Producer: Clear Block
Timeframe: 1952 – 1967
Locations: Ohio, PA., MD, NJ, NY.
Length: 58 minutes
Sources: William P. Price, Vic Ketcham, Karl Walters, Dick Argo
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See the transition era Pennsylvania Railroad, from Columbus, Ohio, to New York area. Pennsylvania locations include: Altoona, Horseshoe Curve, Rockville Bridge, and Johnstown.
Baltimore, Hagerstown and Perryville in Maryland. Worthington and Attica Jct., in Ohio. New York and Long Branch, are unspecified.
See a huge assortment of: steam, diesel and electric locomotives. Freight cars are included in numerous scenes. Model Railroaders delight.
A single DVD-R. Several maps. Todd Miller does the narration. Serviceable script, that does the job.
Soundtrack for the main feature, are detailed train sounds. Good balance. Too much to get it all in this review. Let us get some highlights…
The show begins at Scioto Tower. Location is at Columbus, Ohio. Busy spot, with many trains. Multiple roads roll through Columbus! B&O, C&O, New York Central. Wabash Trainmasters, on lease to the Pennsy. Steam and diesel engines. Rare, Fairbanks- Morse diesels. Baldwin Sharks. Leased Santa Fe 2-10-4 Steamers. All in a matter of minutes.
Altoona. Baldwin Sharks are coupled to a pair of Baldwin Centipedes.
Horseshoe Curve has a flurry of activity.
Wow!! Steam is still being used on some of the pushers.
Gallitzin Tunnels have a vastly different appearance at this time.
As a pair of big J’s bring a coal train down the line to Gallitzin. I wonder, does any mainline require this many tracks anymore?
At Harrisburg, #110 smokes it up, as it walks a freight out of town. 180 pusher.
Rockville Bridge is a famous hotspot. Long segment, that features steam and diesels.
These custom built; diesel- electric motor cars. Needed to work the tight clearance waterfront district in Baltimore. An upgrade from horses. Battery powered vehicle.
Perryville, Maryland has fast commuter passenger moves. These by electric GG-1 motors. They also pull freight traffic.
K4 1361 is shown. This was later displayed at Horseshoe Curve. Restored after that to service.
Early Piggyback train on Horseshoe Curve.
Vignettes of the Pennsylvania Railroad Volume 1
Clear Block has a good Vignettes release here. The audio with the detailed train sounds is an upgrade to this program. Nonstop action provides a show should keep viewers attention.
The visual quality is source dependent. Unrestored 8mm. All color film collection. Great variety and nice rarities. Historical value is obvious.
Rating: 3 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 