Early Norfolk Southern 1985-1986

Early Norfolk Southern 1985-1986 

Diverging Clear Productions

Format: DVD

Length: 1 hour 35 minutes

Time Period: 1985-1986

Locations: Southern Illinois and more….

Source: George Redmond

Producer: Mary R. McPherson

The Heritage Series

MSRP: 20.00

This latest installment in Diverging Clear Productions Heritage Series, features early Norfolk Southern. Videographer George Redmond lived within close proximity to this railroad. He filmed a large amount of the action in southern Illinois. The Heritage Series has been loaded with older material, that will interest railfans  and model railroaders. These are basic train videos on DVD. Is this the best one yet?

Diverging Clear Productions has been upgrading their product line. The DVD-R discs are now directly screen labeled. A map will appear on the rear packaging of each new release.

Southern Railway’s St. Louis line hosts much of the program. This trackage is between Bluford and Albers, Illinois. The hotspot of Centralia, is shown on the outskirts of town

                                                   Action at Louisville, seen above.

                    Even more locations are from: Indiana, Kentucky and Alabama.

George has filmed a nice assortment of pacing sequences. Amtrak gets paced too.

A graphic states the video has been color corrected, as much as possible. These shows were originally shot on early consumer grade video camera. They were nice to have, in their time. They did have issues and maybe a consideration, for modern viewers.

The main issue is the amount of information crammed onto the relatively small tape. The colors tend to run together and you see flaring, tinting, and more oddities. These are nearly impossible to fully correct. Check the screenshots. Age can also make things worse. On this new release, there is noticeable improvement. Still some problems, but better overall.

Considering the original tapes are nearly 30 years old. We are fortunate to have the shows available. The historic interest for those who care, is what makes these films worth a look.

Southern and NW both, fielded an interesting diesel roster. Beside a unique, long hood forward operation, there are still cabooses on many of the trains!

Many rare models do appear in this show. High hood models: GP30, GP35, GP50, GP50 and SD45 are all found here. Newer SD60 and C39-8 units as well.  Norfolk Southern’s ‘ Thoroughbred’ livery appears on the new and repainted locomotives.

Norfolk and Western units usually trail in the locomotive lash-ups. Not many NW diesels.

Mary McPherson produces the Heritage Series programs. Narration, script, editing and the rest. Her narrative is sparsely constructed. There are the usual train move details and often specific dates. She is not one to callout locomotives much, but points out some models.

Natural environmental audio sounds really authentic. Numerous locomotives are sounding the airhorns, and it does get loud! Sometimes there is wind noise etc.. My favorite non train sound is a dog, barking endlessly as a train passes. Seriously, the show features the audio from the trains.

Editing is the sharp, best so-far, in this series. Continuous Norfolk Southern action, that doesn’t overstay the scenes.

                             The trains are shot in a variety of weather conditions.

Early Norfolk Southern is a definite, blast from the past. If you are a newcomer to the Heritage Series, this one is a fine choice. Veteran railfans will recognize the value of this collection. Model railroaders will find plenty of freight cars and Southern cabooses to see.

This program is jam packed with trains!

In summary, as far as their Heritage Series: this the best one yet, from Diverging Clear Productions.

Rating: 3 Stars

Extreme Trains- Season One

Extreme Trains- Season One

History Channel

Format: 2 DVD set

Length: 6 hours +

Time Period: 2008

Locations: USA

This is a complete television series, on DVD. Bonus footage included.

Host Matt Brown is a train conductor in Maine. In this modern look at railroading, Matt indulges in his passion… trains. This series has basic episodes about trains. To say the presentations are lively, is an understatement. Matt is an energetic and dynamic host.

The show has our host examine a train subject. Simple explanations, graphic illustrations and slick camerawork are all used to convey information. There are historical elements, and these can have old black and white films/ photos.

A few detailed reviews of some random, individual episodes are posted on ATVR.

A good amount of knowledge will be presented in a show. There will also be Matt getting into whatever he can! Entertaining with his ‘Let me try that’ attitude. In Circus Train for example, Matt wants to help out. He gets to shovel; both coal and manure! Of course, our hero gets hungry after that workout. He takes a walk over to the circus train ‘pie car’. A fun episode with circus performers and the animals adding more fun. The circus train will journey from one city to the next. The operations are viewed. Some circus history as well.

In Empire Builder, there is snow in the high country. Matt gets on a snowmobile, he is on the abandoned original right of way, for the first Cascade Tunnel.

Steam Engine, has Matt onboard the Union Pacific #844. A solid and fun show.

Amtrak gets featured on ‘High Speed Train’. Matt travels on the fast, northeast corridor. This is an electric, overhead power train. Catenary power wires and pantographs mounted on the powercar are the basics. The custom built trainsets are explained, in detail. The 6000hp power cars can attain 150mph!

Matt has an ultimate backstage pass for what goes on, behind the scenes. This all access format, allows us to see many jobs and operations that normally are not on public view.

Here is a brief report on a single episode…

Freight train. Matt rides a BNSF train loaded with millions of dollars worth of consumer goods. It is a double stack train. Travel from Los Angeles to Ft. Worth Texas in 48 hours. Not only do we join the engine crew in the cab of a 4400 hp locomotive. Matt will take sidelines to: Cajon Pass construction. BNSF heavy maintenance at Barstow, And operate various pieces of heavy equipment. Oh, throw in a quick visit to see a steam engine at Steamtown. Fast pace and Matt is stoked up! Maps and more graphics illustrate many things. An excellent program. That rock soundtrack might be a little too extreme, for some viewers.

Episodes do vary somewhat. Some shows can be too simple for the veteran railfan. Should usually have points of interest, even for knowledge train heads.  Most shows will have something for everyone. Fast paced episodes that rock and roll with interesting sidebars to go with the main theme.

The kids will like this updated style of presentation. There is a massive amount of information on how things work on a railroad. All kinds of equipment, machinery, operations, and geography. History is intertwined on the episodes.We visit many other places such as: locomotive simulator, high-tech dispatch centers, lift bridge controls, construction sites, ocean docks, intermodal facilities, and much more. Most of the major class ones are part of the series. Big 3rd generation locomotives are standard.

These are fun shows overall. While, Matt is living on his dream trains, the viewers are included like a group of good friends. Railroad men will talk to us too. They will discuss what they are doing, and why. Matt often asks, How does this work?

You will find that, Matt is a loud, noisy, busy and amicable host. The man does communicate a wealth of information. At times, he can be ‘over the top’ excited. At first view, he can be a little too much. Give him a chance and watch a few episodes. You’ll get used to him. He is a man on a mission. The guy loves trains.

The camerawork is excellent. The quick shots and racing speed edits can get excessive. The music is rocking and some scenes resemble mtv. After a couple of shows in a row, you may need a break from it all. But, you’ll be back for more.

Bonus footage is a collection of fully developed outtake segments. Equipment and trackwork are some features. You can recognize some episodes that these segments were created on.

This is an amazing amount of materiel on a pair of DVD’s. An outstanding value. Highly recommended, modern look at railroading.

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars

Early Diesels 3

Early Diesels 3                               

Greg Scholl Video Productions

Format: DVD

Length: 65 minutes

Time Period: 1980′s- 2002

Locations: Eastern US

Source: Greg Scholl

MSRP: 29.95

Early Diesels 3 continues Greg Scholl’s fine series on vintage locomotives. A wide selection from about a 20 year time span looks intriguing.

Consistent with the previous volumes. High production values and professional presentation. As needed narrative. Plenty of natural train audio, very crisp and clear.

First rate videography by Greg Scholl. This show is jam packed with early diesels at work, and in action!

A few items. TTI U28B and an Alco are seenoperating in Kentucky. Norfolk Southern has 3 GP30′s in a lash-up on a trestle. Tennesee Valley in Chattanooga, has a sweet Alco RS-1.

Chessie System has an old B&O GP 40 #3772 at Prince, WV. in 1987.  Leading a pair of Chessie SD50′s and a Family Lines SD40-2, in a classic scene. Check that Post Office!

GP9 # 6604 and a ride in the cab! The B&O loco is resplendent in the original blue, grey and black paint. Top it off with the dulux gold striping. Wow! It is a torpedo tube geep. Roof mounted airtanks for newbies. That is as classic as a ’57 Chevy. The geep is mu’ed with an Alco FA as it moves a few passenger cars. Back in the cab with a rare view from, what was once, ubiquitous. A meet with ex: Norfolk Southern geeps and the lash-up to some other early GP types harkens back to an earlier era. Amtrak Capitol Limited with heritage cars and a passing CSX on the mainline sure are a contrast. Fantastic!

South Branch Valley has the ex: NS GP9′s with a grain train. The same locos seen earlier.

The persistent B&O GP9 shows up with a new partner. One Of the CSX FP7A units. The Alco FP4A  painted up like a solid blue Mopac diesel hauls a Potomac Eagle special. Listen to that engine.  It has a heritage that includes VIA service. Those were seen in Volume One. This whole chapter is a thrilling look at the vintage engines.

On another visit, the camera is in the cab of the Alco FP4A  Eagle. Be still my heart! We travel along the Potomac River and the engineer is a real CSX engineer. Beautiful eastern riverfront and heavily wooded scenery.

Remember in Volume One, I wrote that you wouldn’t find an owl on a telephone pole in that show. Maybe I can apply for a membership in a Liar’s Club, well..almost. We see an eagle, in a tree. Since we are onboard an Eagle ourselves, why not? I had to laugh at the irony.

October, 1995 and peak fall colors along the river at Eagle Rock. A very scenic location. More CSX FP7 #118 and the Alco Potomac Eagle operations, with passenger excursions.

The Potomac Eagle feature is another show within the show presentation. Amazing!

Transported to east St. Louis in 1990. Gateway Western gets a glimpse.                        Ohio Central puts up an Alco S-1 built in 1950. This day had the switcher subbing for the steam engines that were off for maintenence. This is excursion service. A glimpse.

Point of Rocks, MD. has F7′s upgraded and in MARC service. An ex; BN E9 is a shock on another MARC train, still wearing BN colors.

Another FP4A is also seen, it was in VIA service. This one is in the classic Baltimore & Ohio capitol dome livery.Unbelievable! Another cab ride in an FP4A. Haven’t seen Brush Tunnel from the cab, before this sequence.

Alco RSD-5#1689 is an ex: CNW unit. Black paint and Fireball logo. Also an ex: D&H nee B&M #199, is an RS-3 and they both look hot in that paint scheme.

As a special DVD bonus for this release. Greg has added extra footage of F7A units #1000 ex: Milw 81C and #1001 ex: Milw. 81A operating on the Ohio Central, with an excursion train. The airhorn reverberates off the hillsides. The pair of F7A’s sure look good. No narration, all natural audio. On screen graphics get it done. Sweet!

Additionally, we are treated to Ohio Central #6307and #6313 in fresh Tuscan Red with 5 gold stripes. A spot on match for an old Pennsylvania scheme, except for the Ohio Central lettering. These were acquired from VIA. A nice bonus!

After viewing all 3 shows, they are all excellent productions. Drawing upon 20 years of video for this third volume. Seems to me that Greg Scholl has saved a supply of the best for the last. The Potomac Eagle and Western Maryland Scenic provide an up close and personal viewpoint. Maybe that is how it happened to work out. This is the one!

Rating: 5 Stars

CSX Scrapbook

CSX Scrapbook (D-138)

Charles Smiley Presents

Format: DVD

Length: 1 hour 42 minutes

Time Period: 1999- 2001, some 1991-1993

Locations: Deshler, Fostoria, Cumberland Sub, Sand Patch Grade

Sources: Tom Luckey, M Johnson

MSRP : 28.50

Charles Smiley with his latest 2011 release. The CSX on parade at the close of the 20th century. A few geographic areas are shown with busy tracks. Featured locales are: Ohio Hotspots, Cumberland Sub, and Sand Patch Grade. I like the ‘scrapbook’ theme. There are a huge number of trains shown in this program. Shown in all 4 seasons, the wide variety of power, locations, and scenery, equal fantastic railfanning!

Drawing mainly on 1999-2000 footage, also included are some 1991 and 1993 views.

CSP is always one with some bonus features. Here, the earlier film provides a differing viewpoint, with renumbered Chessie units still in mainline service.

High quality is a hallmark of a CSP show. This one, is no exception to that standard.

Diesel fans will have a field day with the vast array of EMD and GE power that is shown.

CSX was power short and leased units are abundant. Some are in the paint schemes of former roads with quick patched paint and logos. Intersecting roads such as Norfolk Southern and even Union Pacific are seen. Run through locos are from roads such as BNSF and CNW are found. Canadian National, Illinois Central add variety. Helm Leasing, FURX are some of the leased diesels.

CSX had a large roster. Many different locomotive types are viewed. There are many assorted CSX paint schemes too. Renumbered Conrail units are included. The head-end never is repetitive on this show. Long lash-ups, Helper Service and long trains are plentiful.

Charles intersperses some individual locomotive history on CSX repaints. He also has discussion, and views of the replacement, of old B&O color position signals.

Deshler, Ohio has the ‘Crossroads of the B&O’. A busy crossing of 2 former B&O lines. Judicious use of the maps keeps viewers aware of the train moves.The old B&O station still stands at the crossing.Some CSX C30-7 locomotives move slowly in town. Other trains are shown in the area,

Fostoria. Ohio has 3 former mainlines from: B&O, C&O and NKP. This is known as ‘The Iron Triangle’. It is a renowned modern hotspot. At this time, CSX and Norfolk Southern cross here. These are all double track mainlines.

