Engines Of Galston Rails

**Engines Of Galston Rails** is an upcoming Australian Trainz surreal comedy web series created by AllosaurFan for YouTube. The series focuses on Parker and his friends enduring whacky adventures at the Galston Valley Railway. The series stars the voice talents of D.O.O.MGarrett, Mike Studioz, RichmondCityRailfan, ETS2Fanatic4581, Spo0derGwen, and NSWSteamFan, who is also script editor and an additional writer.

Mr3801Fan 26 started developing the concept following the his dissatisfaction with *The Port Ogden Rail Chronicles* and many other previous attempted projects. After attempting to recreate the Galston Valley Miniature Railway in Trainz, he got the idea for a Trainz series set in life-sized versions of real miniature gauge railways. The series began production in January 2021. Most of the characters are based on characters from previous Trainz series attempts by AllosaurFan. The series' whacky nature and comedy takes influence from some of Mr3801Fan 26's favorite Nicktoons, particularity *Spongebob Squarepants* and *Rocko's Modern Life*.

The series is planned to premiere on August 7, 2022 and has been greenlit to run for two seasons. A movie adaption is in development.

## Premise

The series follows Parker as he endures in the some whacky and sometimes wild adventures on the Galston Valley Railway. He shares these adventures with his sociopathic best friend Jake, a pompous express engine named Paul, a dimwitted goods engine named George, a cheeky shunter named Russell, and a celebrity engine named Sue.

## Voice Cast

* D.O.O.MGarrett as Parker, Austin, and Jionric
* Mike Studioz as Jake, Noah, Travis, and Matthew
* RichmondCityRailfan as Paul
* ETS2Fanatic4581 as George
* NSWSteamFan as Russell
* Spo0derGwen as Sue, Olive, and Mavis
* Benthetrainkid as Fred
* The Starlight Alchemist as Arnold

D.O.M.MGarrett, Mike Studioz, NSWSteamFan, Benthetrainkid ,Spo0derGwen, and The Starlight Alchemist also the additional human extras, joined by Atlantic Coast Railfanner and Trey Epperley.

## Development

### Origins

#### Untitled Outback Australia series

Traces of the series stretch back to late 2017. AllosaurFan was a fan of *San Juan Branch Line* and wanted to create his own Trainz series. At the time, he was new to the creative process of a Trainz series and had little to work with when it came to making an original route. He thought up the idea of a series set on the Outback Australia, which centered around a QR PB15 named Arnold, who became the very first Trainz character to be created for the series entirely.

#### Ironbark Rail Stories

The untitled Outback Australia set series was short lived and AllosaurFan decided to redevelop the idea into something else. He replaced the character with a FreightCorp 82 Class named Clyde, who would eventually become Clive. After a visit to the Hunter Valley Steamfest in early 2018, he decided to set his stories on a fictional route based on real NSW railway locations. The new series was titled *Ironbark Rail Stories* and was the first Trainz series by Mr3801Fan 26 to enter development. AllosaurFan wanted to go for a style reminiscent to the classic episodes of *Thomas & Friends*. At the time, he didn't have a YouTube channel, so he had to rely on NSWSteamFan's, who was a friend of his. NSWSteamFan would also become the first voice actor to join the cast. Eventually, AllosaurFan created his own YouTube channel then known as Mr3801Fan 26 and gained more creative freedom, though NSWSteamFan remained in the voice cast. Mr3801Fan 26 went on to create an 81 Class George, an NR Class named Paul, and a streamlined C38 named Olivia, who eventually became Sue.

While the route was being developed, Mr3801Fan 26 began watching *Tales on Harrison Rails* and admired it's noticeable improvement in quality following the first season. Inspired, he decided to attempt a Trainz with lower production values should *Ironbark Rail Stories* fail to make it to YouTube. He redeveloped the Outback Australia route and created a main protagonist named Ryan, who was a streamlined C38. Some influence came from NSWSteamFan's infamous *Tales on the Thompson and Western*. However, Mr3801Fan 26 dropped the Outback Australia setting yet again and resumed development of *Ironbark Rail Stories*.

In late 2018, Mr3801Fan 26 decided to create a spin-off to *Ironbark Rail Stories* set in the United States. The idea was became *Southern California Rail Stories*, which used similar logic *Engines Of Galston Rails* would eventually inherit. Ryan was revived as an D&RGW SD40T-2 and was joined by an ATSF FP45 named Austin, who was also allowed to be used in *Tales on the Thompson and Western*. Much like *Ironbark Rail Stories*, the route was based on real locations.

In early 2019, Mr3801Fan 26 cancelled *Southern California Rail Stories* and redeveloped the characters of *Ironbark Rail Stories* into more vintage looking engines, including changing Paul into a bulldog-nosed streamlined diesel.

