Producer: Clear Block
Locations: Chicago area, Wellsboro, Battle Creek
Timeframe: 1990s
Length: 2 hours
Source: Todd Miller
The Grand Trunk in a transferred 2 VHS tape set, to the DVD format. Traced from the Chicago area into Michigan.
A single DVD-R. Press play. A Chapter advance function. On screen graphics. Includes plenty of maps. Narrated by Todd Miller.
The image plays widescreen. Live audio.
A surprising variety of connecting railroads. Blue Island has an interesting assortment. Others are seen on the route. Now, Grand Trunk power dominates the show overall.
As with many Clear Block shows, the visual quality is the weak point. The colors are muted. Some flaws from the source tapes remain. Although, not as flawed as Volume 2. Finally, not modern viewing standards.
It is well composed. Basically, in need of a remaster. Brightness levels raised on the TV, helps out. Not bad for what is.
Begins at Hayford Jct. This location is near the massive Clearing Yard.
At Blue Island. A number of freights from assorted railroads appear. Those five bridges are active places.
CSX has nearby Barr Yard. A light CSX lash-up meets a Grand Trunk freight.
Harvey is on Chicago’s far Southside. Illinois Central is on the IC tracks at the overpass.
Thornton Jct. Interchange with a Union Pacific freight, a former MoPac site. Chicago and NorthWestern 5067 is leading with a UP here.
Amtrak Hoosier is Northbound, on UP Rails. Amtrak 411 for power.
Griffith, Indiana. A known hotspot. Crosses EJ&E here.
At Wellsboro. Burlington Northern run through power on a Powder River Coal Train. CSX crossing. CSX 8159 with a mixed Manifest. Plenty of GT pass this location.
South Bend with much action. Canadian National, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern add to the freights seen.
Three Canadian National zebra painted locomotives move freight at South Bend.
Train 388 across the water at Vicksburg.
GT 6216 a GP38-2. Trains speed past and kick up snow at Indian Lake in January 1994.
GP 9 4910 with local at Battle Creek Transportation Center.
Emmett Street caboose track. Check the Transfer Caboose. Safety slogan, too.
Into the 90s GT-1
A good tour of the Grand Trunk mainline. Chicago to Battle Creek, Michigan. Two hours of train action.
Nicely done show. Older video source is the issue. Railfans should find this a solid historical view of the Grand Trunk at the time.
This Volume 1 is sourced from a better condition master versus Volume 2. An easy decision if choosing between both.
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 