Henry Ford's Railroad: The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton in the 1920's

Henry Ford bough the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad, a somewhat run-down property, in 1920. A few years later, Ford's cameramen went out on the line to take movies of its operations. The railroad was, in some ways, an antique--look for wooden open-platform coaches pulled by 1905-era ten-wheeler locomotives. These films are now in the collection of the National Archives. This is my edit of them.

[@daretolive9357]

At one point Henry Ford owned every aspect of the automotive manufacturing industry. from rubber plantations, iron mines, steel mills, foundries, railroads, electronics, and many more.

[@apocalypserailroad9047]

This is the first railroad I fell in love with as a boy, and still makes me giddy now!! I model an imagined railroad named after one of the originals that become part of the DT&I called the Detroit Southern. In my model, the Detroit Southern is owned by the DT&I, but retains its name, and moves industrial loads around the southern area of Detroit. As such, the occasional DT&I steamer shows up in the area to make its presence known! :) Great updated/altered video of these classic DT&I/Ford scenes!!

[@trainsntile]

Awesome film that is nearly 100 years old!!! LOVE IT! Sad that there is no 'sound', but I believe the 'talkies' came at the end of the 1920's. One question- How can anyone 'thumbs down' a piece of preserved American history like this?? SHAME on them!!!!

[@SpeedGraphicFilmVideo]

Thumbs-down's don't bother me. I just figure that they were trying to hit the thumbs-up button and missed.

[@louislamonte334]

Excellent footage! Terrific choice of music too!!

[@Zebrails]

The foot-age contains a bit of "time fungus" which really authenticates efforts to keep antiquated scenes like this video beautiful. There were no blue skies to gawk at, this was just industry railroading in it's true grit-ladened action accompanied by equally boisterous notes of common life (chickens and fading caboose at the end) with music to wrap it all together. Awesome film... captured by chance that there are people who would love to live for those days... and even recreate that part of the world, that part of such life, in miniature... in black & white or sepia video while adding gunk and crud effects... breathing that sigh of relief and loving every second of it. How's that!? That was then and people make it now. Thumbs up from me.

[@lazyrrr2411]

Suffice to say , i wouldn't BE here if not for FoMoCo - - - in a strange way it's like looking at lost films of my grandfather 🚂👴 Thank You 👏😓

[@BurtonSKnowles]

Makes me wish I was alive in the 20's and watching all of this in person.....

[@dennis-ul5ht]

That's assuming that survived WWI and/or the flu epidemic...

[@johnstokes5098]

Impressive video. In the last sequesnce, I counted 48 loaded wagons marked with the Ford emblem!

[@robertgift]

Wonderful! Thank you for sharing this.

[@williamcharles9480]

Speed Graphic Film and Video The fact that there was some editing doesn't matter. You did an excellent job. It is most commendable of you for your efforts in preservation and presentation of film work that would have most likely never have been seen again by the general public. I've been a railfan all of my 65 years and have never seen this footage. Your addition of the history of the film and the railroad, along with that of the background music make this film tolerable as some portions can be quite redundant. Thank you.

[@garyholschuh8811]

I loved riding that train from Michigan to the Ohio river. I would do it about twice a month.

[@RickJando]

Very atmospheric, wish I was there.id bet that white shirts didnt stay white for too long !

[@mattberg6785]

Nicely done

[@williamcharles9480]

The Victor Symphony Orchestra performing John Alden Carpenter's "Skyscrapers" conducted by Nathaniel Shilkret . Excellent! I was going to finalize my comment with the exclamation, but I had to address the criticism. It's sad that no matter how one may present something that is nearly a century old, there's always a smart-ass that's ready to show his 10 year old maturity.

[@SpeedGraphicFilmVideo]

Glad you appreciate it. The original piece is a bit longer--I had to edit to fit the film.

[@Altepeter]

In regard to music, very good choice, down home American. The compilation of historic black and white moving images, music, trains, produces an art form inimitably American.

[@rickprusak9326]

In my Delray neighborhood, everyone called the DT& I railroad, the Dirt Tee I (Dirty Eye) railroad.

[@fiercetrains4052]

is flat rock yard in this?

[@rogerrobertson2958]

Matt @9:09 maybe Flatrock or South yard. Or Rouge yard? I worked for GTW IN THE 199's @ Flat rock.✌✌✌👍👍👍

[@stevevareno3338]

I saw one of these films that showed a close up of the rails which were the old type that didn't bolt together but now I can't find that film

[@pilsudski36]

Note (At 3:55) how even a local train has an RPO (Railway Post Office) car to pick up and deliver mail to small towns.

[@chriswright8464]

Simple Times and no computers, cell phones ect....

[@OnlyTheEd]

I wonder if one or more of the "Ford" hopper cars are in a museum somewhere?

[@robertjennings397]

Rail failure imminent, opening scene.

[@geoffreylee5199]

Interesting, but the front crawl moves too fast.

[@SpeedGraphicFilmVideo]

Sorry about that. I was trying to fit it into the length of the film clip.

[@1940limited]

Even then, government interference and union rules wee a detriment to doing business.

[@fransoto8343]

Governments in every single developed country: wants rail Also governments: makes it impossible and extremely painful to manage a rail, make it profitable and to simply run it.

[@michaela.chmieloski3196]

Increases in union wages (on January First of every calendar year) were part of the justification for the railroads to seek annual increases in freight and passenger tariff rates. Arguing for such before the Interstate Commerce Commission could take into September before the rate increases (based on multiple economic factors) were granted. Since the clock could not be turned back and all those whom had patronized their lines in the previous nine months re-billed, the railroads were always behind in their revenue streams. Government regulation of private, free-market capitalism--got to love it.

[@EmilyTienne]

Music got on my nerves.

[@russ3045]

Me too Henry was into Rock & Roll. He would flip in his grave listening to that schite.

[@SpeedGraphicFilmVideo]

Mr. Ford was actually a big fan of 19th-century country fiddle music: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oImqkmdmopp7sLs

[@guysmith1946]

Great video... Horrible Music....!!!!?

[@timb393]

don't like it reason not clear view/malabo

[@SpeedGraphicFilmVideo]

The old nitrate film had decayed quite a bit before it was digitized by the National Archives, unfortunately.

[@timb393]

their are solution and like it reason educational.

[@williammeszaros1671]

Tim B

[@andyevans9369]

Tim B sorry that it is not 4K video.......sometimes technology just can't keep up with your unrealistic expectations. I for one am glad they can save what they have.

[@restoredoutboards]

Tim B j