Did an Engineering firm, based in Daventry predict the John Lewis Christmas advert character before the John Lewis Christmas advert was released? #underthebed #released9thnov #steamtractionworld

Well Tweedily deedily dee it's time for some more festive fun with miniature steam engineers, Steam Traction World. Each year, around Christmas time, to say thank you for the continued support of customers, friends and family, Steam Traction World offer a uniquely original, some may say masterpiece (most will not), yuletide yarn for your enjoyment. This year is no exception with some familiar faces returning to your screens.

 Deedily diddy Dave returns after a triumphant introduction last year and, after whole 12 months of singing lessons for this time around, brings some of his old friends: Bear, Hare, Carrot, Coalaff (a slightly similar-looking character to a Frozen favourite*) and the staff at Steam Traction World. This year has everything (sadly the kitchen sink did not make the final edit): steam, music, singing, dancing, steam, lights, steam (did we mention steam?) and a few slapstick jokes too. No characters were seriously hurt, although Dean did pull a muscle trying the splits. We didn't ever ask Dean to do the splits! So fetch a cuppa, a sherry or simply your favourite tipple, sit back and (hopefully) enjoy "Build a Burrell" from Steam Traction World.

Please share on social media, comment on YouTube below and get involved to see if "Build a Burrell" can be the best ever Steam Traction World film. Tweedily deedily dee, tweet, tweet (and Facebook) Merry Christmas!! #buildaburrell #steamtractionworld #JohnLewisChristmas 

Things we have learnt from this. 
It would have been quicker to teach Dean and Steve to actually dance than to animate this. Lip syncing is quite difficult - and certainly takes a long time too. Don't ever give Coalaff a warm hug. It will only go two ways. If he is cold, you'll get covered in soot. If he is hot, you will get burnt. He is also incredibly annoying either way. We are better off as engineers and makers of the finest miniature Steam Engine kits. From your feedback, you do enjoy our festive films - we are really pleased for that. Give us a Thumbs Up (Youtube) is you like this years. Thank you. *Coalaff is made from Coal. For legal reasons he is not based on any other character from any other film and any similarities are purely coincidental. Dave (Number 2) is not the Dave from Sainsbury's Christmas advert last year, or the Carrot was never from the Aldi offering again, possibly from last year. Bear and the Hare were however, blatantly half-inched from the John Lewis Christmas advert from a couple of years ago - only because we love the John Lewis adverts though. So much so we had to squeeze #UnderTheBed in this year - we launched our Christmas advert before John Lewis for 2017! Please do not sue. We do actually have an awesome creative idea for a future John Lewis Christmas advert, we'd charge you 50% less than you've just paid for your 2017 advert. Get in touch. Never Knowingly Undersold.

Steam Traction World

Fairy Tale - the results

The film was particularly well liked with a number of people commenting it was 'the best yet.' It certainly was the most demanding project to date as we produced, from scratch, every single element that you see on screen.

Diddy Dave - Diddy Do It?

The Figures.
Steam Traction World's Fairytale of Alvis broke a number of records:

48,194 People reached on Facebook. Over 19,000 views on Facebook
63 shares, 135 likes. (FB direct link)

30,712 People reached on Facebook
74 shares, 171 likes. (Link to YouTube)

During December 93,890 people were 'reached' by Steam Traction World via the Fairytale of Alvis Way film and the associated posts and updated.

YouTube
6,647 views
450 'Thumbs' up. 0 'Thumbs' down
100% 'Thumbs' up

(All Figures collated 5th Jan, 2017)

In addition to individuals, the film was shared by a record number of companies and groups on their own Facebook pages. The list included: The Shuttleworth Collection, Great Dorset Steam Fair, Old Glory, Ulster Vintage, Roxby Heritage Weekend, Steam & Rally Events, Australian Model Engineering Magazine, K&L Model Railways, Vintage Enthusiasts Worldwide, Steam Car Club GB, Steam Engine Heaven, Nottingham Industrial Museum, Hire Steam, Logs & Maintenance.

Facebook Likes:
November 28, 2016 - 3,072
January 5, 2017 - 3,181

Watched in:
United Kingdom, United States of America, Philippines, Australia, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, Germany, Canada, France, India, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Brazil, Portugal, Pakistan, Austria, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina, Czech Republic, Turkey, Indonesia, Finland, Japan, Denmark, Hong Kong, Egypt, Russia, Thailand, China, United Arab Emirates, Romania, Greece, Malta, Norway, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Hungary.
(In order of most watched)

Your Comments:
"I love it! It's charming. I love steam and a good animation." Claire Dunning
"It's great, isn't it - very 'Smallfilms' in feel." Paul Edwards
"Fabulous! I love a traction engine! It's in the blood!" Angela Smyth

The best Chrismas ad of 2016. (Ahem), Might appeal slightly more to people who like steam engines, sheds, model-making and that sort of thing. Up with that sort of thing! (sort of Ivor The Engine style animation, too. Up with that sort of thing, too).

"Just watched the Xmas video - I just don't know where you find such creativity and talent, I hope you can afford the singers!!"
Paul Hawkins

"It is great, well done xx." Jane Perryman
"Love it thats brilliant." Lloyd Harrison
"Best one yet." Steve Hull
"Geweldig mooi" (Amazing beautiful) Jan van der Woude
"Absolutely, brilliantly funny. Well done!" Mike King
"Good work :)" Thomas Doherty
"That's great" Gareth Johnston
"Luv it. Very clever :-))"
"Brilliant. Thank you." Marian Dolphin

Steam Traction World Christmas 2016

Launch day: 24th November 2016. EXCLUSIVE
Here it is folks - it's the annual Steam Traction World Christmas film.

It's December 24th and there is a very special delivery en-route from Steam Traction World to the hero - Dave. It's the very last delivery of his...oh, we won't spoil it for you, we'll let you watch it for yourself.

As fans of Christmas adverts - you may notice a couple of special characters from this years seasonal offerings, see if you can spot them. Plus a couple of characters from our previous festive films Bear, Hare and Coalaff, the loveable, friendly fella from Frozen, er we mean Brazen, made from Coal; and who knows Dean and Steve may also appear again this year!

We'd love this years film to break the 'viewing' count record currently held by Bear and the Hare, from a couple of years ago, their John Lewis. Let's see how close they can get.

Let them know what you think in the comments on Youtube or over on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/steamtractionworld

#DiddyDave #KevintheCarrot #JohnLewisChristmas #SainsburysDave #SteamTractionWorldChristmas #TheFairyTaleofAlvisWay

The previous films can be seen here:
Piling on the Calories (2015) https://youtu.be/FIUJeMQFliU
Brazen 'Do you want to build a Showmans?' (2014) https://youtu.be/pWxC25XPXCs
(8,375 views)
Bear and the Hare (2013) https://youtu.be/KnyGkMTwcgM (8,719 views)

Steam Traction World Set to Re-release the Lykamobile Steamer

Lykamobile Steamer

NOW AVAILABLE for you TO BUILD!
The Lykamobile Steamer - Series 2 from Steam Traction World

A series of self assembly kits at the rate of one kit per month over a twenty four month period.
The Lykamobile (pronounced 'Lie-ka') is a full sized Steamer based on the original Locomobile of 1898 - updated, utilising modern materials, machining and components. We have introduced practicalities too, such as disc brakes and modern, treaded tyres. The modified 3 stroke Hackworth valve gear offers forward and reverse and the Ackerman design tiller offers responsive steering.
The Original Lykmobile Steamer (Series 1) proved to be very popular with sixty five selling worldwide. The Lykamobile has been 'out of production' with a 5 year break in manufacturing and is, only now, being re-introduced due to customer requests. This brand new batch will be limited to only thirty across the globe with production starting in July 2016 - or sooner once ten confirmed orders are achieved.

We drove our Series 1 Lykamobile from John O Groats to Lands End - to prove the build quality, reliability and raise heaps of cash for charity too!
The Lykmobile Steamer Series 2 will have a number of improvements - This will include much ‘beefier’ valve gear (beefier is a technical term!), valve gear running on bearings, use of oil impregnated bushes throughout and stronger leaf springs. We are also considering changing the electrical water managing system gauge system and redesigning the boiler so it is more like a Stanley Steam Car.

Lyka a Lot.
An Early Bird discount is available currently. To qualify for this offer simply be one of the first ten customers to secure one of this batch and you will save £1,756 on the advertised list price. So far 7 deposits have been received in the last week.
Further pricing as follows.
Deposit: £823 (normally £995)
Kits 1 - 24: £549 (normally £615)
Total price: £13,999 (normally £15755 saving £1,756)

All we are asking at this moment in time is a holding deposit of £195. This then secures the special offer price for you. The balance of the deposit payment of £628 will only be required when we confirm we have received ten firm orders and issue you with a commence date. We are estimating starting production around July.
All the above prices include VAT at 20% but excludes delivery. Please contact me for international costs and a shipping estimate if relevant.

Size:
Length: 2.2m * Height: 1.6m * Width: 1.4m * Weight: 410kg

A bit more info.
All our products are uniquely designed to be assembled using hand tools only, such as spanners, files, Allen keys etc. Electric tools like hand drills or hand grinders assist with speeding up the build process and cleaning up of the parts up but are not necessary. No machinery should be required as each kit comes fully machined and requires de-burring, hand finishing, assembling and painting in your choice of livery. All our boilers come fully assembled and hydraulically tested and come complete with CE mark to full European standards. Detailed and comprehensive assembly instructions and Isometric drawings are supplied with every kit plus we also offer a full telephone and email support service to all our customers. We are located in the UK - check out our Facebook page (or website) for more details.
‪#‎KitBuild‬ ‪#‎SteamCar‬ ‪#‎BuilditYourself‬ ‪#‎Lykamobile‬ ‪#‎ILykaaLot‬

Go on 'Lyka' this post and the Steam Traction World Facebook page!

The One Show(mans)

It was great to see Steam Traction World mentioned on the One Show Friday (16th January) featuring Colin Alexanders stunning 4 inch Scenic Showmans DCC.

With Professor Brian Cox having a ride and host Chris Evans describing it as "absolutely beautiful," Colin squeezed in a namedrop for Steam Traction World - so it's really hats off to him!

John Lewis Bear and the Hare advert spoof

Following on from the past two hugely successful christmas advert campaigns by John Lewis, this year seems to have continued in the same style with The Bear and the Hare.

One firm, Steam Traction World have produced their own 'spoof' version and at a reported fraction of the £1m bill it cost John Lewis to produce their advert (plus a further £7m to air it!)

Bear and the Hare - the Spoof is proving (almost!) equally appealing. Take a look and let us know what you think!

Or head on over the Steam Traction World's Facebook page and leave a comment there.

Featured Website - Steam Traction World

With the Website Design by Nick Price Creatives Steam Traction World offer fully machined model kits

Here's what Steam Traction World have to say:

"We manufacture a superb range of fully machined, large scale models in kit form, ready for you to do the final assembly, paint and add your own personal touch to 'make it your own'. We all have a fixed amount of time. Our goal is to provide you with a product that would otherwise take years to produce from scratch. In other words we are selling time. Time that will enable you to have fun with your product rather than spending thousands of hours in the workshop with the possibility that you may never see a completed project.

All Steam Traction World parts supplied are fully machined ready for assembly after final de-burring, sanding and paint. Most models may be purchased over a fixed period of time with kits arriving at regular intervals to enable the customer to 'build as he/she buys'.

Building and painting your model is a significant accomplishment, a source of pride for years to come. It could be regarded as an heirloom to be passed on to future generations."

NPC