Producer: Clear Block
Timeframe: 1974-75
Locations: Keystone to Cumberland
Length: 58 mins + bonus
Sources: James Gallagher, Todd Miller
Careful! Volume 2 continues with WM. Filmed in 1974/75. Only 58 minutes of film here. There are 24 minutes of tourist line video, from 1985. Western Maryland Scenic.
Appearance wise, things look about the same, as the previous volume. Unrestored 8mm sources. Good to fair range quality. Various color balance issues. Maybe a little worse overall. No chapter menu.
Cinematics are nothing special. In fact, this man’s style gets annoying at times. Camera shakes.
He can’t seem to decide what to do. In or out, with the zoom. Wavering between capturing the train as a part of the scenery, or filming the train.
There is a major difference in the approaches. Railfan vs. Artist.
This entire vintage 8mm color film section, plays under an hour.
Bonus section is of Tourist Line. Is in much higher video quality, from 1985. That was shot by Todd Miller himself! Looks wonderful in comparison to these old films.
This review will focus on the advertised. Western Maryland in the 1970s. Miller’s video is a non factor bonus. We did not pay for the tourist video.
Audio quality is far exceeding the visuals. These are original, on- site recordings. Quite a pleasure to listen to normally aspirated EMD locomotives hard at work!
A map is used early in the program.
Model Railroaders will see more freight cars than the average video.
Todd Miller performs a balanced narrative. This one seems to be more detailed versus the first volume. Perhaps more information was chosen for the script.
He is aware of the live audio. Allows enough space for viewers to listen.
Helmstetter’s Curve is a common one. Similar to Horseshoe Curve, for being a heavily filmed Hot Spot. Nothing unique to see here.
It is a bit of fun, to hear these F7 diesels rattle as they shove hard on this freight!
Too many shots, from much too faraway. Putting the train in the scenery. Art for art’s sake type of approach. A non railfan style approach.
Salisbury Viaduct. Classic crossing. This should be simple. Frame it and shoot the scene. Instead… Jamming that zoom for a second or two, and pulling it back out. Unsure. Unsteady. Not smoothly…
Expressway to a headache. In and out…
Not just this single scene…
This show lacks anything rare. Everything is obtainable in higher visual quality elsewhere.
Two volumes. Take a look. Check the reviews on what is else is available. Do what you want.
*Epilogue. 1985. Tagged on after the main feature. Originally Allegheny Central. Currently, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Steam powered tourist line. Engine 734. Some interesting, then and now comparison scenes. Cumberland Station and yard shown. Excellent bonus.
Vignettes of the Western Maryland Volume Two.
The show is simply too rough visually, to rate it higher. Point of interest, is the live sound. Film source is overrated, and badly in need of restoration. Hardcore only.
Rating: 2 1/2 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 