1945 footage of New England Live Steamers in Color

[FKreider]

Has anyone ever seen this color footage of Danvers before? It was posted to YouTube on March 24, 2020.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NNCSxndMrc

Video Description is as follows:

From the Naples Historical Society Collection: Chute Homestead Home Movies. Featuring 1945 footage of New England Live Steamers club track in Danvers, Massachusetts. People riding on and displaying large scale, or 3/4” +1’ model trains on a raised track, including a few shots of a model steam tractor. Many exhibitors dressed in overalls and train conductor hats. Trains include Norman Steele, Lester Friend, Harry Sait and Bill VanBrocklin. Footage of narrow gauge trains, including people pushing a train car, posing with a train and riding on the front of the engine. (Perhaps on the Bridgton and Harrison line in Maine.)

There are some great shots in this video, I do not think I have ever seen the Danvers track in color before, there is no mistaking the "Union Chemical Co." building in the background of several shots.

[Adirondack]

Really cool! Thanks for pointing this out.

And yes, that was the Bridgton & Saco River two footer.

Chris

[Sandiapaul]

Wow and where are all those engines today? Loved the little tractor. Luckily we have #7 preserved.

[steamingdon]

I have seen this film before, I think on Northeast Live Steamers page. A lot of famous Live Steamers here. A young Bill VanBrocklin, Norm Steele, Gene Stevens, Lester Friend, # 46 Turnbull. If they could still talk, the stories they could tell.

[tsph6500]

CNR No. 46 is in my shop. This summer I built a brand new boiler for it with Keith Wood.

[Mountaineer]

Nice to see Bridgeton and Saco #7 as she was (about) 70 years ago!

Mountaineer

[FKreider]

Is that Harry Sait with the Boston and Albany tanker at 2:22 mark?

Also- I see the famous "Jiminy Cricket" Pensy style 0-4-0 running about?

Cool stuff.

[Fender]

Had to laugh at the guys “shunting” the two-foot gauge equipment in true “live steam” form (by hand).

[Steve Bratina]

I thought the little traction engine was built/belonged to John Mathews(?). This looked to be the same engine that a young Charlie Purinton is driving in the Live Steam Book by Charlie Purinton but it is not.

[10 Wheeler Rob]

I believe the locomotive at 2:45 in the vedio is Joe Hilds B & O P7 Pacific. It may be his brother Herb operating it. I currently own it and run often at Pioneer Valley Live Steamers.

[Steve Bratina]

Here are some stills from the film.

[Steve Bratina]

A few more