Producer: Pentrex
Timeframe: 1990s
Locations: Conway Yard, Conpit Jct, Altoona, Horseshoe Curve, Allegheny Tunnel…
Length: 90 minutes
A Farewell to Conrail. This subtitle describes a final tour of The Pittsburgh Line. Conway to Altoona. Late 1990’s. While still, under the Conrail flag.
David Drui with his usual pro class narrative. Pentrex high quality production.
A detailed Chapter Menu, will result in easy navigation.
Conrail was in great shape here. Shiny paint. A solid, clean physical plant. No longer, the gritty struggling entity that occupied this same area, years ago.
Although a highly scenic rail line. The Pentrex creative energy seemed lower. Yes, they get those hard to reach shots. No tower visits or that going the extra mile. No cab rides, for another example.
Excellent work as far as, filming the trains.
Reference maps are helpful. Everything is identified.
Conway Yard is the beginning.
Standardized traffic and a modern locomotive fleet. Conrail has become a successful railroad! At the same time, less variety and interest, trackside.
Conpit Jct. has a striking background. Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian, is one of several Amtrak moves seen in this show.
An expected highlight. Horseshoe Curve, is disappointing. Overgrown foliage, masks the former panoramic views.
Alto Tower has this unusual viewpoint by Pentrex. It is a light engine move.
This Oak Island to Pittsburgh, freight interjects some run through power.
Our narrator perks up! Almost a solid lash-up of GP38 engines, front and back. Hard times for the railfan…
The videographers still come up with those difficult shots. This, a long telephoto.
Updated power, that has the railroad looking forward to the future.
A restored caboose above the Allegheny Tunnel, is the only one shown.
Pittsburgh Line Blues
Another well done Pentrex show. This one doesn’t scale the heights of their top releases. Part of it is, the less interesting time period. Part is the feel, of a paint by the numbers production.
Perhaps they were a little less enthusiastic by this time, as well. It is still a very good show. Not outstanding.
Rating: 4 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 