Living with Steam
Living with Steam
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The Niagara Frontier Chapter National Railway Historical Society Film Collection, Vol 1 -1938-1941
In May of 1995, I was hosting John M. Prophet at my home for one of our weekly visits where we'd talk trains and drink coffee. I had called Jim Van Brocklin, another good friend and fellow NRHS member to see if he wanted to join John and I for some fellowship. Like John, Jim was a very dedicated railfan, shooting dozens of films and making sound recordings. Jim was also the custodian of the film collection of the NFCNRHS. When Jim arrived at my home, he had with him several films from the collection for John and I to watch.
Not wanting to miss this incredible opportunity to capture what was discussed as the films played out, I rolled tape to capture everything said between the three of us. The film you about to watch was the first Jim showed over the course of what would be four "film-watching" visits.
As you might expect, John came alive as the memories of what we were seeing on the screen unfolded in front of him. He was describing the various scenes as if they were shot yesterday. Jim was no slouch either; he kept up with John pretty well even though these films were made before Jim was a member of the NRHS.
Pay particular attention to the segment featuring the inaugural run of the NYC's Empire State Express on December 7, 1941. I asked both men what time Pearl Harbor was bombed OUR TIME and if the announcement was heard on the train. Since John was riding the train, he was able to confirm the time as did Jim. John pointed out that the announcement of the bombing was heard on a radio someone had on the train. I asked what the atmosphere was like on the train after this very stressing news was heard. There's a pause for what seems like an eternity, then John sheepishly says "I don't remember... I was too busy looking out from the back of the train to think about anything else."
I find this part of the conversation hilarious since I've always pointed out that John had a photographic memory. Yet one of the most important moments in American history happened right under John's nose and he doesn't remember what happened amongst the other passengers on the train. It's very clear, and so endearing to John's character that we know where his priorities were always placed; on trains.
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Відео

John M. Prophet's Webster-Chicago 288-1 Wire Recorder
Переглядів 2,1 тис.2 роки тому
This video take an in-depth look at the Webster-Chicago wire recorder; specifically the one owned and operated by John M. Prophet when he made his railroad sound recordings from 1948-1955. To hear more of John's recordings, please listen to the Living with Steam podcast, which can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
New York Central's Interlocking Tower F and the Black Rock Facilities
Переглядів 12 тис.2 роки тому
This video showcases the movement of various trains around Tower F in the Black Rock section of Buffalo NY. The controlled trains on the NYC's Niagara Branch as they made their way either to the International Bridge and Canada, or further south into downtown Buffalo. Helping to convey the story of Tower F are the incredible films of William Kessel, one of the founding members of the Niagara Fro...
Turning a Hobby Into a Lifelong Legacy: How John M. Prophet III Lived with Steam
Переглядів 21 тис.2 роки тому
This video was shot in September of 2021 when I was asked by the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the NRHS to give a talk about John M. Prophet's life and how he came to be one of most widely regarded "railfans" during his lifetime. John was considered an expert on the Pennsylvania Railroad, often knowing more about the equipment and operations of the railroad than their company officers and employe...
Living with Steam Sample Clip: Episode 5, "Interlocking Tower"
Переглядів 4 тис.2 роки тому
The following clip was taken from Episode 5 of the Living with Steam podcast where the purpose and operation of interlocking tower is discussed. PLEASE NOTE that this is intended to be an audio clip as a sample from the Living with Steam podcast. I've inserted the various images of interlocking towers to help move the clip along, but not necessarily to sync with the audio. Listen to Living with...
The "Railroad Enthusiasts'" 1938 Trip to Arcade, NY on the Pennsylvania Railroad
Переглядів 3,7 тис.2 роки тому
In August of 1938, only a few short months after Russ Shapley (with the assistance of John M. Prophet III) founded the Railroad Enthusiasts of Buffalo, the club took a regular PRR passenger train to Arcade, NY. This video contains footage of that trip. The Railroad Enthusiasts would eventually change their name to the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and conti...
Chasing the "78"
Переглядів 3,2 тис.2 роки тому
In May of 1953, John M. Prophet III attempted to pace a NYC passenger train while filming it on his 16mm movie camera. This video will give you a better understanding on how he was able to accomplish this.
The 16mm Railroad Movies of John M. Prophet III
Переглядів 162 тис.2 роки тому
On March 19, 2022, I was asked by the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society to be a guest at their annual banquet. They were very fortunate to have digitized copies of a "few" of John's incredible collection of 16mm railroad films... which he began shooting in 1936. The original thought was for me to provide commentary on the films we were watching, since I was wel...

