New York Central's Interlocking Tower F and the Black Rock Facilities

This video showcases the movement of various trains around Tower F in the Black Rock section of Buffalo NY. The controlled trains on the NYC's Niagara Branch as they made their way either to the International Bridge and Canada, or further south into downtown Buffalo. Helping to convey the story of Tower F are the incredible films of William Kessel, one of the founding members of the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the NRHS.
Please note that at approximately 6:05 into the video, I incorrectly identified one of the trains crossing over the International Bridge as a "Canadian Pacific switching engine." Rather, it is an engine of the Canadian National.

[@richardkendall6746]

The NY Barge Canal ends at the Niagara River at the Tonawanda's. The swing bridge crosses the Black Rock Channel which parallels the Niagara River. Wonderful film memories!

[@LivingwithSteam]

I'm afraid my childhood memories of fishing in that area with my Grandfather may have accidentally caused me to name the canal incorrectly. My Grandfather would always tell me stories of the last days of the Erie Canal before it was filled in and completely obliterated in the 40s and 50s. He would always refer that "that body of water" as the Erie Barge Canal. When I was a kid, if my Grandfather said it, it was gospel.

[@keithross4511]

I love all this historical information and photos. An era gone forever and only retained by this information and photos. Thank you for sharing them. A rail fan from Oklahoma.

[@crypto-radio8186]

In 2000 I was a Train Hopper-Hobo and wound up in Canada, Toronto. I stayed until Canadian Thanksgiving then caught a Freight and crossed over to USA Buffalo, with my Gibson Guitar and Back Pack.

[@LivingwithSteam]

I'm envious. That's one thing I never talked about in detail with John; hoboes. He would mention them from time to time as he'd see them on the trains he'd be recording or filming. I often wish I was brave enough to give it a try. The many videos on KZbin certainly make anyone want to try a life on the rails.

[@johncamp2567]

Excellent historical documentation!

[@louislamonte334]

Fantastic footage!! Thank you very much for sharing! It's always sad and wistful to see what once was and contrast it with what's left.

[@LivingwithSteam]

... and I was initially doing the research for all of this back in the early 90s. There's NOTHING left now.

[@louislamonte334]

@@LivingwithSteam Truly sad.

[@wabisabi6875]

Thanks for sharing the footage. The use of google map was instructive, too. Would like to see you tackle some of the other railroads of western New York: Buffalo Rochester & Pittsburgh, and New York Ontario & Western. Keep up the good work.

[@LivingwithSteam]

Thanks very much. Unfortunately, I'm focusing on what John Prophet filmed and recorded. It's my goal to share his sound recordings and films because that's what he wanted. If you listen to the Living with Steam podcast, there's an episode about the B&O in Western New York, and if memory serves me correctly, there are some ex BR&P engines that John recorded.

[@doc_1851]

Love the footage! Those handsome NYC Hudsons are always great to see in action.

[@edf7008]

Wicked good!

[@Toledo1940]

The 0-6-0 engine shown at 2:47 is incorrectly described as an NYC engine. The size and style of numbers on her cab show that she belongs to another railroad. NYC Engine 7529 was an 0-8-0 switcher, Class U-2.

[@juanbanzai]

Thanks for the comment. In Bill Kessel's notes, he listed it as a NYC engine... but I'm wondering now if it could have been a Canadian Pacific engine, or perhaps a DL&W?

[@johnblair8146]

@@juanbanzai CP.

[@va3osc]

@@juanbanzai It's a Canadian National 0-6-0 (class O-19-a) which was originally a Grand Trunk Pacific locomotive. A couple of other corrections: at 6:09 and 7:11, the switchers are identified as CPR when they are, in fact, CNR. No big deal because it's a remarkable record!

[@jeffshorts6052]

I’m really enjoying your productions. I’m wondering did the Railroad company’s have to pay royalties to use each other’s tracks and services.

[@juanbanzai]

My understanding is that railroads leased trackage rights from each other. For example, one of my podcast episodes features recordings John made from Tower 65 in Niagara Falls. At one point, the NYC, Erie and Lehigh Valley all had tracks in and around the Niagara Falls area. But later in their existence, I think the LV leased trackage rights from the NYC. I’m not 100% certain at this moment because my memory is failing me. Hopefully someone else can chime in and confirm this. If I could guess, paying a lease to another railroad to run your trains on THEIR tracks would be much less costly to a railroad suffering from financial difficulties rather than maintaining their own right-of-way. What I never understood is how the scheduling of trains worked in a situation like that. It’s not like the NYC would hold one of their trains to give precedent to a LV train. This needs more research.

[@johnblair8146]

At 4:45 looks to be a *PATCHED* NYC Hudson. TH&B bought 2 Hudsons from NYC.

[@LivingwithSteam]

What do you mean by "patched?" The TH&B just stuck their logo over the top of the NYC without painting over it? I've never heard that term before.

[@ghettoscum84]

Noticed that the State hospital had a railroad spur to it that split off too two tracks. Oh enough of that WOKE crap, it's SQUAW ISLAND!!

[@LivingwithSteam]

As someone who thrives on history, and as someone who listens to a LOT of history-based podcasts, I often get annoyed with the way historical events, or places, or even people are condemned or vilified based on "today's standards. Whether WE think historical contexts are inappropriate, racist, or offensive is OUR opinion. We need to thoroughly understand the world people lived in between the 18th and 20th centuries. Of course what was considered socially acceptable back then would more than likely make us cringe today. But that is no reason to erase history like it never happened. It's not right to make monsters out of our ancestors. Rather, why don't we come to terms with the social, political, and emotional norms of their day if, for no other reason, to ensure that acceptable practices like that never happen again. But to paint a picture of everyone and everything in history as being an abominatio is completely wrong.

[@Iowaclass65]

@@LivingwithSteam Very well said!