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The NRHS Film Archive
Registrace 7. 10. 2016
The National Railway Historical Society is undertaking a multi-year project to preserve and bring to the public it's entire collection of 8mm and 16mm films. Hundreds of hours of professionally-produced and personal films are in the vault, many of which haven't been seen since the 1960s -- these films offer a unique glimpse at transportation systems as well as industrial America between 1940 and 1980.
The original 8mm films have been scanned using a custom-built 2K scanner (technology that exceeds the resolution of the original 8mm film). Many of the films have been enhanced using computer software to reduce grain, increase sharpness and reduce camera shake. Old film enthusiasts, researchers and fans of post-war industrial history are invited to leave comments and help the NRHS record the stories shown in the films.
The original 8mm films have been scanned using a custom-built 2K scanner (technology that exceeds the resolution of the original 8mm film). Many of the films have been enhanced using computer software to reduce grain, increase sharpness and reduce camera shake. Old film enthusiasts, researchers and fans of post-war industrial history are invited to leave comments and help the NRHS record the stories shown in the films.
Film 503: Denny--Jamestown, Westfield & Western; Fairmount Park Trolley, and LVT.
Film 503: Denny--Jamestown, Westfield & Western Railroad; Fairmount Park Trolley, and Lehigh Valley Transit (includes the Liberty Bell Route, and Norristown High Speed line). Photographer: John Denny. Photographed early-mid 1940s.
1. Jamestown, Westfield & Western Railroad.(1914-1950), an electrified shortline between Jamestown, NY (connection to Erie RR), and Westfield, NY (main interchange, NYC). Westfield, NY station and car 303 are shown. pre-1947 passenger car abandonment.
2. Fairmount Park Trolley line and car barn. (B/W footage).
3. Lehigh Valley Transit-- high speed running through farmlands around Quakertown, Perkasie Station, Sellersville Station, high speed running through Hatfield. Departing Norristown station and crossing Schuylkill River. Station runbys viewed from Ardmore Junction include Brill Bullet cars and Strafford car. 103 Line car passes through underpass below.
1. Jamestown, Westfield & Western Railroad.(1914-1950), an electrified shortline between Jamestown, NY (connection to Erie RR), and Westfield, NY (main interchange, NYC). Westfield, NY station and car 303 are shown. pre-1947 passenger car abandonment.
2. Fairmount Park Trolley line and car barn. (B/W footage).
3. Lehigh Valley Transit-- high speed running through farmlands around Quakertown, Perkasie Station, Sellersville Station, high speed running through Hatfield. Departing Norristown station and crossing Schuylkill River. Station runbys viewed from Ardmore Junction include Brill Bullet cars and Strafford car. 103 Line car passes through underpass below.
zhlédnutí: 172
Video
Sell 35: Pitts, Indianapolis, Illinois Terminal, Kansas City, and Pikes Peak (c. 1953)
zhlédnutí 382Před 14 dny
An early 1950s travelog from Howard Sell. 1. Pittsburgh trolleys showing interurban PCCs and pre-PCC cars. 2. Mathies Mine portal. The mine used railroad cars to transport coal out of the mine. 3. Indianapolis. The recently abandoned system (1953), and soon to be scrapped cars are shown. 4. Illinois Terminal Railroad's East Saint Louis tunnel and bridge approaches are shown. This system closed ...
Film 504: Ball: Reading, SS, Magma.
zhlédnutí 212Před 14 dny
Film 504: Ball Reading Rambles, South Shore and South Bend, and Magma Arizona Railroad. (C. 1960-1968, shot at various times by noted railroad history author Don Ball. Film donated to NRHS by Walter Grosselfinger.) 1: Reading T-1 locomotives 2100 and 2102 are featured leading this Reading Rambles special train running between Wayne Junction, PA and Shamokin, PA (one of a series of over 50 speci...
Rare Diesels
zhlédnutí 302Před 21 dnem
Film by Charles Gibbons working from 16mm Kodachrome films photographed by F. Axtel Kramer in the late 1970s.
Amtrak Action
zhlédnutí 190Před 21 dnem
Film edited by Charles Gibbons, from 16mm Kodachrome shot by F. Axtel Kramer in the mid-late 1970s.
NYC 1950s Hudson Div Highlights
zhlédnutí 264Před 21 dnem
Outtakes, alternate takes and stock footage photographed by F. Beach (freelance professional filmmaker). Official film produced for the New York Central Railroad 1950-1954. 45 Minutes of 16mm Kodachrome camera film and interpositives, transferred to HD digial in 2017. Highlights presentation Tom Coughlin, editor; Marlin Taylor, producer.
Film 502 H&M, PRR runbys, and Horseshoe Curve (ca.1940)
zhlédnutí 325Před 21 dnem
Compilation film, possibly work of several photographers. 1. Hudson and Manhattan railroad (currently known as PATH), between Newark and Jersey City. Motorman views from front window. 2. PRR runbys at unknown location. 3. Horseshoe curve (c 1940, B/W film).
Film 501 KY, PA, NJ
zhlédnutí 1,5KPřed 21 dnem
Probably shot by H. Sell c. 1952-1958. (Reel is a composite of film shot at various times and locations.) 1. Big South Fork Scenic Railway (Kentucky), featuring Engine #2 (Shay Lima Works geared locomotive, retired in 1953). 2. Model trains: fan riding using a gondola car (popular on fan trips in the 1950s and 1960s, seldom done now due to safety and access concerns). 3. Lambertville, NJ and Wa...
Sell 60: The Laurel Line (Scranton, PA interurban line)
zhlédnutí 173Před 28 dny
The Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Railroad, (also known as the Laurel Line) was filmed by Howard Sell c.1950, a few years before passenger service and electrification was abandoned (1953). The line featured both third rail and overhead wire electrification, and also electric freight service. Connecting Scranton and Wilkes-Barre PA, the line was abandoned in 1976, though segments of the right of...
Sell 48: New Brunswick Canada Covered Bridges (1964)
zhlédnutí 45Před 28 dny
Sell's travelogue to New Brunswick: 1. Stations runbys of New Haven RR. 2. Friend's house, having sewer pipes installed. 3. Waterville Maine. 4. Pokiok, NB 5. Various New Brunswick Covered Bridges.
Sell 176 Port Huron C&O Ferry Milwaukee North Shore
zhlédnutí 211Před 28 dny
1955 travelogue from Howard Sell. 1. C&O Car ferry SS Spartan from Luddington, MI to Milwaukee. 2. Milwaukee streetcars. 3. CNW Steam special. 4. North Shore interurban trolley special Milwaukee to Chicago (NRHS 1955 Special).
Sell 177 Indiana, Michigan and Ohio 1955
zhlédnutí 360Před měsícem
Travel round-up film from late 1955: 1. Aftermath of the August 27 explosion at the Whiting, Indiana Standard Oil Refinery (East Chicago area). 2. South Shore and South Bend Railroad in Indiana. 3. Detroit Street Railway PCC cars operating on the Woodward Ave. Line (months before their April 1956 abandonment). 4. Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI. 5. Cleveland Subway and Shaker Heights PCC cars (...
Sell 96 DC Capital Transit c 1950
zhlédnutí 61Před měsícem
Capital Transit PCC cars operating around Washington Union Terminal area.
Sell 151: Johnstown PA, 1953
zhlédnutí 628Před měsícem
Johnstown, PA 1953 fan trip includes PCC and heavyweight trolleys, trolley buses, and old look diesel buses.
Sell: Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad
zhlédnutí 154Před měsícem
Film dates to 1948, shows the line's passenger operations prior to reverting to freight-only in 1950.
Sell 128 Atlantic City and Shore Railroad (Atlantic City-Ocean City Trolley)
zhlédnutí 176Před měsícem
Sell 128 Atlantic City and Shore Railroad (Atlantic City-Ocean City Trolley)
1952 NY Central 50th Anniversary 20th Century LTD Grand Central Station
zhlédnutí 825Před 2 měsíci
1952 NY Central 50th Anniversary 20th Century LTD Grand Central Station
Sell 200 Como, Venice, Insbruck 1961 Europe p3
zhlédnutí 164Před 7 lety
Sell 200 Como, Venice, Insbruck 1961 Europe p3
Sell 149 Providence RI ca 1940 and NRHS Bos Convention
zhlédnutí 9KPřed 7 lety
Sell 149 Providence RI ca 1940 and NRHS Bos Convention
Sell 173 DRG Royal Gorge Route Iowa and Indiana trolleys 1949
zhlédnutí 1,1KPřed 7 lety
Sell 173 DRG Royal Gorge Route Iowa and Indiana trolleys 1949
Sell 25 Roanoke Atlanta Knoxville Chattanooga 1947
zhlédnutí 1KPřed 7 lety
Sell 25 Roanoke Atlanta Knoxville Chattanooga 1947
Great video, the Cleveland portion is priceless!
Thanks for posting this !!!!!
The trolley right-of-way still exists through Fairmount Park, without tracks or wires. The trolley right--of-way without tracks or wires is still on the Strawberry Mansion bridge over the Schuylkill River. The car barn building still exists. The cars were sold for scrap in an auction when the line was abandoned. How sad, but it could be rebuilt if there was funding some day. At 80 years old, I won't live to see it.
This is fantastic. Thanks for posting. My dad would have loved the Fairmount Park trolley films. He used to tell me about it all the time.
This is one of the older films in the 8mm collection (early 1940s).
475 looks like Casey Jr.
Still in GM&O colors. Heck most of the GM&O fleet left the property in 80s still wearing GM&O colors. ICG wasn't in any big rush to repaint and it made trips down to Homewood Illinois interesting.
9:49 to 10:11 is at Washington Crossing NJ on Belvedere branch of PRR. Doodlebug is facing south towards Trenton NJ. Washington Crossing PA is on opposite shore of the river reached via the bridge in the video which is still there. Track was lifted in late 70’s by Conrail. Now walking path.
Do you have any old train films from Indiana?
Yes. I'll see if I can put some footage up this week.
The footage is absolutely fantastic. The soundtrack is torturously bad. It almost spoils the video.
Great stuff! The fact the Red Line in Cleveland was operating to W 117th dates this to mid-August 1955.
Excellent footage, very crisp and clean.
So much variety we miss now!
Many railroad company mergers took place after this was shot. Sadly, lots of consolidations of trackage too.
7:50 wheres that?
Beautiful Rochester, NY.--a busy train stop on the Amtrak Empire Corridor.
What a fantastic video of my favorite railroad set in the beautiful Hudson River Valley. I wished I could have been alive to have experienced this in person!
Do any films in your archive have live sound?
A few from the 1970s-1980s (8mm magnetic strip sound). NRHS has the technology to digitize them. Photographers using this equipment tended to use very long takes, and the films are >30 minutes long. (Very slow watching. It was a format that requires decent editing post-production, unfortunately the mag sound strip made it difficult to edit the film, so the original photographers didn't go there.)
Interesting seeing that freight cars being shoved onto the SS Spartan probably by the C&O brakemen using only hand signals instead of a radio to control the movement. Nice shot of traveling over the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co. trackage at 9:27. Thanks for sharing!
Another great video! I wish I would have been around to experience the North Shore Line, the streamliners of that era etc.
This footage is STUNNING! Please post more!
Will do!
I am enjoying the new videos you are posting! thank you so much!
Thank you for this great video. I'm modeling Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. And it's awesome to see video of the bridges between 30th & Broad Street Station.
Great video!
Great video. Thank you.
