MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas!

The Real Christmas Story

Luke 2:1-20

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds' Visit

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

seen. 

LET THOMAS COME TO YOUR BREAKFAST!

Here is a hilarious episode!

Tomy "Thomas Coal and Water Station" Set

For $23.00, I was happy to acquire the Coal and Water Station set. I thought I'd share this picture with you!

It came with the station, and another Tomy Thomas as well as three coaches, eight curve pieces, and one small straight piece and one large straight piece.

BEHIND THE SCENES: "THE VIADUCT"

I raised the bar with the creation of Mainline Viaduct. The viaduct first appeared in Season 1, Episode 1, and the improved version first aired with my remakes in "Better Late Than Never."

In the following paragraphs, I will strive to give you a glimpse of how I created this venue and how you can create one of your own under $15.

Supplies:

• pencil
• scissors
• circular saw
• 1/8'' plywood or siding board
• 1" by 1" wood
• screws/nails
• 1/2" by 4" pine board
• gray paper (or whatever color you want the viaduct to be)
• green tablecloth
• blue paper
• plastic wrap
• Spanish moss or other forage scenics (optional)
• rocks (optional)
• black spray paint (optional)
• ruler

Step 1:

*All measurements are according to what I made, however, the viaduct can be made bigger by simply cutting larger pieces of plywood. 

a. Cut two rectangles of plywood, both about 30 inches by 15 inches.*
b. Cut a rectangle of plywood, 24" by 30". *
c. Cut the 1/2" by 4" board to about 26."*
d. Cut the 1" by 1" piece to make four pieces at least 16" long each, but no longer than 24".
e. Assemble. (Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2.)

Figure 1

Figure 2

 Step 2:

a. Cut about 12 - 1 1/2" strips of 12'' paper.

b. Cut out 12 arches, each one and a half inches in radius. Make sure that above the cutout arch there is about 2-3 inches to spare.

c. Glue them all together. This should form two sets of two-dimensional viaducts.

d. Using scrap paper and more of that same gray, make several 4.25" strips.

e. Hot glue the 4.25" strips into around the viaduct arches. Then, as hard as it will be, you must glue the other side accordingly. I would recommend gluing the straight sides in fist and then putting the curved arch strips on.


 Doing Processes D and E make the viaduct strong and three-dimensional. See Figure 3.

Figure 3

 Step 3:

a. Slide the rigid viaduct under and then up into position under the board. Add two sets of rails to the top of the board.

b. Add tablecloths or other mass greenery items as such, and secure around the viaduct. (Figure 4.)

Figure 4

c. Add dark blue or blue paper underneath the viaduct but on top of the greenery for water.

(I actually didn't have my greenery in the viaduct yet in this picture.)

d. Unless you want to make yours waterproof, artificial water can inexpensively be made with ceran wrap, or also known as plastic wrap. Gravel and rocks can act for two things. They can make the realism come alive, and they can provide a great "transition strip."

e. Add Spanish moss and scenics!

(I used the Krylon "Chocolate" color. [Top left.] )
Figure 5. 

f. For weathered realism, brown and/or black spray paint can be spritzed on to the scene. (Figure 5) This adds such a rich aspect. (Figure 6.)

(All of the dark spots are where the spray spritzed it. Weathering
looks really impressive especially in the videos.)
Figure 6. 

g. Pose an engine to see the great scene you created!

Note: Usually regular plastic totes can be used on either side to continue the track, or, you can suspend the viaduct between two train tables, which also gives it that "bridging" effect.

Feel free to email me with any questions!!!

Mr. Larrison: larrisons1234@gmail.com

A SNOWY MONTH DESERVES A SNOWY REMAKE! HERE IS "THE DEPUTATION!"

Brew up a cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa and enjoy this "chilly" remake! BRRRR!

From Scotland, "DONALD AND DOUGLAS" are here!

WATCH THIS EXCITING REMAKE BELOW!

PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE CRASHES!!!

Here is "BETTER LATE THAN NEVER"

Watch it below!

THIS HALLOWEEN, DUCK HAD "A CLOSE SHAVE!"

Watch all-new episode "A Close Shave for Duck" below! This is the first time I filmed an episode with all six Pla Rail Steam Team members. I hope you enjoy, because this could be my best remake yet!

QUESTIONS:

1. Besides at The Castle Ruins, I didn't use string to put the runaway cars in motion. How did I do this?

2. What do you think about the new standard of NO TV Series content, only remade content; where I put my creative arts skills to the test to create the inside of C & B Barber?

NEW ENGINES!

I am achieving my goal of collecting six Pla-Rail versions of the engines in the so called "Steam Team."  I like the detail that Pla-Rail merchandise has, and although a little more costly than Tomy/Trackmaster, I think it's well worth it.

Here's my list:

• Henry (Premier: S2, E11: "Percy Takes the Plunge")
• Thomas (Premier: S2, E11: "Percy Takes the Plunge")
• Percy (Premier: S2, E11: "Percy Takes the Plunge")
• Gordon (Premier; S2, E13: "Diesel's Devious Deed")
• James (Premier: S2, E14: "A Close Shave")
• Edward (Premier: S2, E14: "A Close Shave")

On August 27, Thomas and Henry came in the mail. 

Thomas: $34.99

   > The coupling on my old Thomas broke when it fell off the layout table accidentally. 

Henry: $34.99

   > The sticker on the tender of my old Henry was peeling for some reason, and I couldn't recover it to good standards.

At the end of September, Percy and Gordon arrived. 

Percy: $29.99
>I wanted to get him in time for "Percy Takes the Plunge."

Gordon: $27.75
>I wanted the third express coach for "Diesel's Devious Deed."

At the end of October, Edward and James arrived. 

Edward: $29.11
> How could I complete the Steam Team without him?

James: $27.65
> I also needed him to complete the Steam Team, and the additional TAR car is nice.

"Diesel's Devious Deed" is here!

Watch Episode 13 now! I think we can all agree that this does have a really disheartening and to an extent unsettling ending...

BEHIND THE SCENES: KNAPFORD HARBOUR AND YARDS

This is going to be a big one!

     Upon publishing two recent hit remakes, I was asked to further explain my papery take on Knapford Harbor and Yards, as seen in the "Duck and Diesel Trilogy" and "Percy Takes the Plunge."

After reading through this How-To article, if you should

have more questions, feel free to email me at:

larrisons1234@gmail.com

1. 3-D Ships and Watercraft

Supplies:

• cardstock similar to the colors in the original episode
• hot glue gun and glue or glue of some sort
• skewers (if you plan to use the crane arms to lift engines)
• Sharpie marker (or any black marker)
• Galaxy marker (or any white marker)  
• miniature paper cutter
• scissors
• pencil

STEP 1 - BASE

Acquire your paper. Fold it in half, and trace the design of your the desired base and shape for the hull and sides for your boat. For a tug it might be a teardrop shape, whereas a floating crane might be perfectly rectangular. Cut out with scissors. Note: Usually I use a darker color for the base. 

STEP 2 - HULL and SIDES of the SHELL

Again layer two pieces of the color of the actual boat exactly on top of each other. For example, we'll use white. Sketch a design on the paper, mimicking the shape of the real boat. Cut out. Then, cut out a small section for the stern. 

STEP 3 - BUILDING

Now, using the hot glue gun, secure all pieces together to form a the shell of the boat.

STEP 4 - DECOR

Cut out and make lines on white or tan paper to fit inside the shell of the hull and paste them about 7 mm down from the top to create the deck. Use a white marker if your ship is a darker color and make a name for it, and decorate the sides with a stripe or other naval embellishment. 

STEP 5 - FINISH, but CONTINUE for FLOATING CRANES

If you are making tug boat, then you've completed a basic shell successfully.

If you are making a floating crane, then continue. 

Floating Cranes Continuation:

If you are making floating cranes you should have been making a different shell than the tug all along.

> Make a box and put a skewer through it towards the middle. 

> Then glue two skewers together, but let there be a 4 mm gap at one end for 5-8 cm. 

> Cut a square hole in the paper box, about centered with your rod in the middle. 

> Put the gap end of your double skewers on the rod and hot glue one end, so as to close it in on the rod. NOTE: BE CAREFUL TO NOT GLUE THE DOUBLE SKEWERS TO THE ROD, FOR THE SKEWERS SHOULD ROTATE ON THE ROD LIKE AN AXLE, THUS YOU CAN LIFT AND LOWER THE CRANE ARM!!! AGAIN, YOU MUST MAKE SURE THE ROTATION ON THE ROD IS LOOSE, AND NOT STIFF OR SEIZED UP.   

> Cut paper the length of skewer and start making the crane arm. Lay short and thin pieces of paper perpendicular to each other at and angle to achieve a realistic crane arm look. 

> Add a weight, on the back to counteract the items lifted by the crane. 

Although unbelievable, by using these counterweights and good wooden skewers, I've lifted many things with this crane arm, from a small piece of track to Percy himself. Never once did it break. 

2. Buildings

For my buildings at Knapford Harbor, I simply copied a few from the original episode. 

• The large dome-type building was easily made by cutting the shape out of a brown sheet of card stock, drawing in apparent lines, and weathering it my way by spritzing it with brown and black spray paint. 
• A large building appearing to be a workshop or something was just a creme piece of paper folded into a box and weathered.
• A small building with a black roof was actually made for "Saved from Scrap," but I repurposed it again, to add effect to my harbor.  

 SEE THE HARBOR IN ACTION BELOW!

Season 2 Episode 4 "A Cow On The Line"

(Note: Get a quick glance at Knapford Harbor at the beginning!)

Season 2 Episode 11: "Percy Takes the Plunge"

"The Express Triplets!!!"

     Upon the acquisition of PlaRail Gordon, I obtained my third express coach. Now, much footage can be done with only express coaches and not the substituted tan branch line coaches. 

     These three similar coaches have been dubbed "The Express Triplets" by those who visit my studio, and so this nickname will stick with them until I obtain the "quadruplet.

     In their premier remake they were supposed to be the red express coaches, but red coaches are extremely expensive and hard to come by, so I did my best with my three. With or without the red stripe, having triplet coaches is splendid, indeed. 

Watch Duck and the Coaches without narration

in Season 2 Episode 12 Pop Goes the Diesel below:

Pop in to watch "Pop Goes the Diesel!"

Running right on time and really reliable, I've delivered "Pop Goes the Diesel" a day early!!! Watch it below!

Plunge into "Percy Takes the Plunge!"

FINALLY! WITH TWO DAYS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE I AM THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT "PERCY TAKES THE PLUNGE" IS HERE!!!!!!! 

FALL SCHEDULES

Text with strikethrough means that the remake was completed.

August 8-October 4: Episode 11: Percy Takes A Plunge

October 4-5: BEHIND THE SCENES: "THE MAKING OF: KNAPFORD HARBOR"

August 8-October 5: Episode 12: Pop Goes the Diesel

October 6-16: Episode 13: Diesel's Devious Deed

October 17-31: Episode 14: A Close Shave for Duck

BEHIND THE SCENES: "THE WATERMILL"

Ever wonder how I pulled off the Watermill, a scene that I can't find any other Tomy remaker doing? Here's how in this new "Behind the Scenes" post!

