Producer: William Brown
Timeframe: early 1980s
Locations: Cheyenne, Sherman line, more..
Length: 2 hours 7 minutes
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This combination of two old VHS tapes into this double DVD set. Viewers will experience what watching those old tapes is like. No remaster or enhancement here. Too bad, the visuals do need help.
The shows are jam packed with 1980s action! That is the main attraction. The video begins, around the main yard at Cheyenne. A major Union Pacific location, with a rich history.
Visual quality is barely adequate or below overall. It is quite messy. A good sized distortion bar runs horizontal, along the bottom of the screen. On the left side, a vertical distortion bar.
There are many small horizontal distortion lines in the upper third to half of the picture. This fault is variable. Yet, too frequent. A worn out master tape.
Color balance tries to hangs tough. Barely adequate, to less than that. Some green rails appearing. Yellow shade gets off kilter. The show is somewhat watchable. Just on the low end. Keep your expectations low.
Audio is considerably better. Live sound captures the diesels very well. Particularly satisfying when chasing the Centennials.
No maps or Chapter Menus are included. Rege Cordic has a clear slot in the narrative. The script is quite basic.
Some good news. A caboose on every train. They come from various railroads! Keeps things interesting.
Good assortment of run through power. Plus, the trains themselves were more interesting, as well.
One disc plays One hour. The other 67 minutes.
To the Trains ..
Disc 1
The tour starts sensibly, at the Cheyenne roundhouse. The various steam engines and random diesels are browsed there. Moving on, after a brief yard tour. The mainlines are featured.
Hordes of EMD SD40-2 were dominate. Classic film locations are seen.
Centennials were activated. A chase over Sherman Hill.
The Sequel
Exact same format. Video quality is slightly worse overall. Note the unnatural purple distortion lines that fill the sky. Also, lower horizontal and side distortion bars.
Still, a full action show! A high vantage point provides some good looks at the passing freights.
Checkout the access the Videographers had in this era! Famous locations and likely no hassles.
It is -50 degrees, with the wind chill. Baby, it’s cold! Cab ride onboard Centennial #6922. Travel from Denver towards Cheyenne.
Diesels on the Union Pacific
This is a good historical trip, back to the 1980s. While it was well shot originally. Age has not been kind to the videos.
It is still watchable. Although, it would be tough on one’s eyesight, to view both discs in a single sitting.
The decreased visual quality relegates this set into the land of hardcore railfans. The content is strong. Too bad about the viewing.
Rating: 2 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 