Atlanta’s Railroads – All Aboard – PBS

Atlanta’s Railroads

Green Frog Productions

Length: 30 minutes

Time Period: 1800’s to 1990’s.

Location: Atlanta

Sources: Charlie Brown, John M. Koch, Rob McCormack, Pete Silcox

Another one from the All Aboard PBS television series. Howard Goodwin hosts the 30 minute shows. The complete set is available from Green Frog Productions.

This particular show does not follow in the regular Green Frog format. An interview based program. What some term, a talking heads show. Very heavy on early and Civil War era. Of course, the imagery is period photos and illustrations. The format continues in the same fashion, right up to the 1990’s era. There is a smattering of 8mm color film and video. It is extremely limited screentime. In that respect, it does not compare with their standard train videos.

The General is also presented in HO scale.

The Great Locomotive Chase is a main feature of the 1860’s. A raid by Union Army, with the intent to destroy or disable lines into Atlanta. The raiders escape on The General. Confederates give chase with 3 steam engines. Eventually, the engine runs out of fuel. There is much discussion on this event. Two original locomotives survive in museums. Overdone, as far as using up time. Where are Atlanta’s trains?

Dan Chandler narrates this slow paced release. It is professionally produced. The issue is the focus of the program. One would expect a bunch of footage containing classic and modern era film. That just is not the case. Functions more like a slide show.

Atlanta train shed built in 1871.

A larger station constructed in 1905.

The 1905 station with downsized spires in HO scale. The real ones sustained storm damage.

Historians are probably more likely to enjoy the very lengthy early history. Plenty of old pictures as well. As nice as the pics are, nothing moves. More, talking heads.

This photo looks like a rare one.

Eventually, we arrive in a more modern age. A few glimpses of moving diesels.

CSX and Norfolk Southern both have large freight yards. You barely see either one.

Atlanta’s Railroads ends up a disappointment. What could have been an overview of a busy rail city, gets bogged down in ancient history. Perhaps, there just isn’t much vintage film from there. Yet, even contemporary video is in short supply. This program is really more of a history of early railroading in Atlanta. One of the weaker entries in the series.