Some priceless footage by the great Fred McLeod. Fred recorded every one of his railroad films with sound-on-film technology. This means that the sounds you're hearing were recorded right on the spot as the film was shot.
Most old clips have sound imposed on them, and you can tell by the stack that it doesn't match the stack talk, but here you can see when he is slipping it's in sink.
You can tell that this footage was shot near the end of steam operation, because most of the engines no longer have their cylinder-head covers in place.
Probably filmed with a 16mm Auricon, which photographed an optical sound track along with the picture. The 16mm film had a single row of perforations, rather than two, which left room for the optical track. I handled one: they were all-metal and heavy as heck!
Hudsons and Mohawks always get more air time, so it's nice to see some good footage of the workhorses of the system: the 2-8-2. Local action at 5:03 and 7:03 was exceptional. Thanks for sharing.
there's a video with 2 scenes showing the Dreyfus hudson with audio, i think they have the original audio because the whistle smokes when blown, the scene matched with the audio
Magnificent scenes, beautifully set up and filmed. Must be 16mm at least, and the sound--well, my jaw is on the floor. Thanks to the visionary who caught these wonderful sights and sounds!
@@cjsnidlio9409 I'm not the photographer so don't know for sure, but I don't think the sound was dubbed, and believe this was either a sound camera or separate recording on the spot.
Man, what a thrill it must’ve been to ride the combine on the rear of those mail trains! These are incredibly valuable images…bravo and thank you for posting.
Video from this time with live sound is so hard to find! I’m always appreciative when I can hear the sounds that were recorded at the same time. Thank you for sharing!
The long train headed by the Niagara at 8:37 and the two mail and express trains behind Hudsons (at 9:18 and 9:37) look to me like they might have been shot somewhere along the NYC Western Division (Elkhart-Chicago). Maybe Fred McLeod got up there a few times? The shot at 9:37 is a dead ringer for many of the slides in Sandy Goodrick's NYC Western Division book.
The Yard scene of the H-5 and Big four caboose is taken from the Big Four at Greensburg Indiana. The scene of the Hudson leaving under the coal dock is without a doubt Greensburg, Indiana. The train is likely the James Whitcomb Riley. This is the Chicago line of the Big Four. Which leads me to believe that the double track footage is on the Chicago line as well (half of this line was double tracked at the time). Another comment I saw could be right as well. It does also resemble the Bee Line, or line between Indianapolis and Cleveland in Ohio.
When I was visit family in Blue Island, IL I'd take ride over to the NYC right of way and get set for a show. Chicago was a busy NYC destination as well as big freight trains too.
I think 5413 was supposed to be saved and sent down to the Smithsonian but the museum wanted one of the locomotives that pulled Roosevelt's funeral train so they went with the Southern 1401 as it was right next to that railroads HQ
Concieved an alternate history of American Railroads where an Oil Crisis in 1953, combined with laxer regulations in the 1920s, enables a larger rail preservation movement. I even came up with specific locomotives and where they'd be displayed.
Great video. Watching the passenger train starting on a grade brings back memories of my childhood in Niagara Falls listing to the Michigan Central coming into Canada out of Suspension Bridge. Thanks@!
I can't see if anyone has asked this question, but where I can buy this video? Is it still for sale out there? I have lots of NYC steam videos, but this one is one I've never seen before. The sound is among the best.
Anyone know what program this came from? I see Reading Steam right at the end, so there’s obviously a DVD or something out there with all of this on it. Would love to buy it!
I enjoy watching Fred’s footage, especially with the fact that the audio is real, and not poorly dubbed onto the footage. Also, coming back to this, it’s really funny that now they’re restoring a Mohawk now.
I think this has to be the most surefire set of footage that actually has real sound of these beasts working. I haven't seen many videos of a Hudson or a Mikado with real synced audio, but this video takes the cake. Like 3:58 is so good it sounds real. That or it would take unnecessary skill for someone to patch the sound with that of another locomotive from another bit of footage. Also 9:37 solves the question: Did NYC Hudsons have Nathan 6 Chimes?