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @captainmorgan757
    @captainmorgan757 3 години тому

    What a gem!

  • @clarencetrice4442
    @clarencetrice4442 29 днів тому

    😊😊 only a few trains 🚆 😊 used the track pans most likely the they used a water 💧 pump just like the other steam engines they had a water injector on the them U put so water 💧 😊 in them and after U open the valves and the water injector took over and U always have 2 keep the water 💧 😊 level above the crown sheet 😊😊 OMG 12 5 2O24

  • @clarencetrice4442
    @clarencetrice4442 29 днів тому

    😊😊 old movies U have 2 keep them in movie cans and keep them in cool dark place W no sunshine light the old pics are the same way that's why U could develop them in a dark room W a red light and the old slide pics are older than that pics didn't get good until they made in color that's when showed alot more detail and back ground 😊😊 OMG 12 5 2O24

  • @ktloz2246
    @ktloz2246 Місяць тому

    John M. Prophet III (1915-2002)

  • @jerlewis4291
    @jerlewis4291 2 місяці тому

    When I was a kid my uncle lived on Greenfield Ave in Buffalo and the tracks were right in his backyard. We would go sit on a bench he built and watch the trains before they went under Main Street. One Friday afternoon he walked me down to the Tower on Amherst Street and we went inside. It was amazing to a 12 year old to actually line up switches and then go watch the train.

  • @liamhen
    @liamhen 3 місяці тому

    Did the A&A have their own station in Attica or did they use the Erie station?

  • @train_lover_2004
    @train_lover_2004 3 місяці тому

    Who came here cause of K&L Trainz?

  • @OScaleMike
    @OScaleMike 3 місяці тому

    It appears the rods from the tower were located on the opposite side of the tracks from the tower. Was there a space limitation due to track elevation that necessitated this, or were there push rods directly in front of the tower as well?

  • @haraldisdead
    @haraldisdead 4 місяці тому

    34:56 gap and Lancaster

  • @williamlarson3623
    @williamlarson3623 5 місяців тому

    Really nice to see. Thank you! A truly great production here.

  • @davidfeser8759
    @davidfeser8759 5 місяців тому

    That was good! I really enjoyed the description of the towerman's job once the call came through with switching orders for an approaching train, and then afterward listening to what the whole process sounded like.

  • @greg33770
    @greg33770 5 місяців тому

    Thank you, that was great....I remember some of what it was like, grew up in this area back in the late 50's and 60's.....at 9:27 in the video...you say it also shows whats left of the Pratt and Letchworth facility, thats to the upper left of the pic, the buildings upper right, are whats left of Fedders, the street between the buildings is West Ave.

  • @briansmith-l1q
    @briansmith-l1q 5 місяців тому

    i grew up next to a (old home for women) built in 1890, was called (Old Ladies Home) right in the granite . as it still was as i grew up. I loved going there and hearing stories, and i knew they were true since they were there. I'm 60 now, i really had the ones at that time, that were in their 80's and 90's. The stories were priceless. i asked as many quiestions as i thought for a ten year old,,,, i so wish i had asked more. My grandparents were born in 1888, and 1889. they had kids in the late 20's,, and i was the youngest of six. (my oldest brother was born in '49) with the knowledge i know, i have many interests, i feel young at 60, lol. (where in the hell did 60 come from!!!!) i grew up with going to Steam town, in VT. as a very young kid, i have some memories of going there when it was in NH. If I could put my useless memories to something else, i'd be rich, ha ha. great video,,,,,, priceless !

  • @allenctracy6511
    @allenctracy6511 6 місяців тому

    This is special. I knew a lot of the Lehigh valley railroad old timers my father would take me to the veterans meetings and I knew then I should buy a video camera and tape the stories they were telling but I never had the money. Now they are all gone. I went to the funerals to. Life as we knew it is gone and I wonder if this younger generation will even care or will there even be a USA. Times are changing fast. Take care of yourself if you are reading this you know what I mean.

  • @NormanSilver
    @NormanSilver 7 місяців тому

    THANK YOU! More history being reintroduced to a VERY INTERESTED public

  • @thetankcommander3838
    @thetankcommander3838 8 місяців тому

    I felt like I was going to cry by the end of this video.

  • @thetankcommander3838
    @thetankcommander3838 8 місяців тому

    Seeing Riley Street Station in East Aurora for twenty-one years, it is wonderful to see this footage from a bygone era. A friend of mine was born in East Aurora, and his old man, who lived in East Aurora for most of his life up to the time, remembered seeing the “Con-Trak” trains pull up at the platform until it closed in 1973. This is what I’m trying to help the WNYRHS get back into life. To relive one of these excursions by John Prophet to Arcade and beyond.

  • @Air_Devil_Leader_One
    @Air_Devil_Leader_One 8 місяців тому

    Possible fix for Horshoe curve, I wanted you both to know of something I use but no longer do the work is I am 77 and partly retired now. If you have a windows 10 system on a good PC get a sample copy of TOPAZ AI VIDEO and experiment. You caan not create w/o letters all over the screen if printed through Photoshop but can see if it can correct things. I have seen damaged or old video and also the Other programs they sell and are simply amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is free to use a sample so you can experiment forever and that will save you the cost if it does not. This software is very well made and I still do work at my job with Photoshop so I have made corrections that PS 22 does not handle yet the Topaz is amazing. Also get those frames scanned or slides scanned as well. I have even worked with old Glass Slides in Topaz and it is a miracle what these products can do. I have 2 pro photographer friends that used this software on photos, slides, and PC files on stuff back from the 1950's and it work extrememy well. Ray C - Florida It is very very expensive to gat a pro doing this kind of editing so play and hope it helps. I do some rarely but you would never want to pay me for the work. I do mostly drone video now and creations for train videos from sets I produce to look like prototype for movie scenes. If you get anything hard copies from anything send me an email at gcn.cx/myray and I will see what can be done FREE! I will not charge a cent but see a challenge and that is what I enjoy. See you P.S. If you can believe it I was raised right about on top of Pompton Jct on the line in Pompton Lakes / Riverdale in NJ and 3rd home on Ringwood Avenue where the NYS&W passed by and also 1/4 mile east in the woods of actual Pompton Jct. It shared and crossed the Erie Lackawanna through a + crossing to Greenwood Lake and up to NY State. It was amazing to me. God Bless you for the great videos.

  • @markm.j.lewandowskijr1171
    @markm.j.lewandowskijr1171 9 місяців тому

    I'm watching this on the evening of April 5th 1994..........I mean 2024 😊 on the 30th anniversary.

  • @chrisweller5805
    @chrisweller5805 9 місяців тому

    Awesome! Many thanks for preserving these great memories!

  • @Zoomer3989
    @Zoomer3989 9 місяців тому

    Excellent vid, would have loved to meet John! Thank you for posting this, it's a real treat to watch

  • @wrakca6049
    @wrakca6049 9 місяців тому

    We need to have lunch sometime an talk about some pictures I have an few story’s

  • @asullivan4047
    @asullivan4047 10 місяців тому

    Interesting/informative/entertaining. Excellent photography job enabling viewers to better understand what the orator is describing. My only experiences with steam locomotives are. The scenic steam locomotives train 🚂 rides. Smoky mountains national park. Durango/Silverton Colorado excursions. Very relaxing & enjoyable -!😉. Remember the " Singing Break Men ' Jimmie Rogers -? Whom was a genuine break men till changing careers. Performing before audiences with 🎸 & singing🎶🎶. ( 1926 thru 1933 ) Most memorable song " Break Man's Blues 😭" viewing the presentation from the comfort zone of my computer room. Along the " Space Coast " 🚀 of Florida 🐊🐊. No steam locomotives in this region 😭. Wishing viewers a safe/healthy/prosperous ( 2024 )🌈🎉😉.

