The Brave Locomotive is one of the greatest animated short films I have ever seen. For a project created by such a small team, the level of quality is genuinely astonishing. The film’s art style captures the look and feel of 1940s post war animation, with fluid and realistic character movements that reminded me of Cuphead. Every frame feels carefully crafted, and it is easy to see the passion that went into bringing this seven minute masterpiece to life.
The film’s quality has not gone unnoticed either, earning numerous awards including Best Animation at the UK Film Awards, Best Animation at the LA Short Film Festival, Best Animated Short Film at the International Thai Film Festival, and Best Animated Film at the ARPA International Film Festival. These are only a few of the accolades it has received, proving that audiences and critics alike recognise the incredible achievement behind this short film.
What makes the project even more impressive is the amount of dedication that went into its creation. Production took over fifteen years, with creator Andrew Chesworth first developing the idea in 2008 and some of the music recordings dating back to 2009. That level of commitment can be felt throughout the finished product.
The film also features a memorable cast of characters. At the centre of the story is Linus, the small blue steam engine known as the “Brave Locomotive.” Alongside him is his loyal best friend, Henry McCloud, while Samson serves as the larger replacement engine. Completing the cast is the wealthy and aristocratic new owner of the Trailway Railroad, whose decisions drive much of the conflict within the story.
What we will be reviewing
In this review, I will be taking a detailed look at every aspect of The Brave Locomotive, including:
- The Story
- The Animation
- The Characters
- The Sound and Music
- The Target Audience
So, does this award winning labour of love deserve all the praise it receives? Let’s find out.
The Story
The story follows Linus, a small blue steam locomotive who works on the Trailway Railroad alongside his engineer and best friend, Henry McCloud. The two spend their days carrying passengers through the mountains and into the small town of Colonnaville. Their friendship is at the heart of the film, and from the opening minutes you can see how much they care for each other.
However, things change when the railroad is purchased by the wealthy Baron von Kapital. Wanting to modernise the railway and make it faster and more profitable, he introduces a brand new locomotive named Samson. Samson is bigger, faster, stronger, and far more advanced than Linus. Before long, Linus finds himself replaced on passenger duties while Henry is assigned to work with the new engine instead.
This is where the film’s main theme begins to shine through. Beneath the songs, colourful animation, and talking trains is a story about change, progress, and the fear of being left behind. Linus suddenly finds himself pushed aside by a machine that can do his job better and faster. It is a surprisingly emotional idea for a seven minute animated short.
As Samson’s speed transforms the railroad and helps Colonnaville grow, it soon becomes clear that bigger is not always better. A new bridge built to keep up with the railroad’s expansion becomes the centre of the film’s biggest conflict, and before long disaster strikes. When lives are put at risk, Linus is faced with a choice: stay where he is, or help the very people who replaced him.
What follows is easily the strongest part of the film. Rather than making Linus bitter or angry, the story shows his courage and selflessness. Even after everything he has been through, he still rushes to help those in danger. It is this moment that gives the film its title and proves why Linus is known as “The Brave Locomotive.”
My thoughts
For such a short film, the pacing is excellent. The story never feels rushed, yet it also never wastes a second. Every scene serves a purpose, whether it is building the friendship between Linus and Henry, showing the arrival of Samson, or setting up the emotional climax. By the time the credits roll, it feels like you have watched a much larger story condensed into seven near perfect minutes.
What impressed me most is that the film manages to deliver a simple but powerful message. Progress is important, but so are loyalty, courage, and experience. Just because something is older does not mean it has lost its value. That message is something both children and adults can appreciate.
Overall, the story is wonderfully written. It is easy to follow for younger viewers while still containing enough depth for older audiences to think about. In only seven minutes, The Brave Locomotive tells a story that many feature length films would struggle to tell in ninety.
The Animation
If there is one area where The Brave Locomotive truly excels, it is the animation. It is honestly difficult to believe that this film was created by such a small team. Every frame feels as though it was crafted with genuine care and attention.
