How a Railway in Wales inspired the Skarloey
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
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For over 70 years the reverend wilbert Awdrys railway series has delighted and inspired fans around the world. The books, which have sold millions of copies, continue to keep the interests in steam railways alive.
The television series, broadcast in multiple languages, has been nothing short of a global phenomenon. It's simple yet exciting stories, rich world and relatable characters have endured, and whether you know Thomas the tank engine from the books or show. He has been an important part of people's lives growing up.
Many know the names and characters of the main cast. However there are parts of the fictional island of Sodor that are just as important.
Beyond its network of main lines and branch ways lies the picturesque Skarloey railway. A narrow gauge line that snakes its way through the heart of the island.
It’s home to a roster of small yet determined engines. Its history spans back to the early days of the island's railways. With its dramatic storylines and engines with personalities greater than the highest peaks of Sodor, you'd be forgiven for thinking it comes straight from fantasy.
However its engines, its stories and history have a very real analogue. And much of that reality can be found in Wales.
The story of the Talyllyn is one of triumph. Of overcoming the odds and paving the way for what would become a global movement. It was also a significant inspiration for a number of the books found in the railway series. Four Little Engines, Gallant Old Engines and others have stories, characters and events directly inspired by the first few years of the Talyllyn’s existence as a preserved line. But what role did Awdrys books play in the continued success of the Talyllyn. And how has his enduring legacy, 40 years after his last book was published fed back into the railway with a heart of gold.
Crew:
Director
Charlotte Williams
Writer
Charlotte Williams
Sound
Katie Bataille
Camera
Charlotte Williams
Katie Bataille
Interviews:
Tom Foster
Luke Ryan
Daniel Coffey
Music:
‘Love Conquers’ by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
‘Imagination' by AShamaluevMusic - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.ashamaluevmusic.com
‘Lonely' by AShamaluevMusic - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.ashamaluevmusic.com
‘Soothing' by AShamaluevMusic - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.ashamaluevmusic.com
‘No.4 Piano Journey’ by Esther Ambrani
‘Snowy Peaks Pt1’ by Chris Haugen
‘Swans in Flight’ Asher Fulero
‘Sweetly My Heart’ by Asher Fulero
‘Railway With a Heart of Gold’ by Reilly Cornwall’s Orchestral Orchestra
Originally Composition by Judd Woldin
Image Credits:
Farshore Publishing
National Library of Wales
Talyllyn Preservation Society
Narrow Gauge Museum Tywyn
Wikicommons
Ben Brooksbank
Tom Foster
Ko-Fi Contributors:
Emily
Afal
Ceri T
Carina
El
Queer Welsh Stories
Beckidy
Daniel Williams
More Utter Piffle
Special Thanks To:
The Narrow-Gauge Museum Tywyn Luke Ryan
Tom Foster
The volunteers and staff of the Talyllyn Railway
Our kind donators and contributors - Фільми й анімація
A fantastic little episode about the two connections and having travelled on this line for over 40 years, it was touching to hear a side I never knew.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed it. We have a few projects to finish off first but hopefully we will have more Narrow Gauge films in the future :D
I am so glad I clicked on this video, as it was one of the best I've ever seen. This documentary was so detailed and charming to watch, and really tapped into the side of me that always appreciated and enjoyed the Skarloey. My favourites have always been those based off of real railways (Skarloey, Culdee Fell, Arlsedale) because of the interest I developed in the real ones. Rev. Wilbert Awdry has undoubtedly sparked a new generation of volunteers because of his work, and I am overjoyed that the Talyllyn has continued this preservation.
One day I hope to visit it myself! Thank you again for the exceptional documentary.
Awww thank you so much for your kind words. I read the comment out to the other members of the crew and it really made them smile :)
This was a beautiful watch. Well done and thankyou
Thank you so much ! Your SLIP videos have been a huge inspiration so this means a lot. Diolch yn fawr :D
@0:50 That’s a Japanese edition of a Railway Series book on the table! The Rev Awdry was pleased to publish in Japan. 🇯🇵
Such a magnificent documentary on the origins of his famous Skarloey Railway. 😊
I think it's still on the desk in the study too :D. We had a great chat with the curator about the different language versions, including a couple of Welsh editions which really interested us. Thank you for the comment I'm glad you enjoyed the film :)
Those stories (I had the us release of the original books by Wilbert), is a BIG inspiration of my wanting to model the Talyllyn & Ffestiniog as well as one day travel to Wales to ride on the Welsh Narrow Gauge Railways.
Both railways are beautiful ☺️. Hope you get a chance because they're definitely worth it. As are all the narrow gauge lines in Wales 😄. Thank you so much for the comment I hope you enjoyed the film
The stories about the Skarloey and Culdee Fell Railways were my favourite parts of the Railway Series and one day I hope to get to Wales and visit the Talyllyn. This was a fascinating look at the links between the two.