  • @LindaShafto
    @LindaShafto 10 місяців тому

    You have a Wonderful prize there . I wished I taped my Dad back in the Day .. He Loved the Work he did on the Trains and Taking us kid to Barnegat … He work on the Trains as an Engineer at Earle for 25 years .. miss him

  • @waitaminute7257
    @waitaminute7257 10 місяців тому

    👍👍👍👍👍

  • @electrictractiontrainsandt3063
    @electrictractiontrainsandt3063 11 місяців тому

    Just now seeing this amazing documentary! One of the best out there, I am glad that I saw this. The Buffalo area definitely was a major railroad center for sure! 👍

    • @LivingwithSteam
      @LivingwithSteam 9 місяців тому

      Thanks for your kind words. To me, it's always fascinating when I realize how John's work actually helped to convey a part of Buffalo's history. Sure, his goal was to capture nothing but railroads, but whether he knew it or now (or liked it or not), he preserved a great deal of the industrial heritage that defined Buffalo as a major transportation and shipping center.

  • @paulbookbinder4899
    @paulbookbinder4899 11 місяців тому

    Being a rail fan, a steam fan in particular, and a native of Buffalo NY, this is the holy grail of train videos to me. Thank you for saving and sharing this

  • @NathanPurvis-hm8nc
    @NathanPurvis-hm8nc Рік тому

    Never imagined GG1's worked freight, wow.

  • @georgesealy4706
    @georgesealy4706 Рік тому

    Wow, this is a treasure. Glad that you recorded your evening with him. This era was just a little before my time. When I was really little there were steam engines that I saw. Passenger service to my hometown in southwestern PA had just ended. However, the remnants still existed. There was a passenger station in my town along with a loading station. The station is still there, but it has been converted to a library.

  • @akinerbay6345
    @akinerbay6345 Рік тому

    👍👏🎖️

  • @RetiredEE
    @RetiredEE Рік тому

    Really interesting! Have you used any post-processing software like one of the many noise reduction packages available? Thank you for making these recordings available for so many yo hear 🙂

  • @MikeB0001
    @MikeB0001 Рік тому

    Makes me wonder if John ever crossed paths with my Great Grandfather who worked for NYC for 46 years until he died in 1956 at the age of 63. 40 years as an engineer and the last 8 until his death on passenger lines. He lived in Niagara Falls until 2 years before he died when he lived in Buffalo. His brother and one of his sons were also engineers for NYC.

  • @SteamKing2160
    @SteamKing2160 Рік тому

    really enjoyed the video and really happy to own the herron rail dvd's that feature john m prophet III's railroad movies I hope the ones shown here that aren't on the herron rail dvds (like the NYC passenger train at Buffalo's church street) will be used in future herron rail videos

  • @concorde2003
    @concorde2003 Рік тому

    WOW, this is amazing. Thanks for uploading.

  • @fredericnystrom9045
    @fredericnystrom9045 Рік тому

    Traffic was routed through an interlocking in accordance with the timetable most of the time. The operator would be expecting a specific train at the time specified in the timetable, but where I worked (the New Haven mainline) towers to either side of you would announce the passing of the train from them to you by a bell code. Intervention by the dispatcher wasn't necessary unless he wanted to change something; most of the time he simply listened and acknowledged reports, recording the progress of all trains in his district or division. In addition, you could follow the progress of trains by listening to other operators reporting the passage of trains on the speaker line, a kind of party line. This was a phone line dedicated to the dispatching district, on which all operators and the dispatcher could overhear each other continuously. Each tower had a speaker on the desk for this purpose. The speaker was on continuously, but not your mic. You would press a foot pedal under the desk to open your microphone in to the line and everyone from New Haven to Boston could hear you report the passage of trains to the dispatcher or whatever else you had to report. In earlier times the telegraph was used in exactly the same way, with open communication using Morse code between all points in the district. The dispatcher would dictate train orders to whomever he wished using this channel, for delivery to a train(s) by the operator at the location addressed in the order.

  • @Jared-91
    @Jared-91 Рік тому

    This is fantastic

  • @grumbeast
    @grumbeast Рік тому

    This is an astonishing film and a wonderful oral history, you should never need to excuse the clear enthusiasm you exhibit in the recording and i have to applaud your foresight in recording the whole evening with John. This kind of artifact is priceless, thankyou so much!

  • @redrock717
    @redrock717 Рік тому

    Listening to John talk makes me realize how blessed I am. As a railfan, having a dad who was a locomotive engineer for 40 years is something. The stories I get to hear are mostly amazing.

  • @shakedydogshake
    @shakedydogshake Рік тому

    The scene at 1:18:40, with the J1 and then the T1 coming out alongside into view, is phenomenal!!!

  • @shakedydogshake
    @shakedydogshake Рік тому

    I absolutely love the J1 & M1 views, Rockville bridge plus The Big Engine, rolling away on the treadmill display!

  • @jet468
    @jet468 Рік тому

    Wow, amazing stuff. Thanks for sharing!

  • @0759trainz
    @0759trainz Рік тому

    The 1930s was the greatest decade for the Pennsy. I absolutely adore the footage of Pennsy operations in NY and Horseshoe Cure.

  • @stevemeinecke
    @stevemeinecke Рік тому

    My family grow up in altoona pa my love for trains, thanks to my grandfather walter radwonski work Pennsylvania railroad for a little bit of time. My grandfather George radwonski, his youngest son, Frank radwonski work 40 years 😊😢

  • @jessicasmith6275
    @jessicasmith6275 Рік тому

    In the time since you put these videos out, did John's original copy ever get returned? Especially seeing how it was brought to attention.

    • @LivingwithSteam
      @LivingwithSteam Рік тому

      Unknown… but very soon I’ll have the master copy of the Horseshoe Curve film and others. A lot has changed since this video was released including some new hardware and software for digitizing and color-correcting old films. I can’t wait to see the films again… but correcting them is going to take a long time. Stay tuned.

  • @jessicasmith6275
    @jessicasmith6275 Рік тому

    This is awesome in so many ways. I'm a fourth generation railroader from western Pa. I'm an engineer/train buff/hillbilly historian. This my woman's account. Thank you so much for sharing this man with us. And I rode Amtrak recently from Pa to Texas. At least 80 Or so Amish the whole way. They were on a family vacation just riding the train....

  • @RTWest-kn5fr
    @RTWest-kn5fr Рік тому

    Wow! You had me right from 'the git-go! I was born in Buffalo, NY 9 December 1949. From about 6 years old my dad, to relax and escape the pressure of his work day, would take me about 6 miles from where we lived in the western edge of the Village of Hamburg, New York, down towards Lake Erie, and his favorite spot to view the trains going south out of Buffalo, to cities and towns along the lake and typically to end in Chicago. What a different world back then! This brings back so many memories. Gracias por tu video. RT sends, envía, Colonia Centro Histórico, Puebla, México...

  • @dyonsisadmontes4170
    @dyonsisadmontes4170 Рік тому

    Could you offer a color corrected copy in addition to the original films? otherwise a great document of his work.

    • @juanbanzai
      @juanbanzai Рік тому

      I've been working on obtaining a copy of John's original Horseshoe Curve film along with others. What I have in video is flawed in several ways. First, the film obviously turned color... second, the film was copied onto Hi-8 video tape and VHS. I tried my best to correct the footage I had to work with, but if I'm fortunate to get the original films back, they will be digitized in 4k and corrected as best they can without loosing any quality in the footage. It's going to be a long and tedious process, but I hope to get it done and post the results in future videos.

  • @bezuglich
    @bezuglich Рік тому

    The Tyrone Public Library had a copy of the Don Ball book discussed. I know because I checked it out! This must have been in 1999, while teaching at the Greer School in Birmingham (just east of Tyrone). Favorite spot to railfan was Iron Furnace, farther east. This video compilation is stupendous!

  • @cprtrain
    @cprtrain Рік тому

    Incredible video and story. Thanks.

  • @cprtrain
    @cprtrain Рік тому

    Incredible!!!!!!