The film draws heavy inspiration from the golden age of American animation, particularly the work of Disney during the 1930s and 1940s. The locomotives move with weight and realism while still feeling expressive and alive. The animators clearly studied real steam engines, as every wheel, piston, and movement feels believable.
What impressed me most was the fluidity of the characters. Modern animation often focuses on being fast and flashy, but The Brave Locomotive takes a different approach. The movements are smooth, deliberate, and full of personality. It reminded me of the way Cuphead paid tribute to classic cartoons, except here the influence feels even more direct.
The backgrounds deserve praise as well. The mountain landscapes, railway stations, bridges, and countryside all look beautiful without distracting from the story. The lighting and colours help create a warm and nostalgic atmosphere that perfectly suits the film’s old fashioned setting.
Knowing that the project took over fifteen years to complete makes the quality even more impressive. There is not a single scene that feels rushed or unfinished.
Animation Score: 10/10
The Characters
For a film that lasts only seven minutes, the characters are surprisingly memorable.
Linus is a fantastic protagonist. He is easy to root for because he is not portrayed as perfect. He is small, outdated, and struggles to compete with newer technology, yet he never loses his kindness or determination. The audience immediately understands why he is called “The Brave Locomotive.”
Henry McCloud also plays an important role. Although he is not on screen as much as Linus, his friendship with the little engine helps ground the story emotionally. Their relationship feels genuine and gives the film much of its heart.
Samson could have easily been written as a villain, but thankfully the film avoids that trap. He represents progress rather than evil. He is simply a newer and more powerful locomotive doing the job he was designed to do. This makes the conflict feel more realistic and interesting.
Baron von Kapital is perhaps the closest thing the film has to an antagonist. He is ambitious and focused on profit, often overlooking the value of loyalty and experience. While he is not the deepest character ever written, he serves his purpose well and helps drive the story forward.
The fact that these characters leave such a strong impression after only seven minutes is a testament to the quality of the writing.
Character Score: 9/10
The Sound and Music
The soundtrack is another major strength of the film.
Many animated shorts treat music as little more than background noise, but The Brave Locomotive uses it to help tell the story. The songs feel inspired by the musical films and cartoons of the mid twentieth century, fitting perfectly with the visual style.
The orchestral score adds excitement during action scenes and emotion during quieter moments. It never feels overbearing, instead supporting the story exactly when needed.
The sound design is equally impressive. Steam whistles, pistons, wheels rolling across the rails, and the sounds of the railway all help bring the world to life. The filmmakers clearly understood that convincing sound is just as important as convincing animation.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing is that some of the music recordings date all the way back to 2009. The dedication required to keep a project alive for that long is genuinely admirable.
Sound Score: 9.5/10
Target Audience
At first glance, The Brave Locomotive may appear to be a film aimed entirely at children. After all, it is an animated short about talking about steam engines.
However, I think that would be underselling it.
Children will enjoy the colourful animation, memorable characters, and straightforward story, but adults will likely appreciate the themes even more. The film touches on change, technological progress, loyalty, friendship, and finding value in things that others consider outdated.
Anyone who enjoys classic animation, trains, or heartfelt storytelling will find something to appreciate here.
This is one of those rare films that can be enjoyed regardless of age.
Target Audience Score: 10/10
Final Verdict
There are many animated shorts that look good. There are many animated shorts that tell a decent story. Very few manage to excel at both while also leaving a lasting impression in under ten minutes.
The Brave Locomotive achieves exactly that.
The animation is stunning, the characters are memorable, the music is excellent, and the story delivers an emotional message without ever feeling forced. The fifteen years of hard work poured into this project are visible in every frame.
Is it perfect? Perhaps not. Some viewers may wish it were longer or that certain characters received more development. However, considering the film’s seven minute runtime, these are very minor criticisms.
This is a love letter to classic animation, steam railways, and timeless storytelling. It is the kind of short film that reminds you why animation is such a powerful medium in the first place.
Verdict: 9.6 / 10
A genuine animated masterpiece that deserves every award it has received.
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