Hey please don’t list your videos as made for kids. No kid is watching the 1950s 20th century limited 50th anniversary. The reason is because it is much harder to save and share videos for the people who really enjoy your videos the rail fans. Thanks!
its quite interesting how some people still had Ford Model T's
This video is very special. Towards the end we see the streetcar #26, the Red Rocket, make it's way through Edgemere and Fort Howard towards Bay Shore Park - a Trolley Amusement Park that ceased operations in the 40s. The former amusement park is now the site of North Point State Park, many features (including the trolley station) are still there.
yes, several superior old moments to be seen and enjoyed here
When you see trolleys painted in National City Lines colors you know the end is nigh for all the trolley lines within the city and its environs. 😢
Love dem PCC’s! PWG
VERY nice color movies!
9:50 where is that location? You can see how the alignment was shifted to the left.
There is also a stretch on the WMRY
It is the Ma & Pa RR and it shows how the ROW twisted and turned
.... A Splendid Piece
My grandparents made this same cross-country trip in a four-cylinder Model T touring forty years prior. The journey by open-top car took a full week from coast to coast, involving countless pit stops, flat tires, washed-out "roads," threats from gun-toting ranchers, dust storms, and river forgings. After all that they went through, Grandpa and Grandma wisely elected to take the return trip via train and have their Model T shipped back to NY in a rail crate. They were quite an adventurous, peripatetic couple for the time, being the first in their tiny upstate New York hamlet to purchase an automobile and travel by steamer to China. Apparently, many of their U.S. and foreign trips were documented on an early Kodak home movie camera and screened on a projector for relatives during family reunions. Alas, none of this footage is known to survive today. Much of their possessions were destroyed in my great-aunt's fatal house fire after being bequeathed to her. I never got to know my grandparents, but their spirit lives on through tales of their adventures and globe-trottings imparted to me by those who did. They trotted through Europe before the outbreak of WWII, twice visited Japan during the reign of Emperor Taisho, met U.S. Presidents Coolidge, Hoover, and FDR, encountered famous radio stars Jack Benny and Fred Allen in the same NYC elevator, and appeared as contestants on Groucho Marx's television show, "You Bet Your Life." It's sobering to think they would be 140 and 137 years old if still alive!
The trolley coming down Main Street in Ephrata, the Main Street so magical in my childhood. Alas, it is no more like it was. I would have been about one year old when these films were made. Thanks!
Я гей 15:48
Many of the streetcars in this video look like they're ready for the scrap yard.
These are not trolleys, but streetcars/trams. Trolleys are buses powered by overhead wires.
More like 1952-1953
My uncle was killed by one in 1906 when he was a kid.
These videos are great, BUT the counter tape is ugly and a distraction!
15:20 That stretch looks like it's near Belvedere Ave, between Reisterstonw Rd & Wabash Ave. Those look like WM tracks in the middle.
The box like trolleys from the 1920s almost look like the same ones of the 8000 series Brooklyn trolleys of the same era. They ran until circa 1952.
Aye 6119.
Beautiful
