The Bangor and Aroostook: The Final Years
A & R Productions
Length: 83 minutes
Time Period: 1990’s
Locations: Northern Maine Jct., Millinocket , Searsport, Van Buren
Source: Chester Kamuda
MSRP: 30.00
The railroad scene was undergoing changes in the decade of the 1990’s. The Bangor & Aroostook was nearing the end. Famous as a potato hauler, this traffic had switched to trucks. Paper mills had closed as well. BAR was renowned among railfans. The company had kept early diesels operating many years past removal from larger roads.
Chester Kamuda took multiple trips to record the last days of operation on BAR. He used Hi-8 video.
The show is narrated. A map outlines the trackage. The narrative is a strong point.
At Northern Maine Jct., two GP38-2 locomotives perform switching. This train will get followed in what amounts to an extended segment. Overcast weather and the length makes this feel like time filler.
The camera is handheld. Amateur level camera shake and jerk. Sound is natural.
Weather and action improve for the Searsport Job. Nice shots of assorted BAR freight cars.
Millinocket Yard has more slow speed switching. The train drills cars at a paper mill.
Aroostook Valley and a GE 44 tonner. The engine is chased across the Presque Isle area. Nice background information of AVRR in the narrative.
We continue viewing similar operations at some more locations.
Interchange with Canadian National is seen. Chester gets a cab ride. This train is chased endlessly. More filler for time. Probably would have made a stronger presentation with a shorter, one hour length.
This slow paced show, is an unexciting one. Not many trains or much variety to see here. BAR fans will want it anyway. Limited in scope, there isn’t much here for the rest of us.
Rating: 2 Stars
One reply on “The Bangor and Aroostook: The Final Years”
I find this video highly interesting, but I grew up and still live in northern Maine so perhaps I’m biased. During its heyday the BAR serviced a wide variety of industries with some interesting traffic including woodchip cars converted from old 40′ boxcars and reefers. There may not be much here for “the rest of you” but I personally do not find unit coal trains snaking in and out of tunnels much to look at.
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