Wonderful footage of the C & NW in action with a 400 streamliner. Your grandfather captured many classic elements of the railroad and even got to photograph while riding onboard the switcher!
This film was taken by H.P. Davis of Elroy, my Grandfather on my Mother's side. My Grandfather on my father side is in the film and is throwing the switchm Patrick Donnelly. he was the conductor on the 400 and worked on the Railroad for 60 years. This may be the inauguarl trip of the 400, as the Elroy Hilltoppers band is playing on the train platform. I saw this film at my Grandfather Davis's home when I was very young.
AWESOME VIDEO!!! Its sad to say, once tracks are removed they are never coming back in amy of our lifetimes. I grew up in Elroy, Wisconsin and spend 20 years there. The Elroy/Sparta state trail was cool, but is even cooler with this video. I hope that you keep this? I feel very fortunate to see it.
@nono6366 More than music, it needs the sound of chugging 567s and Leslie Tyfon airhorns (especially at 3:30 when those idiots run across the track in front of the train. Some things never change!). Still, cool old footage!
Looks like the train was either the "Dakota 400" or "Rochester 400", which ran across southern Minnesota. That line was dieselized (converted from steam) in 1950, so that's the earliest it could be. The trains ran until 1963.
I finally signed up and must say I can not get enough of this video I've used for reference in scale modeling! Been watching it for month & is my favorite!
Wonderful footage of the C & NW in action with a 400 streamliner. Your grandfather captured many classic elements of the railroad and even got to photograph while riding onboard the switcher!
Petemonster62 1 month ago
All I can say is Awesome!!!Probably super-rare footage.Love that ground semaphore signal.Hard to find pics of later trains on the Elroy-Sparta line.
I believe the Elroy-Sparta line was train orders(dark),with no block signals?I am looking into the history of all the CNW lines that became trails.
redzmvt 4 months ago
This film was taken by H.P. Davis of Elroy, my Grandfather on my Mother's side. My Grandfather on my father side is in the film and is throwing the switchm Patrick Donnelly. he was the conductor on the 400 and worked on the Railroad for 60 years. This may be the inauguarl trip of the 400, as the Elroy Hilltoppers band is playing on the train platform. I saw this film at my Grandfather Davis's home when I was very young.
Mike56633 10 months ago
AWESOME VIDEO!!! Its sad to say, once tracks are removed they are never coming back in amy of our lifetimes. I grew up in Elroy, Wisconsin and spend 20 years there. The Elroy/Sparta state trail was cool, but is even cooler with this video. I hope that you keep this? I feel very fortunate to see it.
kro7991 1 year ago
Great footage but it could use a song or something; that length of a quiet video was unnerving! Or is it just me?
nono6366 1 year ago
@nono6366 More than music, it needs the sound of chugging 567s and Leslie Tyfon airhorns (especially at 3:30 when those idiots run across the track in front of the train. Some things never change!). Still, cool old footage!
HighIronofWisconsin 1 year ago
Looks like the train was either the "Dakota 400" or "Rochester 400", which ran across southern Minnesota. That line was dieselized (converted from steam) in 1950, so that's the earliest it could be. The trains ran until 1963.
mulad 2 years ago
When was this clip filmed...what year roughly? My fiance was born and raised in Elroy and he enjoyed this clip very much.
Thanks
DaBikerLady 3 years ago
this is the way it should be today! Nice viedo
JDWP254 4 years ago
eyghgjvnggh
34karen34 4 years ago
Nice work man.
LD60 4 years ago
is everything Elroy in the clip? Just wondering because I live in Wilton, and was just wondering what the town looked like back then.
SavageArmsMan 4 years ago
I finally signed up and must say I can not get enough of this video I've used for reference in scale modeling! Been watching it for month & is my favorite!
incidious13 4 years ago
I live in Elroy, love the film footage, thats ausome!!!
farmallzach 4 years ago
By the way, what year was this?
CNW4404 4 years ago
Wish it had sound :(
Those C&NW Fs have powerful Leslie honkers.
LightMyFire92 4 years ago
That Was fantastic thanks
502250223 4 years ago
holy crap. actual footage of the 400s in action! you rock!
MaxInterjects 4 years ago
Ah, the good old days...this is amazing!
CNW4404 4 years ago