F-Units on the Nanticoke: CN 9100’s

F-Units on the Nanticoke: CN 9100’s

Green Frog / Canrail

3 DVD Set

Length: 3.2 Hours

Time Period: 1986

Locations: Hamilton to Nanticoke

Source: Rob McCormack

MSRP: 40.00

Green Frog has this extensive set, which feature vintage, rebuilt F7 units. The year is 1986. Canadian National had reassigned the venerable F7 Units to the steel train job at Hamilton. They are in ABA configuration. Specialized flatcars and gondolas haul the steel. The Canrail video crew spent 6 weeks recording the activity.

Trackside. (DVD 1)

Canadian National 9173 is the star of the show. This unit is the one that viewers will ride.

The first DVD contains a one hour film. This is not narrated. Graphics list locations. A map is needed. Without a map, there is no frame of reference. Appears to operate as an empties/ loads cycle. Basic service to a steel plant. Viewers will see various industrial steel products. .

Videography is competent. Editing is smooth. Audio is live sound. Whatever the microphone picked up, is what we hear. Content is like watching raw video, with good edits.

The Trackside disc plays fine. Keep in mind, there is no narration. Would have enjoyed hearing this story. Oh well, at least hearing the normally aspirated power is a treat!

Covered Wagons Cab ride Part 1 : Hamilton to Hagersville.

The train originates for this show at a CN yard.Street running on the CN train. The cab is busy and noisy. Canadian National Engineer is Ross Pearce.

A basic cab ride on this branchline. Unique, as this was an actual working, revenue service F7 unit. Most other F unit rides are on museums or excursions. The radio communication and train orders add an extra bit of action. This is a fine way to experience an F7 unit.

Part 2: Hagersville to Nanticoke and Return to Caledonia

Train 725 goes to the Stelco plant and picks up steel.

Part 2 has more content of watching the engineer at work. The radio crackles as Joe communicates with the dispatchers and train crew.

The camera gets bouncing on this segment. Likely rough trackage. Generally, it is best edited out. For historical value and completeness, well… hit the fast forward button.

F Units on the Nanticoke provides a trip back in time aboard CN 9173. The 2 part cab ride is the main feature. That is over 2 hours in an operating F7. Add to the fact, this is on a Class One railroad in 1986. A rare type of show.

The Trackside footage is satisfactory. Seeing the vintage locomotives working is good. This one is screaming for a narrative. Green Frog usually has great scripts. Seems to be a Canrail production issue. Still, the trains are seen with a steady camera.

On the whole, it has a workman-like quality. Appeal is best directed to the hardcore railfan. Casual viewers will be left basically clueless, without a narrative. Canadians should love it. True railfans will appreciate the historical aspect of the package.

Rating: 3 Stars