Dear Charles! Thank you so much for putting this online! Eli_Santin wrote that this was filmed by Fred McLeod with a sound on film camera! Fantastic! First time I hear those great Hudsons with true original sound and the whistles! Perhaps Mr. McLeod used an 16mm Auricon Camera. Those were famous for sound on film. Love also that great KODACHROME color. They hold the color so great. Even today. ALWAYS retain/hold your reels of film even after digitalisation! Cordial greetings / herzliche Grüße! Géréon
Hi Charles, we'd like to inquire about usage of some of this footage for an NYC related project as many of our excursions take place on former NYC territory. Is there a way to get in touch with you directly?
I always enjoy seeing footage of NYC rr steam power in operation, it's a true shame that the NYC didn't save any of their Hudson and Niagara type locomotives from being scrapped and preserved for future public display in some type of museum or park. I would love to see a streamlined Dreyfuss class Hudson and a Niagara type engine on display somewhere still in existence.
It’s a real shame that none were preserved. If preservation was a thing when they were retiring them, then we might have seen one in preservation. Perhaps maybe someone will come along and build a new J3 Hudson. We still have a tender, so they can work off of that.
My model railroad, the BL&G, proudly runs one of the NYC’s J3a Hudsons. Locomotive 5438, built in 1938 by ALCo-Schenectady, is the largest locomotive employed by the BL&G, and is the railroad’s largest dual-service locomotive. It was acquired from the New York Central in 1956, shortly before dieselization. The NYC’s president, Alfred Perlman, gifted the locomotive to the railroad specifically to save the locomotive from his planned modernization. He only had one request, that the locomotive always wear the New York Central name. 5438 now runs regular excursions on the BL&G, and has been restored twice. First in 1981 for its first excursion career, and then in 2022 for its current tour of operation. It was named Alfred E. Perlman in honor of him in 1988.
Looks like alot of it was shot on the Big 4 mainline in east central Ohio. Saw the tower at Valley Junction Ohio, coal dock at Galion, and a couple scenes betw Galiin and Marion.
Wish that he had filmed at grade crossings with mee-mool lights *(o)T(o)* and gates and trains not moving so fast. Some of these films are played back too fast.
This is Grade A footage! It was incredibly rare for an individual to own a camera with real sound. That stuff was usually left to the cinemas and corporations. I just wish I knew where these locations were and to find all of Fred McLeod’s groundbreaking works.
The original Berkshires were built for the Boston and Albany which was a NYC subsidiary. The Berkshire in the video was built for the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad (a NYC subsidiary). They were soon transferred to the Big Four where they operated for the remainder of their short life.
@@saxonaudio it depends on how you define what is the New York Central. NYC subsidiaries, the Boston & Albany and Pittsburgh & Lake Erie had Berkshires built for them. The B&A was the first railroad to purchase Berkshires and the name comes from the Berkshire Mountains that the B&A ran through. The New York Central proper, roughly defined as the New York to Chicago mainline, never owned a Berkshire. The P&LE Berkshires were delivered in the late 1940s. The New York Central System, including subsidiaries, dieselized from east to west. The P&LE switched to diesels a few years after the Berkshires were delivered. The relatively new engines were transferred to the CCC&StL (commonly known as the Big Four) which was another NYC subsidiary on the west end of the railroad .
@@danikoo582 is she she has a Streamline Boiler of sparkling blue and white paint the drive wheels 4 Boxpok drivers front and back and 2 Scullin disc drivers in the center a Boston and Main 6 chime an Bell on the side swinging back and forth a Berkshire tender with a stoker and a water scoop. The 20th Century limited will bee good it will have 2 mail cars 4 sleepers a polar express car 5 passenger cars 6 looker passenger cars 2 kitchen cars with big domes 2 dining cars with small domes and the observation car with the 20th century logo in the back.
Does anyone know where this footage originates from? If this was put on a DVD or if all of this is only on a custom 16 mm film not available to the public
@@maxwellwalcher6420 That's.... not my question. My question is whether this is a preview for a Machines of Iron video or not, since the channel's name, Charles Whitcomb, is one of the two people running said film company.
@2:34 it's Valley Junction which would be Hooven, Ohio on the Cincinnati- Indianapolis mainline. @2:57 I believe that could be either Riverside yard in Cincinnati or Cincinnati Union Terminals Roundhouse. @3:49 I think this Greensburg Indiana is where the big coal tower is shown same line. @5:00 I think we are back at the small yard at Valley Junction. @8:10 the train is coming off the Whitewater Branch (Connersville Indiana- Hooven Ohio) on to the Cincinnati- Indianapolis Mainline.
This is, by far, the realest sound footage of NYC action I've seen. Most NYC videos are dubbed over with reused Reading T1 audio, but THIS? This is authentic. This is sound you would get from the stored audio archives.
Because The United States is essentially The saudi-arabia of Coal, we should bring back Steam Locomotives in a new Modern Era of phasing out oil and gasoline engines. A modern efficient Coal powered Locomotive (see the Niagara) would be amazing.
Some priceless footage by the great Fred McLeod. Fred recorded every one of his railroad films with sound-on-film technology. This means that the sounds you're hearing were recorded right on the spot as the film was shot.
thank you very much for this info! It could have been an 16mm Auricon Camera he used.
Most old clips have sound imposed on them, and you can tell by the stack that it doesn't match the stack talk, but here you can see when he is slipping it's in sink.
You can tell that this footage was shot near the end of steam operation, because most of the engines no longer have their cylinder-head covers in place.
also because of the cars, the cars must be around 40-50s
True. Most of the footage was shot on the Big Four in Ohio/Indiana late 1950s.
@@b3j8 Steam was gone by the late 50's.
@@glorialotz3333 Right, and???
And they lost their streamlined shrouds
Seeing those Hudsons and Niagaras being absolute racehorses with live sound is an absolute treasure. 👌🏼
Yes
I totally agree my brother 🤘🏽
Probably filmed with a 16mm Auricon, which photographed an optical sound track along with the picture. The 16mm film had a single row of perforations, rather than two, which left room for the optical track. I handled one: they were all-metal and heavy as heck!
Hudsons and Mohawks always get more air time, so it's nice to see some good footage of the workhorses of the system: the 2-8-2. Local action at 5:03 and 7:03 was exceptional. Thanks for sharing.
one of the only nyc steam videos i’ve seen with the actual sound. Thank you
there's a video with 2 scenes showing the Dreyfus hudson with audio, i think they have the original audio because the whistle smokes when blown, the scene matched with the audio
@@danikoo582 really? do you have a link?
ua-cam.com/video/RXr6RZCIR2A/v-deo.html
@@harrison444 What Hudson did you like Mine's 5406.
@@maxwellwalcher6420 huh?
I wish I could go back in time and ride one of them. Great video.
Some of the best vintage footage of NYC steam I've ever seen! Thank you so much for sharing this!
This footage is fantastic! The quality is impressively high and the lack of dubbed audio especially considering its high quality as well is awesome.
8:37 may be the only audio existing (definitely the only audio I know of) of a Niagara using its air horn! Awesome!
ua-cam.com/video/WKZMDngd5OA/v-deo.html
This is a recording of one, I also believe in some of Heron Rail Video's DVDs there is audio of some of them.
There's another video on YT that shows it using the horn
Magnificent scenes, beautifully set up and filmed. Must be 16mm at least, and the sound--well, my jaw is on the floor. Thanks to the visionary who caught these wonderful sights and sounds!
are there J3a hudsons.
I'm curious if the sounds were added. Sometimes sound is added to these old recordings
@@cjsnidlio9409 I'm not the photographer so don't know for sure, but I don't think the sound was dubbed, and believe this was either a sound camera or separate recording on the spot.
These are the original sounds recorded with the picture..
@@charleswhitcomb4470 What Hudson you like Mine's 5406.
Man, what a thrill it must’ve been to ride the combine on the rear of those mail trains! These are incredibly valuable images…bravo and thank you for posting.
Video from this time with live sound is so hard to find! I’m always appreciative when I can hear the sounds that were recorded at the same time. Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful in-focus footage…outstanding.
Wow - just wow! I am so glad YT recommended this video of my favorite railroad! It is fantastic. I wish I knew if this is on a DVD!
The long train headed by the Niagara at 8:37 and the two mail and express trains behind Hudsons (at 9:18 and 9:37) look to me like they might have been shot somewhere along the NYC Western Division (Elkhart-Chicago). Maybe Fred McLeod got up there a few times? The shot at 9:37 is a dead ringer for many of the slides in Sandy Goodrick's NYC Western Division book.
