Producer: Mary McPherson
Timeframe: 1986 – 88
Locations: Salem, Mt. Vernon, Kirkwood,…
Length: 1 hour 49 minutes
Source: George Redmond
This Heritage Series show is focused on the final years of Missouri Pacific. The videos are centered around the St. Louis area.
Locations include: Salem, Dupo and Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Kirkwood, Missouri. The Missouri and Illinois, out of Centralia, Illinois.
A single DVD-R. A main menu, with options. Play, Scene Selection and Previews. No maps. There are on-screen graphics.
Above, Missouri Pacific 1634 GP15. This EMD was built in 1979. These were replacements, for aging first generation Geep locomotives.
Videography by George Redmond. He is very competent. The scenes are on point. Only limited by the tech of the era. Still, these are images that are hard to find.
Color balance is very good. Audio is lively! These trains are meant to be heard.
A broadside view of the final Missouri Pacific scheme. Those C36-7 units, were assigned to hot priority moves. This Canary livery had a Union Pacific appearance except the lettering. Action at Tuscola, Illinois. The tower is Illinois Central.
A blue GE is heading this local.
At Dupo, Illinois. A trio of SD50 canaries lead a unit coal train. These late model orders were delivered in this revised paint.
Rarely seen, Union Pacific RoadRailer trains. Good for some appearances in this show.
George has good pacing sequences. A malfunctioning GE unit, is the most entertaining.
By 1987, a solid set of MoPac blue is almost impossible to find, on a road train!
Former MP 4248 and it’s mate 4232, are now in full Union Pacific paint. Mount Vernon.
This scene tells the story, of the later Missouri Pacific years. Union Pacific, with an ever growing presence. This power clears the mainline at Mount Vernon, after dropping its cars.
In the end, the railroad is absorbed into the super system. Some say it’s progress. While many Railfans, are saddened at another fallen flag.
There are a number of cabooses in this show. The transfer model could show, in road service.
Union Pacific the MoPac Merger Years
A well paced show. The train sounds make it just as interesting to hear, as it is to view. Sure, it is not modern standards. There is historical value in these older tapes.
This collection has aged well. Narrative highlights the need to know information. A variety of locations. One of the better Heritage Series releases.
Rating: 4 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 