I remember him showing up at a roller skating rink and the kids were all swarming around him while he was just trying to stand up on skates. My mom thought he must be one of the bravest men she had ever seen.
I watched him all of the time in the late 50s-early 60s.
My grandfather worked for 27 years at KTNT/KSTW as a film editor. One of my greatest thrills was his taking me along with him when they had a problem at the station. I got to go on the Brakeman Bill set and check it out. What amazed me was the Caboose everyone came out of was about 3 ft deep.
Then soon after this finale of the show aired, My grandfather and I were at the Puyallup fair and I was introduced to Mr. McClain. He was such a nice man.
How cool, I was on the Brakeman Bill Show, probably about 1967 or so with the Cub Scouts- Lori Weber in that clip I remember From Wilson High School, I think she was Daffodil Queen that year
anyone remember when Bill thought they were still on a comercial break and went back live and Bill said to someone off stage (OH SHUT THE HELL UP) Then he realized they were on air and said (HI BOYS AND GIRLS) DIDNT MISS A BEAT:)
I remember Brakeman Bill calling me on the telephone when I was a kid. He asked me what song Crazy Donkey had just sang. If I answered correctly I would win a band new bicycle. I had been out riding my beat up old bicycle and missed Crazy Donkey singing. I gave it a guess, but guessed wrong. He sent me a 1000 piece puzzle of the Space Needle. I never did put that puzzle together.
Brakeman Bill ended up being the program director for KTSW channell 11 in the Seattle area. I was on his show as a child when my Grandma took me. He was in a bad mood that day as he yelled at all of us kids to "Shut up you litttle brats!"
As native Washingtonian and born in 1963 Brakeman Bill was a part of my childhood and I couldn't wait to get home from school to watch the him and the cartoons. That was before cable and we lived in a very rural area so if there was too much wind and rain the reception was poor. (things that kids today dont have to deal with!)
I wrote in a few times but was never called! I wanted so badly be "the one" who was called lol
I just got done talking on the phone with Bill McClain, Brakeman Bill, and he was very excited to see his video on YouTube and loved all the kind messages his fans have posted. Hes doing great and he is always a pleasure to talk to.
Yes, it was KTNT. When channel 11 was purchased by Gaylord in the 70s the call letters were changed to KSTW. But many of the equipment, video tape and employees were still here. Bill McClain was still working at KSTW in the late '80 when I was hired.
Thanks. I remember turning on the TV and the call letters were different. And "informercials"--not the 1/2 hour long junk, but the 1 minute or 1.5 minute long versions of commercials. Am I wrong in thinking that KTSW seemed to have more than the usual station?
The station had already been sold to Gaylord and the call letters changed to KSTW when this aired, as evidenced by the station ID slide at the end of the clip. By the way, the first KSTW logo was identical to the logo of Gaylord sister-station KTVT in Fort Worth, Tex. (also Channel 11)... 20 years later, they would again have the same logos as CBS affiliates.
Presently I work at KSTW and there is very little footage from before the 1980's. Also, I've talked with Bill McClain (Brakeman Bill) and as far as he knows his final show was the only episode saved from the thousands of shows they put on. If there is any more video or film in the hands of a former employee, it would be great to see, but I believe this is all there is.
I have been looking for video of Brakeman Bill forever! Thanks so much for posting this. I grew up in Federal Way, so I well remember Brakeman Bill from my childhood.
Warren passed on some time ago. He was quite a talent. Bill McClain is doing great. He makes occasional appearances and can be seen on the golf course.
I know some of the former employees have footage and if any of them happen come across anything, I would love to help them get it on YouTube. I do have a short clip with Bob Gleason during the Seattle Worlds Fair. Also, the Washington State History museum has news footage that was shot during the 60's and 70's. Along with the Gleason clip, I have a Romper Room clip and a few other items. Sorry I'm slow getting these on YouTube, but I will get to it.
Speaking of Bob Gleason, there are a number of still photos of him on the air in the Richards Studio collection of the Tacoma Public Library -- go to search (dot) tacomapubliclibrary (dot) org (slash) images and search for "KTNT." There are also some good shots of the View Park transmitter site when it was new.
From what I've heard, Gleason was *the* face of Channel 11 in the early days (apologies to Bill McLain)! Those guys really had to be journeymen -- host a "women's" show here, the afternoon movie there, and even deliver the news. Gene Brendler at KPTV in Portland was another "utility" station personality like that.
If I have my history right, this was after Gaylord bought the station (hence the KSTW call letters), but before the new studios were finished on S. 19th Street. Is this the only remaining video of anything broadcast from the old KTNT building?
Definitely a priceless piece of Tacoma TV history... with a special Daffodil Festival ID slide to boot!
You gotta love the boy scout troop shouting "We want Brakeman" in the background... there must have been some cringes in the control room at that moment. And Crazy Donkey... what a ladies man!
treavor, are you still out there?
myprophet1 4 weeks ago
I met him once when I was a kid and the guy was a fucking jerk. Fuck you brakeman bill and the fucking train you rode in on. What an asshole he was.
tacomadavid68 10 months ago
I remember him showing up at a roller skating rink and the kids were all swarming around him while he was just trying to stand up on skates. My mom thought he must be one of the bravest men she had ever seen.
I watched him all of the time in the late 50s-early 60s.
hollymaren 1 year ago
My grandfather worked for 27 years at KTNT/KSTW as a film editor. One of my greatest thrills was his taking me along with him when they had a problem at the station. I got to go on the Brakeman Bill set and check it out. What amazed me was the Caboose everyone came out of was about 3 ft deep.
Then soon after this finale of the show aired, My grandfather and I were at the Puyallup fair and I was introduced to Mr. McClain. He was such a nice man.
TheTaijavu 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this video! I grew up in Victoria, BC and have very fond memories of coming home after school to watch Brakeman Bill.
ungerers 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
i ran, literallly all the way home to see brakeman bill. o man i feel old.
COUGFORLIFE100 1 year ago
i ran, literallly all the way home to see brakeman bill. o man i feel old.
COUGFORLIFE100 1 year ago
How cool, I was on the Brakeman Bill Show, probably about 1967 or so with the Cub Scouts- Lori Weber in that clip I remember From Wilson High School, I think she was Daffodil Queen that year
lazlo717 1 year ago
anyone remember when Bill thought they were still on a comercial break and went back live and Bill said to someone off stage (OH SHUT THE HELL UP) Then he realized they were on air and said (HI BOYS AND GIRLS) DIDNT MISS A BEAT:)
MrPitjoey 2 years ago
I remember Brakeman Bill calling me on the telephone when I was a kid. He asked me what song Crazy Donkey had just sang. If I answered correctly I would win a band new bicycle. I had been out riding my beat up old bicycle and missed Crazy Donkey singing. I gave it a guess, but guessed wrong. He sent me a 1000 piece puzzle of the Space Needle. I never did put that puzzle together.
joecool4pres 2 years ago
If you grew up in Western Washington in the 60s & 70s, you knew Brakeman Bill and JP Patches. That is unless you didn't have a television.
DrDupe 2 years ago
I live in Los Angeles now but I remember seeing Bill on stage at my school performing in Tacoma back in 1977? I think it was.
Ruckmanite 2 years ago
WOW... This was a great show. I remember watching when I was a kid.. So were is he now?.. And does anyone remember Teeny the Clown?
RatCity2020 2 years ago
Brakeman Bill ended up being the program director for KTSW channell 11 in the Seattle area. I was on his show as a child when my Grandma took me. He was in a bad mood that day as he yelled at all of us kids to "Shut up you litttle brats!"
AmeKeaka 2 years ago
As native Washingtonian and born in 1963 Brakeman Bill was a part of my childhood and I couldn't wait to get home from school to watch the him and the cartoons. That was before cable and we lived in a very rural area so if there was too much wind and rain the reception was poor. (things that kids today dont have to deal with!)
I wrote in a few times but was never called! I wanted so badly be "the one" who was called lol
Thanks for a blast from the past!
marienora 3 years ago
I just got done talking on the phone with Bill McClain, Brakeman Bill, and he was very excited to see his video on YouTube and loved all the kind messages his fans have posted. Hes doing great and he is always a pleasure to talk to.
Bargerland 3 years ago
Well, wasn't it really KTNT rather than KSTW?
cochranexyz 3 years ago
Yes, it was KTNT. When channel 11 was purchased by Gaylord in the 70s the call letters were changed to KSTW. But many of the equipment, video tape and employees were still here. Bill McClain was still working at KSTW in the late '80 when I was hired.
Bargerland 3 years ago
Thanks. I remember turning on the TV and the call letters were different. And "informercials"--not the 1/2 hour long junk, but the 1 minute or 1.5 minute long versions of commercials. Am I wrong in thinking that KTSW seemed to have more than the usual station?
cochranexyz 3 years ago
The station had already been sold to Gaylord and the call letters changed to KSTW when this aired, as evidenced by the station ID slide at the end of the clip. By the way, the first KSTW logo was identical to the logo of Gaylord sister-station KTVT in Fort Worth, Tex. (also Channel 11)... 20 years later, they would again have the same logos as CBS affiliates.
tkaye2 3 years ago
If anyone hears of any Brakeman Bill footage from 1969-1970 please post the info! My Bluebird Troop was on his show that year.
carr1erunt 3 years ago
Presently I work at KSTW and there is very little footage from before the 1980's. Also, I've talked with Bill McClain (Brakeman Bill) and as far as he knows his final show was the only episode saved from the thousands of shows they put on. If there is any more video or film in the hands of a former employee, it would be great to see, but I believe this is all there is.
Bargerland 3 years ago
I have been looking for video of Brakeman Bill forever! Thanks so much for posting this. I grew up in Federal Way, so I well remember Brakeman Bill from my childhood.
superbu1 3 years ago
Is Warren Reed still alive? He was booth announcer at ch11 for ages as well as crazy donkey.
luridplanet 3 years ago
Warren passed on some time ago. He was quite a talent. Bill McClain is doing great. He makes occasional appearances and can be seen on the golf course.
Bargerland 3 years ago
I know some of the former employees have footage and if any of them happen come across anything, I would love to help them get it on YouTube. I do have a short clip with Bob Gleason during the Seattle Worlds Fair. Also, the Washington State History museum has news footage that was shot during the 60's and 70's. Along with the Gleason clip, I have a Romper Room clip and a few other items. Sorry I'm slow getting these on YouTube, but I will get to it.
Bargerland 3 years ago
Speaking of Bob Gleason, there are a number of still photos of him on the air in the Richards Studio collection of the Tacoma Public Library -- go to search (dot) tacomapubliclibrary (dot) org (slash) images and search for "KTNT." There are also some good shots of the View Park transmitter site when it was new.
tkaye2 3 years ago
From what I've heard, Gleason was *the* face of Channel 11 in the early days (apologies to Bill McLain)! Those guys really had to be journeymen -- host a "women's" show here, the afternoon movie there, and even deliver the news. Gene Brendler at KPTV in Portland was another "utility" station personality like that.
tkaye2 3 years ago
If I have my history right, this was after Gaylord bought the station (hence the KSTW call letters), but before the new studios were finished on S. 19th Street. Is this the only remaining video of anything broadcast from the old KTNT building?
tkaye2 3 years ago
Definitely a priceless piece of Tacoma TV history... with a special Daffodil Festival ID slide to boot!
You gotta love the boy scout troop shouting "We want Brakeman" in the background... there must have been some cringes in the control room at that moment. And Crazy Donkey... what a ladies man!
tkaye2 3 years ago