Baltimore and Ohio

Baltimore and Ohio

Sunday River Productions

Length: 72 minutes

Time Period: 1940′s- 1950′s

Locations: Garrett, Defiance, Willard..

Source: Guy and Betty Brant

MSRP: 39.95

Steam in the East Series

B&O steam was still operating between Garrett, IN. and Willard, OH. towards the end of the steam era. The T3 Mountain was built by the railroad and this story features this class. They originally had forty of these. More were constructed, this was a workhouse engine on the line.

Additional steam types are present in the show. Mikados, Consolidations, Pacifics, Santa Fe types and articulated EM-1 engines can be found. Occasional 1st generation diesels as well. Even former Boston & Maine Mountain locomotives. A comparison to Chesapeake & Ohio steam with some C&O footage is within this release.

A multitude of runbys. A wide variety of freight trains. Passenger examples have named and numbered assignments. Some worthwhile freight car views.

The Cincinnatian gets extended coverage. Streamlined steam was rare on B&O.

A sidetrip to Parkersburg. This provides a handful of shots.  A two level operation there.

Color film that appears to be 16mm. Has dubbed train sounds. On screen location and train designation graphics. Chapter menu is included and was added for the current DVD. An older release, there are no maps. Narrative offers many locations.

Narration by original producer, Alva Morrison. Good information on various steam power. He covers some B&O history too. Various sequences are train sounds only. Remastered and re-edited in 2007. Some of the edit transitions are rather jarring and break the rhythm. The program feels a little dated overall. However, the film enhancement has the trains looking good.

The cameraman was out in the winter. Double headers often were a Mountain- Mikado.

A dramatic scene which demonstrates the cinematographers flair.

Cinematography is nicely done on the whole. There is miscellaneous minor camera shake. More occurrences than wanted. Considering the scarcity of the color B&O steam footage, it isn’t a deal breaker. Composition is generally fine.

A fantrip has railfans occupying a yard and with unrestricted access on the tracks.

The Q4B was a modern Mikado at this time. B&O 4629.

The EM1 was one of the smallest 2-8-8-4 locomotives of that wheel arrangement. Authentic EM-1 recordings were used.

The Cadillac with the open doors seems to be Guy’s car. A sense of size to the big EM-1  shown here.

This caboose is leading a reverse move with a steam crane. The train is going to a derailment.

Baltimore and Ohio is an action packed program. A bountiful supply of steam that should satisfy most viewers. There is much more to see. One for the family to appreciate.

Rating: 4 Stars

Narrow Gauge East of the Sierra

Narrow Gauge East of the Sierra

Sunday River Productions

Length: 31 minutes

Time Period: 1950′s

Locations: Owenyo, Laws, Keeler, Zurich

Sources: Wil Whittaker, Mac Owen, Otto Perry Library

MSRP: 29.95

Southern Pacific once ran a profitable narrow gauge line in Owens Valley California until 1960. The sparse desert with towering mountain backdrops reminds one of the 1950′s motion picture- Bad Day at Black Rock. Yes, diminutive SP steam engines are seen hauling boxcars and gondolas across desolate terrain.

This show has had a 2007 digital remaster. Otto Perry was a famous photographer and filmed steam era railroads. His library contains over 20,000 photographs. Above, a train loaded with Borax, that will be transferred to standard gauge Southern Pacific Lines.

A set of simple maps are clearly marked and useful. Graphics denote locations. A chapter menu offers the three cinematographic sources. The show was also reedited in 2007. It plays as an informative, smooth running presentation.

The late Alva Morrison narrates and he was the original producer. Plenty of operational information is shared.  Train sounds, some scenes sans narration. Brief musical interludes between the chapters are the rest of the audio soundtrack.

Wilbur Whittaker films are in Chapter One.

Believe this Whittaker Collection is from the early 1950′s.

There are railfans in the coaches. An early era outing behind the boxcars.

Service facilities at Laws. This compact scene is a natural for modellers.

A time honored Armstrong Turntable is manned on both ends!

Mac Owen films are Chapter Two.

Sierra Talc Company required that product shipped in boxcars,

Transloading facility to accommodate standard gauge interchange of bulk commodities.

The remoteness of the area is felt in this scene by Mac Owen.

Otto Perry is the source for Chapter Three.

This satisfying chapter is half of the show length.

Number 9 blasts out some steam. Almost seems ready to clean the dock!

Borax loaded gondolas resemble a prehistoric unit train.

Southern Pacific used a combine to serve as a caboose.

Sunday River has a fine little show in Narrow Gauge East of the Sierra. The half hour running time is all that viewers will see. Each of the three cinematographers provide their individual feel. Otto Perry footage is unique to this program.

Rating: 4 Stars

Norfolk & Western

Norfolk & Western Articulateds

Sunday River Productions

Length: 54 minutes

Time Period: 1950′s

Locations: Bluefield to Portsmith Ohio… more

Sources: Guy and Betty Brant

Producer: Alva Morrison- Digital Remaster 2007

MSRP: 39.95

Steam in the East Series

Norfolk & Western operated classic articulated steam locomotives, which were adept at many tasks on the railroad. Useful in coal service, freight and passenger assignments. Anything from slow to high speed manifest freights. N&W held off dieselization until 1957. Last steam there was operated in 1960. The cover artwork is titled Norfolk and Western. The film title displays Norfolk and Western Articulateds.

NW 2104 is a Y Class leaving Powhaten. Ancient structures and 1950′s autos are nearly as intriguing as the vintage steam trains.

Same train, the film looks excellent overall.

                                                    Y6B number 2177.

Sunday River has compiled over 100 runbys of colorful action on NW. The program features the A Class 2-6-6-4 in high speed moves. The huge Y Class 2-8-8-2 have those massive low pressure cylinders and haul their heavy trains over the Appalachians at a slower pace.

The all color films were restored and look great. The camerawork is mostly excellent. A few shaky scenes are present. Special mention goes to O. Winston Link, who was the source for the vintage live sound recordings. Note, the sounds are excellent, but are not the actual trains being viewed. Originally released in 1986, it is a product of that videotape era. Narration by Alva Morrison. Script does contain good information. The narrative and musical background does show it’s age. A Chapter Menu has the A and Y Class with some location subset chapters.

Digital remaster that was done in 2007. This all steam show looks excellent. Appearance is what carries the program. There are more than the two locomotive classes included. Watch for a Shay locomotive on a shortline. N&W Z Class and S1 switchers appear. A wide variety of locations and viewpoints keep the interest level up. Editing is very smooth, and it is a 2007 re-edit.

Norfolk and Western Articulateds Part 1. Showcases the nimble A Class locomotive.

    Norfolk & Western – A Class 1228 with a coal train at Vera, Ohio.

Norfolk and Western Articulateds Part 2. This title contains the feature on the Y Class engine. Much of the action is around yards or in town at slower speeds. An advantage is an opportunity to study the huge compound steam engines operating.

2176 is seen running on the Spice Creek Branch.

On-screen graphics give many locations. No maps, but this show is an older one.

                                  Unusual wig-wag target signals at grade crossings.

                  An awesome scene,  2165 and 2153 ease past the camera at Auville Yard.

Extra 2138… Engineer and maybe the Fireman get a look at the man with a movie camera!

                          Nice pan shots of railyards and some town scenes.

A far cry and much more interesting than today’s unit coal equivalents. This coal train at Scioto River Bridge has mixed hoppers and gondolas.

Norfolk and Western is a fine steam show. All color and a clean looking program. The 2007 update should be worth the upgrade, for those with an older release.

All steam fans should find this solid collection of N&W articulateds impressive.

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars

Articulateds in Appalachia

Articulateds in Appalachia  

Sunday River Productions

Length: 35 minutes

Time Period: 1950′s

Locations: Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia

Sources: Fred McLeod, Guy Brandt, Archie Julian

Producer: Alva Morrison

MSRP: 29.95

Steam in the East Series

Articulated steam engines were some of the most powerful ever built. Three Eastern railroads that ran powerhouse steam are the main attractions. Baltimore & Ohio, which includes additional classes of steam locos. Chesapeake & Ohio is the rare find for vintage steam. Norfolk & Western had a great roster, and has an assortment of locomotives.

The show has opening scenes from Sunday River’s Baltimore & Ohio Steam program.

Alva Morrison performing the narration. Informative when he speaks. There is a good amount of space left to listen to the steam engines at work.

All of the films are quick scenes and generally runbys. Locations are many and we jump around from place to place. No maps, but on screen graphics or narration are referenced.

This program has a different soundtrack for the first two chapters. Those contain synced train sounds and narration. The Battle for Blue Ridge has narration, train sounds and musical soundtrack. The brief narratives interspersed  throughout. Some extended sequences just have the trains for audio. Overall, a balanced presentation.

The original show is dated from 1991. A digital remaster was performed in 2007. This review is of the remaster version. Alva Morrison produced the initial release.

Films are in color, plus black and white. The remastered quality is excellent. In particular, the black and white segments have a sepia toned hue. They have had some special processing that is unique and attractive looking. Both 16mm and 8mm collection, from multiple sources.

Baltimore and Ohio

B&O President class 4-6-2 Pacific class engines on named passenger trains. Washingtonian and Cincinnatian are two examples.

                                                     Baltimore and Ohio EM-1.

B&O 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone class. EM-1 locomotive at Willard, Ohio. Custom audio recordings were synced to the engines.

Additionally, are single boiler types, on various freight traffic.

The high action B&O chapter is excellent.

Chesapeake and Ohio

                                                        Allegheny. Summit on the C&O.

                                       C&O 1604 is the lone preserved Allegheny type.

C&O 2-6-6-6 Allegheny. Perhaps, the most powerful steam locomotive in the world.

One for the historical societies. C&O 4-6-2 streamlined Hudson at Williamsburg, VA.

This chapter is the rare one.

