Michigan Ore Lines

Producer: Pentrex

Timeframe: 1989- 2019

Locations: Marquette, Eagle Mills, Escanaba, Munising, more.

Length: 1 hour 54 minutes

Sources: Drayton Blackgrove, Alex Christmas (bumpers)

Pentrex has an, updated and augmented, new release here. They have an older show, Michigan Ore Lines. The current, 2017-2019 footage has been added in front and back. These bumpers, bring this area current!

A bonus, vintage 1950s film. Michigan Ore has also been included. To top off this package. The Widescreen update, can be viewed seperately.

This release is jam packed! Comprehensive coverage. Let’s see some highlights…

Lake Superior and Ishpeming, is the star of the show. Chicago and North Western, also appears. Escanaba and Lake Superior is included. LS&I GE U23C leads the train.

Visual quality is source dependent. Naturally, the new footage has an excellent appearance. The 1989 video material doesn’t have the clarity on a modern, large screen. The color balance is mostly fine on the older video show. Restoration work has been done. Just don’t expect modern viewing on the older video.

This is a single DVD-R. A Master Show Menu is included. Ore Lines has it’s own detailed Chapter Menu. On-screen graphics with additional information. No maps. A Preview section, of more Pentrex shows. FYI- they usually are generous on previews.

The original show, was produced by Dan Hadley. It is narrated by Paul Meinke. Natural audio. Good, balanced audio.

The new segments are Pentrex. Dave Drui narrates this portion. Fascinating information. Razor sharp videography!

GE AC44CW units are leased to LS&I. This is Presque Isle. The Ore Dock is immense.

Revealing, are some aerial sequences. The area will make sense, after following these views. Smart, to shoot in this fashion!

Excellent views of ore loading. Aerials, as well. Learn the dock operation.

Trio of RSD15 engines. The Yard Job. Two other assignments are: The Dock Job and The Hill Job.

Alcos have some personality. Some can really smoke it up. They have those sounds, that only Alcos make.

A General Electric U-25-C, is still operating in 1989! Note the single piece windshield.

Alligators are ex:Santa Fe. Alco RSD15.

Alcos have some personality. Some can really smoke it up. They have those sounds, that only Alcos make.

A little variety of diesels on LS&I. Paint schemes, as well. A roster review is with footage at the LS&I yard.

Ride to the dock. View from the cab of an RSD15.

Several scenes of Chicago and North Western. The C628 units were gone. Various trains are viewed. EMD powered.

Escanaba and Lake Superior. They saw little that was operating. Shop visit reveals more  power,although it is parked. A Baldwin, with an Electromotive SD9 are seen here.

Following the 1989 show. Modern LS&I footage returns. The former Burlington Northern GE U30Cs, are also LS&I locomotives.

The big General Electric locomotives are the current workhorses.

Michigan Ore was made for The Iron Mining Industry of Minnesota. Typical, mid- century: People, Industry and Government,all work together. It does have educational value. Taconite manufacturing is explained in detail. Little railroading, This Great Northern scene is sweet!

 

Michigan Ore Lines- Wide Screen update. Seperate, Bonus Film. This is 2017-2019 video. The two bumpers are combined.

Pentrex has a complete package here. Deftly combining modern, and vintage LS&I, into a satisfying show. Additional CNW and E&LS,within the old video, gives us further great material.

The Wide Screen Update. Playable as a separate film. This is a smart offering. The same basic, operation.  Modern production standards. In a compact length., Perhaps a solution, to the tastes of younger viewers.

Throw in the vintage Ore movie short. Informative, if dated by it’s era.

This is a well thought-out, new release. Pentrex wanted perfection. They have the most complete program, on Michigan Ore Lines. The top release on this subject.

Rating: 5 Stars