsons theme is actually a tenture theme

[@salmantoys2969]

Here’s a funny story I sort of grew up with the trailer

[@ayden_clisham]

The villain says “My boy!” just like Morshu

[@HoangHarry-k5v]

I saw that 10:25 (what I actually saw was the barons, daughter was pulling Henry towards Linus, but failed)

[@devinpaul9026]

No fault of the creators themselves, extremely well made and fun, but it can LOOK like the old Disney all it wants-- it still doesn't FEEL like it. Some part of my brain is still VERY aware of the ones and zeros under the surface.

[@greenapple9477]

That just doesn't make any sense, man. Of course some parts are digital.

[@MomradG]

I dont really understand. I have seen this animation when I was little, and it got onto youtube now. Did I see an unfinished version perhaps?

[@penandinkproductions571]

Iv watch the short 143 times and counting

[@the_one_who_is_many]

Did anyone else think Samson’s name was Samsung the first time they saw this?

[@CianRamos-q8w]

when i was still small I used to wsth the unfinneshed opening sene when i was still small and now im 10

[@aidanewany4925]

If Thomas was.made by disney

[@tiatanner160]

What happened to Samson? I got a bit lost after that scene

[@ShinGhidorah17]

5:35 Yes he is.

[@demitrimuench4873]

Is there a video version of this that Instead of stream.

[@Janet71990]

Do Firehouse Tales - Pilot

[@heathernorton4430]

this guy ether used to or still does work for pixer or disney

[@carloalaimo2154]

Hey saberspark cam you pleas Watch monkey wrench.

[@aaronprewitt344]

I have one of the types of engines Sampson is in model form, but I won’t ever replace my much older engines, just like Linus they stick around long after