The Films of Dr. Howard Blackburn

Dr. Blackburn was an individual that truly enjoyed rail fanning and  O Scale Trains.  He was great friends with Dick Baldwin. Both of them spent a lot of time shooting images of various forms of rail traffic. In an era where Trains ran every day and move the nation by rail those two individuals were there to record the history of such a wonderful steam and early diesel era events

Dr. Blackburn owned a portable layout that he would take to various major shows ( state fairs…it was a six track huge oval that was probably 20 x 100  He enjoyed passenger trains so on all of those loops he ran historical passenger  trains .

He started several museums. The Kentucky railroad museum. The Indiana transportation museum. The Illinois railway transportation museum. I believe he was member number two there.

He started several museums. The Kentucky railroad museum. The Indiana transportation museum. The Illinois railway transportation museum. I believe he was member number two there.

His videos of railroads will certainly live on they are certainly a joy to watch.. Shot during an era where trains were simply a common item to see. Most never saw the value of recording that moment in time. Fortunately in a few individuals  recorded that history with pictures  and film..

later in life in his 80s he was quite active. He would show up at my house every Tuesday evening with some other O Scale friends. Dr Blackburn  and Dick Baldwin would help lay rail  in Proto 48 on my O Scale Layout. As I look back I was very fortunate to overhear  the great stories that they shared while they were spiking rail through Tie plates For that miniature  o scale  4 foot and 8 1/2 inches..

It was a real honor to know Doc.. and have the privilege of him coming to my house. I know he touched many lives through his medical field and railroading.

Always O Scaleing,

Jim Canter

Indianapolis Indiana

Thank you for sharing Mr. Canter. I first bumped into that name at a Hoosier Traction Meet years back. His son made a presentation of a video about his father at the last meet I attended. It was terrific with great music as his son was a gifted musician.

Traction ON!

Thanks for the information

Where can one see the movies of Mr. Blackburn?

Don't know all the rules about links here but if you go to YT and look for Trolley Rides on the Parkersburg & Marietta Line you should do okay. I think this is the film Dr. Blackburn's son presented at the HTM.

OK, thank you.

Jim:

Herron Rail Video in Tampa has a number of DVD’s that include some of Dr. Blackburn’s movies. Just off the top of my head, I know Dr. Blackburn’s movies are included in DVD’s covering the L&N and B&O and there may be others.

Herron’s website may be found at www.herronrail.com. They normally provide a recap for each video and will note in that whose films are included.

Curt

Thank you.