#### The Port Ogden Rail Chronicles

In mid 2019, the route for the series was wiped away from Mr3801Fan 26's hard drive. This led to the delay and eventual cancellation of *Ironbark Rail Stories*, although a replica of the route has been attempted numerous times. Frustrated, Mr3801Fan 26 decided to return to using a third party route as the setting of his next idea *Rails of Port Ogden*, which would later be titled *The Port Ogden Rail Chronicles*. Mr3801Fan 26 choose the route in the title based on nostalgic memories of Trainz 2010. Ryan and Austin were reincarnated once again, with Ryan becoming a D&RGW challenger and later a northern, while being renamed Rhyon. Austin was changed to an ATSF F unit. *The Port Ogden Rail Chronicles* became the first Trainz series by Mr3801Fan 26 to enter the writing stage. Initially set in the early 1990s, he changed the series' setting to the 1950s, in an attempt to make the series "the next generation's *Full Bucketniers*".

In late 2019, Mr3801Fan 26 produced two pilot episodes; *Introduction* and *Austin's Bad Day*. Mr3801Fan 26 was heavily dissatisfied with the latter and took the episodes down not long after they were uploaded. This action drew some controversy, with those lucky enough to watch calling it unjustified. Eventually, Mr3801Fan 26 rebooted the series, this time setting it in the early 1980s and going for a cartoony style in homage to the work of Tex Avery and Chuck Jones. By late 2020, Mr3801Fan 26 had a wide voice cast, including RichmondCityRailfan, Benthetrainkid, NMW Productions, NSWSteamFan, Atlantic Coast Railfanner, ETS2Fanatic4581, noodle gaming, 2026 Productions, Mike Studioz and ahatbears.

In early 2020, Mr3801Fan 26 briefly took a hiatus to develop a series called *Rail Tales*, which was based on some stories by NSWSteamFan. The series only made it as far as the intro before being halted and later cancelled. One of the characters created was a 45 Class named Jake.

#### Carson & Rio Grande

In mid-2020, Mr3801Fan 26, upon rewatching *Narrow Rails Still Shine* and *Rotary Snowplow Through The Rockies*, thought of creating a Trainz series set on narrow gauge tracks in Colorado and New Mexico. He began developing a route called the Carson & Rio Grande, named after the Carson National Forest and the Rio Grande River. The series would become Mr3801Fan 26’s first attempted Trainz series to rely on reskins.

After a few weeks however, he began losing interest in the series and eventually cancelled it. The route has since been deleted, but the reskins have been preserved. Mr3801Fan 26 went to resume focus on *The Port Ogden Rail Chronicles*.

#### All Aboard Amtrak

Around early 2021, when the series had several scripts being written, Mr3801Fan 26 began to grow less and less satisfied with how the series was turning out. He complained that it was too unoriginal and lacked any identity. Some of the cast like ahatbears and NSWSteamFan would defend the series, with the former deeming Mr3801Fan 26’s critiques pessimistic. NSWSteamFan and Mr3801Fan 26 would later use the situation as loose inspiration for “The Hatred”, a fanfiction of *The Amazing World of Gumball*, particularly from a quote from 2026 Productions.

As the series came closer and closer to being cancelled, Mr3801Fan 26 began seeking other concepts to replace the series. After thinking up various ideas, including a *TUGS*-inspired series set on a fictional class I railroad in the 1950s and a buddy series focuses on two steam engines on a narrow gauge heritage railway, he revisited a concept he created when he was a kid. The basic idea was a sitcom about the engines of Amtrak, inspired by *America By Rail*, which Mr3801Fan 26 grew up watching. He decided that the series would be his next big idea and began creating the characters, beginning with a childlike F40PH named Fred. Initially meant for an adult audience, Mr3801Fan 26 redeveloped the series into something more family-friendly. NSWSteamFan was the first voice actor chosen for the role of Fred, as Mr3801Fan 26 wanted him to sound “young for his age”. NSWSteamFan improvised an impression of the title character of *The Amazing World of Gumball*, which Mr3801Fan 26 thought fitted the character perfectly. The series adopted the title *All Aboard Amtrak*, titled after a song featured in some of Amtrak’s commercials from the early 1980s. The series was eventually halted and later cancelled, with Mr3801Fan 26 once again left to begrudgingly focus on *The Port Ogden Rail Chronicles*.

#### The “Port Ogden Fallout” controversy

In early 2021, Mr3801Fan 26 announced that the series would end at seven episodes, with the concluding episode titled *Port Ogden Fallout*. The finale in question was a parody of of the controversial *Thomas & Friends* fanfiction *Sodor Fallout* and portrayed a fictional Soviet missile attack on Port Ogden, killing off all the characters and ending the series on a dark and depressing note.

The decision to end the series by killing off the characters instantly brought backlash, mainly from the voice cast. ahatbears stopped talking to Mr3801Fan 26 following the announcement, criticising the episode for being unoriginal and unnecessarily depressing. NSWSteamFan expressed his desire to write a fanfiction that rewrites the ending. 2026 Productions described the idea of ending the series by killing off the characters as “questionable”. Benthetrainkid, although not as critical, called the scenario similar to the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; Mr3801Fan 26 denied that the similarities were intentional.

The outrage from the cast led to the entire series being cancelled, with only a few scenes rendered. This decision was criticised by RichmondCityRailfan, who had recorded all the lines for the seven episodes.

### Creation

Around the same time as the cancellation of *The Port Ogden Rail Chronicles*, Mr3801Fan 26 decided to recreate the Galston Valley Railway in Trainz: A New Era, remembering his experience there when he was a kid. While recreating the route, he thought that the route would work for a Trainz series. Initially intending to include the route in a possible *Ironbark Rail Stories* revival, he then decided it would work as it’s own series. Remembering advice from 2026 Productions about creating a groundbreaking series, Mr3801Fan 26 turned the concept into a surreal Trainz series portraying the imagination of a model railroader. After positive reactions from NSWSteamFan and 2026 Productions, the idea officially began development. The title was adopted from a lost series idea by NSWSteamFan titled *Engines Of Douglas Mountain*.

The first idea Mr3801Fan 26 had was lot different to the series we know of. At the time, Mr3801Fan 26 wanted to go for a more surreal take on the concept, including having the diesels and electrics (as well as The Train Shed engines) portrayed as battery powered. The main cast was also different; a childish C38 named Murdoch, a goofy D59 named Gordy, a serious Z20 named Arthur, and a strong willed AD60 named Spencer, who was later changed to a female character named Angie. While the pilot was being written, 2026 Productions advised that the characters were better off based on real model trains, so Mr3801Fan 26 revised the main cast. His choice of the characters was based on how popular their models were at Galston. He eventually came up with the main cast we know of today. The idea of the internal-combustion engines being powered by batteries was also dropped, with the exception of several electric engines.

## Production

### Writing

The series uses a comedic style that compares with classic Nicktoons like *Spongebob Squarepants* and *Rocko’s Modern Life*, the latter is one of Mr3801Fan 26’s favorite cartoons of all time.

As Mr3801Fan 26 wasn't confident in his dialogue, NSWSteamFan was promoted to script editor.

NSWSteamFan has been very critical on the series writing, particularly with how Jake is portrayed. He has often called Jake one of the worst Trainz characters of all time. Mr3801Fan 26, annoyed by NSWSteamFan's behavior, has frequently countered that Jake is meant to be unlikeable. NSWSteamFan has also been critical on the series treatment of *The Port Ogden Rail Chronicles*, which is portrayed as an unoriginal *Tales on Harrison Rails* rip-off that relies on plagiarism and unfunny jokes.

Although Mr3801Fan 26 intends the series to be viewed by all ages, the writing contains a noticeable adult edge within, including brief cases of swearing and hidden innuendos, as well as references to films and TV shows aimed at a more adult audience. Early drafts of some of the scripts even had the characters using the word "shit". Mr3801Fan 26 toned the swearing down to "damn" and "ass" to make the series more family-friendly.

### Casting

The series reunited most of the voice cast of *The Port Ogden Rail Chronicles*. Originally, 2026 Productions was supposed to voice Jake. However, he left the series after losing interest, so Mike Studioz took his place. NSWSteamFan reused the Gumball voice he gave Fred for Russell, with Benthetrainkid taking the role of the former. D.O.O.MGarrett had to go through several voice impressions before he got the role as Parker.

### Production

In early 2021, Mr3801Fan 26 began work on a test pilot, which portrayed Parker and Jake babysitting Russell at The Train Shed and Jake getting terrified of Thomas The Tank Engine. Although the pilot was filmed, Mr3801Fan 26 decided not to show it out of dissatisfaction. However, it was reused as the opening scene of Russell, albeit refilmed and with different dialogue.

In some early intros and promotional art, Parker was painted black. This was due to the lack of availability of a maroon C32 with auto running numbers. Eventually, Mr3801Fan 26 reskinned a copy of 3265 and made it anonymous, although it has the nameplate reading Parker’s name. In promotional material, his model is edited with numbers and the nameplate is removed. The outlines where the original 3265 number used to be will also be blurred out upon an episode's airing on YouTube and Vimeo.

On July 19, a short film titled Voice premiered. It's purpose was to be a casting call due to the lack of female voice actors. According to D.O.O.MGarrett, Spo0derGwen joined the cast after he showed her the short.

Later that same month. Mr3801Fan 26 decided to delay the series to switch it to Trainz 2019, as well as to buy time to install more payware models to keep the series up to current Trainz standards.

### Music

The series relies on mostly royalty free 80s vibe music. Music by HOME is prominently used; Scanlines is used in the series intro and Dive Reflex is used in the end credits.

## Release

The series is scheduled to premiere in August 2022 on YouTube. Mr3801Fan 26 also intended on uploading special versions of the episodes to Vimeo. However, he cancelled his Vimeo account due to duration restrictions.

## Film Adaptation

In mid 2021, AllosaurFan began development of a feature-length film based on the series. However, writing difficulties have put it in development hell.

## Trivia

* Some of Parker’s personality traits are based on AllosaurFan.
* The series portrayal of Austin is satire of *The Port Ogden Rail Chronicles.*