Santa Fe: Bluebonnets and Kodachromes

Santa Fe: Bluebonnets and Kodachromes

Diverging Clear Productions

Format: DVD-R

Length: 1 hour 05 minutes

Time Period: 1988- 1989

Locations: Chillicothe, Edelstein Hill, Holliday Junction, Marceline.

Source: George Redmond , DCP archives

MSRP: 20.00

The newest Heritage Series continues with this show. It is about Santa Fe blue and yellow Warbonnets, operating with red, black and yellow Kodachrome painted diesels. A failed merger attempt with Southern Pacific had SF lettered units repainted on Santa Fe. The remaining SP lettering was never added. Cabooses are still in service on some trains. Amtrak cameos too. Kodachrome fans will be satisfied with the amount of those units seen.

Four locations in three states, are the setting for this show. There is much TOFC traffic. Mixed with general merchandise trains. Conrail diesels lead some freights, with their solid blue lashups.

A GP20 is on the point. Older diesels are sometimes intermingled with newer, six axle locomotives. The overall assortment keeps the show interesting.

GP35 units lead some trial roadrailer equipment. Note the two paint schemes.

                 An F45 and SD45 engines are charging through with a hot pig train.

As with other Heritage Series releases, George Redmond is the original videographer.

Producer Mary McPherson has been upgrading these productions. Some basic maps are a welcome addition to this program. Another map details the Holliday Jct. trackage. There is a chapter menu. Preview section as well.

Surprise! Some 1940′s footage around Argentine Yard adds a brief contrast to the modern era trains. Additional black and white photos are interspersed throughout. Results in some now and then perspectives. Nice.

Holliday Junction is the first location. Near Kansas City, there are numerous ATSF moves in the area.

Model railroaders can find assorted details about Santa Fe train consists.

Marceline was a crew change point. Plenty of action here. The old station provides a historic backdrop.

Edelstein Hill is another, busy location. Plenty of intermodal traffic.

Chillicothe is visited next. A crew change point and an Amtrak station.

Amtrak’s Southwest Chief slows for Chillicothe Station.

This program is a good looking one, for 1980′s VHS tape. The videotape appears cleaner then some other Heritage Series programs. Mary does a good narrative. Natural audio dominates the scenes. A few bits have too much wind banging the microphone. Majority sounds fine.

For the multitude of Santa Fe fans, this program is a good one to own. If you are new to Diverging Clear’s: The Heritage Series, here is one of the best they offer.

The 65 minutes contains a well paced show. A solid, amateur shot train video.

Here is the circa 1988 Santa Fe, just as you may remember.

Rating: 3 Stars

Steam in the 1940′s, 50′s, & 60′s : Special 7 PAK Boxset

Steam in the 40′s, 50′s, & 60′s: 7 PAK Boxset

Green Frog Productions

Format: DVD- R (7 disc boxset)

Length: 5 Hours 52 minutes

Time Period: 1940′s- 1960′s. Bonus 1990′s.

Locations: USA and Canada

Sources: Gene Miller,

MSRP: 59.95 ( Separate shows value is over 204.00)

The set is housed in a sturdy, hard plastic case. Each disc is mounted on a hard plastic page. Seems very durable.

Green Frog has a tantalizing boxset. This contains 7 discs and 7 complete shows. All of the programs have individual, full reviews on ATVR. A brief overview of each will follow.

All of the shows are digitally edited on state of the art equipment. Each disc has artwork.

Maximum fun calls for many different screenshots from the full reviews. Bonus for you!

The Golden Twilight of Postwar Steam Part 1: The Pennsy’s West End and it’s neighbors.

1947- 1950. Gene Miller 16mm.

                                                     Mountain type. M1

                                           Pennsylvania Broadway Limited.

Early diesels. A quartet of ‘chicken wire’, Electromotive F3 locomotives.

The Golden Twilight of Postwar Steam Part 2: Rails in the Heartland: The L&N, C&EI and IT

Gene Miller. 16mm.

                         L&N Mountain class at Howell Yard. Evansville, Indiana.

                       Steam and diesel are both here. A K-5 Pacific with an EMD E7 unit.

                   Chicago & Eastern Illinois departs the massive St. Louis Union Station.

                               C&EI has these pretty F3 engines. Nice variety on this railroad.

Illinois Terminal once had a sizeable trolley operation. Strange entry for a steam series.

The Golden Twilight of Postwar Steam Part 3: Cajon to Horseshoe- Trains Across Mid-America and the West.

Gene Miller. 16mm. 1940′s- 1950′s. Many railroads are seen. Color, plus black and white film.

Santa Fe steam shown from California, to Dearborn Station, in Chicago.

Union Pacific has an awesome collection. Cheyenne and Denver. Big Boys, Challengers, Northerns, switchers and those big 9000 class locomotives. Plus more!

St. Louis Kaliedescope has various lines. MoPac Heavy Mike 1417 shown. Some fine black and white, plus color in this show. Missouri Pacific has color also. Nice chapter.

                             Horseshoe Curve finishes up the Gene Miller films.

Steam in the ’50′s: Volume 1

Jerry Carson. 16mm. Covers 14 different railroads.

B&O with a pair of big T-1 class locomotives at Chicago. Plenty of classic B&O within.

                                Some great action on the Norfolk & Western.

                                  Chicago & North Western departs Green Bay.

Chesapeake & Ohio is a tough road to find, in the steam era. Like some others in this show, there are only a couple of trains.

Illinois Central Railroad. This one gets extended coverage. Assorted locations and trains.

                        Pennsylvania receives plenty of coverage. Doubleheaders too!

Steam in the ’50′s: Volume 2

Tom Strid. 16mm, mostly color. Shortest length show in the set. All classic.

                            Union Pacific Big Boy is eased across the wooden trestle.

See this locomotive being returned to America, at the dock. The General Pershing.

Circus World Baraboo train move to Milwaukee. Some unloading is shown at Milwaukee.

Steam in the ’50′s: Volume 3

Ted Carlson and Maynard Laing. 16mm. USA and Canada.

                                            Northern Pacific excursion chase.

                                  Hillcrest Lumber with Climax locomotives.

                            UP Big Boy pace sequence. More Big Boy action is seen.

                                                          Canadian Pacific.

                              Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Yellowstone steam.

The Bonus Show isn’t listed on the rear cover…

Steam Giants Across America

Compilation steam program. Some repeat footage from these other shows, in this set. Still, it is a fun standalone program, and not everything is from this collection.

             Some circa 1991 bonus footage includes: UP 844 and UP 3985.

                      Norfolk & Western with vintage and contemporary  era footage.

Green Frog has a big winner. This 7 DVD set is an awesome value. This ‘package deal’, is a fast way to build an instant steam collection. A big bargain, that outweighs any issues.

Highly Recommended for anyone with an interest in steam. The early diesels are equally fine. This Steam Special 7 PAK would make a memorable gift.

Rating: 5 Stars

The Golden Twilight of Postwar Steam: Part 3

The Golden Twilight of Postwar Steam: Part 3 

Green Frog Productions

Format: DVD

Length: 52 minutes

Time Period: 1940′s- 1950′s

Locations: USA (see text)

Source: Gene Miller

MSRP: 34.95 for the single version. 59.95 for the 7 Pak.

This show is available individually or as part of this 7 disc special package deal. The review is the DVD from the 7 Pak set. These DVD’s do have artwork. They are packaged in a sturdy plastic case.

Cajon to Horseshoe: Trains Across Mid-America and the West

The third of a trilogy from Green Frog. Gene Miller has an amazing collection og 16 mm film. He shot the films from the 1940′s into the 1950′s. His use of 16mm film. Plenty of it in color! The Gene Miller films rival, and complement the late, Emery Gulash.

This show is fast paced! Narration is detailed, and delivered quickly. There is a plethora of steam and early diesel locomotives. Locations can jump too. Focus by railroad or location.

There are some rarities to be found. The usual engines too. The early diesels are as fascinating as the steam. Everything is all high quality. Digital mastering has most of the footage looking great. A few pinkish hues. Almost all of the shots are excellent.

Chicago is where the volume begins. Various railroads and locations are visited. Milwaukee Road, Rock Island, Burlington Route, New York Central and Nickel Plate Road!

Rock Island with a homemade transfer caboose. Note the rooftop bench and convenient ladder.  Narrator mistakenly, called it a work train. Chicagoans will know better.

Rock Island TA with side skirts. Check the peepers! A cook and another, in the diesel door. They were likely wondering, why a movie camera was pointed at their Rocket.

Burlington Route action. An S-4 class, CB&Q Hudson with a passenger train. Steam, diesel and Zephyrs. The Q gets some nice coverage!

Englewood has New York Central, J3 Hudson 5430 with a centipede tender.

At Englewood, Nickel Plate has these Alco PA diesels and steam.

The show then features a St. Louis Kaleidoscope. More variety and crossover the river to East St. Louis, Ill.

Missouri Pacific 2112 has perfect lighting to view this locomotive. There is a variety of good looking MoPac power around St. Louis shown.

Wabash gets a look.Granite City and St. Louis. This seems to be the rare one.

                                           At the roundhouse, Paducah, KY.

Illinois Central at varied locations. Paducah, KY. is a main locale. Chicago is next. This is a long way from the later ICRR. Plenty to see.

Union Pacific. The massive 4-12-2 class 9000′s stand tall! They predate the Challengers. Many more UP engines are seen. Big Boys and Challengers included. Denver and Cheyenne visited. Long and satisfying chapter. Predominantly black and white films. All excellent!

Santa Fe. Baldwin 1940 built with 3780 in California. Ride on the rear vestibule over Raton Pass. Chicago: Dearborn Station, Alton Jct., Dearborn again. Long chapter of Santa Fe. Most of the action at Chicago.

                        Yes. Gene Miller is the cameraman who filmed this sequence!

Cajon Pass is next viewed. Santa Fe steam and diesel power. Doubleheaders and helpers used on the grades. Helpers return caboose.

Southern Pacific cab forwards receive much attention. There are more types shown.

Pennsylvania Railroad. Horseshoe Curve with steam. The steam engines parade on the curve. Some very distant shots and close views that give a good feel of the location.

This program has some compelling viewing. One never knows what is going to be shown next. The wide array of: railroads, locomotives and locations keep the show hopping!

Detailed descriptions keep viewers apprised of the action. The sound of the trains is good. Narration does dominate the proceedings, and works well. Good entertainment for the whole family. This trilogy, gives an excellent overview of the 1940′s to 1950′s era.

Rating: 5 Stars

Steam on the Santa Fe in Illinois

Steam on the Santa Fe in Illinois

John Szwajkart

Format: DVD-R

Length: 75 minutes

Time Period: 1992 + 1998 (261)

Locations: Topeka to Chicago, and more.

Sources: John Steenwyk, John Szwajkart

MSRP: 25.00

Steam on the Santa Fe has the concept of viewing a couple of employee specials. Santa Fe 3751 is one of the steamers featured. Milwaukee Road 261 is the half of the equation. Each locomotive has it’s own part within the show.

A no frills train video from John Szwajkart. No narration, maps or extras. John doesn’t use a tripod, expect shaky camerawork. The 2nd cameraman will have to be seen..

The initial steam excursion will run from Topeka to Chicago. There is an overnight stay. Heavy rains are going to be present. A sunny day is supposed to follow.

The first portion has a steady camera. Shot on a consumer grade, VHS camera.

A busy night sequence at Fort Madison. Not pretty footage. After the overnight stay, there is the shaky camerawork. Unshielded microphone picks up wind noise, and everything else!

A couple of pace attempts that don’t work. Why is this being shown?

Another bad chase sequence. The wind just beats on the microphone.

At Chillicothe to Streator, there is rain. Sloppy conditions = sloppy results. The rain continues as the special travels towards Chicago. Not his fault for the rain, but there are other clear weather 3751 shows, available in the marketplace. Why spend time watching it rain, and view a beaten down smoke plume?

                         Another jarring camera pace attempt?     How does this add to the story?

At Chicago, the following day, clear weather follows. There are some Warbonnets on a freight. 3751 is seen, and the windy breeze hits the microphone pretty hard.

Hey, this excursion is a mess, overall. Bad weather, bad wind noise, and when the 3751 appears, a shaky camera. Unedited audio includes more unneeded noise. Lack of good video editing, adds to the uncomfortable atmosphere of this special. Next……….

Part 2 has Milwaukee Road 261 operating on the Santa Fe.

This screen is the same as found in the third part of Santa Fe in Illinois. Can’t justify spending time posting screenshots, for what plays like, a set of home movies.

Ding. ding, ding by the crossing. We hear the ringing bells. 261 in reverse, on the rear!

At Steator, ding, ding, ding. here comes the train. At least 261 is leading. Freights are interspersed within the show. The scene above, also appears in Santa Fe in Illinois Part 3.

As both locomotives are readily available in higher quality, I don’t see the point of this show.

It’s not rare, or a joy to watch. The trackage may be the only reason for the show.

Rating: 1 Star

The Santa Fe in Illinois Part 3

The Santa Fe in Illinois Part 3

John Szwajkart

Format: DVD-R

Length: 1 hour

Time Period: circa 1995

Locations: Chillcothe, Edelstein, Galesburg and more grade crossings

Source: John Szwajkart

MSRP: 25.00

This is the continuation of a post merger look at BNSF in Illinois. Here, the trip to Iowa begins in the countryside, west of Tolucca.

You should read the review of the first two parts of this series. No extras on this amateur level release. It is difficult to even rate this as commercial product. It is not, in the sense that it is edited for a comfortable and smooth show to watch. Shaky camerawork, and unedited soundtrack. This is not hardcore or amateur, this is in a home movie class.

There was an extremely high level of dissatisfaction with the endless crossing bells ringing throughout most of the previous volume. Does that continue in Part 3?

This is more of the same… ding, ding,ding, ding, ding…………

It is a pain to sit through this again…ding, ding, ding………………….

Way too many grade crossing ‘easy shots’, and irritating bells throughout.

                             The scenes do include other views besides the crossing gate.

             However, as the bells dominate the show, the gates can dominate the review.

Even the bonus section! The bell syndrome settles down near the end. Camerawork bounces around, and brings this show downward. Aren’t these gates annoying? Exactly!

There are some nice scenes, the old Santa Fe signals are a welcome sight.

                  Some good viewing at this bridge, though poorly edited. See Below.

Believe it or not! There is a BNSF freght behind these trees. What is this forest doing? Edit, edit, edit. Why do the big guys and some are not big, do editing so well? Others don’t.

Speaking of editing. A fine view of this train will appear, after this messy view. Amateur.

Milwaukee Road 261 makes a couple of cameos. You can find this engine anywhere.

It gives me no pleasure to slam shows, such as this series. Even the artwork shows a gate. Like the first release, we need an alternate title…..BNSF in Illinois: The Gate Show.

Another substandard release. Not much better then the previous volume of this series.

Consider what $25 will buy. Yes, you can purchase a high quality train video, for around this amount. So what good is this? How does it enhance someone’s collection?

Again, lazy film-making is sold in this series. Stay away!

Rating: 1 Star