The Niagara Frontier Chapter National Railway
Historical Society
Film Collection; Volume 1
Narrated by John M. Prophet III & Jim Van Brocklin
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.
John M. Prophet’s Webster-Chicago 288-1
Wire Recorder
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.
New York Central's Interlocking Tower F
and the Black Rock Facilities
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 Frontier Chapter of the NRHS.
Turning a Hobby Into a Lifelong Legacy:
How John M. Prophet III Lived with Steam
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 employees did. Through his photographs, movies and sound recordings of trains from the mid 1930s until the early 1970s, we learn about the history of John, his family, and the technology he used to create his incredible collection of archives.
The "Railroad Enthusiasts'" 1938 Trip to Arcade, NY on the Pennsylvania Railroad
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 continue to enjoy and preserve the railroad legacy of Buffalo and Western New York... something they continue to do to this day.
Chasing the “78”
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 of how he was able to accomplish this.
The 16mm Railroad Movies of
John M. Prophet III
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 well versed in John's life, and the photos, films, and sound recordings John made throughout his life.
I was completely prepared for what I was going to talk about as I previewed the small collection of films the Chapter had in a single video of John's digitized films. However, two weeks before the banquet, I found a nondescript VHS tape that I had completely forgotten about. There's really no need for me to say any more. The video you are about to watch will explain it all.
Living with Steam S1, E5 Sample Clip
”Interlocking Towers”
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!! This video is was produced as a container for an audio clip only. The various images of interlocking towers featured in the video are there only as “eye candy” to help move the video along. No attempt was made to accurately sync the images to the context of the narrative since I’m describing interlocking towers in the broadest sense without getting too technical and long-winded. This is also why the “banner” is present throughout the video.
Please consider these points before you make any negative comments about the clip. And yes, I have received some comments that were sent by typical “internet experts.” Don’t be that guy.
END