Cumberland subdivision begins at Point Of Rocks, MD. We will move west from here, as we tour this subdivision on CSX. Martinsburg, WV. does see many assorted freights. There are enough general merchandise moves to keep up the interest level.

The heavily wooded scenery is a nice backdrop for train-watching.Mountains, tunnels, bridges and rivers all add to the scenes.

Earlier 1991 shots reveal quite a lot of Chessie System painted power was still visible. Before we complain about wanting more Chessie, remember these flashbacks are included as bonus footage. He is not required to do this, Charles likes to give viewers the complete picture of any given subject. His attention to the many small details are part of what sets a CSP show apart.

Charles has a rich supply of detail with on-screen graphics. Locations, direction, car counts and additional info are often listed.

Another consistent CSP extra are the custom made maps. These are important to get a sense of an area, locations and even elevations. They are frequently referanced and add better understanding of the lines.

The scenic beauty of the region multiplies as we travel into Pennsylvania and towards Sand Patch Grade. Contemporary equipment gives some of the best imagery from this area. Digital processing has been used throughout the program.

The footage has been digitally enhanced for improved picture quality. Audio is crisp and clear, as well. Natural sounds of the trains are quite prevalent in this program.

Narration by Charles, is in a more concise style. He still is informative. The trains do take center stage more often.

Sand Patch Grade is a centerpiece of this fine show. There are some excellent, uninterrupted train-watching sequences to see.

The elevation maps are another inclusion that defines the territory covered.

This is an excellent assortment of CSX trains. The extra fine picture and sound qualities are a highlight. Any railfan will find enjoyment in the sheer volume of train scenes.

Once again CSP just does superior work. You just can’t go wrong with a Charles Smiley Presents.

Rating: 5 Stars

All Aboard Series (Boxset)

All Aboard (Boxset)

Green Frog Productions

Format: 5 DVD set

Length: 11 Hours

Time Period: 1920′s to modern era

Locations: United States and Canada

Sources: Many high quality, including Emery Gulash, John M. Koch, Jerry Carson, James T. Koch, Steve Neff and more.

This mega set contains the entire All Aboard series. Created for PBS television broadcast and hosted by Howard Goodwin. There are 26 programs contained on 5 DVD’s. Many railroads are covered. This is a wide selection of longer, feature-length Green Frog shows.

The shows have been edited to fit within a 30 minute tv format. Howard Goodwin is our happy and friendly host. He brackets each show, with a brief introduction of the show. He also does a quick closing comment. As Howard says at the start of each show                  All Aboard..

After the intro, the viewer is transported into a Green Frog program. Many of these titles represent a best of collection. The vast Frog catalog yields a nice overview of railroad history, in the USA and some Canadian too.

Emery Gulash is one of my favorite vintage film cameramen. His 16mm color footage is among the all time best sources, for classic railroading. Fortunately, there are many shows that are based on this high quality source.

Modern era railroading is not overlooked. In fact, there are some uncommon and unusual operations. Rockets & Rails is about NASA railroading. Florida East Coast,was innovative, yet does not appear often in train videos. Steel Rails- Private Varnish fits here as well.

Classic railroading is abundant. Santa Fe Odyssey Vol.1, Pennsylvania, Illinois Central, Rock Island, DT&I Vol.1, and Jerry Carson’s Rails In Transition Vol. 1 are some highlights.

Narrow gauge is the subject on: The Chama Turn, Colorado Steam Mecca, East Broad Top, Narrow Gauge Passenger Chase and The Search for Narrow Gauge Steam.

Contemporary railroading offers modern technology for the shows. Rails To Steel City, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, and Amtrak all have programs.

Steam Locomotives are also present. Steam in the 50′s, Canadian Steam, Suwanee 1218, all offer fine looks at these popular engines.

Area based programs which involve multiple railroads, and are great. They have much variety in a short time span. Michigan Fast Freight is an Emery Gulash 1967 landmark! Rails in Transition Vol.1, is St. Louis area and beyond. Rails Chicago has Steve Neff in the 1980′s with the assortment that only Chicago provides.

There are additional shows in the series. Various episodes have individual reviews here.

All in all, this boxset is a nice value. If you don’t already own the full programs, this set gives you 26 entries. Wow!

Majority of the programs rated highly. FYI- I usually won’t rate them outstanding, based on the fact that the full length versions would deserve the outstanding honor.

This collection has something for everyone. A super choice for family entertainment. A no-brainer for train enthusiasts.

Hey Folks, this is a mecca for PBS broadcast quality programs. Professional in every sense, you just can’t go wrong with this fine boxset from Green Frog Productions.

Rating: 4 Stars