High Plains Classics

Producer: C. Vision Productions

Locations: Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa and Colorado

Era: 1970s to 1980s

Length: 78 minutes

Source: Fred Crissey

C. Vision’s Chris Laskowski continues, with another release of classic film. This from Fred Crissey. A familiar source at CVP. Many have been reviewed here. They are definitely worthwhile.

Unique, to this Crissey show. We have multiple railroads. Generally, they feature one or two lines. This show has: Southern Pacific, Cotton Belt, Illinois Central Gulf , Missouri Pacific,Union Pacific, Kyle, and more.

Narration, by Don Grant is excellent! Informative and well balanced script. Locations are given with a graphic, or announced. Maps are displayed, at start of each Chapter. Musical background for soundtrack.

The main menu offers a few options. Play video with Music. Play Video without Music. Chapter Menu.

Cotton Belt aka SSW, owned rails begins this show. Plentiful, is our supply of vintage freight trains. Fred had traveled to ex: Rock Island. Railfans already know that Southern Pacific units are interchangeable.

Tucumcari territory is our first stop. Yields a train with Chessie System run through power. Many more trains! Limited space here. A few highlights.

Fall of 1983 and Rocky Mountain Rocket Line. MoPac led train. More ex: Rock Island tracks.

MoPac/ Union Pacific lines, begin in Dennison, Texas. Historical background data is given. Looks like 1988. Oklahoma and Kansas featured. A long Lashup of 8 Union Pacific locos are chased. Northbound, into Oklahoma. All 12 axle units. Oh baby!

Cadillac & Lake City trundled along with an ex: Milwaukee Road locomotive. GP9 locomotive was modified with a Chopnose and more.

The year 1983, brings us to even more former Rock Island Lines trackage. Kyle had taken over this territory. A crossing with MoPac power.

At US 24, A trio of Alco C425 Kyle units are met. These are still in Burlington Northern paint. The train is chased by Fred and his friend John Bjorkland, across Kansas. Hammer down boys!

Kyle Railroad is a feature chapter. Alcophiles will enjoy this action. They stayed overnight. Out and back mission.

A meet with a Missouri Pacific painted engine. Several opposing trains are encountered. Fred is lineside and films them all.

Several unit Coal Trains at Durand, KS.

Rio Grande SD40t pair, and SF Kodachrome SD40, with a Coal Train. Additional D&RGW trains are seen in Kansas.

Sporadic BN trains appear. Paola is a hotspot. MoPac runs plenty through this area.

Although this location is long forgotten, a classic scene with MoPac. A well filmed scene. Too good to get the cut.

Illinois Central Gulf. Iowa Division. Late 1970s and 80s film.

Fort Dodge, IA with a Westbound. There is a concentration around this area. A brief look at the yard.

Rare film shows some ICG moves. The cleaner, the Orange and White locomotives, the older the footage! They became very grimey in later years.

A rebuilt SD, in newer ICG 1979 paint, leads a freight. ICG ran some great rebuilds.

Illinois Central Gulf is one of those Railroads that are in a limited supply. So, this Chapter is most welcome.

Illinois Central originally had these handy side door models. What a great idea, for the working man. Plus, extra airflow in hot weather. Matter of fact, a caboose on every train. Just love that!

Surprise, surprise, surprise….A Steam Engine to close the show?…..Fugget about it!

Having seen most of the Fred Crissey catalog. This one is the best release. Variety is the spice of life. The time passes quickly. The Best musical track of the series. An action packed program!

High Plains Classics, includes some hard to find Railroads. Fred always loved a good train chase. Viewers shall experience some chase action. Only issue, it could use is film restoration. That costs more money and time.

I’m satisfied to have the films available. It’s watchable and enjoyable. Historical value now.

Personally, I like rewatching the Fred Crissey films. The are from an era that I remember. This release receives a little bump up… for being best of the series. Definitely checkout the others.

Fred Crissey might be an acquired taste. The film is unrestored. Not modern viewing standards. No train sounds. Original 8mm film. Not for rivet counters.

That being said… Viewers get authentic period films. Mostly in rural areas. Fred frequently chases freight trains. Intelligent and interesting narration. I enjoy the music background. You may or may not. These are excellent, kickback and relax shows.

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars