Thomas the Tank Engine "Down the Mine" (partially found pitch pilot version of British children's TV series episode; 1983): Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:53, 25 September 2023

Shot from the finalized "Down the Mine" episode that appears to have originated from the pilot.

Status: Partially Found

In 1979, Britt Allcroft acquired the rights to produce episodes based on The Railway Series for television. She spent over two years meeting animators and watching test reels deciding on what type of animation would be used for the series - classical, stop motion, clay, or CGI. After meeting David Mitton it was decided that live-action model animation would be used. After getting a commitment from ITV, a low budget, pre-production test pilot episode was produced to pitch the series to several networks on April 3rd, 1983. David Mitton originally specified during early pre-production of the pilot that Thomas "is coupled to a number of carriages. Clarabel and Annie are two of them." This was revised to just Annie and Clarabel by the time of filming. The pilot was based on The Railway Series story "Down the Mine" and differed from the finalized aired adaptation of the episode. Britt Allcroft mortgaged her house to fund this episode's production and the pilot was filmed on C-stage at Clearwater's Battersea studio. The pilot was filmed without Clearwater's Periscope Lens System, and instead with a standard rostrum based 35mm Mitchel camera.^[1] After the series was funded, the periscope lens with the overhead gantry was commissioned. The pilot only took 3 weeks (15 business days) to film between March and April 1983 After the series was greenlit by ITV, the story was later refilmed as the twenty-fifth episode of the first series.

Pitch Pilot

Nothing of this pilot version has surfaced outside of a single shot in the finalized aired version which seems to be have been reused from the pilot. When Thomas passes Knapford station, his model appears to be much more simplistic than the one used in the series, the main differences being the paint on his front splasher appearing to be missing the red lining, his side rods seeming more toy-like in appearance and his face being different compared to the one used. This is because the models of Thomas and Gordon were also different from that of the final series. The models used, including the wheels, were scratch-built by Martin Gill and were more simplistic in appearance. They were made of plastic and not brass, The models of Annie and Clarabel were based on kits from the Tenmillie, with little vac-formed faces. They were never tested before being filmed in front of the camera and proved to be unreliable. For example, the pilot model's chassis' performed so poorly that the models had to be pulled along with fishing wire. Another example is the models were equipped with a smoke generator based on a 12V car cigarette lighter, with conventional studio smoke-machine oil dripped on the hot element before each shot – but the heat proved to be sufficient to warp the ABS and Perspex of the engine bodies, so they could not be used for any length of time. A swift charging before a shot allowed a rather feeble smoke effect that sometimes emanated from gaps behind the eyes or at the side of the face plug. The eye mechanisms were improved considerably for the actual series. During the pilot, they snagged repeatedly, smoke came out around them, and they were constantly being modified. Often, the eyes were set and locked in a particular direction. It was not unheard of for the static from the power coupling on the track to affect the servos and make the eyes suddenly veer wildly off.^[2] Images of the pilot version of Gordon, by model maker Christopher Noulton, can be seen in an interview by Sodor Island Fansite.^[3] ^[4] According to Britt Alcrott the pilot was a showcase of how the story will be told because the rights were already bought.