Good job with the camera for those who took these films . These are good videos THANK YOU KEEP THEM COMING!!
The Yard scene of the H-5 and Big four caboose is taken from the Big Four at Greensburg Indiana. The scene of the Hudson leaving under the coal dock is without a doubt Greensburg, Indiana. The train is likely the James Whitcomb Riley. This is the Chicago line of the Big Four. Which leads me to believe that the double track footage is on the Chicago line as well (half of this line was double tracked at the time). Another comment I saw could be right as well. It does also resemble the Bee Line, or line between Indianapolis and Cleveland in Ohio.
Thank you for the information.
When I was visit family in Blue Island, IL I'd take ride over to the NYC right of way and get set for a show. Chicago was a busy NYC destination as well as big freight trains too.
So happy to hear Mohawk #3001 is being restored! NYC steam will soon ride again!
Quite a few of these scenes were in a pentrex DVD on the NYC from a few years back. It was a double disc and the program was from 1987 I think.
shame that hardly any NYC locomotives were preserved, thanks a LOT Alfred e Pearlman
I think 5413 was supposed to be saved and sent down to the Smithsonian but the museum wanted one of the locomotives that pulled Roosevelt's funeral train so they went with the Southern 1401 as it was right next to that railroads HQ
5313’s tender was preserved
Thanks for saving the Central's skin, Perlman!
Awesome footage. Thanks for showing us.
Concieved an alternate history of American Railroads where an Oil Crisis in 1953, combined with laxer regulations in the 1920s, enables a larger rail preservation movement. I even came up with specific locomotives and where they'd be displayed.
7:18 that's the biggest mikado I've ever seen
Great video. Watching the passenger train starting on a grade brings back memories of my childhood in Niagara Falls listing to the Michigan Central coming into Canada out of Suspension Bridge. Thanks@!
I love around 7:26 you can see a lump of coal fall from the tender. Just amazing footage.
Great footage!
Terrific footage!
I can't see if anyone has asked this question, but where I can buy this video? Is it still for sale out there? I have lots of NYC steam videos, but this one is one I've never seen before. The sound is among the best.
Thank you for reviving old memories.
Anyone know what program this came from? I see Reading Steam right at the end, so there’s obviously a DVD or something out there with all of this on it. Would love to buy it!
I enjoy watching Fred’s footage, especially with the fact that the audio is real, and not poorly dubbed onto the footage. Also, coming back to this, it’s really funny that now they’re restoring a Mohawk now.
Dude did you see that, one of those new York central steam locomotives was accelerated going like 70 mph how awesome is that man wicked cool bro sweet
AWESOME video thanks
I think this has to be the most surefire set of footage that actually has real sound of these beasts working. I haven't seen many videos of a Hudson or a Mikado with real synced audio, but this video takes the cake. Like 3:58 is so good it sounds real. That or it would take unnecessary skill for someone to patch the sound with that of another locomotive from another bit of footage.
Also 9:37 solves the question: Did NYC Hudsons have Nathan 6 Chimes?
Fantastic!
Dear Charles!
Thank you so much for putting this online!
Eli_Santin wrote that this was filmed by Fred McLeod with a sound on film camera!
Fantastic! First time I hear those great Hudsons with true original sound and the whistles!
Perhaps Mr. McLeod used an 16mm Auricon Camera. Those were famous for sound on film.
Love also that great KODACHROME color. They hold the color so great. Even today. ALWAYS retain/hold your reels of film even after digitalisation!
Cordial greetings / herzliche Grüße!
Géréon
Very smart footage..
NYC...!!!
1:28 looks like Batesville
It is
8:22
Awesome shot here!
Hi Charles, we'd like to inquire about usage of some of this footage for an NYC related project as many of our excursions take place on former NYC territory. Is there a way to get in touch with you directly?
I guess you guys can used these footage, because this channel is abandoned
I guess you guys can used these footage, because this channel is abandoned
This is one of Fred McLeod’s many footage of steam with synchronized actual sound.
8:25 Looked like a shot from The Polar Express
you found the scene.
Fantastic video! This is NYC steam gold!! Would this be available on DVD at all?
I always enjoy seeing footage of NYC rr steam power in operation, it's a true shame that the NYC didn't save any of their Hudson and Niagara type locomotives from being scrapped and preserved for future public display in some type of museum or park. I would love to see a streamlined Dreyfuss class Hudson and a Niagara type engine on display somewhere still in existence.
It’s a real shame that none were preserved. If preservation was a thing when they were retiring them, then we might have seen one in preservation. Perhaps maybe someone will come along and build a new J3 Hudson. We still have a tender, so they can work off of that.
Is this part of a DVD? If so, where on earth should I look? This is probably the best find of this kind of treasure I had ever seen.
Need to restore that mohawk!
My model railroad, the BL&G, proudly runs one of the NYC’s J3a Hudsons. Locomotive 5438, built in 1938 by ALCo-Schenectady, is the largest locomotive employed by the BL&G, and is the railroad’s largest dual-service locomotive. It was acquired from the New York Central in 1956, shortly before dieselization. The NYC’s president, Alfred Perlman, gifted the locomotive to the railroad specifically to save the locomotive from his planned modernization. He only had one request, that the locomotive always wear the New York Central name.
5438 now runs regular excursions on the BL&G, and has been restored twice. First in 1981 for its first excursion career, and then in 2022 for its current tour of operation. It was named Alfred E. Perlman in honor of him in 1988.
4:46 why did that whistle sound like that?
It was because the whistle is worn out and squeals and the Doppler effect adjusts the pitch.
Where is this footage from? This is some incredible stuff, especially with the original sound! 3:20 is amazing, that has to be 80+ MPH.
Looks like alot of it was shot on the Big 4 mainline in east central Ohio. Saw the tower at Valley Junction Ohio, coal dock at Galion, and a couple scenes betw Galiin and Marion.
That looks like 60mph or 70mph
@@b3j8 The coal dock is not in Greensburg?
@@danikoo582 Yeah, looking at it closer you're right. It was Greensburg. Both had towers close by but Galion's BURT tower was farther away. Thanks.
Is this some kind of DVD? If so is it available to be purchased anywhere?
4:00 4:10 Origin of Mountain Type and Blue Comet Whistle in Trainz Driver 2 & Train Driver Journeys 4
Anyone know what DVD this is from?
1954-1955 Two Tone Scheme is present.
Wish that he had filmed at grade crossings with mee-mool lights *(o)T(o)* and gates and trains not moving so fast. Some of these films are played back too fast.
This is Grade A footage!
It was incredibly rare for an individual to own a camera with real sound. That stuff was usually left to the cinemas and corporations.
I just wish I knew where these locations were and to find all of Fred McLeod’s groundbreaking works.
It’s amazing
0:15 hang on! The New York central did have 2-8-4 berkshires. Never saw that coming.
The original Berkshires were built for the Boston and Albany which was a NYC subsidiary. The Berkshire in the video was built for the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad (a NYC subsidiary). They were soon transferred to the Big Four where they operated for the remainder of their short life.
@@howardswanson4708 oh. So the New York central didn’t build their own berkshires ?
@@saxonaudio it depends on how you define what is the New York Central. NYC subsidiaries, the Boston & Albany and Pittsburgh & Lake Erie had Berkshires built for them. The B&A was the first railroad to purchase Berkshires and the name comes from the Berkshire Mountains that the B&A ran through. The New York Central proper, roughly defined as the New York to Chicago mainline, never owned a Berkshire. The P&LE Berkshires were delivered in the late 1940s. The New York Central System, including subsidiaries, dieselized from east to west. The P&LE switched to diesels a few years after the Berkshires were delivered. The relatively new engines were transferred to the CCC&StL (commonly known as the Big Four) which was another NYC subsidiary on the west end of the railroad .
This video appears to be mainly taken on the Big Four.
i believe this one call nyc a-2 berkshire
What is the name of the passenger train showing in these clips?
Any ideas on where these were filmed?
Mostly at Indiana on the lines the Big Four operated
I Love Hudson's.
We should build a new one since none were preserved
some guys are rebuilding the t1 duplex
@@danikoo582 yes and number 1361 and How about NYC J3a Streamline Hudson 5406.
5406 is being rebuilt?
