Historic SP and the greater Bay

Producer: Charles Smiley

Locations: San Francisco, San Jose, more

Timeframe: 1948- 1973

Length: 2 hours

Sources: Stein, Guido, Phelps, Hust, Laner

Charles Smiley has a collection of vintage Southern Pacific films. Waiting 70 years to be viewed by the public. Bay area to San Jose. Commuter service in Los Gatos. Vintage Fan trips. The Northwestern Pacific is well- covered, as well.

First class production is the standard, with any Charles Smiley Presents release. Real, silver DVD discs. Same factory press, as Hollywood uses. Painstaking frame by restoration.

A detailed soundtrack to match! Live train sounds that are matched to locomotives. Background music. Interesting narrative by Charles Smiley.

A Main Menu with Chapters. Handmade custom maps. On-screen graphics with extra details. Location awareness adds enjoyment

Five listed film sources. The best seem to be from 16mm. Outstanding quality! Many vintage fan trips. Others are 8mm, very good to excellent. Most all the movie film, is in color.

A 2 hour show. Highlights only, in this review.

Steam power starts the show. Note the added information, on the graphics. Still photos augment the presentation.

Northern class are shown, in the Oakland railyard. Off to Niles Canyon. 4443 with Daylight cars. Outstanding film quality on this 1957 fantrip. The Fresno Flyer. Train is followed.

GS-6 as 4460 was restored for a Hollywood movie, in the 1950s. Filmed on a 50s era Fantrip. The Fresno Flyer. Travels thru scenic Niles Canyon.

San Jose is the end of a Commuter line. Heavy mail on trains to Oakland. Note the extra information on the graphic.

Alco PA set leads a Daylight train. Yes, several Electromotives are included, as well.

GS4 were Golden State class. Passenger service originally. Complete review of entire GS class by Charles. Includes T&NO locomotives.

SP extra 2475 (4-6-2) pulls from San Jose, past the freight station.Train travels up the line, to Tracy. Train, structure and truck. Priceless scene to see!

The Commutes. San Francisco peninsula to San Jose. Steam era. Route length is 47 miles. Mountain class. Skyline roof. Definite highlight!

1958 had all Diesel service. A Fairbanks-Morse Trainmaster hauls new and older passenger cars.

Diesels are updated into the gray, Bloody Nose era. SDP series and GP9 on commuters. Little, in the way of freight. A few bits. This is a passenger focused program. Steam emphasis.

Bayshore. Shown, are a parade of detailed steam passenger moves. This was before a causeway is complete. Steam meets Diesel is seen above.

Streetcars are seen at San Mateo and more

Redwood Tower. H-24-66 FM Trainmaster Tribute.16.

Los Gatos has steam commuters.

A thorough Masterclass. Subject is on the Bay Area Ferry/ Railroad. A combination service. Films of equipment and structures, give a complete overview.

Switching 0-6-0 at the Oakland Mole, for the picture. Ferries, bridge, Streetcars and trains. Interesting subject matter. One that most have never witnessed.

Northwestern Pacific

Spectacular scenery sets this Railroad apart from the previous viewing! Extensive visit that covers many years, of NWP. Early films are the best. Many of these scenes having passed into history.

The tiny towns and lineside buildings are a time machine like visit, into a past world.

Let’s wrap this show up now…

Before the all steel caboose was universal. Pushers were sometimes coupled ahead of the Caboose. Safety reasons.

Historic SP and the greater Bay area

Charles Smiley Presents has a comprehensive release here. Cornucopia of fine vintage films. Historical based narrative. Excellent soundtrack. Several deep dives, on subjects. Enjoyable and educational. High value to Railfans of the Transition Era. A must have for Southern Pacific fans.

Rating: 5 Stars