Southern in the 70s

Producer: T&W

Locations: Salisbury, NC.

Timeframe: 1970s

Length: 1 hour

Source: Jeff Klutzz

Let’s see the Southern Railway in the 1970s. Definitely on the hard to find list. T&W Productions offers this show.

A DVD-R in a standard case. Old time menu access to the show. Hidden Chapter advance. No graphic extras.

The film is all color, original 8mm. Overall, in the range of fair to good. Aged films. Not modern viewing standards on HDTV. Competent Cinematographer.

Narrated program. Contains plenty of information about: location, locomotives and sometimes train details. Also, music background throughout.

The music sounds like the equipment belongs on old AM band radio. High midrange. Does not sound good on a modern soundbar system. The levels are too high. Better played on small speakers. This is a production issue. It sounds harsh.

The soundscape gets overwhelmed. Narrator’s voice, occupies those similar frequencies. Resulting in a crowded result.

They should’ve lowered the music for starters. Notice, when the band quiets, he is easier to hear and clearer.

Bulk of the action seems to be around Salisbury Station. Also, Yard lead trackage. Slow speeds. Stopped locomotives. Cameramen was trackside. Results are screens filled with Southern Railway engines.

A GP30 leads a freight.

At Salisbury, a GP30 leads a freight train.

An SD24 fronts a 3 unit lash-up.

This SD24 rolls past the camera. The 3 units are going to reverse, back to Spencer Yard.

A set of black F units with the Piedmont.

The Southern Piedmont arrives at Salisbury. Three F units in charge.

Fout GP38 locomotives with a heavy freight.

A four unit lash-up of GP38 locomotives pass the Salisbury Station. This heavy freight is going to Spencer Yard.

SD45 waits to enter Spencer Yard.

The SD45 waits to enter Spencer Yard.

An E8 pair shall take the final run to Asheville.

Extended time on this E8 pair. They shall haul the final passenger run to Asheville.

White numberboards indicate a Locotrol Engine.

The White Numberboards indicate a Locotrol locomotive. Radio control unit for helpers on Southern Railway.

The Radio equipment is in the boxcar, for this mid-train helper.

Check the Special Boxcar. It houses the Radio equipment for the Southern diesel. The mid-train helper is run from the lead locomotive.

A newer SD40-2 gets a close-up.

On a stopped train. This newer SD40-2 gets a close-up.

Note the short hood forward.

This Southern freight has the short hood forward.

Southern caboose.

A classic Southern Bay window caboose.

Southern in the 70s

Ear Fatigue. That’s the first thought of this show. Soundtrack needs improvement.

This release concentrates on Southern Railway locomotives. The Cameraman was in the right place, to get the job done. This being the strength of the show.

Film quality not being the greatest. Soundtrack has issues. Narration is decent, even though not well mixed. Rates on the lower end.

Bump it up, for being a rare subject.

Rating: 3 Stars