Railfanning the Appalachian Region Volume 1

Producer: John Pechulis

Locations: Knoxville, Harriman Jct, Neabsco Bay, Charlottesville…

Timeframe: 1979

Length: 1 hour

Source: Jonathan Reck

The Appalachian Region is one that is uncommon. Railfans have not filmed this, for the most part in the past. Locals seemed to prefer other outdoor activities. Fishing is very popular!

This trip includes: Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. All of them are scenic.

Jonathan filmed along with the Bednars, in Pennsylvania. Here, he used Super 8mm with Sound.

The films appear in the very good range. Not quite the stellar restoration of later JPM titles. No Menus. No Maps or extras. Other than the subtitles. Single DVD-R.

This show has one major disappointment. No narration! A good narrative, always ties the story together. Otherwise, the audience is merely looking at a series of runbys. Think about it.

A four unit lashup here.

On-screen graphics. We have subtitles, convey the relevant information. Nevertheless, entertainment is the heart of a great train video. That upper tier of shows.

Still, if the actual material is rare enough. It can be worth a view. This area is certainly in the hard to find class.

Railroads include: Southern, Clinchfield, Louisville & Nashville, RF&P and more.

A brief into by John Pechulis is the only vocal portion of the show. A few lines that restate the cover information.

At Knoxville, a Texas & Pacific steam engine pulls a passenger special.

A Conrail run through is buried in the Lashup.

Rockwood provides plenty of trains.

TVA S-12 pair seen.

Occasional local freights, with a single locomotive.

Southern Railway fans shall get their groove on! Long Lashups. Where’s that narrative?

GP30 High Hood option.

Tough looking GP30 units High Hood units.

Southern operates, both long and short hood first.

Awesome, Southern Railway Lashups on varied consists.

Oakdale, Tennessee. A Crew Change point.

Oakdale, TN. Crew change point and a compact yard.

This line goes to Knoxville, TN.

The Line veers off at Harriman Jct. Traffic goes to Knoxville.

Harriman Jct. Direct to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Harriman Jct. Place sees more than, a fair amount of action.

Louisville & Nashville with a Coal move.

L&N is pretty scarce in this show. A long Lashup here. Pulling a unit Coal Train.

An old Electromotive Geep works in the Erwin yard.

Clinchfield #354 in town switching. Johnson City. At Erwin, TN. Likely, an old GP7 in the yard

ET&WNC RS-3 209 with the local. Switching.

Pair of C&O units lead a road freight.

Charlottesville. C&O yard. He has more Southern. Chessie Engine Terminal seen.

RF&P Acca Yard. Richmond, VA. Plenty of Seaboard Coast Line power on hand.

RF&P often has multi unit Lashups.

Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac trains. Amtrak, as well. Doswell, VA.

Several Auto Trains are viewed.

Auto Train at Neabsco Bay. Additional trains on this trestle.

RF&P is doing a brisk business. Plenty of bridge traffic. Amtraks and Auto Trains.

Southern Crescent at Alexandria, Virginia.

The Southern Crescent is still operating. Viewed at different points throughout the film. Some details via narration, would’ve been helpful.

Southern GP30 on a Caboose hop

Although the Caboose is doomed. They can be found here. Seeing how the majority of this show contains Southern Railway. Well, it’s an obvious choice!

Railfanning the Appalachian Region Volume 1.

Two Railroads dominate the time on this release. Southern Railway by far. RF&P as a co-star. Both are hard to find. Would have liked more; L&N , Clinchfield action.

Cinematography is fine. Concentrates on the power. Some cabooses are shown. Freight cars are random.

Enviornmental Audio, as the microphone captured. Plays well, with occasional flaw.

Chief Concern, is a dislike for non narrated shows. Not a fan! Generally avoid these. Rarities, I occasionally make exceptions.

Hence, this would have rated higher with a narrative.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars