Producer: WB Video
Timeframe: 1984- 86
Locations: Tehachapi Pass, Mohave
Length: 56+ 54 minutes
A two disc set. Santa Fe and Southern Pacific. Filmed in the 1980s. The caboose was still in use on every train. Kodachrome paint was appearing. SP4449 in Daylight colors pulls a special.
No Chapter Menu. No maps or graphics. Seems to be the old VHS show, transferred to DVD format.
An active distortion bar is present on the bottom of the screen. This is throughout the entire pair of shows. A smaller bar of distortion is vertical, as well. Left side of screen. Full length. Half the width and this one is inactive.
Color balance is failing. Resulting in too many artificial looking scenes. The green grasses look overly bright. Glowing earth colors. Unnatural. Do not expect pleasant viewing. Realistic expectations, not good to adequate.
Each disc shall be reviewed separately.
Part One Santa Fe
The classic Santa Fe in blue and yellow. Some Kodachrome units are present. Cabooses are still common. Mid-train helpers. An enjoyable version of this great Railroad.
The Santa Fe, pacing sequence along the Mohave is great. It does not follow this train over the loop. As it is advertised
Lightly narrated show. Live audio that sounds fine. Original video crew did a great job. However, time has not been kind to the master tape.
Numerous viewpoints, as in all Tehachapi videos. Far and near. As expected.
Shouldn’t Paint So Fast. That was one Railfan slogan.
The traditional locomotives crossing over their own train scene.
Colors looking artificial, on the bright side. Some scenes, such as this one.
This train gets paced on lower elevation. It has some intermittent color issues .
The once familiar red caboose.
Too bad about the condition. There are better shows on this subject
Part Two Southern Pacific
A 1986 Southern Pacific. Some Kodachromes. Tank trains. A bonus with steam locomotive 4449 from a 1984 New Orleans World’s Fair.
SD40T-2 ,are Tunnel motors. Well suited for mountain railroading.
The shot everyone wants to see!
Yes, Union Pacific power can be found here.
A unit coal train meets, a helper set.
A pair of diesels painted to match the passenger special. Note the color issues.
The once common Southern Pacific caboose.
Tehachapi Pass Disc 1: Santa Fe Disc 2: Southern Pacific
This show appears to have seen better days. There are many choices, when it is about Tehachapi area. This WB Video two part set, is a rough one to watch overall. Check their Tehachapi ’88 show for higher quality.
Hardcore completist types only.
Rating: 2 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 