Vignettes of the DT&I Volume 1

Producer: Todd Miller

Locations: Ohio, Michigan

Timeframe: 1951-1980

Length: 70 minutes

Sources: many

The last 25 years of the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton. Actually, a little longer. Some Ann Arbor is included. Geographical presentation, starts at Detroit and travels South.

A single DVD-R. No Chapter menu. Maps are frequently referenced.

Narrated by Todd Miller. Informative script. Plenty of history and operational.

Film quality is fair. Colors are faded. Looks like unrestored 8mm films. Even Conrail 1980 footage is in fair condition. Some sources are better.

Soundtrack is a strong point. Much attention was paid to the audio. Train sounds are very good!

Locations: Detroit, Delta, Leipsic, Lima, Quincy, Springfield, Dayton, Cincinnati, Jackson etc…

On the upside. Numerous scenes were shot at Interlocking Towers. Probably, very few remain now.

Connecting roads in Ohio. Includes, Penn Central and Erie Lackawanna in Lima. A Baltimore and Ohio line. PC, and Conrail in Quincy. Also, Louisville and Nashville at Decoursey, Kentucky.

Pacing! DT&I leads two Ann Arbor GP35 units

Detriot, Toledo and Ironton 210. Leads a pair of Ann Arbor GP35 locos. Pacing along Highway 42.

Instead of power, let’s all see a caboose.

Alexis Tower Toledo is busy. Ann Arbor freight and more.

Budd car on a B&O track

Ride, looking out of the front widow in a Budd car.

C&O at Leipsec

C& O at XN tower Leipsec.

Steam in 1951

KN tower at Leipsic sees a Mikado shuffling freight cars in 1951..

Lima, Ohio is visited at several points. Checkout the newer paint schemes on the two lead locomotives. DT&I Star logo. Bicentennial on the second unit.

Towerman hands up the flimsies at SJ Tower

SJ Tower in Lima, Ohio circa 1970. DT&I crossing with Erie Lackawanna. Appears to be Ann Arbor 385, a GP35. Towerman George Detwiler hoops up orders. His name appears in the film credits.

Semaphore is highlighted at Morgan Tower.

Morgan Tower in Quincy, Ohio is busy in 1970. A Penn Central blasts by the tower. Nice semaphore action shots.

Chessie B&O

Springfield trains. Miami City Junction in Dayton. A Chessie System rolls past. DT&I with auto racks. Muted colors, buy clearer pictures. Conrail is here, too. Maybe the best part in this program.

Cincinatti. L&N 1205 leads a mix of L&N with Seaboard Coast Line units.

Family Lines diesels are seen here, as well.

Ride aboard a Gas Electric car bringing ip the rear in 1952. The power is a GP9.This trip travels over a challenging route over Summit. Film quality and colors are much better in this segment.

DT&I train DJ-1 power departs Jackson

Train DJ1 power swaps for a new crew at Jackson.

DT&I DH-2 waits on a B&O train

A December 31,1957 cab ride on a GP9. Train DH-2. A 50 year Engineer on his final run. Jackson to Springfield.

Blizzard of 78 Plow Train

Ends on some Blizzard of 1978 scenes. George Detwiler is credited on these shots.

Sugar Street Tower. Caboose, also grabs orders.

Vignettes of the DT&I Volume 1

The show has a thoughtful quality. Elements are all in the proper place.

In the end, a mixed collection of films. Some of these films play as weak. Viewing becomes a chore. On the other hand, others are passable. Overall, high quality just isn’t there for viewers.

It’s pretty good for an old Clear Block release. This one is better suited for hardcore fans. It gets a bump up for being an intelligent show. Offers plenty of operational information and many maps.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars