Walt Disney - The Brave Engineer - 1950

Based on the ballad of Casey Jones, this cartoon profiles a devoted, ruthless mail train engineer who strives to keep time in the face of extreme obstacles, from rain and damsels in distress to bandits and brown cows.

[@Drakin292]

According to the wiki article, Casey was speeding along at 75 MPH when his companion spotted the stopped train ahead while they were going a 1.5 mile curve in the track. When his friend shouted there was something on the track Casey ordered him to jump. Casey threw the engine into reverse and engaged the air breaks, and amazingly because he held his post he slowed the train from 75 to 35 before impact.

[@hayleywilliams8750]

More like 100 mph casey wanted to be on time but they was a freight train parken with the brake van on the main line the fireman said to casey"oh my god" casey slamed on the brakes and kept it on and his other hand yanking the whistle till casey was strucked in the throat and died but this hand didn't let go maracisly noone eles died after casey death was heared a song was made in his honour called ballards of casey jones

[@TexasandPacific]

While Casey was heading down the tracks his engine ran over a torpedo that made the loud boom his firemen Webb saw the lights on the rear of the train and he said to Casey oh my lord there is something on the mainline

[@thomastheE2]

That’s probably why nobody(except Casey Jones) wasn’t killed

[@myspot8579]

⁠@@hayleywilliams8750 Casey gave his life to save the people he endangered with his reckless speeding. He truly is a Brave Engineer.

[@TexasandPacific]

@@myspot8579 he was the engineer for mobil and Ohio which is now gulf Mobil and Ohio after that he worked for Illinois central railroad he worked with passenger trains and freight trains his first locomotive he drove was 638 a 2-8-0

[@krisvires]

For Those that don't know the Story: John Luther "Casey" Jones was engineer of the "Cannonball Express" passenger train. One night during a thunderstorm, another train, ahead of Jones on the track broke down and stopped. Jones tried to stop, and blew his whistle not only as a warning to the other train, but his own passengers. He told the men with him to jump out, but he stayed on the brakes. He slowed his train enough, that when they hit, only he was killed, all his passengers lived.

[@rachaelchampion6195]

EGAD!!

[@TexasandPacific]

The road number on his engine was 382

[@_red1878]

what a hero…

[@Stoked_magic]

The guy was so selfless, sacrificing himself to save hundreds. A true Saint sent dowb from heaven.

[@mkworkman]

March 14th is Casey Jones Birthday. He was born on this day in 1847. His dramatic death, trying to stop his train and save lives, made him a hero; he was immortalized in a popular ballad sung by his friend Wallace Saunders, an African-American engine wiper for the IC.

[@Gunganfan]

John Luthor Jones, Casey to his friends, was probably the greatest engineer of his time. He was a wizard on the throttle and could play a symphony on the whistle. His dedication to his duty and getting to his destination on schedule is still admired to this day.

[@mkworkman]

Jonathan Luther "John" "Casey" Jones (March 14, 1863 - April 30, 1900) was an American railroad engineer from Jackson, Tennessee, who worked for the Illinois Central Railroad (IC). As a boy, Jonathan Luther Jones lived near Cayce, Kentucky, where he acquired the nickname of "Cayce," which he chose to spell as "Casey." On April 30, 1900, he alone was killed when his passenger train, the Cannonball Express, collided with a stalled freight train at Vaughan, Mississippi, on a foggy and rainy night.

[@GreyWolfLeaderTW]

Interesting Fact: Casey Jones was a real person. An engineer who saved a passenger train he was driving from a disastrous crash by manning his engine and putting on the brakes even though it still ended up ramming a cargo train ahead on the track. The crash killed him, but the passengers onboard survived with minor injuries.

[@jps5101]

I just wanted to say that I hate tihs

[@mayom2023]

He even has his own meusem.

[@andrewclark7559]

@@jps5101 Why do you hate this?

[@Wanking_wanker]

GreyWolfLeaderTW I have his book

[@solocheshcat3187]

Now that's badass

[@Eszra]

Whats really sad about this cartoon is that the ending isn't how the story really ends. This cartoon was based on the real Casey Jones's death. Because he didn't leave his train he saved the lives of everyone on the both trians except for himself. Story has it he was found still clotching the whistle cord and brake. A stretcher was brought from a baggage car and crewmen of the other trains carried his body to the depot, a half-mile away. This man was, no IS A TRUE HERO! RIP Casey Jones!

[@blt4life112]

I still sing parts of this from time to time. No one ever knows what I'm talking about. "Plowin' through the water! Caasseeeeyyyy Jooooooonnneess! Plowin' through the mud!"

[@gachapinCUEVA]

I sang the whole ballad one time, and everybody thought I crazy.

[@PixelPowerGamer]

You're not alone: "Come on ya rounders if ya wanna hear, the story all about a brave engineer! Casey Jones was the rounders name, on the six eight wheeler he rode to fame!"

[@gachapinCUEVA]

Pixel Power Gamer Casey Jones, Casey Jones, Casey Jones. Are you ready? (Toot toot)

[@alexk8792]

Out of the junction on the fly, Casey had that look in his eye, The brakeman knew by the engine's moans, The man at the throttle was Casey Jones! Casey Joooooooooo~nes! (Eeeeeeeeee~GAD!!!)

[@generaltophat5877]

Still hum, "the rain was coming down in 5-6 weeks, the railroad track looked like the bed of a creek. It slowed him down to a 10 mile gate, and it made the western mail exactly 8 hours late."

[@Cool2BCeltic]

A cartoon that testifies to Walt Disney's non-anorakish interest in railways. A cartoon that also contains the message that persistence pays off.

[@huntershull-mf9ug]

Caseay junior death

[@RapunzelinOttawa]

A child of the late 1950s my mum spent all the house money she had to buy for me this magnificant mix of a cappella voices and music. It remains close to my heart to this day. Be sure to point out to your kids the animation bit where the 'switcher' has to direct the trains on the tracks where they are going...yet another industry, and its jobs, lost to the digital age.

[@azbrowne]

Casey's accident: Happened at night during a storm. It was a rear end collision with a doubleheader of freight. Also, he died in the accident.

[@shutterbug_713]

Alex-Zander Browne, right. He wouldn't B at 7:14! AND it wasn't head-on, as depicted here!

[@connorclemmons8698]

Alex-Zander Browne He dies in the accident, but not without saving everyone else on the other train (as it had passengers). He held down the break to slow the collision and the handle for the whistle to warn about his approach. He even told his Fireman (the guy who maintains the engine by shoving either coal or water in the firebox) to jump off their own train to save himself. Casey Jones was the only one to die in the accident.

[@sonicfanboy3375]

The real one wasn't alone

[@asiandrag0n]

“What do you know? Shemail!” Lol

[@AnomalyINC]

I remember this from my childhood! This one and the Paul Bunyan one always seemed to belong together in my little head.

[@SlayersAnimefangirl]

I love this cartoon. The 'Curses! Foiled again!" made me laugh :)

[@user-zw2ph2zs7r]

LightBrightChan64 if im not forget they used that line on minion 2 too

[@ethanschmid4104]

Alvin Widjaja you mean “Despicable Me” 2?

[@Spark-lj6ft]

Dick Dastardly says that line

[@trainman5552]

I remember watching this on the American legend's video this was my favorite one out of the four

[@BillyOnYouTube]

I didn't have a favorite from those 4 I just knew that I would get sad when they would end and the videocasette would need to be rewound again :(

[@emperorconstantine1.361]

TrainMan 555 John henry was my second favorite for me.

[@22Tesla]

Same, John Henry was my second favorite.

[@abetheconservationist595]

I did too.

[@jllewisx1]

Same

[@Jukebocks]

That's some serious TF2 Engineer level repairing skills there

[@emperorconstantine1.361]

George Galloway level 5 TRAIN REPAIR!! And no power up canteens either!!

[@predator5775]

Just wait until someone makes a TF2 dub of this.

[@romanbukins6527]

predator5775 Someone needs to make this happen!

[@Polak-dd7ds]

Engineer logic: *repeatedly hit something with a hammer to fix it*

[@siriwimolsukwanit3371]

predator5775 พี่วอ

[@RoseSupreme]

1:18 "THEY'RE OFF!" Dat adult joke though. XD

[@jasobres]

In more ways than one.

[@Ry_guy7]

Casey Jones was a real person, but an also interesting thing is the girl tied on the tracks was loosely based of a real near accident. Except it was a little girl who froze in fear as she was on the tracks right as Casey was coming after her friends darted across the track. Casey then ran to the cowcatcher and caught the girl in his hands. Another thing that happened in real life was the crash at the end, except it was a head on collision, but rather two freight trains facing each other tried getting on the same siding, Casey told everyone on board including his fireman, Sam Webbs, to jump while he applied the brakes and blow the whistle, nothing worked and there crash ending up killing him, he was the only death in the crash. His heroism and effort to be on time no matter what the cause was made him an American hero and legend.

[@mylesthomasandfriends838]

When the 119 Jupiter steam train went into the water, that reminded me of Thomas and Friends Season 3: Percy’s Promise

[@MJC19]

Whats real amazing is that the wreak happen in 1900 and this short was made in 1950, almost exactly 50 years after it happened, props to Disney for their timing

[@azbrowne]

My question is has anyone ever been tied to the railroad tracks before the film industry took off?

[@huntersvideos905]

Alex-Zander Browne I honestly don’t even know :/

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

yes

[@abbyrios4489]

"waddaya know? she-mail!" 😂😂

[@junkdeal]

This old cartoon had an amazing amount of detail that was correct! No railroad-loving kid would'a been disappointed! I'm surprised the animators went through the trouble of getting so much stuff right...

[@johnpooky84]

I loved this cartoon as a kid, although that freight train slowly coming up the hill always managed to scare me (mainly the sound it made).

[@julyleonard]

I still love this, because of The Railways of Crotoonia.

[@TroySleeman]

I know what you mean, it’s super foreboding with the music and the slow chugging

[@pnmawvr777railfanarchived8]

R. I. P Casey Jones (1864 - 1900)

[@jasontachin]

rw:that part is so true in many ways.

[@jasonleaf5719]

And to think that it was the crash in the cartoon that killed him in real life

[@dougharris9517]

Suthe3ANDJu57 ,

[@cartergatens4822]

GoldenPNMRailfan/ROBLOX&Elevators Entertainment u m878)7hn7yj,g7’)jm7)!7(h 07

[@Xx_BoogieBomber_xX]

You better watch your speed

[@ZakWolf]

Egad! This is a fun cartoon. Jerry Colonna gives a pretty funny delivery here. I imagine if they made this today, an additional danger Casey would face would be a car or truck on a railroad crossing, either stalled or just trying to beat the train!

[@strategicgamingwithaacorns2874]

The train wouldn't be in any danger, only the car/truck.

[@Tybarnick9219]

As soon as you hear the "IT'S A MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORNIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!" You realize you just started watching one of the best shorts evar! EEEGAAAAAD!

[@gachapinCUEVA]

Headaches and heartaches and all kinds of a pain. They're just a part of the railroad game.

[@mariic2]

So is the brave man, noble and grand. Belong to the life of a railroad man.

[@solartiger346]

@@mariic2 Train whistle blow

[@mariic2]

@@solartiger346 "Casey Jones? Is he gonna make it?"

[@solartiger346]

@@mariic2 if that Casey then I'm road island roaster, well, cock-doodle-doo

[@ethanschmid4104]

solartiger346 Next time, take the train!!!

[@joinmarch76]

The Ballad of Casey Jones: as sung by the March Hare and the Card Painters.

[@d3in0nychu5]

GEE THANKS I CAN"T PICTURE IT ANY OTHER WAY NOW

[@joinmarch76]

d3in0nychu5 You're welcome.

[@jasobres]

Actually, the Card Painters were voiced by the Mello Men, not the King's Men.

[@joinmarch76]

@@jasobres Not to disparage the King's Men, but I can't find much on em, and they sound pretty similar. Not saying you're wrong, just that's the closest comparison I could find.

[@jasobres]

@@joinmarch76 The King's Men did a lot of radio work. They also sang for the often censored "Martins and the Coys" segment of _Make Mine Music._

[@Statalyzer]

6:10 "hey Casey, the Sherriff is near!"

[@leajeaninpetit9100]

T 4rt r u going through 52

[@FantasiusTriton1993]

"No you god-dang fool! The sheriff is a ni-(dong)!"

[@gckasi]

A Classic Disney cartoon! Remember watching this as a kid. Brings back nice childhood memories.

[@georgestephenson6255]

Glad to see my idea went to good use!

[@Drakin292]

He who wrecks a train on the hillside is not on the level. *BOOM* Going down.

[@jango3]

Drakin Kovar i used to crack up on that part

[@jasobres]

Bad condition. Smokes too much.

[@Cole-xq2tl]

Not in condition, smokes too much. I say that all the time around my smoker friend and he hates it XD

[@gothnerd887]

I don't get it

[@krivayen]

@@jasobres 4

[@andyjay729]

One of the other engineers on the roster was "W. Kimball", or Ward Kimball. He was one of Disney's best-known animators, and was also quite the railfan.

[@facelessmusik]

Watched this as a kid in the '80s & just found it again. One of the most memorable cartoons.. haven't really forgotten much at all, and remembered almost every line. Amazing!

[@thecpmr6276]

"Ya gotta keep schedule, oh ya gotta keep schedule, oh ya-BETTER LOOK OUT CASEY!!!" best line

[@itsnouse-yourswillbeastill2562]

Probably one of the funniest depiction of a dastardly Whiplash I've ever seen. Egad always sound so urgent but ol' fun

[@ZooTycoonLord]

that narrator is as mad as the March Hare. Oh yeah, he IS the March Hare

[@BenJabituya]

ZooTycoonLord That’s because Jerry Colonna voiced those two!

[@jasontachin]

rw:go fig.

[@nallorlives]

Yes, that's the joke.

[@ronaldm.1313]

@@jasontachin tr t t

[@thebarbaryghostsf]

This was my fave cartoon as a kid in the 80's. I was obsessed with Trains, and I loved all of the various environments Casey goes through in this.

[@MrJans3n]

The shot at 1:36 really surprised me - not used to seeing that sort of perspective used in older cartoons.

[@burlingtonfan7492]

This is the best cartoon about trains ever! I sometimes like to hum the yard scene. And at 1:23 at the right does anyone notice the CNW boxcar? All the other rolling stock had made up companies on them but this one closely resembles the CNW logo and the scheme.

[@davidbudka1298]

But, but, but Casey Jones worked for the Illinois Central and was bound for New Orleans, when he rear ended a freight train at Vaughan, Mississippi. Two freights had been see-sawing in order to let three passenger trains through, as I recall. Casey's was the last one.

[@snakes3425]

The reason he's seen as a hero is because he ordered his fireman to jump, while he tried to stop his train, and amazingly he was the only one killed in the accident

[@notesl5576]

+snakes3425 what a wonderful man he was.

[@rafaelvelasquesmendes933]

@@snakes3425 and after fixing the engine,another 6 crashes happened. being considered as the hardest locomotive to drive.

[@Ryjel-Destiny]

Egad! Casey was 10 minutes late. But at least he delivered the West mail. Whew! Next time, take the train!

[@jasobres]

This is such a crazy short. Most of it can be attributed to Jerry Colonna's madcap narration!

[@dravenmillwood4205]

The brave badass engineer

[@yerkees01]

To everyone complaining that this is not accurate to the real story of Casey Jones, it says right on the opening card that the short is based one "The Ballad of Casey Jones," a song two guys wrote. Blame the two guys for getting it wrong, not Disney.

[@modelrailpreservation]

The song was more accurate, but come on, it's a Disney cartoon. Of course they took some liberties for the sake of entertainment. The spirit of the story is the same - the bravery and heroics of the real Casey Jones, who, incidentally, actually did save a person from being hit by his train, though a child frozen with fear, not a tied up woman, which happened a few years before his famous wreck. This is the type of railroader who was once like a king upon his throne in the cab to generations of kids. A man who went around the country at a time few people roamed very far. A man who takes wood, steel, fire, and water, makes it move on his command and do what he commands, using it for the good of his fellow man by delivering people where they want to go, and the goods that they need. I think the cartoon conveys this well.