Norfolk and Western

The Battle for Blue Ridge is a film by Archie Julian. Presented as a two part show. Norfolk & Western in the steam era. The expectation for Y and J classes are met. Surprising, are segments of smaller power in 1950′s branchline service. The music is dated.

The big articulated Y6 has wheel slipping, as it shoves coal hoppers upgrade.

Cameo by the Jawn Henry, in helper service.

Abington Branch with a classic mixed train. This little film has a nice selection of NW.

Articulateds in Appalachia is an enjoyable steam show. The whole family can watch this nicely done program. Thumbs up on the remaster. Running time is, a rather short 35 minutes. What is shown is all fine, interesting film. Steam fans will appreciate this quality collection.

Rating: 4 Stars

Otto Perry’s Rio Grande Southern

Otto Perry’s Rio Grande Southern

Sunday River Productions

Format: DVD

Length: One hour 24 minutes

Time Period: 1940′s – 1951

Locations: Telluride, Ridgway, Lizard Head, Rico,     Dallas Divide,Ouray, Hesperus,Mancos, Mesa…

Source: Otto Perry (16mm film)

Producer: Alva Morrison

MSRP: 49.95

Steam in the West Series

A comprehensive look at Rio Grande Southern. Famed cinematographer Otto Perry is the film source. He filmed the RGS over a ten year period. Both; black & white, plus color footage of the operations.

Alva Morrison was a great producer. One of the original masters in his own right. He was an early producer of train videos. Concepts, edits, interviews, scenery, trains, tracks, livestock, history, people, script and more. All sharply done, in this nicely paced feature.

A chapter menu divides the show by subjects. Commodities and passengers. Timber, livestock and more. Majority of film is all color.

He has many interviews of former RGS employees and family members. The GM of Durango & Silverton , also has some commentary. His Dad worked the RGS.These stories sure add personality. They help us to understand what life was like around the railroad. An engineer speaks of an average, 14 hour workday.

This line had 3 of the highest passes to cross in the United States. RGS had 4% grades and a multitude of trestles, cuts, fills and mountain hugging trackage. Challenging!

Otto Perry’s films are fascinating! A wide array of viewpoints are effectively deployed. There are trackside and closeups. Spectacle shots of the diminutive trains climbing steep mountain grades. They look like ‘n gauge’ models against the towering backdrops. Wooden buildings are the normal shelters. Looking as if a page out of the old west, they really are!

Nice segments of natural sounding trains, working in this remote wilderness. Color film reveals a colorful landscape. Let’s get a sampling of some of this presentation.

Timber is the first chapter. Rio Grande 319 and 461 on one double-headed lumber move. A wreck on Dallas Divide is seen, 8 months later. Short and sweet chapter.

Ore has some b&w film. Good clear film. Placerville is one of the locations. Old timers talk about the challenges of hauling ore trains. Engine #20 is lettered Rio Grande Southern. Color film is an eye opener. Fascinating combination of trains, and mountain scenery. Check the double headers. Memorable!

A complete run of a sheep train is featured. At Rico, the livestock are loaded into stock cars. We follow the train for a short time. A narrow gauge stock train is a sight! A woman discusses her railroad father, giving hungry hobos some food at his house regularly. The same hobos would be seen by Dad riding a freight, the next day. Back with the stock train, it sure is puffing away. The golden Aspens are gorgeous. A cornucopia of views of this train. The sheep are fed and watered at Ouray. Loaded the following day to continue the trip. The empties are hauled back to Rico for another trainload of sheep.A major highlight chapter of the program. Film within the film.

Alva conveys much history of the line. Introduction of the Galloping Goose. A Ridgway to Durango round trip, for the Rocky Mountain Railway Club in 1946, required 3 Geese to complete the trip. Views from trackside and through the front windshield in color.There is some camera shake, as the goose bounces down the track. That adds character, and a feeling of being in that goose! Old timers reminisce about Goose travels on bumpy trackage. Awesome scenery shots from onboard a Galloping Goose!

May 30, 1947 the club tries another trip. This time with steam power, engine #20. Excellent views of the excursion train. May, 1949 is another outing with #74, a few shots.

Sept.1, 1951 was the final trip with #74 and Otto Perry. He captures this one in great detail. Otto hauled his friends in a 1936 Ford and one friend describes a journey to Alamosa. Another discusses the cameras they liked to use. Back to 1951. Stunning scenes that are nearly ‘beyond classic’. At Telluride, the engine begins the return journey. Trout Lake is a water tank stop. The train backed down Lizard Head Peak for the photographer’s final chance on the line. Even more than I relate here. Outstanding chapter!

This Sunday River show contains elements of a PBS style program. As I have come to expect from Sunday River, a very well produced train video. An instant favorite!

Steam train and narrow gauge fans will just adore this one. Otto Perry gives a lesson on cinematography by his choice of viewpoints, lighting and a great eye. This is one of the best narrow gauge programs on the market. It will be in regular rotation for many owners.

The whole family can enjoy this combination of: narrow gauge steam, beautiful scenery, friendly folks and a bygone view, in some of the old West.

Rating: 5 Stars