Nice commercial. Anything to do with a train in the commercial is a bonus for the hobby. Thanks for posting.
laz57
Frank53 and others I originally got this clip but hadn't gotten time to forward as it had been forward about 100 times prior to getting but from the best I could tell it originated with the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc So I'm thinking they had something to do with the making of it. It was titled Steam locomotive recreates classic coca-cola commercial You can read more of the making of this commercial/clip here http://fortwaynerailroad.org/travel-refreshed/ just to get the fact behind this
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
dbaker48Initially, when I saw it, I was thinking it would be neat to see on TV, but its a bit long. Then I noticed the credits at the end, and that seemed odd. Then Frank 53 made his post. I learned a lot from what he wrote and described, but the truth of it did take some of the magic away. I didn't want to go back and watch it then watch it again and again to verify everything he said. It still is a very good work, and I believe Frank even said that. Just guess this argument is over my head, I just enjoy the simplicity and photography portrayed. Don't see where it needs to become an item to feud about.
Don:
Because I work in this industry, (not at the Coca-Cola level) I saw the video in a different light, and truth be told, I had no intent of throwing cold water on it. I read the posts on the topic and saw several references to what a great job Coke did on this commercial. In hindsight, I probably should have let that just go. Instead I made the statement "It's not a coke commercial and it wasn't produced by coke" Shame on me. But both of those statements are true and I knew it because I had read about it elsewhere.
It could have just died right there. After a day or so, I revisited the thread and find the usual bulletin board snarkiness "Well who made it Pepsi???"
Maybe some folks just can't keep their fingers off that darn keyboard. Well of course it wasn't made by Pepsi - but LOL and OMG and Hardy Har Har - wasn't I clever by saying that. Get in line to pat me on the back boys. I showed that interloper a thing or two, didn't I?
Nonetheless, I went through the whole thing - and I thought in a polite and gentlemanly fashion.
Instead of just letting it go, more overly clever responses. I mean how dare anyone not just embrace this as the most bestest thing ever?
I think based on what I wrote and what was retrieved from the Historical Society website it was not a coke commercial and it was not produced by Coke. Yet when I revisit the thread, there's more chain pulling "Well after reviewing all the responses I think it's the greatest coke commercial ever" or something along those lines. Good for that guy - I'm sure 100 emails went into that response. And of course another guy has to go into chapter and verse about how an old commercial may not have had people attired correctly or whatever.
It's what folks do - a disparate opinion or a presentation of additional information which might burst the bubble somewhat - now matter how politely and respectfully put forth MUST be the advancement of some ulterior agenda. We must all be united - "That's great!" "That's wonderful" and everyone must fall in line.
Personally, I welcome learning something new, or getting a different perspective. It's the opportunity you get when a bunch of different people with different views land in one place to discuss. Unfortunately, in this venue, if you don't march to the same drum as the well established hierarchy you're a target - no matter how politely or respectfully you try to treat people.
Like I said in a previous response - somethings never change.
I agree with you 100%, Don.
It takes all the fun out of it when you pick it apart.
Chuck
No matter how big the hassle gets, I still think it is a great spot. Hope the people that created it feel they were successful.
Initially, when I saw it, I was thinking it would be neat to see on TV, but its a bit long. Then I noticed the credits at the end, and that seemed odd. Then Frank 53 made his post. I learned a lot from what he wrote and described, but the truth of it did take some of the magic away. I didn't want to go back and watch it then watch it again and again to verify everything he said. It still is a very good work, and I believe Frank even said that. Just guess this argument is over my head, I just enjoy the simplicity and photography portrayed. Don't see where it needs to become an item to feud about.
Don
Dave632 Wow. Since when does a commercial have to be realistic or be period correct. If I were a Coke representative I would surely cut this down to a 30 second spot and use it. It is so superior to other commercials out there. I remember the, "I'd like to teach the world to sing", commercial which is still a great memory to me and it had nothing to do with a steam locomotive. I wonder if they had the right clothes on to sing in Italy???
Wow.
Since when does a commercial have to be realistic or be period correct.
