Brakeman Bill's Final Show Pt1

The Brakeman Bill Show ran for 20 years on KSTW, Channel 11 in Tacoma, Washington. Bill McLain along with Crazy Donkey showed cartoons, gave away prizes and made us laugh. This is their final show and the only episode that was saved on tape.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Brakeman
• Bill
• Crazy
• Donkey
• KSTW
• Channel
• 11
• Kids
• Childrens
• Television
• McLain

[Bargerland]

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.

[cochranexyz]

Well, wasn't it really KTNT rather than KSTW?

[Bargerland]

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.

[carr1erunt]

If anyone hears of any Brakeman Bill footage from 1969-1970 please post the info! My Bluebird Troop was on his show that year.

[Bargerland]

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.

[luridplanet]

Is Warren Reed still alive? He was booth announcer at ch11 for ages as well as crazy donkey.

[Bargerland]

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.

[myprophet1]

treavor, are you still out there?

[tacomadavid68]

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.

[hollymaren]

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.

[TheTaijavu]

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.

[ungerers]

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.

[COUGFORLIFE100]

i ran, literallly all the way home to see brakeman bill. o man i feel old.

[lazlo717]

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

[MrPitjoey]

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:)

[joecool4pres]

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.