Both the culdee and skarloey stories are firm favourites here. Especially the incredible artwork in mountain engines. Thank you so much for the comment I'm glad you liked the film ☺️
The compassion the creators feel for this railway is visceral. It makes a subject one is not necessarily passionate about feel emotional! I look forward to visiting the railway in future. Thank you guys for such a beautiful insight on a subject most would not be exposed to otherwise. ❤
There are lots of wonderful events at the T.R throughout the year so you should definitely give it a visit. Thank you so much for your kind words
That brought a tear to my eye
Because my love for both the RWS & Real Life Railways is still within me, and I’m glad I’m not the only one who still likes the RWS.
Aww thank you so much for the kind words :). Something that's been really nice is seeing just how many people still hold these stories close to their hearts. And really that's the key to keeping the books alive for future generations.
My wife and I are planning our Honeymoon in Ireland, but we have slotted out a few days in Wales to see both the Snowden and Talyllyn Railway. She is cracking up about how beyond excited I am as we plan the trip, as I am one of the many who learned about the Talyllyn Railway from the Railway Series and Thomas the Tank Engine TV show. It has been on my bucket list since I was 5, and after 25 long years I am finally going to cross it off. Watching this continues to get me more and more excited for this fall. Excellent work and cheers from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA!
Awww congratulations on your upcoming wedding ! It really is a wonderful railway I hope you enjoy. Both Talyllyn and Dolgoch are back in service now so with a bit of luck you will get to see the two original locos in action :D. Thank you for the kind words about the film. It's nice to hear that the film continues to excite people :). Diolch yn Fawr
This video is fantastic! Outstanding story and videography! You should be very proud of what you’ve made here!
Thank you so much ! I'm glad you enjoyed the film
What an amazing documentary you both have done an amazing job and it’s nice to see I make a cameo 😂😂
Awww thank you so much ♥️. Glad you enjoyed it. Hahaha starring role 😂
Very nice piece of work! I'd not yet found a documentary that looks equally at the history of both the Tayllyn and its Railway Series doppelganger, this strikes the perfect balance IMO. Some lovely camerawork too :D
Thank you so much for those kind words. Aww brill. We wanted to strike that balance as best as possible so I'm glad it's hit the mark there.
A really lovely message to the preservation of something so many adore, really wonderful.
This was a lovely watch. I was planning on making something similar but the storytelling and production value here is insane! As a Llanelli lad it’s a bit of a hike up North but I’d love to visit the Talyllyn one day, it’s like a site of pilgrimage for a Thomas fan I guess.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. If you haven't had a chance to visit the T.R it's definitely worth the travel up 😄. We started visiting the railway mostly for the film but fell in love so much we became a volunteer haha.
Absolutely lovely documentary. The talyllyn is such a beautiful place and you captured it perfectly. It's always great to see the talyllyn being proud of its Thomas connections. Lovely documentary all around!
Thank you so much ❤. Absolutely! They hold such an important place in people's lives so it's really nice that the T.R keeps his legacy alive
Lovely documentary!
Aww thank you much 😊. Glad you enjoyed it
Just Lovely. I really enjoyed the video. It’s good to see how Wilbert Awdry’s books impacted the Talyllyn Railway.
Really glad you enjoyed it. It's nice to see how much the Talyllyn embraces it too. An important book series and an important railway ❤️
All a big part of my childhood, I found this very interesting! And such a well-made documentary.
Hearing that people have rediscovered a small part of their childhood through the film has been so rewarding. They really are wonderful little books.
Right in the feels...I can say that I volunteer at my local railroad museum and keep steam alive in large part due to that little blue engine. My love of narrow gauge started with the Thomas series and extended to what are my passions now. I've visited the tallyllyn once and I look forward to going back. I work on narrow gauge locomotives with fireboxes that are larger than Peter Sam or Dolgoch but that little railway has a 2'3" piece of my heart
Aww I'm glad you've enjoyed it ! Where is it you volunteer? It's incredible just how much these stories and characters have inspired people to get into the preservation scene. It was through doing this documentary that I took the leap into volunteering. Something I wouldn't have thought possible until a few months ago. We definitely want to make another narrow gauge documentary in the future 😄
@@HiraethFilm I volunteer at the Colorado Railroad Museum (Home of the niche youtube famous Hyce) Our narrow gauge engines are a touch larger than yours but they carry the same narrow gauge spirit of improvisation and battling on through adversity
Great work once again, thank you! ❤
Diolch wa ☺️❤️
Credit to all involved, that was fantastic & a very calming watch ☺️👍
Brilliant documentary, thank you for making and sharing this.
Thank you so much ❤. Means a lot seeing people enjoying it 😊
I absolutely loved this video. It’s my dream to visit the talyllyn railway. And this makes me want to see it even more!
It really is a beautiful little railway :). Thank you so much for your comment
Very nice documentary. The legacy of the Talyllyn railway and the railway series have certainly held their grounds through time. I can tell lots of passion went into this video. Definitely a must watch, we’ll done!
Thank you so much ❤️. It really was a labour of love for over a year. In all honesty I would have made any excuse to delay it only so I could visit the railway a few more times haha. Glad you enjoyed it 😊
This was absolutely fantastic! Wonderfully filmed and told, Bravo!!!
Thank you very much ♥️ glad you enjoyed it.
Great video
Thank you so much. We'd really love to do another Welsh Narrow Gauge doc in the future and the positive reception to this has been a huge boost.