Producer: William Brown
Timeframe: 1950s
Locations: USA, Canada
Length: 52 minutes
Source: Irving E. August
Irving August is a notable railroad Cinematographer, from the 1950s. This impressive all color collection, is a wide ranging one. Covering a variety of lines, in the United States, and Canada.
Steam and early diesel. Electrified lines. Freight and passenger trains. An ore hauler. A tourist line.
Mr. August filmed in high quality 16mm! A mixture of music, and train sounds. No additional extras.
Rege Cordic is the familiar voice on WB Video. He does a professional job.
At under an hour, the pace is fast. Some of the edits are abrupt. Given the limitations of the period equipment. He probably ran out of film. For the rarity, it is a wash. Rather see those trains.
Each railroad is billboarded. The corresponding footage is then shown. The earliest date quoted is 1950.
There is even more! Here are some highlights. Figure that it was probably the best of his own feels. More or less.
Canadian National is west of Montreal.
Boston and Maine. Pacific power on locals.
New Haven is chased on a fantrip.
Baltimore and Ohio. Action packed. Plenty of trains here Steam and diesel.
Western Maryland, is using steam and diesels. Mid-train helpers and pushers.
Milwaukee Road Little Joe electric locomotives, in rarely seen paint.
New York Central has several trains.
Nickel Plate Road, shared the right of way with New York Central, in Westfield, Ohio. Number 748 is one of the Berkshire class.
Norfolk and Western, is one of the longest chapters. Although, there are no designated chapters, on a menu. Focus on the behemoth Y-6 class. The 600 series passenger locomotives are seen.
An unusual scene. N&W work train in a backup move.
Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range. Another extensive visit. Yellowstones, for certain.
Canadian Pacific receives lengthy attention around scenic Kicking Horse Pass. Including some footage from a passenger car.
Two for CP. Need a Selkirk. A beauty!
Northern Pacific steam is hard to find. Irving has some here.
A large coaling tower gives the feel of keeping large steam in service. Northern Pacific.
Similar scene on Central Vermont.
Caboose on Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range. The majority of cabooses were shades of red. These are standouts!
The Fifties Express
An Express tour seeing over a dozen railroads in the fabulous 1950’s. A fine presentation. Suitable for family viewing.
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 