Southern Pacific Steam Anthology

Producer: Alva Morrison, JMJ

Timeframe: 1950s

Locations: system

Length: 47 minutes

Source: John Kirkland

An updated 2016 remaster and new edit. John Kirkland spent years, documenting every type of Southern Pacific Steam locomotive. All encompassing collection. Everything from diminutive yard switchers, to SP exclusive Articulateds. Color film throughout!

The Single DVD-R, has a finely detailed Chapter Menu. Full complement of maps. On-screen graphics on most everything. Organized like a book.

The film is beautifully remastered. Appears to have been originally filmed in 16mm. Excellent color balance. Very clean, with a minimum of any flaws. The overall impression of the collection is, Amazing!

The show is narrated. Audio is dubbed. Common with films of this vintage. Good results. Music is blended or used in the soundtrack. A former Cotton Belt engine is seen above.

The Southern Pacific was a vast empire. Having extended into many other areas. Interurban service is the most commonly known. San Francisco to Oakland ferry service is briefly shown.

The only concern. Not a deal breaker by any means. As the locomotive catalog is revealed. The fast edits are very fast. Barely view the running gear, here comes the tender, and out. Next! It gets a little annoying. Perhaps, that is all there was available. Considering the goal, time and effort. I would guess there was a second or two more.

On this fantrip. Street running and a 1955 Chevy. Looks like Fiesta Red. A custom color, for Fender guitars. Those colors were from automobile paint. Off topic, but too cool to pass it up!

Action sequences are included for many types. Freight and passenger. Mainline, Branchline and Yard scenes. Stations, Street running and Fantrips.

This Diamond Stack Special attracted attention, back in the day. Think about it.

A tiny Yard Goat rides the turntable at Mission in San Francisco. This served the Passenger engines there.

At the Bayshore yard. 2477 sets the pop valves.

The 2-8-0 Consolidations were workhorses in the SP empire. Larger boiler engines, were ex: St. Louis Southwestern. 

Examine the detail on this 2-6-0 locomotive. Model Railroaders should note the weathering. A small Vanderbilt tender. Better views within…

 Southern Pacific type, 4-10-2. Rolls off it’s last miles.

Appreciate the detail on the freight cars.

AC types could pull long trains..

Pusher duty was some of the last service for AC-9 types.

The huge AC -10. 

Old style SP cabooses. The standard for the era.

Southern Pacific Anthology.

A comprehensive overview of SP Steam in the mid- 20th Century. This awesome collection is in beautiful remastered all-color 16mm film.

The excellent Cinematographer, is a consistent source. Sharp production has a well organized show. Nice action sequences. A great selection, for any Steam Fan!

Rating: 5 Stars

 

 

Union Pacific and Cotton Belt, Midwest Joint Lines

Producer: Mary McPherson

Timeframe: 1989- 1993

Locations: Kirkwood, Gray’s Summit, MO. Aldridge, Thebes, IL. more

Length: 1 hour 55 minutes

Source: George Redmond

An exciting assortment of pre-merger action, centered around Kirkwood, Missouri! This show is an unpredictable one. It might be the best in the well established Heritage Series, by Diverging Clear Productions.

Videographer George Redmond was out circa 1989. Hotspot, Kirkwood Missouri supplied a wealth of great trains. Union Pacific, Missouri Pacific, Southern Pacific, Cotton Belt, Rio Grande, MKT and Amtrak.

A single DVD-R in a Slimline case. Detailed Chapter Menu. On-screen graphics. No maps. Enviornmental soundtrack. Balanced levels. Good color balance, on restored video. Crisp editing, that has a well paced program.

The show begins at the station. Kirkwood Missouri. This is on the Jefferson City subdivision. MKT and a Missouri Pacific SD40, lead one of the trains, at this busy place.

Gray’s Summit is outside of St Louis. Perfect for Model Railroaders! Note the striking face. Sharp, vertical angles would make a compact scene. This screen, is for those modellers. Yes, plenty of cool trains here.

Rio Grande actually took over, Southern Pacific. For anybody that needs to know. Hence, there are DRGW locomotives traveling via Kirkwood at this time.

Union Pacific shares the headline. This scene is from the Illinois half of the show.

Cotton Belt is a show co-star. SD40T-2, at Kirkwood, Missouri. Plentiful supply of their trains. Bottom line is, must have a tunnel motor in this review!

MoPac, also became a part of the Union Pacific. Sometimes, they are seen repainted and lettered as, Missouri Pacific. Canaries!

Amtrak stops to a herd of people at Kirkwood, in 1989.

More Union Pacific rolls through the territory. Solid and mixed lash-ups. Note the MKT, way back there. This shot in the rain.

Gray and Scarlet, also abounds. Cotton Belt and Southern Pacific lettering. As one would expect.

We need a blue MoPac on the lead. 6071 it is. Actually, SP Kodachrome paint is fun. Want even more fun? You find them!

Cabooses galore! Hit or miss, on any given train. Even concerning roadnames. Surprises that one can love – even for those, who hate surprises! I left more surprises.

Halfway through the show. The Chester subdivision is featured. This is in Illinois. Can the Chester sub match the thrilling first half? The timeline is now 1993. Moves between 1991- 93. Take a look…

At Chester, a CNW leads a UP move.

Some water gives off a reflection, of the passing UP train.

At Gorham, the Chicago sub begins. Bounce between Chester and Chicago subs. A Conrail run through, gives some variation.

The bridge at Alridge sees enough trains to function as a hotspot here. Single track and busy! Visit both sides. See plenty of SP too.

A speed lettered Southern Pacific unit. Receives the time tested, pan shot.

Not as much variety as the Missouri half. Still, there is much action.

A bridge at Thebes. Double track. Even more rust, than then the previous one.

Several cabooses on this half.

Union Pacific and Cotton Belt, Midwest Joint Lines. The Heritage Series.

So far, this is the best entry that I have seen! The Missouri half is a real good time. Never know what’s coming next. Illinois is a tad less a blast, but still good. The sharp pace, keeps everything moving along. Fine show by Diverging Clear. If you want to try out a Heritage Series. This one is a great way to start.

Rating: 4 Stars

 

 

 

 

 

Pacific Electric and Los Angeles Railway

Producer: Charles Smiley

Timeframe: 1940- 1963

Locations: Greater Los Angeles area

Length: 1 hour 53 minutes

Sources: Lloyd Salkeld, Ross Salkeld, Ed Minshall, Paul Lukens, Roy Gabriel

Charles Smiley Presents with a double feature. The two streetcar lines, that once served Los Angeles, and vicinity. Pacific Electric is the much larger of the two companies. Los Angeles Railway is the second company.

Both had extensive coverage in their territories. Originally construction, was before the common usage of automobiles and freeways. The commuters traveled in much different fashion.

There is much color movie film, to document the cornucopia of various, equipment and lines. Which serve the area. Years of the restored color footage. They are from 1940 to 1963. Though the scope of the show, goes back earlier in time.

This show is loaded with extras. A factory pressed DVD. Detailed Chapter Menu. A long preview section that runs for 20 minutes.

Custom made Maps throughout. Any line that is discussed, gets highlighted.

On-screen graphics that have all sorts of additional information. These details augment the on going discussions.

Varied soundtrack. Notice the high level of detail on enviornmental scenes. Hear the auto traffic on some scenes? Hear the flanges squeel, as a trolley hits a turn? Background music elsewhere.

Simply, too much to cover everything within, this fully loaded program. This collection of films must be rare. Let’s hit on some highlights…

IF you haven’t seen a Charles Smiley Presents yet. You are in for a treat! These are: part train video, part history lesson, extra information, at no extra charge! All neatly wrapped in a PBS style program. Charles Smiley narrates.

Pacific Electric had about 1000 miles of trackage. Extended beyond Los Angeles. Long Beach, San Pedro, San Bernardino to name a few. Their large red cars were well known.

Los Angeles Railway was Henry Huntington’s, from 1898. This also extended past the city limits, although not so far. Yellow and green colors.

Later on, the so called, fruit salad colors came into usage.

The streetcar system predates the freeway system.

A small portion of the Oakland Key System is included, into this story. Another, El Paso, Texas to Mexico, as well!  Plus more. Learn the dispositions of various streetcars.

Here , at Inglewood viewers get a sense of streetcars running in traffic. Check those two sets of rails.

Later, the now numerous  cars in the downtown area, brought resentment towards the big streetcars.

Watts Station is on the right.

This Watts bound car, originated up on a substantial  elevated platform. 

Electric buses are even included!

The 1938 PCC built cars offered riders many improvements. Charles explains types and improvements.

Notice how massive the streetcar is compared to the bus.

The old Sears building on the P line is gone. Resembles other vintage Sears, in other parts of the US.

The diminutive white safety zones, in the middle of busy streets. These are almost a joke by modern standards.

Here is a scene with potential for Model Railroaders. Have a trolley line that; dead ends, near a standard gauge track!

The many onboard rides, give viewers the feel of streetcar transportation. Assorted lines and years. Fascinating material.

Big Bertha tows a broken down car.

A final fantrip with a couple of streetcars. A discontinued line, complete with rusty rails. Amazing!

These trolley subjects offer a time machine visit into the past. One doesn’t have to be from Los Angeles to enjoy this either. Plenty of these scenes no longer exist.

Vintage is vintage! Autos, trucks, pedestrians, businesses, and the chance to witness the changes. Fascinating material that you see in fine quality here. There is simply too much, to retain everything in a single viewing. That is good news. Rerun value. Suitable and interesting, for family viewing.

