Producer: Bradley A. Plets
Timeframe: 2007- 2011
Locations: WI only
Length: 111 minutes
Source: Bradley A. Plets
This is my first Plets Express show. It is advertised, as coverage across the 700 mile W&S. A Class Two Railroad. Mainly, ex: Milwaukee Road and CNW trackage. Madison to Chicago. Eastern Wisconsin.
The show is fully narrated, by Bradley Plets. He is very informative. A frequent talker on this show. That Wisconsin accent is a surprise! Nothing wrong with it. Most train videos use a neutral California accent. Which is none at all. His adds local character.
The videography is the strong suit. One sequence dates back to 1996. Preponderance of video is 2007- 2011. Editing is crisp. The show is fast paced, and well organized. Camera is rock solid.
Chapter Menu is included. On/ Off narrative. A nice paper map, within the included pamphlet.
Plenty of those E9, in action scenes! Seem is a rare, gravel service loading at Rock Springs. The E units pull passenger specials, as well.
The audio is fine, with a couple of major concerns. The vast majority of the shots are at grade crossings. This leads to two obvious problems.
Mazomanie Station is the above location. Fascinating history.
Repetitive and annoying, bell ringing. This is common find among amateur videos. Ding, ding, ding… A trademark fault on amateur shows.
Edgerton grows tobacco. Here we are. Check that old Mail Pouch ad!
Excessive horn blowing. Blat.Blat.Blat… Exciting for 3rd graders. Grating on the nerves for adults. Give us a rest!
The 30th Anniversary displays the Counties served by the railroad.
Same issue, with the locomotive bell ringing. Repetitive and boring. Not quite as bad. Yet, added to the above. Yuck! Too much.
Great action! Monroe is a busy town.
If the train isn’t making noise, the narrator certainly is sounding off.
FYI.. See the Canadian Goose in the logo? Thousands migrate and use Horicon Marsh as a rest point annually.
BLAT… BLAT… BLAT…BLAAATTT!!!!
The one quality that is lacking IS balance. Give the viewers ears a rest!
I had to turn this off, and take a break…
Timeout….
OK…
Approaching Janesville. Rock River. W&S has a yard with a roundhouse there.
Second half is slightly improved, sound wise. Pretty good, for the visuals throughout.
One dimensional, for the most part. Largely, the same, repetitious viewpoints. Filmed by the crossing. Yet, shot very clearly. Good composition. Very steady camera work.
Much of the narrative is locomotive focused. Historical background. Towns, as well. Business of the W&S. It works.
Surprising, how many old train stations have been preserved in Wisconsin. Plets shows quite a few. History and current disposition. Stoughton shown above.
Agriculture is huge business in Wisconsin. Grain elevators tower above the flat farmlands. All shapes and sizes.
A visit to Madison, provides a variety of railroads and viewpoints. Soo Line, plus CNW are viewed briefly.
Baraboo has this former CNW station. Baraboo, is the home of Circus World. Ringling Brothers had their winter quarters here.
The Circus Train is an annual event. Is a highlight. They do a short chapter. This used to be performed by, Chicago and Northwestern.
At nearly two hours in length. This show continues to wander. Going along with a local. MP15 units perform many of these jobs. Outside of Oshkosh, at this point…
Thought we were supposed to see Chicago. Why are we still in rural areas? Get on that freeway!
I I believed this program was going all the way to Chicago. Here, we end up in Beaver Dam! Home of 14,000 busy beavers.
Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Update 2011.
This is not a bad show. It is above an amateur level. Good pace. Well edited. Script has good information.
Viewers get everything: Road, Locals, Specials and switching.
Soundtrack is the downfall. It becomes annoying. As described in the review.
Not much available on this railroad.
Fails on the advertised. Does NOT go across the entire 700 mile system. Deduction.
Rating: 3 Stars
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