Old film

[Tharmeni]

A quick question for the esteemed members of the board:

While going through my father's stuff here recently, I found a reel of color 8mm film which he had shot and entitled "Railroads of the midwest" -- it is in good shape and from the little I watched (I was being pressured to leave by an atty) it includes some Wabash passenger and freight trains and shots of the IC running passenger trains (probably thorugh Illinois) as he drove alongside and that section is captioned "100 mph!" The entire film is probably 20-30 minutes and has no sound.

Anyone have a suggestion on a museum or group I can give this to? The film isn't brittle but will need TLC. I am a train fan, but I am not into films, so I'd like to donate this -- once the estate is settled.

[Tharmeni]

Forgot to add that judging from the autos in the film, it was likely shot in the late 1950s, early 1960s.

[vsmith]

I would take it somewhere like a video or photo shop and have it transfered to VHS or DVD. Then you can enjoy it without the hastle of a screen or projector or try the companies that sell train videos.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure that the Wabash Railroad Historical Society http://home.comcast.net/~wabashrr/wrhs.html would love this piece of film
I also like the idea of transfering it to DVD, I sure would like to have a (digital) copy if that's possible...
And if you can't find a proper shop to do the job, I'd be willing to do it for you, free of charge
Only problem is that it would have to be send to The Netherlands and back [:)]
Best regards
Ruud Grootenboer
The Netherlands

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TrainMaker

I'm pretty sure that the Wabash Railroad Historical Society http://home.comcast.net/~wabashrr/wrhs.html would love this piece of film
I also like the idea of transfering it to DVD, I sure would like to have a (digital) copy if that's possible...
And if you can't find a proper shop to do the job, I'd be willing to do it for you, free of charge
Only problem is that it would have to be send to The Netherlands and back [:)]
Best regards
Ruud Grootenboer
The Netherlands

Yes indeed that would be an interesting film to see.

There are many places in the US that would transfer the film to either VCR or DVD format. Just find a telephone book and call around, ask about more than one copy too. I would imagine you could sell them yourself, make a little extra money, and make many railfans happy at the same time. [:D]

[cherokee woman]

Trainmaker, [#welcome] to the forums! Come to the Depot Diner and
Coffee Shop, and I'll give you a free slice of pineapple upside down cake,
as a new member to the forums.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure there are closer places to you that will do the the transfer to DVD or videotape, but FYI there was an article in the Austin (TX) paper this week about a number of firms in the Austin area that will transfer your film. For a reference, the price ranged on the order of $35-50 flat PLUS about $0.35-0.50 per foot if I remember correctly. You can probably find firms in your area that will do the transfer for comparable prices.

That would be a fascinating historical piece to see.

[Tharmeni]

Thanks. I will get it transferred- once I legally get my hands on it. My old man was trained as a movie director, so it's well done, not jerky or blurry. There is a 1962 Plymouth in one of the shots and I think it was filmed over a period of several years. Saw another minute of it yesterday (ona film editor screen) -- There's also a segment of the Wabash Cannonball (at least I think it is) going through the snow, probably in Northern Indiana.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tharmeni

Thanks. I will get it transferred- once I legally get my hands on it. My old man was trained as a movie director, so it's well done, not jerky or blurry. There is a 1962 Plymouth in one of the shots and I think it was filmed over a period of several years. Saw another minute of it yesterday (ona film editor screen) -- There's also a segment of the Wabash Cannonball (at least I think it is) going through the snow, probably in Northern Indiana.

Sounds like a very nice piece of history there. Personally I love history and railroad history is super.

Put me on the list for a copy please. [:D] [;)] [:p]

[Tharmeni]

I will do. It may be in 2006 before I can get it and have it copied.
Tom