If I were a Coke representative I would surely cut this down to a 30 second spot
and use it. It is so superior to other commercials out there.
I remember the, "I'd like to teach the world to sing", commercial which is still a great memory
to me and it had nothing to do with a steam locomotive.
I wonder if they had the right clothes on to sing in Italy???
I don't expect you or anyone to agree with me. I did however present a bit of an inside view of the circumstances (and the issues) surrounding the video in response to your first snarky comment about "Who did it Pepsi??" and tried to be a gentleman about it.
I get the fact you're trying to be all clever and all, and I'm sure you sat back from your keyboard all satisfied with yourself. I'll bet a coupon for a free refill is waiting for you at the pot.
Some things never change.
Now everybody gather up and send in your emails complaining about this post.
Since when does a commercial have to be realistic or be period correct...
ENJOY!!!!
Blueberryhill RR Well...........I have read all the posts ( both positive and, of course, negative ) and loaded all the information into my super-duper mind and come to the ultimate conclusion............ THAT WAS A REALLY NEAT COKE COMMERCIAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chuck
Well...........I have read all the posts ( both positive and, of course, negative ) and loaded all the information into my super-duper mind and come to the ultimate conclusion............
THAT WAS A REALLY NEAT COKE COMMERCIAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chuck,
Upon reviewing your analysis, I just don't know HOW anyone could disagree! I support you a 100% on your conclusion. Great to be in such Super Duper skills!! I'm impressed!
When you read the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society's commentary, they agree it is not a real commercial.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Refreshed represents an era when the railroad was the country’s icon of industry and innovation; ubiquitous in advertisements as much as they were in daily life as they quarterbacked an entire economy through the Great Depression, two wars, and into the present day.
Like many companies during the railroad’s golden era, Coca-Cola often used railroad iconography in their advertising.
Travel Refreshed is what is called a speculative or “spec” project — which is to say, it’s not a real commercial. It’s a platform for an idea that this machine is capable of more than what her creators in 1944 intended. She is our goodwill ambassador and we’d welcome support from a corporate sponsor to help share the magic of this machine even further.
Sit back and listen for the whistle through your bedroom window and enjoy like so many still do, not only a pause that refreshes, but one that inspires.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Your analysis/information seemed spot on, no disagreement. Still fun to believe is Santa Claus though, LOL
dbaker48 Frank, Do you believe in The Grench? I still like the spot!!
Frank,
Do you believe in The Grench? I still like the spot!!
I liked it too, but I also recognize it didn't make sense. Doesn't mean I would set Santa on fire, just means I looked at it from an overall perspective instead of just being intoxicated by the fact there is a steam engine in it.
dbaker48 Sure don"t see this quality of a commercial very often, Similarity ?? must be the overalls and glasses.
Sure don"t see this quality of a commercial very often, Similarity ?? must be the overalls and glasses.
The hair and the smile too.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Dave632 Frank53 Dave632I salute Coke for that commercial. It's not a Coke commercial and wasn't produced by Coke. ???? What do you mean???? Who made it for them Pepsi??
Frank53 Dave632I salute Coke for that commercial. It's not a Coke commercial and wasn't produced by Coke.
Dave632I salute Coke for that commercial.
It's not a Coke commercial and wasn't produced by Coke.
It's a "spec" project made by an individual who is close to the 765 project who has a video production company. It wasn't made by Coca-Cola and it's not a Coke "ad" so to speak. It is a very nicely made video production by an independent, but flawed in a number of ways. It is way too long to be a commercial, and frankly, the premise doesn't make much sense.
People congregate at a station in winter to await the arrival of the train. Nice thought, looks good, tugs at our nostalgia. The stary-eyed girl is attractive as she gasps at the arrival of the Majestic 765. We might expect the people are anxiously awaiting the arrival of friends and family for the holidays to their little town in Anywhere USA. Or maybe the return of loved ones from military service.
Instead they are all anxiously awaiting a bottle of Coca-Cola in a long out of date bottle, from a long out of date wooden crate. We are tempted to believe it is a time gone by, but the Lionel engine the youngster is playing with in the beginning is a 250 or 249 - issued in 1957, while the pick up truck at the station appears to be circa 1930. The old lamp in the youngsters room also makes you think it is the 1930's or so, until you get the the modern era wall coverings and the next time you can slide two pieces of tubular track together as easily as shown will most definitely be the first.
The people hear the 765 arriving and the arrival footage and lighting is very very well done. The blonde hired woman who opens the door is wearing a modern, K-Mart polyester blouse and the hefty fellow in shirt and tie looks like he walked out of a Target catalog, but they plopped a 30's era hat on him.
The conductor removes the case of non twist off bottles, and I don't think there were twist off bottles in the time period we are expected to believe. In a wooden crate without dividers and people are magically drinking coke.
The engineer emerges and smiles a satisfying grin he has quenched the thirst of SmallVille or wherever and then the youngster standing there with his Lionel 250 is somehow in awe of approaching the larger than life figure and the tension is eased as he hands the young boy a coke "Mean Joe Green" style.
Just so I don't get sent to death row here - It was very very well filmed and edited and kind of haphazardly conceived. The slogan at the end "Travel Refreshed" made no sense, since the train arriving was a freight train as evidenced by the tanker behind the tender in the arrival scene - no one is traveling. The people aren't there to board the train, they're there for a Coke. The image of the young child having a Coke poured down his throat by the young mother in out of period attire was kind of disturbing.
A bunch of folks had an idea and worked way too hard to try and make a square peg fit into a round hole. Well - we need some Polar Express kind of Jazz, and we need it to have an old feel, and we like the Mean Joe Green angle and we need a tag line and travel refreshed seems good - even if it isn't a passenger train.
In most things, and certainly in advertising - form should follow function. In this case function is most defiantly following form. It plays well to folks like us with an interest in trains and we want it to be great and seen by hundreds of millions, but as nice as the footage and intent are, it's still kind of pointless.
Since it is a "spec" project - this is done at the risk of the producer with no promise of payment. You make up a project and send it to someone you want business from and hope they like it enough to pursue a relationship with you. A spec project rarely gets used as is, but it might spur the process and result in Coke bankrolling a similar ad using their writers who might conceive something more on target using the great train footage.
If it's not a commercial than what is it? The only thing I can think of is possibly a short film made for showing at a food and beverage industry trade show, say as part of a Coca-Cola company display or pavilion. I mean, Coca-Cola certainly gets a heck of a lot of exposure in the film!
fifedog Nice ad. Instead of wanting a Coke, I find myself wanting a Williams NKP 765...
Nice ad. Instead of wanting a Coke, I find myself wanting a Williams NKP 765...
Me too!!
That was wonderful! Reminded me of I think it was around the Lionel centennial, Coke did some repro cans that had Santa running what appeared to be standard gauage or pre war o gauge trains
sir james I Nice. I wonder if it could be edited for a 30 second Super bowl commercial. Bet it would be a hit.
Nice. I wonder if it could be edited for a 30 second Super bowl commercial. Bet it would be a hit.
I was wondering the same thing. A three-minute commercial is a bit much for normal broadcast TV, I'm wondering where and when Coke would play it.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
This has the distinction of being one that I would happily watch again, when I can usually stand them only once or even change the channel immediately. I think less than ten are in that category. I also appreciated the nod to the society at the end. Beautifully done. Long live the 765!
GLORIOUS!
Let me tell you, you can say "diesel-diesel-diesel" all you like, but STEAM RULES! It'll always rule in the hearts, minds, and imaginations of people everywhere.
Let's see Pepsi top this one!
PS: I was expecting a homecoming GI to get off the train! Sure fooled me! Just as well he didn't, I'd have broken down and cried!
Boy, that was well done. Like a mini-movie. I think I have that ad on a billboard somewhere!
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Good evening all,
Wow!
Mike C. from Indiana
Very nice. Thanks for sharing that one.
The haunting sound of an old steam whistle. A great looking and sounding old train.
I salute Coke for that commercial. I flip the channel for almost every commercial, that one I would watch.
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