Courting Miss Katy

Courting Miss Katy

A&R Productions

Length: 2 Hours

Time Period: 1970-1989

Locations: system

Source: Jim Terrell

MSRP: 29.95

Missouri- Kansas- Texas, or MKT. Filmed in Super 8 with camera audio. Cameraman Jim Terrell traveled to assorted locations on the MKT system.Spanning about 20 years. Viewers will get a brief look at a few red locomotives, but only for a couple of minutes. The green and yellow livery dominates. Most of the two hours, is from the mid to late 1980’s.

Cinematography is generally good. At times, the lighting is: backlit, washed out, or dark. Occasional camera shake. Picture framing is also good. While the show has amateur moments, it is very watchable. Nothing that completely ruins the viewing.

Original films are clean. They are candidates for digital restoration or enhancement.

Audio is skewed to higher frequencies.What is heard is authentic. Limitations are very noticeable. There is no bass.

Extra items such as : intersecting trackage, interlocking towers and other structures, are nice inclusions. Stations are another point of interest. Many views of bridge crossings have a dramatic flair. Model railroaders can have a field day with all of this!

Basic narrative by Aaron Gonthier. Script provides: years, locations and some train info. A few simple maps are here. The maps are minimal. Some Katy background history.

MKT had a diverse locomotive roster. Rebuilds by EMD resulted in some rare power operating far past the retirements of unrepowered units. Alco and Baldwin locos with modified hoods are the primary examples seen. There is an old F7A which is only used as a B unit. Slug service was the fate of another engine.

Additional second hand railroad engines are interspersed throughout. Former, Conrail, ICG, and Penn Central are seen in hastily applied ‘patch job’ versions.

Union Pacific, Missouri Pacific, Southern Pacific, Cotton Belt, Santa Fe and Burlington Northern are also operating. Mopac Canaries, SF and SP Kodachromes are seen.