Producer: Green Frog
Locations: Chicago, Denver, Amarillo, Cheyenne, more
Timeframe: 1950s-60s
Length: 58 minutes
Source: Emery Gulash
The Western States are featured in this show. Previously, I reviewed the East version.
Green Frog sifted through 25 hours of Emery’s films. Choosing the very best scenes for this release.
A single DVD-R. No Chapter menu. There is a hidden Chapter search.
Narrated by Dan Chandler. Good balanced soundtrack.
Less total Railroads in this one. However, they are all classics.
The featured railroads are: Burlington Route, Rio Grande, Santa Fe, and Union Pacific.
Empire builder departing Union Station, Chicago, in January 1968.
Burlington Route Steam Special meets California Zephyr at Buda, Illinois.
Super Chief departing Dearborn Station. F unit wearing flags. El Capitain shall follow soon.
San Francisco Chief at Willow Springs, Illinois. Note the Depot. It is long gone. Emery includes many train stations in the locations
Alco PA set led by #77, smoke it up when departing Lamar, Kansas. ATSF E units are seen in this show, too.
Amarillo, Texas, with its large station. A crew change point. F7 led train arrives. 307 leads.
Santa Fe coverage extends into Colorado and Raton Pass, New Mexico.
Rio Grande with a 5 unit lash-up. California Zephyr passes Castle Gate.
A Durango & Silverton narrow gauge train in a dual gauge yard. Rio Grande trackage at Alamosa, Colorado.
Denver with Rio Grande F units.
Emery films a fantastic Cab Ride aboard the California Zephyr. F unit with those large front windshields. Very scenic. This scene includes the Western Pacific power.
Union Pacific appears with assorted passenger trains.
Combined City of Los Angeles and San Francisco train pass Tower A. West of Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Union Pacific 8444 passes a GP30 lash-up in May 1967 at Cheyenne.
The Golden Spike Centennial Limited in 1969. This DD40AX 6900 at Hayes, Kansas, in May 1969.
May 10, 1969, the lead engine is flying American flags. Commerating Golden Spike 100th Anniversary. Ogden, Utah.
As the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy tail car brings up the rear. One can look back, at the rich Heritage of USA passenger service.
The Best of Passenger Trains – The West – Top Frog Volume 3
Green Frog has seriously cut it fine. Seems that almost any scene could be a highlight.
Cinematography is some of the best ever! High-quality film. Great skill in composition. An interesting time period in passenger service.
An outstanding show. Pair this with The East Volume and have exceptional, highlight passenger coverage of those railroads.
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 