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

It's not like Disney is going to show a violent train wreck with a man getting killed

[@ethanschmid4104]

I agree. It’s Disney. They would never do something that dark.

[@thebrinksf69]

I love the jokes! "hi ho silverware" "oh, she mail" "prognosis: smokes too much"

[@dakotareeves3939]

This story The Brave Engineer is taken from Disney's American Legends.

[@EJAXK13]

3:17 the ol bad guy tie up damsel to the train track routine . How traditional.

[@elizabethalvarado8698]

Classic!

[@tigerqueen007]

Nexitron Yet is was based off of Casey's real rescue. Instead of a young woman, it was a frightened little girl.

[@azbrowne]

+tigerqueen007 it also happened close to a station.

[@SwampDaddy7]

That part where Casey climbed up on top of the cab with the shovel to paddle the train would probably be something I would do. A great cartoon in tribute to the greatest engineer in the history of the world.

[@jeffhunter7529]

I remember watching this as a small child

[@namsivad]

Who’s still watching this classic short in 2017!?

[@crcoghill]

2019 baby 🚂

[@mackpines]

1:41 Note the name W. Kimball. He was a Disney animator who gave Walt the idea of having his own live steam layout around his yard. Ward Kimball also had a full size steam locomotive at his house.

[@highball5550]

Never noticed the name there.

[@mattskey1]

Anyone watching this in 2019?

[@Dark_Tale]

This was back when Disney cartons made for kids could still make adults laugh, not groan. Also, kinda interesting how they ended this with a happy ending. If I remember right, Casey died.

[@AussieChristophe27]

1:22 - 1:40 that would make a fun game. Route the speeding train out of the yard. Each level more challenging than the last.

[@nssteampunk4865]

Upload it to Hulu or iPad

[@ynsmith34]

AussieChristophe27 🤑🤑🤑🤑

[@ynsmith34]

🙃🙂

[@bonan960623]

Welcome to the life of a dispatcher

[@oregonwesternrailroadprodu5239]

AussieChristophe27 just make one in trainz

[@GrumpyEngineProductions]

Been watchin it since i was born

[@jwhaler82]

Thumbs up if at any point you quoted Scotty from Star Trek: "I'm givin' her all she's got, Captain!"

[@frostlord1246]

All we had to do was follow the damn train Casey Jones! (CJ)

[@Ronin8509]

Jerry Colonna's delivery makes it so easy to watch it multiple times.

[@kazwhymark3165]

Wonderful cartoon thank you 😊

[@jaelynblanc4279]

GOIN THROUGH THE WHATYER XD luv it. SHEMAIL XD

[@Rex-nm2ys]

New world record for steam locomotives: 1950 km/h

[@Oxmanjeff]

No. How about over 9000 km/h? Catch that Dragon Ball Z reference there? (I'll give you a hint: "It's over 9000!")

[@Rex-nm2ys]

+Jeffrey Emilson I know But 1950 is the year when TBE was realised. At least I think so.

[@Oxmanjeff]

That's alright. I was only joking anyways.^^ I think, honestly, that 1950 km/h makes more sense as, as you put it, it matched the year this short was made in.

[@Rex-nm2ys]

+Jeffrey Emilson Yeah

[@jacobmutti1528]

don't tell Mallard that.

[@W5KVV]

The best part is the two steamers double heddin' the hill, pullin their guts out. Disney was an avid rail enthusiast. "Hey Casey here comes a freight"!! "Don't worry Ned, we won't be late"!

[@exodia1510]

Ah Yes! Jerry Colona! Had one of the funniest voices ever! Great Memories!

[@jacobmutti1528]

1:55 "Nice day😀...1:56 wasn't it?😁

[@DigitalWraith]

Ah, nostalgia. Thanks a lot, Disney! Way to make me feel old!

[@kelbym07]

Even after 17 years, I can still remember the first time I watched this video and I thought it was brilliant then as much as I do now. I honestly believe that this helped to direct my life into the railroad.

[@jennaiello3369]

Cool! And those 2 trains... wow.

[@bigallan7181]

People who think why is the mail so important is that the mail train sometimes have money in them.