Rating: 5 Stars

Tribute to Tennessee Pass

 

Timeframe: 1997

Locations: Royal Gorge, Minturn, Mitchell, Salida, TP Summit, more

Length: 1 hour 40 minutes

In 1997 the word was given. Historic Tennessee Pass was going to be closed by the railroad. Pentrex then documented the Tennessee Pass subdivision. A 200 mile line.

The show is organized into three main sections. One third from Pueblo, Colorado. Another third from Dotsero. A middle section with the Summit.

Actually, the Summit is also acheived via another Chapter. Tennessee Pass Tunnel. Twice visited. Great!

There is so much to see. Let’s hit some highlights.

In 1997, the SD40T-2 were still to be found, in Rio Grande paint.

Pentrex extras include many reference maps. On screen graphics with; train designations and locations.

Dave Drui narrates in his smooth as glass style. A smart script matches the professional Pentrex production.

Expert videography is on tap. Beautifully shot. Encompasses the magnificent mountain scenery along with the centerpiece trains. Well done!

Audio is live sound. Pro sound throughout. Some obvious video source flaws late in the program. Minor glitches. No worries. Part of the review.

The program begins on the Western end and travels towards the center. A rather sharp decision. Viewers end up at Tennessee Pass Summit. The tunnel is the Summit.

Restart at the opposite end of the sub. Achieve the summit twice! Brilliant.

Relentless train movement. Ever changing scenic vistas will keep eyes on the screen.

At Minturn. The pace slows down. Watch the process. Mid-train helpers are cut into a heavy, unit coal train.

Royal Gorge is a scenic highlight.

A hard to find (in 1997) Rio Grande GP30 is out on the mainline.

Several out of staters do appear. CSX,NW, and CNW. Here is one. CNW SD40-2.

Although the GE AC4400 were dominate. Tunnel motors and the The Rocky Mountains. Go together like peanut butter and jelly. A classic!

Union Pacific locomotives are plentiful.

Those sweeping curves at Mitchell. They have been filmed since the steam era. Still exciting, even with diesels!

Here we are…

Not a caboose to be found in this show. There is this vintage DRGW boxcar. Close enough for horseshoes. Ain’t she sweet? Let’s go with this for the closer.

Tribute to Tennessee Pass. Has all the elements. Mountain territory, good mix of power and freight. Excellent visuals with a sharp narrative. A fine program for the whole family. This amoung the top Pentrex shows!

Rating: 5 Stars

Steam Across America: Combo DVD

Producer: Pentrex

Timeframe: 1950s- 60s

Locations: many

Length: 1 hour 10 minutes

Source: Bruce Ward

A combination of two shows on this single DVD. East and Western steam in the United States. Filmed in 16mm. All color and multiple railroads. End of the steam era. Late 1950s into the early 1960s.

Interested? Step right in…

Choices on the Top Chapter Menu offer: East, West and Bonus Material. Leads to detailed sub Chapter menus. No maps. On-screen location graphics.

Dave Drui with a good narrative. Detailed soundtrack with environmental sounds. High level of Pentrex production.

NW in 1957. Portsmouth, Ohio. Plenty of action in the state.

196 switches at Columbus, Ohio.

Bluefield WV in 59.

Baltimore and Ohio in 1957. Yellowstone EM- 1 type being chased.

A B&O freight train, smokes it up.

Street running at Grafton. The B&O added larger tenders to it’s switchers in later years.

Pennsylvania Railroad.

A J1 class 2-10-4 on the turntable at Columbus.

Nickel Plate Road in 1957. Berkshire class. A Hudson class with rarely seen Elephant Ears on a freight.

Chicago, Burlington and Quincy. 1961 in Illinois and Wisconsin. Burlington Route ran fantrips. This one was The Illini Special.

Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range.  The Illini Special in 1961.

Union Pacific in 1957. Grand Island, Nebraska. Elephant Ear Northern’s in freight service.

Diminutive switchers were once ubiquitous.

At Cheyenne, Wyoming. Class locomotive, Big Boy 4000, rolls in with smoking brakes.

Challengers are abundant! Compare the exhaust on this somewhat ailing Challenger to the GP unit, as they shove on a freight in the Wahsatch Mountains.

Southern Pacific. San Francisco and Oakland terminals.

Bakersfield in 1957. More shown in 56.  A GS 4 meets a Cab Forward .

Colorado and Southern. Various scenes.

2-10-2 predominate. Note the double tender

C&S #641 was well suited to operate to Climax, at over 10,000 feet. Ran until 1961.

Great Western Railway steamer, is used at the sugar Mill. Loveland, CO. They used 0-4-0 saddle tankers too. Even more than expected is seen.

Steam Across America. Covers the advertised in fine fashion. Two packed shows of vintage steam action. The 16mm films look great! Fine viewing for anyone with an interest in steam locomotives.

Rating: 5 Stars