Producer: Main Line
Locations: FL, GA, KY, AL
Timeframe: 1950s- 1971
Length: 45 minutes
Sources: Marv Clemmons, Howard Ameling
Here is a collection of movie films, from the 1950s to early Amtrak in 1971. Heavily focused on Passenger trains. Freight is scarce, until the last portion of this show.
This plays, as if a couple guys took movie cameras along on vacation trips. Filmed their traveled Railroad sections. Someone shot some freight action. Added near the end of this show.
A DVD-R. No Chapter Menu. A hidden Chapter Search. No Narration. No maps. On-screen graphics with; train information and location. Additional information given, as needed.
Mixture of 8mm and 16mm color films. The movie film appears to be good overall. Full color. Not HD standard. Historical value.
Audio is mixed. Some was shot with live sound Remainder is dubbed. Variable results.
So happens, this timeframe is an interesting period. Pre- Amtrak years. Not often filmed, Florida and Georgia locations. Railroads that are now mostly rare, on film.
Five EMD F units at Waycross Georgia in 1956. A stunning sight.
Atlantic Coast Line, Florida East Coast, Seaboard Air Line. Those are rare. Additionally, Seaboard Coast Line, Illinois Central, and more. Predominantly, in the 1960s.
The City of Miami stops at Fulton, Kentucky in 1968. Illinois Central was famous for North- South passenger trains.
This was from a trip on Seaboard Air Line rails. Indiantown being a Station.
Much of the time is spent, riding passenger trains. Rearview riding. Camera out the side. These are the bulk of the views. Travel to Birmingham Alabama.
A later cab ride on Florida East Coast. Daytona Beach Station above. This is a welcome relief. The passenger rides, do become monotonous.
Nothing against some ‘balanced’ train rides. In a context form. One enjoys, viewing the Trains, as well. In fact, seeing trains is a definite preference.
Seaboard Air Line units, put power together on the Silver Comet. That SDP-45 shall lead the train.
Seaboard Coast Line was the result of a 1967 merger. ACL + SAL. Above, a rare Electromotive E6A. The 520 leads the City of Miami.
Florida East Coast has some ultra rare paint! On a few fast freight trains, no less.
A sparse few minutes at the tail end of this show. There is not enough, to recommend a purchase for the freight train action..
The Atlantic Coast Line in 1956 at Waycross Georgia. This provided the best caboose shot.
Atlantic Seaboard Memories
On my end, I have 2 main preferences for any Train Video. First is narration. One cannot beat an interesting narrative. Always, something to learn. Second is freight. Enjoy watching various freight cars. The uniformity of passenger cars gets boring. No comparison.
This particular show, lacks narration and has almost no freight train action.
Now, for a person that loves Passenger trains. This is your ticket! To be fair. Ride on various trains. See the assortment of those trains. Many stations are shown.
Everything is in the hard to find category. The added audio is a bit stretched for authenticity. Better than silent or a fake movie camera sound. The visuals are good, given the age of films.
Hence, even though this is not my cup of tea. Be aware of what this release offers. Depending on one’s interest. Overall, it can be a good show.
Rating: 3 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 