Rock 'n' Roll - A Gscalesodor Adaptation

This is the seventh installment of our Skarloey Railway adaptation series. A series that, we hope, respects and represents the original works of the Rev. Wilbert Awdry more accurately and affectionately than the TV programme "Thomas and Friends". This series was made using G Scale and 16mm Scale garden railway models. Models that were made using both handcrafted techniques and 3D printed components. "Rock 'n' Roll" is really Duncan's first story. Of course he was introduced, and then some, in "Home at Last", but he didn't actively do anything yet. He got into trouble, stranded his passengers, and had to be rescued by Skarloey, all the while complaining. A common event, as we'll eventually see. But here, the Rev. Awdry gives us another steam and diesel conflict. The second in his Railway Series. But unlike the stories of the earlier book "Duck and the Diesel Engine", the conflict in "Rock 'n' Roll" features the steam engine as the antagonist, that being Duncan. "Rock 'n' Roll" is a tale of hubris, misplaced animosity, mutual dislike, pettiness, but importantly forgiveness. Skarloey is enjoying being back on his own little railway. More significantly, he is enjoying pulling trains again! He's come a long way from that tired old wreck in "Four Little Engines" and is now a truly useful engine again. But he's not the only thing that's changed. Rusty and the men have worked so hard on mending the line, that Skarloey hardly recognises the old place. Rusty is glad that Skarloey is pleased, but warns that the job isn't finished yet. Rusty is concerned about one bit in particular, and expects an engine might derail there, particularly Duncan, who has a tendency to carelessly 'Rock'n'Roll'. Duncan overhears this, thinking that Rusty is gossiping about him. Rusty wasn't of course, as he openly repeats his concern to Duncan. Duncan does not appreciate the criticism, especially from a diesel, and becomes extremely hostile towards Rusty, calling him bad names. Rusty is hurt by this, and next morning doesn't shunt Duncan's coaches. Whether he was cross or just busy, it doesn't matter, as Duncan takes further insult from it. Things aren't helped when James of the NWR recounts to Duncan the events of "Duck and the Diesel Engine", although warped and mostly fictitious, including the ending where James claims to have been the noble engine who sent Diesel away. James' version of the story is obviously complete rubbish, but Duncan is completely enamoured with the notion of being such a hero on his railway, "Send Rusty packing!" he chants. But when Duncan's pride, and hubris get the better of him, he requires Rusty's help. In a piece of excellent character work from Awdry, as he was determined that his engines act as people would, Rusty is not so quick to want to help Duncan, giving us a rare peek at the little diesel being unusually petty. Our adaptation series is crafted with a deep respect for traditional storytelling, blending the atmosphere of the original book illustrations with cinematic, large-scale model railway production. Skarloey and Sir Handel are made from almost entirely 3D-printed and laser cut components. Rusty is made from mostly laser cut and 3D printed components. Peter Sam and Duncan each have a heavily altered 3D printed chassis, but are otherwise entirely scratch built. James is a Bachmann G Scale product, though with some alterations. All Gscalesodor engines feature a custom, hand-sculpted face. The expression for each was chosen to most fundamentally convey their usual character. Currently, we are in the process of making interchangeable faces with different expressions. However, this film was made prior to that project. We are extremely proud of this installment. One of my favourite features of these adaptations, with most of the Gscalesodor team being railwaymen of experience, is the railway realism that we've quietly put into them. "Rock 'n' Roll" has a few examples, especially compared with "Thomas and Friends". One is that when Skarloey stops to chat with Rusty, there is a proper reason for it. Another is when Rusty moves towards the stranded train, a red flag is stuck in the ballast a way behind the train's rear. But thirdly, my favourite is the run-round loop at the bottom station. In "Thomas and Friends" SR trains always run through this station one way (on the platform side). Logistically silly. My trains pull in and the engine runs round. In the specific example of "Rock 'n' Roll", Duncan does this while chatting to James, it adds movement, action and realism to the scene. The same scene in "Thomas and Friends" is static, inactive, and to comment too much on the realism would require essays. I hope you all enjoy our vision of "Rock 'n' Roll". Thanks to these phenomenal artists for providing the incredible musical score: SA MUSIC:    / @synthfrosounds   Mavis M:    / @mavism