Lancastrian Here, 0:00 Conestoga Creek / Cincinnati Curved Side Car (Unk #) crosses Talmadge trestle heading back to city 0:25 CTC Monogram/ Logo 0:28 2 Cincinnati Curved Side Cars. (Unk #’s) pass each other on New Holland Pike in Mechanicsburg Junction 1:21 Cincinnati Curved Side Car (Unk #) Stops at Landis Valley Road near New Holland Pike heading towards lancaster 1:40 Birney Car #237 coming from E. King St into Penn Square to N. Queen 1:50 Birney Car #229 (Rebuilt from Accident in 1937) Follows #237 1:55 Birney Car #216 Moves into Penn Square from E. King St 2:06 Birney Car (Unk#) emerges from Behind Lancaster County Courthouse Eastbound on E King St, Birney Car 225 Follows behind heading west towards Penn Square 2:25 Birney Car (Unk#) Sails up S Duke St, crossing Church St, heading towards the County Courthouse 2:44 Old Trinity Church steeple. Standing near the corner of E. Vine and S. Duke St. 2:47 2 Birney Cars (#’s Unk) turn from N. Duke westward onto E. King St., another Birney (Unk#) Turns from S. Duke eastward on to E. King, St James Steeple can be seen in the background up N. Duke St. 3:08 Automobile Dressed as Locomotive on N. Duke St. in front of Picture This Framery 3:13 Birney Car 229 pulls in front of The PRR McGovern St. Station from Queen St 3:34 Birney Car 229 Departs PRR McGovern St. Station down Duke St. 3:47 Shot of the PRR Station, the clock reads 2:42 in the afternoon. 3:56 Cincinnati Curved Side Car #66 races south over the Talmadge Trestle heading back to Lancaster 4:04 Cincinnati Curved Side Car #66 pulls into Mechanicsburg Junction from Brownstown and departs along New Holland Pike towards Lancaster. 4:47 Two work cars, the second is a portable transformer car, both sitting on the siding at Mechanicsburg Junction 4:53 Pacing a Cincinnati Curved Side Car (#66) along New Holland Pike 4:58-Cincinnati Curved Side Car #66 crosses Conestoga Creek bridge and moves through the cut on the west bank heading towards Landis Valley Rd crossing 5:23 Little Baby Mallards playing along the Conestoga 5:30 Trolley Signal at RCA station stop 5:36 Cincinnati Curved Side Car #66 passing the RCA plant station on New Holland Pike 5:50 People getting off Birney Car #221 heading into the station to catch a PRR train 6:00-6:03 Line car #12 Coming down Duke St. turning eastward down E. King St. 6:04 Cincinnati Curved Side Car (#Unk) Speeding from Mechanicsburg Junction towards Talmadge 6:27 Cincinnati curved side car (Unk#) moving northbound through Ephrata 6:50 Brill Car (Unk#) moving Through Mechancisburg Junction north towards Ephrata 7:07 Work car #127 sits in siding at Mechanicsburg Junction as Birney Car (#Unk) moves past. 7:27 Work car #12 moves northward up Reservoir Street heading to the Chestnut Street Car Barn. 7:34 2 Birney cars and a Cincinnati curved side car outside of East end of the chestnut street car barn. (Unk#’s) 7:39 Outdoor storage yard at Chestnut St Car barn 7:42 boaters on the Conestoga and miniature steam engine at Rocky Springs Amusement Park 7:54 riding the miniature steam engine at Rocky Springs and more shots of the amusement park 8:08 Birney car #240 emerging from top of the hill by Rocky Springs and pulling into the station 8:24 Birney car #240 climbing the hill out of Rocky Springs 8:35 Birney Car #228 climbing the hill out of Rocky Springs 8:55 Birney Car #228 descending the hill into Rocky Springs 9:16 more shots of the Rocky Springs steam engine 9:36 Cincinnati Curved Side Car #65 Pulls into Mechanicsburg Junction and heads for Lancaster 10:05 Pacing Cincinnati Curved Side car #65 on the New Holland Pike towards Lancaster in the rain crossing Zooks Ln / Pine Rd at the End 10:27 Cincinnati Curved Side Car #69 in funeral service 10:29 Cincinnati Curved Side Car #66 serving NHRS Special 10:32 CTC employees in discussion. 10:34 Storage Yard on the north side of the Chestnut Street Car Barn 10:37 Birney Car #237 coming into Penn Square from E. King Street 10:41 Riding the Trolley to the PRR Station 10:52 Cincinnati Curved Side Car #66 (NHRS Special) pulling into the PRR Station. The brick warehouse in the background is now Horsepower Enterprises 11:12 Riding down Juniata St, (those two houses still exist) going down through the cut to the bridge. 11:33 Crossing bridge over Conestoga. Circle Ave bridge is in its place today 12:03 Crossing the “Pkwy” 12:15 Descending into Rocky Springs Station 12:36 Cincinnati Curved Side Car #66 (NHRS Special) climbing the hill out of Rocky Springs 13:06 Riding the trolley west on E. King St. into Penn Square, trackman changing the points and using a brick to keep the points secure 13:22 Riding down St Joseph St, turning north onto Laurel St. 13:35 Crossing High St going towards Manor Street. Kunzler Meats on the right 13:38 Turning right onto Manor St. 13:48 Manor St. Looking East, Kunzler meats is on the right where the houses are 13:55 Cresting the hill to King St 5-point intersection with Charlotte St. 14:02 Heading east on West King Street to Penn Square, Hager Building is on the Left edge of the screen. 14:09 Cincinnati Curved Side Car (Unk#) Moving past Fulton Bank, North onto Queen St. 14:12 Birney car (Unk#) heading north up N. Queen St. 14:15 Yorgos on the left and the Old YMCA across the street in the Background 14:17 New Holland Pike, Lancaster Cemetery on the left. 14:20 New Holland Pike passing Armstrong Cork, blue shingles cottage in the background. 14:24 New Holland Pike and Franklin St. 14:26 New Holland Pike in front of RCA 14:35 New Holland Pike & Pleasure Rd 14:45 Crossing New Holland Pike where Lancaster Country Club sits 14:50 Brill Car #54 (NHRS Special) Backs up to the Conestoga River heading for a photo run-by. Trolley Pole would be raised on other side if going to Lancaster 15:01 Brill Car #54 (NHRS Special) Crossing New Holland Pike right after bridge over the Conestoga heading towards Ephrata 15:15 Brill Car #54 (NHRS Special) Emerging From cut crossing Pine Dr and aligning with New Holland Pike towards Ephrata, Bonus horse and buggy. 15:42 Brill car #54 (NHRS Special) moving out of siding near what is now Lancaster County Christian School 15:59 Brill Car #54 (NHRS Special) Entering Mechanicsburg Junction, Ephrata bound. 16:22 Just after crossing Peace Road, Telephone poles are still there today. 16:25 Small curve before aligning to broad street in Akron 16:29 Climbing the hill into Ephrata, Cincinnati Curved Side Car (Unk#) descending heading toward Akron 16:43 looking north Birney Car #54 (NHRS Special) pauses in Ephrata on Main St. The Royer Pharmacy building can be seen behind 16:52 Brill Car #54 (NHRS Special) Turns right on to Lake St. off Main St. in Ephrata on its trip back to Lancaster. 17:18 Brill Car #54 (NHRS Special) Slinks south of Ephrata crossing Fulton St. 17:49 Brill Car #54 (NHRS Special) Heads south across the Tallmadge trestle, Railfans scrambling up Talmadge trestle bridge abutment.
The P.T.C. film is circa 1952 to 1953. Note in the scenes of the Germantown car barn, one of the all-electric PCC cars still has a gray roof. And in the scene of what looks like Luzerne car barn, there is an air-electric PCC car with a gray roof. There are shots of the Bridge Street Terminal and the Frankford car barn. Rt. 66 was still a trolley line, with double end 5200 type cars. It wasn't converted to trackless trolleys until 1955. Rt. 3 and Rt. 5 had not gotten the second hand PCC cars yet. They came in 1954. Note, the small 100 series Brill trackless trolley, seen on Rt. 61 Ridge Avenue, still had it's gray roof. That shot might have been taken in front of the old Ridge car barn. But it possibly could have been taken at Allegheny car barn. There was a time that Rt. 61 trackless trolleys worked out of Allegheny. They deadheaded from Ridge & Allegheny to the barn at 26th & Allegheny. I have photos of them in Allegheny car barn and on Allegheny Avenue. I'm not sure of the exact date they were switched over to Ridge car barn.
22:37 Definitely the approach to the Damen elevated Northwest route (currently Blue Line -O'Hare bound). You can see the slight kink in the track just north of the station. The station is dark stained from the dust from coal furnaces, diesel and leaded fuel pollution. The one landmark building is off camera top right is the Northwest Tower (now the Robey hotel).
My Great Grandfather, Norman Hawkins was a Trolley Operator.
when the X game happened, I was probably the only one that rollerblade through that tunnel and went down that hill next to the tunnel. Hit the stop sign but I'm good.
I have wondered how that stop sign got the dent in it.
@@steverenom.299 it's still thier? whoa
@@hotpopcorncake The dent is the perfect shape of your helmeted head.