Availability

The pilot was never publicly released, only appearing in test screenings. After the Down the Mine “pilot” was test screened in April 1983, it was later handed to Rick Siggelkow in the late 1980s. He showed it to his wife and a preschool, with the results being positive, launching Shining Time Station, with Siggelkow being the show’s co-creator.^[5] is believed that Rick Siggelkow is no longer in possession of the pilot, as he says he turned in all his Thomas the Tank Engine and Shining Time Station master tapes to Mattel. This likely means that the Down the Mine “pilot” is with Mattel. TomsProps, a user who has had multiple contact with crew members on the TV Series, has stated according to them, the pilot models' body's would later go on to being reused in the Series 1.^[6]After the first series was approved for production, the models were refurbished with Gordon's done by model maker Christopher Noulton featuring reapplied paint and pinstriping, both would be later fitted with a new chassis made by Märklin, the BR 78 and 55 respectively, which proved to be much more reliable than the previous scratch built ones, new smoke mechanisms were also built by model maker Tim Staffell. For Gordon, the front bogie of the BR 78 had to be shortened to fit the bodyshell and in order to have enough parts for the other engines and Gordon himself his front bogie was made of two front halves of the original Märklin bogie, the back half of one was used for his trailing wheel and the other back half was used as the leading pony truck for James. After these modifications, the inner sides of the cylinders had to be cut to allow the shortened bogie to navigate curves without issue. The tender wheels and frame were sourced from a BR 38 tender. It is currently unknown whether or not a complete BR 38 was acquired as parts from just the tender have been identified. The bodyshell was also modified with the front buffer beam moved higher up to match the other rolling stock and accommodate the new chassis, and smokebox and boiler saddles added to be able to fit and hide the new larger chassis. The model was also fitted with lamp irons which were made from brass railing stanchions sold by EMA Models. Thomas' model just gained lamp irons, also sourced from Märklin locomotives. Additionally, it also gained a removable boiler dome piece where the smoke unit hole was located. According to leaked emails between Nick Starwind and Ian McCue the franchise's current Producer, writer, television executive and even voice actor for some characters, the pilot does in fact currently reside with Mattel and there are plans for a remaster for the franchise's 80th anniversary. Gordon's model used in the pilot (later reused as his main model in Series 1-9 and as a stunt double in S10-11) has been frequently displayed at an event called "The Clearwater Event" throughout 2021-2022 and is likely to be displayed again in the future. The large-scale figures of the Driver and Fireman and head of Sir Topham Hatt possibly used in the pilot are also currently owned by Twitter user FlyingPringle, they were formerly owned by former model maker on the TV Series, Johnathan Saville. In 2022, the dialogue and visual for the pilot would be leaked. A production packet for the pilot and first season of the TV Series can be viewed on Google Drive. interestingly the production packet specifies the pilot was to be narrated by Ringo Starr, this either means Britt's statement was correct or that it was planned but due to budget reasons the pilot was narrated by someone else.

In 2023, several screenshots were gathered from people with specific connections stating that "multiple clips exist" from the pilot, due to the copy Mattel owns, being privately screened at certain events with recordings of those screenings being distributed privately to select people. Apparently the reason being is due to while the copy is restored, Mattel want to wait until the 80th anniversary to release it publicly. ^[7]

Gallery

Scripts

Dialogue script (1/3).
Dialogue script (2/3).
Dialogue script (3/3).
Visual script (1/12).
Visual script (2/12).
Visual script (3/12).
Visual script (4/12).
Visual script (5/12).
Visual script (6/12).
Visual script (6/12) (duplicated).
Visual script (8/12).
Visual script (10/12).
Visual script (11/12).
Visual script (12/12).
Prop requirement list (1/4).
Prop requirement list (2/4).
Prop requirement list (3/4).
Prop requirement list (4/4).

Concept Art

The track plan for the Knapford station set
Lower Tidmouth concept art
Concept art for a signalbox
Story sketch

Model Making And Props

Gordon's pilot model after shooting (courtesy of Christopher Noulton).
A signal box.
A small scale driver figure.
Gordon's pilot model in post rebuild Series 1 condition, on display in 2021.
Gordon on display in 2022.
Sir Topham Hatt's close up pilot head as owned by Twitter user FlyingPringle.
The Driver and Fireman close up figures as owned by Twitter user FlyingPringle.
The figures as previously owned by former model maker on the TV Series Johnathan Saville,

Likely Reused Footage

(Note: the shot is referenced in the visual script).
Note: Thomas' whistle is different to the one used in the first series).
(Note: Same as last time, but this time the whistle is shown letting off steam as described in the filming script).
(Note: The Fat Controller's model is different to the one used in the first series).
(Note: The signal box changes to the one used in the pilot, and Annie gains black outlines around her eyes) .

Videos

Footage of the pilot from the broadcast version of the episode.

SewerReviewer's video on the subject.

Scribbles to Screen's video mentioning the "Down the Mine" pilot (5:41-9:00).

External Links

References

[1] ttps://twitter.com/clickclacktrack/status/1359249644690132993

[2] ttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1GJuGNLzuplwavMUSDJtITN20oMp8bXGdrXqLRqQQiXQ/edit

[3] Archived Sodor Island Fansite interview of Christopher Noulton. Retrieved 19 Jan '20

[4] ttps://twitter.com/clickclacktrack/status/1344726476923387905

[5] ttps://twitter.com/clickclacktrack/status/1346505892460576768

[6] ttps://twitter.com/TomsProps/status/1367174251783090194

[7] ttps://twitter.com/Mike_the_Mike07/status/1590841572845027331

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 |title=<center>"Down the Mine" (pitch pilot version)</center>
 |image=DowntheMine65.png
-|imagecaption=Shot from the final episode that appears to have originated from the pilot.
+|imagecaption=Shot from the finalized "Down the Mine" episode that appears to have originated from the pilot.
 |status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
 }}
-In the early 1980s, ''Thomas & Friends'' was being pitched to several networks. '''A test pilot was made of what would later become the 25th episode, "Down the Mine"'''. According to pilot editor Micheal Dixon, this was nothing like the final episode, with fewer characters, smaller sets, and flatter lighting.
+In 1979, Britt Allcroft acquired the rights to produce episodes based on The Railway Series for television. She spent over two years meeting animators and watching test reels deciding on what type of animation would be used for the series - classical, stop motion, clay, or CGI. After meeting David Mitton it was decided that live-action model animation would be used. After getting a commitment from ITV, '''a low budget, pre-production test pilot episode was produced to pitch the series to several networks on April 3rd, 1983'''. David Mitton originally specified during early pre-production of the pilot that Thomas "is coupled to a number of carriages. Clarabel and Annie are two of them." This was revised to just Annie and Clarabel by the time of filming. The pilot was based on The Railway Series story "Down the Mine" and differed from the finalized aired adaptation of the episode. Britt Allcroft mortgaged her house to fund this episode's production and the pilot was filmed on C-stage at Clearwater's Battersea studio. The pilot was filmed without Clearwater's Periscope Lens System, and instead with a standard rostrum based 35mm Mitchel camera.<ref>https://twitter.com/clickclacktrack/status/1359249644690132993</ref> After the series was funded, the periscope lens with the overhead gantry was commissioned. The pilot only took 3 weeks (15 business days) to film between March and April 1983 After the series was greenlit by ITV, the story was later refilmed as the twenty-fifth episode of the first series.
-Nothing of this pilot version has surfaced except for a single shot in the final aired version which seems to be have been reused from the pilot. When Thomas passes Knapford station, his model appears to be much more simplistic than the one used in the series, the main differences being the paint on his front splasher appearing to be missing the red lining, his siderods seeming more toy-like in appearance and his face being different compared to the one used.
+==Pitch Pilot==
+Nothing of this pilot version has surfaced outside of a single shot in the finalized aired version which seems to be have been reused from the pilot. When Thomas passes Knapford station, his model appears to be much more simplistic than the one used in the series, the main differences being the paint on his front splasher appearing to be missing the red lining, his side rods seeming more toy-like in appearance and his face being different compared to the one used. This is because the models of Thomas and Gordon were also different from that of the final series. The models used, including the wheels, were scratch-built by Martin Gill and were more simplistic in appearance. They were made of plastic and not brass, The models of Annie and Clarabel were based on kits from the Tenmillie, with little vac-formed faces. They were never tested before being filmed in front of the camera and proved to be unreliable. For example, the pilot model's chassis' performed so poorly that the models had to be pulled along with fishing wire. Another example is the models were equipped with a smoke generator based on a 12V car cigarette lighter, with conventional studio smoke-machine oil dripped on the hot element before each shot – but the heat proved to be sufficient to warp the ABS and Perspex of the engine bodies, so they could not be used for any length of time. A swift charging before a shot allowed a rather feeble smoke effect that sometimes emanated from gaps behind the eyes or at the side of the face plug. The eye mechanisms were improved considerably for the actual series. During the pilot, they snagged repeatedly, smoke came out around them, and they were constantly being modified. Often, the eyes were set and locked in a particular direction. It was not unheard of for the static from the power coupling on the track to affect the servos and make the eyes suddenly veer wildly off.<ref>https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GJuGNLzuplwavMUSDJtITN20oMp8bXGdrXqLRqQQiXQ/edit</ref> Images of the pilot version of Gordon, by model maker Christopher Noulton, can be seen in an interview by Sodor Island Fansite.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120513082313/http://www.sodor-island.net/episodeguide/chrisnoulton.html Archived Sodor Island Fansite interview of Christopher Noulton.] Retrieved 19 Jan '20</ref> <ref>https://twitter.com/clickclacktrack/status/1344726476923387905</ref> According to Britt Alcrott the pilot was a showcase of how the story will be told because the rights were already bought.
-Images of the pilot version of Gordon, by model maker Christopher Noulton, can be seen in an interview by Sodor Island Fansite.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120513082313/http://www.sodor-island.net/episodeguide/chrisnoulton.html Archived Sodor Island Fansite interview of Christopher Noulton.] Retrieved 19 Jan '20</ref> The pilot model of Gordon was apparently revamped for use as a standby model in the second season of ''Thomas & Friends''. Eventually, however, it was dismantled and used as engine scrap set dressing.
+==Availability==
+The pilot was never publicly released, only appearing in test screenings. After the Down the Mine “pilot” was test screened in April 1983, it was later handed to Rick Siggelkow in the late 1980s. He showed it to his wife and a preschool, with the results being positive, launching Shining Time Station, with Siggelkow being the show’s co-creator.<ref>https://twitter.com/clickclacktrack/status/1346505892460576768</ref> is believed that Rick Siggelkow is no longer in possession of the pilot, as he says he turned in all his Thomas the Tank Engine and Shining Time Station master tapes to Mattel. This likely means that the Down the Mine “pilot” is with Mattel. TomsProps, a user who has had multiple contact with crew members on the TV Series, has stated according to them, the pilot models' body's would later go on to being reused in the Series 1.<ref>https://twitter.com/TomsProps/status/1367174251783090194</ref>After the first series was approved for production, the models were refurbished with Gordon's done by model maker Christopher Noulton featuring reapplied paint and pinstriping, both would be later fitted with a new chassis made by Märklin, the BR 78 and 55 respectively, which proved to be much more reliable than the previous scratch built ones, new smoke mechanisms were also built by model maker Tim Staffell. For Gordon, the front bogie of the BR 78 had to be shortened to fit the bodyshell and in order to have enough parts for the other engines and Gordon himself his front bogie was made of two front halves of the original Märklin bogie, the back half of one was used for his trailing wheel and the other back half was used as the leading pony truck for James. After these modifications, the inner sides of the cylinders had to be cut to allow the shortened bogie to navigate curves without issue. The tender wheels and frame were sourced from a BR 38 tender. It is currently unknown whether or not a complete BR 38 was acquired as parts from just the tender have been identified. The bodyshell was also modified with the front buffer beam moved higher up to match the other rolling stock and accommodate the new chassis, and smokebox and boiler saddles added to be able to fit and hide the new larger chassis. The model was also fitted with lamp irons which were made from brass railing stanchions sold by EMA Models. Thomas' model just gained lamp irons, also sourced from Märklin