Western Pacific the Last Decade

Western Pacific the Last Decade

Charles Smiley Presents

Length: 1 hour 22 minutes

Time Period: 1970- 1980

Locations: Oakland, Sacramento, Altamont Pass, Stockton, Feather River Canyon and more…

Sources: Jim Escalante, Bo Golson, Tony Johnson, Robert Morris, Ron Plies, Steve Rusconi, John Schmale, David Stanley, and Harre Demaro on SN.

MSRP: 26.50

Western Pacific is featured in it’s later years of operation. Sacramento Northern is shown in another chapter. All vintage films, are from assorted railroad employees and railfans. Period publications and many photographs add to a very informative presentation. The numerous locations range from Oakland, Keddie Wye, Portola, Altamont Pass and many more.

Expansive in overall scope. Early history, steam era, dieselization and connecting railroads are all here. The plethora of information will take a few viewings to digest. Those who have  historical interests will be happy. The timeframe begins with early WP history and progresses until the last decade. The bonus chapter of Sacramento Northern in 1954 is shown in black and white.

Regular readers already are aware of the high standards of Charles Smiley. This is an older release from 1998. As he has been constantly upgrading with newer technology, this one is not quite up to more recent CSP shows. Some may think that Charles Smiley automatically gets high scores on my reviews. Not true, he earns them with consistent top quality.

A focus on the F unit fleet highlights a few of the last operational units.

In 1974, an F7 performs street running, in Oakland. Check the 1969 Chevy Camaro.

The films vary by the many sources. Many of the scenes were from handheld cameras. Much of the footage looks pretty good, although it often has an amateur shot feel. There are too many shaky camera shots overall. Lighting and distance are more factors that are not the best. Here again, this is an older release.

Custom maps are always a fine feature on a CSP show. The green route displays Sacramento Northern. Multiple maps will educate viewers.

On screen graphics provide additional information.

The Nevada Desert is a stark contrast to California GP35 locos lead a GE and UP diesel.

The diesel roster coverage offers much history. F-units, Geeps, U-Boats and switchers. Visuals range from about 40 years. Alco, Baldwin, EMC- EMD, and General Electric are covered. The decade of the 1970′s is dominate. Limited steam action is included. Connecting railroads all have cameo appearances.

California Zephyr has it’s WP tale included, and contains some Rio Grande footage as well.

An early Burlington Northern train at the highway bridge. Milepost 239.

One of the two bicentennial locomotives were operated by WP.

Western Pacific the Last Decade is a diversified collection of films. The newer Charles Smiley Presents: WP Remembered has a higher visual quality. Railfans should find this an informative show of Western Pacific, a railroad that has had limited releases on train videos.

Rating: 4 Stars

40 Years of Nickel Plate Berkshires

40 Years of Nickel Plate Berkshires

Sunday River Productions

Length: 31 minutes

Time Period: 1950′s, 1970, 1980

Locations: System wide, Western Maryland, TP&W and more..

Source: Jerry Carson

Producer: Alva Morrison

MSRP: 29.95

NKP 3 * Steam in the East Series

Color coverage of Nickel Plate Berkshires in vintage years. Begins with classic 1950′s era. The 759 and 765 led specials, 1970 until 1980. This collection of films contains many various views of the steam engines. Sectioned by the timeline in ascending order.

This release is a 2010 remaster. An action packed half hour show.

Alva Morrison combined these individual films into this program. All the vintage films appear to be 16mm. The more modern footage appears to be video. These color films look fine. There is a step up in clarity for 1970 onward. Environmental audio on the more recent footage. Dubbed audio on earlier years. Each chapter has it’s own style. Standard runbys dominate the proceedings. Aerial footage has various views. Close-up and distant from the aircraft.

This 1950′s scene captures the essence of Nickel Plate freight service. A Berkshire, perishable cars and making time on a straightaway. High Speed Service.

Steam era footage by Jerry Carson is enjoyable.

Narrated by Alva Morrison. Alva shares much background on the railroad and it’s dedication to operating steam, throughout the 1950′s.

Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society had 759 in revenue freight service circa 1980.

This aerial provides a model railroad type of scene. There is camera shake as we follow the train from the sky. Western Maryland trackage. Trestle crossings are a highlight.

Chapter menu divides the show into: Prime, 759 in: 10/70, Spring 71, Summer 1980 with 765. Overall, the films are generally runbys.

40 Years of Nickel Plate Berkshires has an appeal that will be a good choice for family viewing. Everyone likes to see big steam at work. The fast pace and continuous action will entertain anyone with steam train interest.

Rating: 4 Stars

The Monticello Railway Museum

The Monticello Railway Museum

Diverging Clear Productions

Length: 62 minutes + previews

Time Period: 2012 and 1986 vintage.

Location: Monticello Railway Museum

Sources: Mary McPherson, Kurt Jensen, George Redmond

MSRP: 20.00

A brand new release.

Visit The Monticello Railway Museum in 2012. Railroad Days with four trains operating. Steam and Diesel. Cab rides, caboose and passenger cars, in a multiple viewpoint show. This release is in 16:9 widescreen format.

Museum area property and 7 1/2 miles of former Illinois Central trackage are covered.

Narration by Mary McPherson. She has a balance of discussion and live sound. Concise, historical backgrounds on the locomotives.

Imagery is razor sharp. Overall, the 2012 externals have some fine pro level cinematography. Cab rides bounce around in the woods, but this is appears to be on rough trackage. The remaining trackage is smoother.

                                              View from the Wabash F7.

Milwaukee Road NW2. Note, the notch in the long hood, as a spotting feature. Stations and more museum pieces can be seen in assorted scenes. The museum seems to have quite a collection!

Our cab ride in the Southern 401 contains a severely vibrating camera. It just doesn’t work as we look through the engineer’s view a few times. Understandable, is the challenge of getting the shot. The result is the point. Is this an enjoyable sequence, or a headache for the viewer? The Producer wants to provide some rare viewpoints. See for yourself.

                                        Numbers 1 and 191 are shown in 1986.

The 1986 shot video was restored as best as possible. Old VHS tapes can be difficult sources. That video is included for historical content.

Southern 401 is a 2-8-0 built by Baldwin. Owned by the museum since 1967.

Wabash F7A is number 1189. This is a Canadian built EMD, which is actually a GMD !

ICRR 8733 is a GP11 rebuild. Main loco for the museum since 2007.

Milwaukee Road 1649, is an NW2. An early switcher by Electromotive Division of LaGrange.

A little bit of freight and maintenance of way equipment is in the freight train. Diverging Clear likes their low angle shots. This is a pile driver.

The two caboose train features the side door Illinois Central models. Originally built at Centrailia shops by the ICRR. Some of these were still in service on ICG.

                                         Illinois Central car #7 on a reverse move.

This release does a good job of showing what can be seen at the museum. Railroad celebration days are always a good bet to attend train museums. Diverging Clear has a nice memento of the action at Monticello. For those who may travel there, it serves as a fine preview of what can be seen there.

Rating: 3 Stars

Marion AC Volume 2

Marion AC Volume 2

Clear Block Productions

Length: 110 minutes

Time Period: 1992- 1996

Location: AC Tower. Marion, Ohio and vicinity

Source: Todd Miller

MSRP: 30.00

This volume presents the Marion area in a simulated 24 hour period. Filmed over a four year timespan. The day and night, seem to pass. There is an endless supply of trains. Conrail, Norfolk Southern and CSX are the operating railroads during this time.

Different format than the first AC Tower show by Clear Block.  Graphics are the predominant source of information.Narrated only at the introduction to the program. Todd Miller gives knowledgeable info here. The bulk of the show is not narrated. Environmental audio. On screen graphics contain detailed train designation and heading. Map references at the introduction only. Too bad there isn’t scanner (radio) talk. That one element would have made this one much better.

What viewers will experience are endless train runbys. Appearing from assorted viewpoints and varied locations. Majority are directly within site of AC Tower. Conrail and NS are the stars of the show. A handful of additional scenes within the vicinity of Marion.

                             Nice CSX action, is shot from the old C&O station.

Many years ago….. Marion was packed with classic signal equipment, such as this.

                                      Todd gets some fine shots with his video camera.

During the 1990′s railroading was far into standardization. A generally, bland collection of EMD and GE power pulling the usual assortment of large freight cars and little else. Cabooses were gone by now. An occasional special can be found, even Milwaukee 261.

                                   Conrail business cars rollby with an E8A unit.

AC Tower provides some great views of Norfolk Southern and Conrail traffic.

CSX is nearly the odd man out in this show. Distant views with a handful of nicer scenes.

                                       Conrail Extra 3335 passes the old depot.

It is a long night. Some discussion would have been welcome. Trains disappear into the darkness.

Marion AC Volume 2 is a decent effort by Clear Block. The production is good overall. Would have rated higher with more narrative, or radio traffic for the soundtrack. If you want to know….. AC Tower Volume One is the one to get …. AC Vol.2 is a good add, if you like Vol.1.

After watching this long player, you may realize. The silence of the human voice is deafening.

Rating: 3 Stars

Mexican Narrow Gauge

Mexican Narrow Gauge

A&R Productions

Length: 1 hour 48 minutes

Time Period: Early 1980′s

Locations: Mexico and Texas

Source: Jim Terrell

MSRP: 30.00

Travel to and through parts of Mexico. Multiple trips were made into Mexico. A specialty release for those who could be interested in this journey on Mexican rails. Standard gauge rails become narrow gauge. Diesels include some unusual narrow gauge engines. Strangest power of all, are the horse drawn railroads, Jim Terrell captured the sights on a handheld video camcorder in the early 1980′s. He also includes an Amtrak ride in Texas.

A bit of an oddball type of train video. Opening scenes of a jet, and plane ride to Cancun, a hint at a different show. The handheld camera gives an amateur feel. Not bad overall, give him credit for filming there. Audio is whatever the camcorder mic recorded. Background sounds are distracting at times. Plenty of views of: stations, people, scenery and structures give a sense of the traveler.

An EMD G12 has a G8 on a flatcar to get repaired. Mixed trains dominate narrow gauge operations.

Narration is pretty good. Lack of background on the lines is the major weakness. While most know N de M…… please explain FUS and some other railroad info. Anyone can search it, but the show should have offered the basic information. On the plus side, are locations and locomotive identification.

A couple of maps are seen at the beginning of the program. As most viewers are likely unfamiliar with these locations, more map references would be desirable.

The pace of the show is a leisurely one. Looks like the pace of life in the area is slower too.

The program almost is in two halves. First is the journey on FUS to visit the horse lines. Second half concentrates on N de M on both rail gauges. More rail travel on the latter portion. The pace becomes quicker and we see more former Alco and GE standard gauge locomotives.

Our first destination is to experience various horse drawn lines. While a few scenes would have been sufficient, to resolve curiosity, major screentime is spent on the horse lines. The program quickly falls into chasing and riding this form of rail travel. The wooden flats are used by families to haul themselves and whatever else may be transported by this method. Wild turkeys or cattle can temporarily block the track. This footage is something you will only need to see one time.

Second half of the show returns to narrow and standard gauge railroading. N de M is featured in different locales. High elevation in mountains and wooded areas add interest.

Two distinct forms of rail service …

Mexican Narrow Gauge is a one of a kind train video. The presentation encompasses more than just runbys and passenger views. Food stands, workers shoveling coal or transloading cargo and more. Those who are interested may enjoy this one. Mainstream viewers will have to decide for themselves. Overall, it wanders along and doesn’t continually hold high interest. Not exactly my cup of tea- maybe it is yours.

Rating: 2 1/2 Stars