Producer: Highball
Locations: Fond du Lac, Steven’s Point, Byron Hill
Timeframe: 1990s
Length: 1 hour 52 minutes
A two hour dive into Wisconsin Central in Wisconsin. This dates from the 1990s. See many trains and some interior operations.
A single DVD-R. No Chapter menu. A thorough Chapter advance. No maps. Full narration.
An informative script, as far as train designations and locomotives. Narrated by Peter Falconi. Does well, except he always misprounces Fond du Lac.
Image is letterbox on a wide-screen HDTV. Picture looks good to very good. Live environmental audio that is mixed well.
A variety of diesel power. WC purchased used locomotives from many sources. Large quantities of SD45 locomotives.
Highlights… Action starts at Shops Yard
WC SD45 6610 SD45 is an ex: Santa Fe. Trailing is a former Burlington Northern SD45 6500. This Intermodal enters Shops Yard in Fond du Lac. The repair facilities are visited.
WC now owns: Algoma Central, Green Bay Route and Fox River Valley by 1995. Former AC SD45 6614 leads Algoma Central 6004 SD40-2 and more at Shops West.
Train FL95. A GP35 2557 and GP40 3010 ( ex: C&O). Westbound to Fox River Jct.
Two F45 units roll through farms at Dale.
SD45 6625 leads CRLD Hopper train with Taconite. Goes to Conrail.
SD24 still painted as Fox River Valley 2401 is at Fox River Jct.
1554 drills cars at Stevens Point yard. Look inside these shops and Dispatch.
A Grand Trunk Ballast Train has crossed the Wisconsin River at Stevens Point. WC 6513 leads two GT units.
DM&IR SD9 pair with a local at Wisconsin River Bridge.
On Byron Hill. The Chicago sub. Local 58 is led by an ex: Soo Line GP30 700 and SDL39 585.
Wisconsin Central
Numerous WC trains appear in Wisconsin. Moderate portion of the actual consists, once past the lash-ups.
Maps would have been helpful. Those small towns are not notable.
The videography is well done. Gets a little horn happy at times. Yet, spares the audience excessive crossing bells.
Wisconsin Central fans should be satisfied.
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 