Memories of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad: Volumes 1 + 2
Mark 1 Video
Format: DVD
Length: 60 minutes
Time Period: 1960′s- 1970′s
Locations: New York and Susquehanna Divisions
Sources: Many
Erie Lackawanna displays a highly interesting mixture of early and modern era diesels. Set in the 1960′s and 1970′s. There are many locations. On screen graphics denote the locations. Mark 1 Video train videos use multiple film sources for it’s vintage shows. The resulting overview of the large EL is worth a look.
A fine audio soundtrack has been created for the train sounds. Much care has been taken, to give viewers an authentic auditory experience.
There isn’t much else in the way of production. No narration, at all. A few bits of music bookend the shows. A primitive looking menu offers the choice between the 2 volumes. Both of the volumes will display a 6 chapter menu, after you enter that volume. A little clumsy in the menu department.
All trains, with audio. A few spartan features. So, it is classified as another program that is… ‘for railfans only’.
The film sources seem to be 8mm, color film. The viewing quality ranges from mostly good, to very good. Gets grainy, but this has been assembled from multiple sources. Entirely watchable footage. The views contain enough interest to offset nitpicks about quality. If you want to see Erie Lackawanna, here it is..
Volume 1 ‘Main Line’ runs at 30 minutes, Hoboken to Arden on this single DVD. Erie Lackawanna passenger train action is immediately on the screen, at Hoboken. Here is where many passenger trains are seen. Older RS3, E8′s and new GEU34CH are all here. Passaic is next up. This looks like some Erie RS3′s and an Alco PA appears, around Passaic’s downtown. Out to Passaic Jct., and a few moments with some GP7′s in black and yellow paint, on freight duty.
The years seem to bounce around. Modern EL passenger service is seen at Paterson. A single SW7 has a few boxcars and a red Erie caboose. More old time Erie passengers. This volume gives more attention to locations, than the 2nd one. We seem to be following the route, the trains are inserted at the locations. That is the reason for the many time jumps. Alco RS3 units lead the majority of the commuter runs. There are many of these runs. Hawthorne has quite a few. Ridgewood is another stop.
A favorable selection by the original cinematographer, has left many classic freight cars on some reels of film. The 8mm format was often limited to a few minutes of filming. The men who were shooting trains back then had to conserve the time. This is why the freight cars are not often seen in volume. Naturally, cabooses bring up the rear of the trains.
The New York subdivision is jam packed with vintage EL train action. Original black and yellow winged units are still in daily service. Classic gray, maroon and yellow EL is the predominant paint scheme.
EL sure had a diversified locomotive roster. Railfans and model railroaders will have a field day, when viewing these 2 volumes.
Volume 1 is weighted with far too many passenger train scenes. I always seek out the freights. At Waldwick, some freights finally show up. Early film, with black and yellow RS3 diesels work the yard. back to even more passengers. Yawn… too many and too much time spent on these commuter trains.. We suffer, all the way to Suffern.
Finally, the cavalry arrives with some freight action at Ramapo. Mainline freight trains are led by pairs of diesels. Arden has a quartet of Alco RS 3′s on point. That’s all on the volume 1. This volume was a disappointment overall. Too little freight, too late.
Volume 2 is another 30 minute ‘Main Line’. New York and Susquehanna Divisions. Moodna Viaduct to Binghamton, NY. A basic paper route map shows us the main line and Graham Line. No further information is given. Is Moodna Viaduct on the Graham Line? This is actually a giant trestle. More freight train action begins this 2nd volume. GP7, GP9, RS3, SD45′s lead some trains. GE U boats and Alco C425′s are used to combine their power. Matched sets of Alco RS 3 engines are a sight! Vintage freights rollby with endless arrays of gray EL power units.The big, dual service, SP45P’s are in the common freight diesel pool.
Non stop El trains parade by the viewer. Some old Alco Fa’s, still in black, lead a train. An E8 handles a short mail train. A lone RS3 pulls a quick passenger train. Back to more heavy, freight trains. More of those classic boxcars. A nice look around an EL yard facility. A wrecked FT sits upright, though it looks like it was derailed and on it’s side. Unsure of the yard location.Here are some F3 and F7′s on a freight. More action around the yard area.
Susquehanna Division is up next.Delaware River Bridge hosts a lashup of 6 EL diesels with a freight. The trains thunder by, the audio is again, nicely done. GP35′s are seen in a lashup. The constant action continues at a fast pace. Starrucca Viaduct has some EL action too! On to Binghampton and a quick ending.
This is a healthy collection of Erie Lackawanna in the 1960′s- 1970′s, before Conrail. The 2 volumes are jam packed with trains. Even exceeded my expectations. The audio keeps the intensity up. It is fun to watch and hear all of the different motive power. hard to keep up with the various locations. The scenes jump around quickly. Sometimes there is some camera shake. Generally, it is all shot competently.
Volume 2 was the best of the two volumes, by a longshot. It was more scenic, and more interesting overall. The preponderance of freight trains really is what I wanted to see. The 2nd part really saves that day, as far as freight coverage goes. Old freight car strings are not often seen in video. Get this EL set for the enjoyable 2nd volume.
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars
