Great Shortlines West

Great Shortlines West (D-112)

Producer: Charles Smiley

Length: 1 Hour 42 Minutes

Time Period: 1970- 1998

Locations: California, Oregon, Texas.

Sources: Bo Golson, David Stanley, John Schmale, Harre Demoro. 8mm: Mark Johnson, Tony Johnson. Video: Wenda Resch, Gino Pagliaro

MSRP: 29.50

Charles Smiley Presents features ten Western Shortlines.

Highly engaging material. The lines range from the expected 5 miles, to much larger lines.

Yolo Shortline GP9.

This is a newer (2007) version of a 1998 release.

Factory, silver DVD. Chapter menu. Custom maps. On- screen graphics.

Charles is always concerned about giving the viewers, the best possible versions of a program.

Newly enhanced and edited material. All for highest quality. Better sources and technological advancements.

Interchange with Southern Pacific.

As Charles mentions, Shortlines are perfect for model railroaders. Their manageable size, is a natural fit to model.

Smaller locomotives, shorter trains and less distance. Interchange with a connecting Class One railroad, offers even more possibilities.

There are many surprises within the scope of this fine program.

The Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad. Mountain railroading with the winding former Southern Pacific Siskiyou line. More later on this…

Central California GP18 1790.

Unique to Charles Smiley railroad dvd releases, are his sense of balance.

There are many elements that go into all of his productions. Contemporary and vintage film, still photos, illustrations.

Insider interviews and stories Add custom maps and on-screen graphics.

Great natural audio and some music.

Finally, top it with unique Charles Smiley narrative.

All of that work takes months.

These are the top tier, of train video programs. If you have never seen one, they are like watching a well produced PBS style program.

Such outstanding coverage can inspire. New interests and directions for both, railfans and modelers.

Extremely detailed explanations. This map is used to illustrate the former class one lines. Santa Fe and Western Pacific.

They vary widely, in size and operational scope. Single shipper focused, to tens of thousands of annual car loadings, from many online businesses.

Charles begins with an introductory segment about shortlines. They are abundant in numbers.

Their annual revenue makes them a combined force in the railroad industry.

Central California Traction is street running. Lodi Avenue in Stockton. Rich in history. Vintage Alco film. Currently, uses GP9 and GP18 locos.

Amador Central operating with those popular Baldwin S12 switchers. This has an extended feature.

Replacement SW-1200 are in service too. This railroad is twelve miles long. Vintage film is also shown. Nicely done!

Stockton Terminal & Eastern, with an Alco S-2 in 1980’s. 8mm footage.

Modesto & Empire Traction is 5 miles long with GE 70 tonners. Multiple shippers, generate 20,000 annual carloads.

Ventura County Railway Co. at Oxnard, CA. has a 9 mile operating line. Alco and SW1200 locomotives.

TRONA features some early Baldwin diesels (AS-616).

Angelina & Neches River Railroad, is another featured line. This at Lufkin, Texas. Interchange connection with Southern Pacific/ UP.

At Prosser, a presentation of diesel engines and operational characteristics.

Shop Foreman, Mark Reeves conducts this segment.

A cab ride in the S-4 , with Jerry Sims. The operating and discussing the Alcos is interesting.

David M. Perkins is the President and he discusses the importance of customer service.

Shortlines can excel at their personalized service. Smart, smooth and very informative chapter.

Central Oregon and Pacific from Eugene, OR. to Black Butte CA.

That’s near Mt. Shasta. 40,000 car loadings annually makes this a major line in this program.

Grades upto 3.7% require EMD GP38-3 units in lashups of maybe a half-dozen to eight locomotives.

This is Southern Pacific’s former Siskiyou Line, reopened by CORP. Extensive operational focus. Plenty of excellent film, that documents the action.

A cab ride includes external footage with multiple cameras and is simply…. fantastic!

This one features the 3 tunnels and a narrative from the engineer Bud Shirley on safe descent of the train. There is much more within this chapter. Truly excellent!

Central California Traction caboose.

If you are interested in shortline railroading, or just want to see something different from the standard mega roads. This is a no-brainer. A very enjoyable train video program.

Rating: 5 Stars