Supplies: 

• fishing line
• brown paper
• black Sharpie marker
• wooden skewer
• building (for me, I used a porcelain "Christmas Village" house) 
• blue tablecloth
• green tablecloth
• clear plastic wrap
• blue paper
• Spanish moss/peat moss (for effect) 
• trees (for effect) 
• fence (optional)
• something to elevate your track (for me it was Legos)
• hot glue gun (or some type of adhesive) 

The Process: 

1. I staged the scene by putting a green table cloth on the floor and hung a blue tablecloth for the backdrop. 

2. I elevated the green tablecloth with Lego Duplos. I made towers, each seven legos high. 

3. I made the waterwheel/mill and placed it on the set.  

      a. I cut a strip of brown paper that was 12" by 1.5." Then, I cut two identical circles, 5 inches in diameter. I hot glued the strip in a circular shape to one of the circles, and glued the other circle on top.

      b. I poked a wooden skewer through the middle of it. This became the "axle" for the waterwheel to turn on.

       c. With a black marker, I made black rectangles on the strip of paper to make it look like it had paddles on it. I might add paddles on the wheel, eventually, though. 

      d. I attached the wooden skewer with tape to the porcelain house. I made the skewer stick out of the ends of the waterwheel about 2 inches on each side, and when I put the mill on the set, I hid 3 blocks beside the wheel under the green tablecloth and put the excess skewer on them, to elevate it off the tablecloth to ensure smooth revolving.

     

      e. I placed the mill on the set. 

4. I already had a brown arch made, but you will need to make a simple arch out of brown paper and place it beside the mill. 

5. Next, I put track on my elevation. I elevated the track that wasn't in the scene, so that there was some track for the engine to go on while its cars passed through the scene. It would be a shame for an engine to get to the end of the scene and watch the cars zoom off the set as the engine falls off the elevation.

6. I wound fishing line clockwise around the wheel, and taped the end of the line to the wheel.

7. I put light blue paper wrapped in a clear plastic wrap giving the glimmering water look down right around the mill.

8. I put Spanish moss and trees around the pond and the track in the upper right.

   

 9. I filmed the scene, and while doing so, I was able to pull the fishing line slowly, causing nice turn on the wheel while Percy puffs by in Season 2, Episode 9: Percy Proves a Point; and when Duck and Thomas chuff through in Season 2, Episode 10: The Runaway.

Duck in "The Runaway" S2 E10

Percy in "Percy Proves a Point" S2 E9

Thomas in "The Runaway" S2 E10

Watch the full episodes: 

 Percy Proves a Point

The Runaway

Don't "Runaway" from "The Runaway!"

"The Runaway," which is episode 10, is here! 

Here's my point: Watch "Percy Proves a Point" now!

Episode 9, Percy Proves a Point, is ready to be watched!

"DUCK TAKES CHARGE" is here!!!

2. "Duck Takes Charge" is here! Watch it now above!!! 

PERCY AND THE SIGNAL is here!

Now, you can enjoy episode seven of season two. 

Look! There is "A New Friend For Thomas!"

Here is Episode 6 of Season 2, "A New Friend for Thomas." 

Enjoy! Next week will yield Episode 7. 

Summer Schedules

Hello Everyone!

Text with strikethrough means that the remake was completed.

June 23 - 27: Episode 6: A New Friend for Thomas

July 9 - 13: Episode 7: Percy and the Signal

July 14 - 18: Episode 8: Duck Takes Charge

July 19 - 24: Episode 9: Percy Proves a Point

July 25 - 28: My Birthday Weekend: A time for me to catch up and take a break!

July 29 - 31: Filming Episode 10: The Runaway

August 1 - 7: Producing Episode 10: The Runaway

August 1 - 7: I will be going a short vacation this week! (I will take a few filmed remakes to edit and release on the resort's wifi. The car ride is 9 hours, so that's a GREAT time for remakes!)

August 8-25: Episode 11: Percy Takes A Plunge

August 25-September 6: Episode 12: Pop Goes the Diesel

September 6-18: Episode 13: Diesel's Devious Deed

September 18-30: Episode 14: A Close Shave for Duck

October 1-11: Episode 15: Better Late Than Never

"EDWARD AND SODOR'S LOST TREASURE"

Well, hello, everybody! I am producing, with ideas from Isaiah Smith, this short episode that's just "out of the blue." Well, not exactly...though. Isaiah Smith is starting out on YouTube, and honestly, looks a lot like my poor self did when I FIRST started out. I decided to encourage and invest into him after request, and so to promote him, here is a promotional video. Isaiah, after some tweaking and refining, will be coming out with a Lionel-layout-based show, called ITRAINSHOW! Please show support to Isaiah by commenting or subscribing, at "isaiah smith," he's been off to a rather rocky start so let's help him get going. First, watch this episode, created by me, with Kevin MacLeod's soundtracks, called "Edward and Sodor's Lost Treasure," a fully fictional story.

Summary:

Thomas is puffing along with freight cars for Edward, as he then meets up with the large interchange at Knapford. Percy and Thomas almost arrive simultaneously, and chat for a few moments before Diesel adds cars to Percy's train for Henry. Then, Percy and Thomas exit the main Knapford lines, as Edward and Henry enter. Henry backs his freight cars away, as Edward puffs off to a fun-filled day. 

While everything is bright and peachy with Edward, he comes to a switch that by mistake was switched to an old line, that is marked with danger signs. His drivers, fooled by the switch, believe they're supposed to go on that line, and after inspecting, dictate it to be "all clear." Edward slowly creeps through until...tada!...Sodor's Lost Treasure beams brightly. (Diesel 10 had stolen it from Sir Topham Hatt for a long time, and hid in the old line, where Edward found it.) Edward, after his driver's inspection, takes the treasure with him. Diesel 10 watches him maliciously. 

Diesel 10 creeps out and gets Diesel to shunt him is own cars he can put the Treasure into when he snatches it from Edward's train with Pinchy. He catches up with Edward...the chase is on! Thomas notices the chase and goes to tell Sir Topham Hatt. When the cavalcade races through Knapford, Thomas had just arrived moments before they barreled through, and told Sir Topham Hatt. Sir Topham and Thomas run shortcut (not pictured) and get to Maithwaithe with brilliant plan devised by Thomas himself to stop Diesel 10, just before Edward and Diesel 10. 

This is New Iron, not "Old Iron!" Watch "Old Iron" now!

Hello everybody! I'm at a good-paced roll! S2 E5 is here, "Old Iron" so watch it now! 

While putting it together, I thought about how much I love the "Video Speed" feature...making them go faster, slower, and even out kind-of was so much fun, and a challenge! 

BE SAVED FROM YOUR MISERY: WATCH "SAVED FROM SCRAP!"

WOW! I GOT A BREAK IN MY SCHEDULE THIS WEEK AND AM NOW ABLE TO ANNOUNCE THAT EPISODE FOUR (SCHEDULED FOR MAY) IS OUT JUST IN TIME FOR EASTER!!!!

Watch this episode below!

(The whole "let me have a break" thing is void. I will be looking to get Episode 5 done by mid-May.)

Don't chase it anymore, "Bertie's Chase" is right here!!!!!!!

Take a peek at Episode 3 of Season 2, "Bertie's Chase!"

THERE'S "A COW ON THE LINE?!?!?!?!" (To watch)

The second episode of the second season is here.

TOMY "A COW ON THE LINE" REMAKE

DOUBLE TROUBLE! Enjoy Season 1 and Episode 1 of Season 2: Double Trouble, NOW!

Enjoy Season 1  and Episode 1 of Season 2: Double Trouble, NOW!
HERE THEY ARE!

LINK TO SEASON 1 PLAYLIST:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnQRiFmgEtE&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL_4AHdccnHYQgfZTXlWEHcMnIQmkCclZ9
(Just copy and paste)

DOUBLE TROUBLE

SEASON 1 IS FINISHED WITH EPISODE 26!!!