[@danpierce8862]

They should re-title this "college in 7 minutes and 36 seconds"

[@GT4tube]

Still watch in 2013! xD 63 years! Great video FTW

[@nssteampunk4865]

6:26-6:36 WTF BOOM!

[@JoeltheSwedishDragon]

The best cartoon short Walt ever made! It was enough that I watched this when I was in the kindergarden age and since then; I´ve fallen in love in Trains! Especially steam driven!

[@davvvvo]

6:22 so long he said when he is still on the locomotive.

[@TheMCzorro]

4:40 Gotta move that gear up

[@DavidBDavis-lz7bt]

"Everybody out! Everybody out!"

[@alteregoAtlas]

Man I friggin LOVED trains when I was young I must've watched this cartoon daily!

[@Nico93]

That train is surely used alot in disney cartoons.

[@nssteampunk4865]

I think you can get the same engine for Microsoft Train Simulator.

[@Nico93]

or tainz?

[@nssteampunk4865]

***** You mean Trainz

[@Nico93]

Erich Diebold Yep, i mean trainz

[@yerkees01]

An exact replica is in the Disney short "Out of Scale."

[@urbanberndtsson]

Hahahaha, is this fate or what? I've been looking for this for years (literally) and now I stumble upon it by misstake while looking at other things.

[@JamieBoy-ij2ri]

Casey Jones looks and has the number 2 just like Edward

[@bellerain381]

This brings back happy memories! My little brother and I would watch American Heroes all the time and we would act all of the stories! Casey Jones was my brother's favorite!

[@theunitedstates5217]

4:23 Who Will Win Some Bandits With NO guns Or Some Train Driver

[@RailfannerJones]

a Train Driver

[@codyflasche4181]

5:18 Number 7 Melting

[@braidenmulvey1759]

“What now brown cow?” Me and my mom love that line.

[@Hadrianus02]

One of my favourite cartoons when I was 4 years old...Glad I finally found it !

[@butlerproman]

"She-mail?" Pretty risqué reference for 1938, isn't it?

[@dakotahmays1437]

This cartoon came out in 1950

[@butlerproman]

Dakotah Mays So it would seem. Odd. Wonder where I got 1938 from?

[@azbrowne]

I still don't get this.

[@aarongoddard2642]

He is saying "gee, ma'am"...

[@DaveWuzHere]

I thought he said Gee ma'am, its at 3:31 if you wanna check though

[@Bethelehem2458]

3:04 that cows got some real attitude 😤

[@Nate-Dawg921]

Now we're through the wa- ah- ah- ah-CHOO!

[@6709ify]

I like the music that plays when the freight train is chugging up the mountain.

[@kristalkat7939]

the scene with water reminds me of thomas and friends : percy's promise

[@kristiantrihandika5207]

|

[@edwardo6834]

Ikr

[@ethanschmid4104]

Edward O basically!

[@thecursedcombine3951]

5:25 Super Mario 64 sounds.

[@pootisspenca7126]

More like superheated bulging boiler sounds.

[@LoneWolffanwriter]

An older, cleaner way of saying what amounts to, "Oh shit!"

[@fluffnose3386]

Back when people actually knew the difference between an engineer and a conductor

[@gravitrax6478]

Apparently Casey has never heard of a safety valve.

[@linx4355]

what do you know she-mail! lmao

[@karatestud47]

I love that he sleeps in his engine. That is one dedicated engineer.

[@Flashmikko]

Wow! This was my favorite cartoon ever when I was little! I was such a train fanatic! This really brings back memories...

[@miledijulija1506]

7:05 Carlos Whistle

[@oliverjonahfusco5140]

2:28: to be continued.

[@jamescooper742]

The cartoon as seen here is mostly all Hollywood. Being a blood descendant of Casey on my mother's side of the family, I know the actual story totally, and it wasn't the western mail, but rather the north to south mail run from Memphis, Tn., to Canton, Ms., but got no further than Vaughan, Ms. due to a breakdown in the Westinghouse brakes of another train stuck on the tracks, unable to pull off onto the siding in time.

[@paulm3965]

Brilliant cartoon takes me back to the Saturday club cinema at waterloo station. Nostalgic first rate