locomotives. Additionally, it also gained a removable boiler dome piece where the smoke unit hole was located. According to leaked emails between Nick Starwind and Ian McCue the franchise's current Producer, writer, television executive and even voice actor for some characters, the pilot does in fact currently reside with Mattel and there are plans for a remaster for the franchise's 80th anniversary. Gordon's model used in the pilot (later reused as his main model in Series 1-9 and as a stunt double in S10-11) has been frequently displayed at an event called "The Clearwater Event" throughout 2021-2022 and is likely to be displayed again in the future. The large-scale figures of the Driver and Fireman and head of Sir Topham Hatt possibly used in the pilot are also currently owned by Twitter user FlyingPringle, they were formerly owned by former model maker on the TV Series, Johnathan Saville. In 2022, the dialogue and visual for the pilot would be leaked. A production packet for the pilot and first season of the TV Series can be viewed on [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1v46pp-Cy7nAmE-9oj084DLJGf3Zagu4O Google Drive.] interestingly the production packet specifies the pilot was to be narrated by Ringo Starr, this either means Britt's statement was correct or that it was planned but due to budget reasons the pilot was narrated by someone else.
+In 2023, several screenshots were gathered from people with specific connections stating that "multiple clips exist" from the pilot, due to the copy Mattel owns, being privately screened at certain events with recordings of those screenings being distributed privately to select people. Apparently the reason being is due to while the copy is restored, Mattel want to wait until the 80th anniversary to release it publicly. <ref>https://twitter.com/Mike_the_Mike07/status/1590841572845027331</ref>
 ==Gallery==
-{{Video|perrow  =1
+===Scripts===
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
+File:DTMPilotScript1.jpeg|Dialogue script (1/3).
+File:DTMPilotScript2.jpeg|Dialogue script (2/3).
+File:DTMPilotScript3.jpeg|Dialogue script (3/3).
+File:DTMPilotScriptVisual1.jpeg|Visual script (1/12).
+File:DTMPilotScriptVisual2.jpeg|Visual script (2/12).
+File:DTMPilotScriptVisual3.jpeg|Visual script (3/12).
+File:DTMPilotScriptVisual4.jpeg|Visual script (4/12).
+File:DTMPilotScriptVisual5.jpeg|Visual script (5/12).
+File:DTMPilotScriptVisual6.jpeg|Visual script (6/12).
+File:DTMPilotScriptVisual7.jpeg|Visual script (6/12) (duplicated).
+File:DTMPilotScriptVisual8.jpeg|Visual script (8/12).
+File:DTMPilotScriptVisual9.jpeg|Visual script (10/12).
+File:DTMPilotScriptVisual10.jpeg|Visual script (11/12).
+File:DTMPilotScriptVisual11.jpeg|Visual script (12/12).
+File:DTMPilotPropRequirementsList1.jpeg|Prop requirement list (1/4).
+File:DTMPilotPropRequirementsList2.jpeg|Prop requirement list (2/4).
+File:DTMPilotPropRequirementsList3.jpeg|Prop requirement list (3/4).
+File:DTMPilotPropRequirementsList4.jpeg|Prop requirement list (4/4).
+</gallery>
+===Concept Art===
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="120">
+File:KnapfordStationConceptArt (1).jpg|The track plan for the Knapford station set
+File:KnapfordStationConceptArt2 (1).jpg
+File:KnapfordSignalGantry (1) (1).jpg
+File:KnapfordStationConceptArt3.jpg
+File:LowerTidmouthStationConceptArt (1) (1).jpg|Lower Tidmouth concept art
+File:SignalBoxConceptArt (1) (1).jpg|Concept art for a signalbox
+File:ThomasatKnapfordConceptArt (1) (1).jpg|Story sketch
+</gallery>
+===Model Making And Props===
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="120">
+File:Gordon'sPilotModel.PNG (1).jpg|Gordon's pilot model after shooting (courtesy of Christopher Noulton).
+File:Gordon'sPilotModel2.JPG (1).jpg
+File:Gordon'sPilotModelCab.JPG (1).jpg
+File:Season1SignalboxBehindtheScenes (1).jpg|A signal box.
+File:SmallScaleDriver (1).jpg|A small scale driver figure.
+File:GordonOriginalModeInl2021.jpg|Gordon's pilot model in post rebuild Series 1 condition, on display in 2021.
+File:GordonPerspex2022.jpg|Gordon on display in 2022.
+File:PilotSirTophamHatt.jpg|Sir Topham Hatt's close up pilot head as owned by Twitter user FlyingPringle.
+File:Series1DriverandFiremanCloseUpProps.jpg|The Driver and Fireman close up figures as owned by Twitter user FlyingPringle.
+File:Series1Close-UpHumanPropsBeforeRestoration.jpg|The figures as previously owned by former model maker on the TV Series Johnathan Saville,
+</gallery>
+===Likely Reused Footage===
+<gallery mode="packed" heights="120">
+File:DowntheMine40 (1).jpg|(Note: the shot is referenced in the visual script).
+File:ThomasandGordon13 (1).jpg|Note: Thomas' whistle is different to the one used in the first series).
+File:ThomasandBertie20 (1).jpg|(Note: Same as last time, but this time the whistle is shown letting off steam as described in the filming script).
+File:DowntheMine33 (1).jpg|(Note: The Fat Controller's model is different to the one used in the first series).
+File:DowntheMine39 (1).jpg
+File:DowntheMine41 (1).jpg
+File:DowntheMine13 (1).jpg|(Note: The signal box changes to the one used in the pilot, and Annie gains black outlines around her eyes) .
+</gallery>
+===Videos===
+{{Video|perrow  =3
    |service1     =youtube
-   |id1          =25gT4wZzBCY
+   |id1          =YmFrgs6NT0w
    |description1 =Footage of the pilot from the broadcast version of the episode.
+  |service2     =youtube
+  |id2          =l0QDKzaEMYY
+  |description2 =SewerReviewer's video on the subject.
+  |service3     =youtube
+  |id3          =foPFm5OrS7I
+  |description3 =Scribbles to Screen's video mentioning the "Down the Mine" pilot (5:41-9:00).
 }}
-==Reference==
+==See Also==
+===Thomas & Friends===
+*[[Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go (partially found test animation of reboot of British children TV series; 2019)]]
+*[[Thomas & Friends: Day of the Diesels (lost original cut of direct-to-DVD film; existence unconfirmed; 2011)]]
+*[[Thomas & Friends "Jack Jumps In" (found Alec Baldwin narration of British children's TV series episode; 2002)]]
+*[[Thomas & Friends "Series 7" (partially found original music of British children's TV series American dub; mid-2000s)]]
+*[[Thomas & Friends "Series 12" (partially found Pierce Brosnan narrations of British children's animated series; 2008)]]
+===Thomas the Tank Engine===
+*[[Thomas the Tank Engine (lost pilot episode of unproduced 2D animated adaptation of "The Railway Series" books; 1976)]]
+*[[Thomas the Tank Engine "The Missing Coach" (partially found footage from cancelled British children's TV series episode; 1986)]]
+*[[Thomas the Tank Engine "Season 3" (found original Michael Angelis narrations of British children's TV series episodes; 1991)]]
+*[[Thomas the Tank Engine "Season 4" (found pre-recorded version of British children's TV series episodes; 1994)]]
+*[[Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (partially lost deleted scenes of British children's TV series; 1984-2021)]]
+===Other===
+*[[The Adventures of Thomas (partially found production material of cancelled "Thomas the Tank Engine" live-action film; early-mid 2010s)]]
+*[[Barry the Rescue Engine (lost production material of cancelled "The Railway Series" book; 1980s)]]
+*[[Jack and the Sodor Construction Company (partially lost episodes and production material of cancelled spin-off series; 2002)]]
+*[[Storytime with Thomas (partially found Fox Family series; 1999-2000)]]
+*[[The Thomas & Friends Institute of Innovation (partially found informational short film; 2013-2014)]]
+*[[Thomas and the Magic Railroad (found deleted scenes of children's fantasy adventure film; 2000)]]
+*[[Thomas and the Magic Railroad (lost test footage of 3.5" character models for British children's TV series; 1995)]]
+*[[Thomas and the U.K. Trip & Thomas Number 1 (found Japanese "Thomas the Tank Engine" crossover TV special and music video; 1991)]]
+*[[Thomas the Tank Engine (found original illustrated edition of book; 1946)]]
+*[[Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (found build of cancelled NES port of educational game; 1993)]]
+*[[Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends (lost build of cancelled PlayStation educational game; 1999)]]
+*[[The Three Railway Engines (lost live BBC broadcast adaptation of "The Railway Series" books; 1953)]]
+*[[The Three Railway Engines (found original edition of book; 1945)]]
+==External Links==
+*[https://ttte.fandom.com/wiki/Down_the_Mine_(Unaired_Pilot) A ''Thomas the Tank Engine'' FANDOM page on the pitch pilot.]
+*[https://twitter.com/TomsProps/status/1367174251783090194 TomsProps' Tweet on the pilot models' fate.]
+==References==
 {{reflist}}
 [[Category:Lost TV]]
 [[Category:Partially found media]]
+<no-comment-streams />