I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT TODAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2014 SEASON 1 OF MY THOMAS AND FRIENDS TOMY REMAKES IS FINISHED!!!! DONE!!!! COMPLETE!!!! You can watch Episode 26 below, and wait a few weeks for me to hop aboard with Season 2!

You'll be DOWN and OUT if you don't watch "Down the Mine"

"Down the Mine" is here! Watch it now and comment, share, like, and subscribe!

DIP FOUR AND A HALF MINUTES OF YOUR TIME INTO "GORDON TAKES A DIP!"

"Gordon Takes A Dip" is here! A cheesy slogan, I know, but catchy too?! I hope you enjoy this classic. See ya later! Season 1 should be done by Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MUSIC VIDEOS' DELETION WILL BE BITTERSWEET!

I have bittersweet news!

 What?      
     Tomy "It's Great to be an Engine," "Troublesome Trucks," and "Busy, Busy, Busy" Music Video Remakes will be deleted on February 1. It will be hard for me to dismiss such largely-viewed videos, I don't like how I did them...I was rather inexperienced then! Thus, they give my status-gaining remakes a bad vibe!

Why?
      With Season 1 coming to a close, I will be submitting music videos from Season 1, along with full collections of my remakes as they'd be on VHS. Taking the old ones away will fully pave the way for the new! For example, "Come For A Ride" will look like this:

Tomy "Come For A Ride" Music Video Remake

So What Do I Do?

So, watch them one last time, if you really enjoyed them, and shortly after they'll be gone.

"James in a Mess" is here!!!

I pulled this one off! Enjoy my rendition of "James in a Mess" GC below! Please leave a comment or two on my blog or in the comments section in YouTube and tell me how I did on this famous, tar-filled, classic!

Enjoy!!!!

Goals: Episodes 24, 25, 26 by February 1st. That means almost 1 every 2 days...ooohhh boy!

"Thomas Breaks the Rules" is here!

Now, you can enjoy Episode 22, or "Thomas Breaks the Rules" below! I am on a roll with my remakes! Remake 23 will probably arrive January 25 or 26...maybe even January 24...! I have it filmed.

"TOBY THE TRAM ENGINE" IS HERE!

Would you take a look at this!!!!!

Episode 21 or "Toby the Tram Engine" is here with LarrisonFamily's rendition of some rare scenes! Check it out now, and be sure to comment, share, and SUBSCRIBE! (Sorry the title is cut off in the player above, the player is square...not rectangular.)

"Whistles and Sneezes" is here!!!!!!

"Whistles and Sneezes" or Episode 20 is here!!! Watch it below and comment on my blog or in the comment section below the video upon watching it!
Visit my YouTube Channel!

Schedule:

1. Get Episode 21 done by January 21.
2. Get Episode 22 done by January 26. 
3. Get Episode 23-26 done by February 1st. NOTE: I will have them done, though won't post them until later in February. 

GOALS:

1. GET SEASON 1 DONE BY FEBRUARY 14!!!!

    2.   GET SEASON 2 STARTED BY MARCH 1!!!!

AREN'T YOU EXCITED???!!! SEASON 1 IS ALMOST DONE!!!

Alright folks...see ya later!

Season 1 is almost done!

I am now ready to work on Season 1 Episodes 20-26. Seven more to go!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope to get 20-21 done this long weekend. (MLK Day)

TERENCE THE TRACTOR is HERE!!!!!!

TERENCE THE TRACTOR IS HERE!!!!!!
SORRY FOR THE WAIT! ENJOY IT NOW BY CLICKING THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW!!!!

Powerful New Video Editing Will Take Some "Getting Used To"

Hey!

Sorry "Terence the Tractor," or Episode 13 isn't done yet!

 I got...

CYBERLINK POWERDIRECTOR 11 ULTRA!

And, this is the reason Episode 13 isn't done. I absolutely love PowerDirector, but it's totally different than what I was using - Windows Live Movie Maker, so, it's taking some...well...getting used to.