@@danikoo582 is she she has a Streamline Boiler of sparkling blue and white paint the drive wheels 4 Boxpok drivers front and back and 2 Scullin disc drivers in the center a Boston and Main 6 chime an Bell on the side swinging back and forth a Berkshire tender with a stoker and a water scoop. The 20th Century limited will bee good it will have 2 mail cars 4 sleepers a polar express car 5 passenger cars 6 looker passenger cars 2 kitchen cars with big domes 2 dining cars with small domes and the observation car with the 20th century logo in the back.
1:10 Is that 3001? Kinda hard to tell.
looks like to be
That's what 3001 is gonna be doing soon
Okay, the horn at 8:36 has me really confused. I thought that was a diesel's horn. But on a steamer?
most 1940's era steam locos had air horns
Is there anywhere we can watch the rest of the video?
i wish I could railfan back in the 1900s
WOW!!!
Does anyone know where this footage originates from? If this was put on a DVD or if all of this is only on a custom 16 mm film not available to the public
What he said. This film is very unique, thanks to its high quality and live audio. I too would like to know the origin of this footage/film.
Is this a sort of teaser for an upcoming MOI video? If not, where did you get this from?
The NYC is running on Amtrak of today.
@@maxwellwalcher6420 That's.... not my question. My question is whether this is a preview for a Machines of Iron video or not, since the channel's name, Charles Whitcomb, is one of the two people running said film company.
@@seaboardrailfan429 I wish Hudson 5406 is steaming again.
@@maxwellwalcher6420 What kinda drugs are you on mate?
This is one section of future MOI DVD and BluRay. It was one of eight railroad on the video. It was online to gather information on locations.
It's sounds like 765 in 2009
Location & dates ?
@2:34 it's Valley Junction which would be Hooven, Ohio on the Cincinnati- Indianapolis mainline.
@2:57 I believe that could be either Riverside yard in Cincinnati or Cincinnati Union Terminals Roundhouse.
@3:49 I think this Greensburg Indiana is where the big coal tower is shown same line.
@5:00 I think we are back at the small yard at Valley Junction.
@8:10 the train is coming off the Whitewater Branch (Connersville Indiana- Hooven Ohio) on to the Cincinnati- Indianapolis Mainline.
where's the coal tower? i found the mainline
Imagine there will be a new York central 4-8-4 Hudson steam locomotive cool right
4:00
And now, NYC 3100 will be coming to life soon
I’d hate to be that guy, but that’s actually NYC 3001.
Where’s the reading footage?
I have seen that footage at the beginning of a Sunday River DVD involving Reading 2101 but had some T1s on sound Film and even a G3 Pacific.
Are the sounds real or dubbed over?
Real.
This is, by far, the realest sound footage of NYC action I've seen. Most NYC videos are dubbed over with reused Reading T1 audio, but THIS? This is authentic. This is sound you would get from the stored audio archives.
@@AdmiralColdhead What Hudson did you like.
@@maxwellwalcher6420 3:56, about my favorite bit of Hudson footage. We not only hear it’s authentic whistle, but we also get some wheelslip.
@@AdmiralColdhead "realest" does this word even exist? i've never heard this word
Real sound
The workhorses of the old world.
Because The United States is essentially The saudi-arabia of Coal, we should bring back Steam Locomotives in a new Modern Era of phasing out oil and gasoline engines. A modern efficient Coal powered Locomotive (see the Niagara) would be amazing.
Steam trains are expensive and heavy and they drink a lot of water. It would be cool but it's hard to happen
Look up the ACE 3000 project. It was an attempt to make a modern in the 1980’s steam locomotive by Ross Rowland. It never was fulfilled.
3:22 XD
Locations!!!!! I know Valley Jct west of Cincinnati.
for the first time we hear the Niagras horn but sadly not its whistle :C
The Niagaras had Hancock 3 chimes.
@@LehighLollipop503 ik but we've never heard what it sounds like
Wow, so we're starting to Frick around with horn-tooting engines that look like FEFs
0:13 and there it is, the most ugly train of the New York Central Railroad
true
I think it looks awesome
That's no Niagara
Hats off now that this is digitally preserved for all to see👏🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲🚃🚃🚃🙋
2:32, 5:04, 8:07 this place is located at hooven (39.169623,-84.775495) the camera is facing east
8:37
8:36
3:40
7:21
3:40
7:19