Steam Alive in Victoria

A rip of an old VHS tape featuring steam locomotives in Victoria, Australia. Circa '87-'88
Featuring:
J 515
K 153
K 163
T 251
Na 14A
Fowler 11855
R 761
D3 639

[@c6pcairns]

I worked on the production of this video, I did some of the shooting and much of the boom microphone work. I also sat in on some of the editing. It was mostly shot on 3/4" BVU with a little bit on S-VHS if I recall correctly. All edited on modified low band 3/4" U-Matic editors that were converted to BVU by Greg Naylor. All titles were produced on a Commodore Amiga and superimposed using a genlock unit made specifically for the Amiga and video production. The tracking shots keeping pace with the locos was me hanging out the side of a Mitsubishi van hanging on for dear life. Loads of fun for an eighteen year old. I shot some of the station stuff too. The camera used mostly was a Sony BVP-3 three tube broadcast camera with BVU portable recorder and the S-VHS was an early Panasonic 3CCD broadcast camera with a docked recorder for those that like details. I have a different copy of this video that was given to me by Greg Naylor with whom I worked closely at the time. The only real difference is the credits. He was the producer, shot most of it and edited it all. All of it was edited at Greg's home facility in Coombs Road Kinglake West. Greg was a close friend until we had a falling out, have not spoken since. Sad shame.

[@johnhaller7017]

Great work.. I have seen many of these locos in action. You did a great thing to transfer these on to you tube.

[@halnwheels]

Great background story. I have this original VHS tape that is in very good condition, in its original box. It just says Steam Alive, leaving out In Victoria, probably for the American Market. It says made and printed in USA. My son loved this video, and I did too!

[@samuelfarris1949]

This was a favourite of mine from my own childhood here in England in the '90s, and I had quite a plenty of railway videos in my youth, alongside animation, that my parents bought for my viewing pleasure. Quite an interesting twist to have the opportunity to comment direct to someone who was involved in its original making. The result and presentation really shows even after all these years. Well done my friend. Regards, Samuel Farris.

[@c6pcairns]

@@samuelfarris1949 thank you. It was a fun project. All of the locos in the production are still running around Ballarat, Bendigo and Melbourne

[@ryanthesteamman]

Very interesting! You did an amazing job working on this! It's been a childhood favorite of mine and always will be!

[@SmokyProductions-gb6qv]

I still have the VHS. This is the movie that interduce me to Australian Steam for the first time.

[@Dalek44]

I used to watch this video at the grandparents' house when I was little. Such memories. Thanks for uploading. :)

[@andrewskinner8560]

I must have watched it so many times that it broke.

[@boiledcabbage4202]

We are siblings of this, yes I did just add a comment five years later

[@TK42100]

Had this tape along with “The Flying Scotsman in Australia” as A kid. Good memories.

[@xagentofchaos_8783]

Bring backs such memories, my pa use to work at Newport use to see puffing Billy and Williamstown so such… glad to see this old girls are still active and restored for future generations. Their even bring back Heavy Harry

[@trainmaster844]

This is one of my favorite videos, especially as a kid! When I was younger, I always saw D3 #639 as "James the Red Engine" - the Canadian Red livery she wore during this time kinda reinforced that image in my head. R761 was another one of my favorites, too. I gotta admit as well, VR seemed big on using 5-chime whistles - they're very melodious!

[@TakeMeToChurchill]

Agreed on VR's whistles. #639's is one of my absolute favorites.

[@Kanefan701]

that's funny cause I too thought D3 639 was the australian version of James the red engine. also R 761 reminded me of Gordon due to the engines powerful and speedy performance.

[@cannibalfan333]

I always saw Puffing Billy as Thomas.

[@TakeMeToChurchill]

Really glad to see this online. Had the tape when I was a kid, sure I drove my folks crazy with it. Thanks so much for posting it.

[@Boskov01]

I've still got my VHS tape of this! The Fowler and the Na Class were my favorites. Thanks for uploading this! The memories are great.

[@e-train765]

I HAD THIS VHS TAPE!!!! Thank you for bringing back some great nostalgic memories for me :')

[@nickblaine12]

Wow I've had this on VHS tape for 16 years and I'd never would have thought it was on here! now I don't have to get out that old tape

[@Straswa]

Excellent vid! I have this recorded on a VHS tape, love it. I like the K class, beautiful class of locomotive.

[@426maxwedgie63]

I watched this tape SO MUCH as a kid. There spots were the picture drops out on my tape, and yes, I still have it. I'd also be willing to bet this is where my love of jazz music began too. Thanks for posting this!

[@bradrevitt9548]

Nova Peerless what's the theme called at the beginning

[@walterstrains5390]

Brings back so many memories! Steam locomotives are ALWAYS my favorite type of train!

[@MauserKar98k]

My dad had this VHS tape, I'm sure it's still around somewhere. Thanks very much for the upload!

[@danielwalton9012]

More Steam Alive in Other World Places! (1990)!

[@mikejordan8259]

I actually remember having this Tape. I was never sure which Victoria this was which is why I decided to look this up.

[@danielwalton9012]

and Now More! (1990)!

[@JacksVictorianTrains]

Buying an old camcorder and using it while spotting Puffing Billy or a SteamRail Victoria tour would be cool

[@DagorDagorathSauron]

By the dark gods I never thought I'd find this video again, I remember this video from my childhood! Thanks for uploading this man! EDIT: Wish I knew what most of the soundtracks are, because the soundtrack is just golden

[@611_hornet5]

No problem man, I found the VHS online, had it transferred to a DVD since I hadn't seen it in ages and uploaded since I figured others would feel the same way. The soundtrack is a lot of old jazz. One of the songs is called "Take the A-Train". Try searching for that and go from there.

[@TheClaudHamilton]

Well, I do know that "Take the A Train" is featured a lot in this film.

[@vonbarron514]

You wouldn't happen to know the theme played to J515 by any chance? Already found Ken Macintosh thus far.

[@Alex24241211]

I used to have this tape when I was a little boy. I think it belonged to my granddad. He loves trains.

[@HustleMuscleGhias]

I just stumbled upon this by accident by looking for something else... Oh how I remember having this on VHS tape when I was about 4 or 5 years old, and where it was purchased - On Cue book and music store. I also remember that the original tape housing got damaged ( along with where it happened ) when I was in Kindergarten, and my dad ( who spent the better part of two decades servicing TVs and VCRs ) transferred it to a new housing. I didn't understand the terminology that was used in the video at the time - I was more interested in just watching the trains.

[@bradrevitt9548]

I remember watching this when i was a kid

[@robbiewales3007]

J515 is undergoing another complete restoration

[@trainmaster844]

As far as the music is concerned, Ken Mackintosh's version of "Take the A Train" (Main Theme), "One O'Clock Jump" (K #163) and "Opus One" (D3 #639) are heard in this video. "Choo Choo Samba" by Winifred Atwell is heard in the Fowler #11855 segment. The piano track heard during the Puffing Billy segment is an upbeat recording of "A Walk through the Black Forest". The piano track with K #153 and R #761 escapes me too... any details on that track?

[@vonbarron514]

So any chance you'd know what J515's theme is? Already found Ken Mackintosh's music so far.

[@fallingup90]

Christopher Kovacs The track for K153 as well as the one for R761 is hard to find out what it is. All I know is it isn't Macintosh

[@bradrevitt9548]

Christopher Kovacs what's the name of the themes for all the trains

[@bradrevitt9548]

What's J515 theme called 5:08 to 7:34

[@bradrevitt9548]

Does anyone know the themes In this video of all the trains I really want to know

[@steamfandan9682]

Had this on VHS which I still have but can't watch it on VHS nowadays as got no way of playing VHS anymore

[@DCSk8er529]

Australian Steam Locomotives are like UK mixed with US trains.

[@bradrevitt9548]

What's J515 theme 5:09 to 7:34 called

[@Kanefan701]

is it me or is the audio out of place?

[@nostalgiccameralife]

I had this VHS as a kid. Not sure where my parents got it in the U.S.

[@bradrevitt9548]

What's J515 theme 5:09 to 7:34

[@VRDenshaOtaku]

ha I taken Off 163 Plate's off the loco but I put K177's ;)

[@jigbuilda]

Are any of the two Baldwin built Loco's still running for Puffing Billy?

[@TheClaudHamilton]

Neither, unfortunately. I had a look on Wikipedia, and it turns out they were both scrapped.

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

Those R class Hudsons look better than American NYC Hudsons

[@johnd8892]

Lots of mistakes in this. Saying the 1922 K was based on the 1954 J class. T class being called a 2-8-0 not the 4-8-0 that can be seen in the vid.

[@smylee65]

That's my Dad driving the Train :)

[@walterstrains5390]

Which one was he running?

[@olic9804]

You must have an awesome dad then! :)

[@smylee65]

@@olic9804 You are correct :)

[@olic9804]

@@smylee65 My brother's training to do the same thing - hope your dad enjoyed his time on the footplate!

[@patrickbaca8073]

I watched this when I was five

[@fallingup90]

I converted this video digitally too, also looking to get that music down. Some of the tracks were made by Ken Macintosh.

[@vonbarron514]

So any chance you'd know what J515's theme is? Already found Ken Mackintosh's music thus far.

[@bradrevitt9548]

vonbarron514 what's the J515 theme

[@bradrevitt9548]

fallingup90 what's J515 theme

[@bradrevitt9548]

What's the opening music at the beginning

[@STepanHAmbroski]

Brad Revitt Ken Mackintosh's rendition of "Take the A Train"

[@bradrevitt9548]

What's T251 theme from 22:15 to 23:20

[@trainmaster844]

Ken Macintosh's rendition of "Take the 'A' Train".

[@bradrevitt9548]

@@trainmaster844 is there a video of it

[@ianphillips1455]

Full steam ahead

[@danielwalton7770]

Presenting steam alive in the usa vhs hosted by Amy James.

[@dunxy]

LMAO at around 7:40 mark "the K is largely based on the J class"! No, no it isn't, its the other way around. I suppose somebody made a typo.Nice old video none the less, more than few familiar faces there.

[@johnd8892]

Later they have the T class lose front bogie wheels calling it a 2-8-0. I think a long list of mistakes could be made. An early vid surpassed by many recently made vids to higher standards by people more involved in railway preservation.

[@danielwalton7770]

And narrated by Mike Aboose.

[@Kanefan701]

so that's who narrated this.

[@VT29steamtrain]

The credits say Rex Heading

[@djmpvae27091978]

4-6-6-4 : Union Pacific Challenger. 4-8-8-4 : Union Pacific Big Boy. 4-4-0 : American. 2-6-0 : Mogul.

[@Kanefan701]

WOW I've not seen this since I was 8 years old! WOW thank you so much for uploading this! Great memories! It was also the first time when I saw Australian steam engines.

[@walterm5298]

LOL When I first saw this as a child I thought the green K-Class had an eyeball and was starring toward the left at 15:01.

[@Kanefan701]

WalterM529 you know it's funny, I totally forgot that the green K-Class was one of my favourites, mostly because it's green paint reminded me of Henry

[@walterm5298]

Kanefan701 Australian steam locomotives are like half British and half American.

[@Kanefan701]

WalterM529 I say that too. to me Australia is like a combo of the two countries

[@walterm5298]

No offense, I love all steam engines, I just don't like the British whistles very much. With that being said, although I'm American, The Flying Scotsman is still my favorite steam locomotive of all time!