The NFSA marks 50 years of A Steam Train Passes, Australia's most celebrated film dedicated to the age of steam, with two anniversary gala screenings – including never-before-seen footage from the NFSA Jim Powe Collection, narrated by NFSA Curator Jeff Wray. In the following article, Jeff gives an insight into trainspotting and the NFSA’s significant Jim Powe Collection.
Trainspotting as a recreational activity is as old as the railways. Since the mid-1950s, the commercial availability of audiovisual recording devices has made it possible to combine the creativity in composing a still or moving image with the thrill of the chase as railfans strive to satisfy their technical or historical curiosity while recording a moment in time for future generations. Trainspotting has evolved from analogue formats into the digital world, with a plethora of material to be found online and on social media such as the GoPro film clips of the English trainspotter Francis Bourgeois on TikTok and Instagram.
Railfans can be known by many names such as train fans, rail buffs, railway enthusiasts, gunzels and even foamers. United by an interest in railways, either past or present, their focus can be on a variety of railway related aspects such as locomotives, rollingstock, signalling systems, timetables and infrastructure. Fellow enthusiasts, young and old, meet up trackside or with model railway clubs and heritage rail organisations, such as the Australian Railway Historical Society.
Jim Powe (1934–2009) was one of the most prodigious railfans in Australia. In 2009 his son Brad wrote, ‘Throughout his adult life Jim spent much of his spare time travelling and photographing tramways and railways around the world.’ These train-chasing activities would see him produce railway sound recordings on vinyl and films on 8mm as well as documentaries on VHS.
The well-known New South Wales 38 class steam locomotive features in many of his most popular titles such as Moss Vale Train, Western Endeavour and 3801: A Legend in Steam. His large collection of both black-and-white and colour film and sound recordings covers the pivotal transition years from steam power to diesel traction from the late 1950s until the early 1970s and is a record of this important period of transportation history.
Broadmeadow and Main South: home movie by Jim Powe, 1965. Courtesy: Jim Powe and the Powe Family. NFSA title: 1635644. Read more about this clip
Powe started recording trams and trains with an 8mm moving image camera before progressing to 16mm. Powe’s hobby led to him landing professional work as a camera operator for Sydney’s newly formed Channel Ten and later the ABC. A reflection of his ability was his Channel Ten colleagues referring to him as James ‘Wong’ Powe in reference to the famous Chinese American cinematographer James Wong Howe.
When he first started chasing trains Powe’s ability to access steam-powered trains was assisted by his work as a railway signal electrician. His employment supplied a holiday pass allowing him to travel by train all around NSW and interstate while on leave. The result is a unique collection that records the workings of steam locomotives from all Australian states before their withdrawal.
With a car, Powe had even more opportunity to chase trains and could now record a train over several locations during its journey. Brad Powe recalls that it was often a family affair with his father filming from the passenger seat of the family car while his mother (Jan) drove, keeping pace with the train being filmed. ‘I never cease to be amazed by Dad’s ability to maintain steady framing of the engine/train they were chasing despite the absence of any sort of Steadicam technology.’
Broadmeadow and Main South: home movie by Jim Powe, 1965. Courtesy: Jim Powe and the Powe Family. NFSA title: 1635644. Read more about this clip
Jim was an active member of the Australian Railway Historical Society and took part in rail tours to gain access to (then) hard-to-reach rail locations such as Dorrigo and Oberon, or branch lines which were soon to be closed. Commonly running behind one or more steam locomotives, a feature of many tours was the ‘photo stop’. No longer offered today because of safety concerns, 60 years ago the tour participants could detrain and make their way to a predetermined location. The train would then steam towards them offering a unique and dramatic lineside image.
Rail transport museum tour to Brisbane: home movie by Jim Powe, 1963. Courtesy: Jim Powe and the Powe Family. NFSA title: 1635756. Read more about this clip
Despite many changes in technology and a dramatically altered railway scene, many of the locations Jim Powe recorded are recognisable today. His film and sound recordings provide an invaluable historical reference to the work practices and equipment from the era when steam was king of the rails and diesel traction was only starting to make inroads.
Watch more Jim Powe clips, including 3803 on its return trip from Goulburn to Sydney and 3803 hauling the Riverina Express between Junee and Cootamundra in New South Wales.
Film Curator Jeff Wray has had a long-term interest in railway history since working for the NSW Railways. He finds no better way to unwind than getting trackside with his camera on the main south parked up with a book or chasing that heritage special.
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Many thanks to Brad Powe for sharing memories through email correspondence and through the Facebook page Jim Powe’s ‘Visions of Steam’.
‘Vale: Jim Powe’, Railway Digest, April 2009, p. 9
Main image: Still frame from the Southern Aurora, 1965. NFSA title: 1635644
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