Producer: Kenneth Buckman
Locations: LaGrange, Galesburg, Terre Haute, more
Timeframe: 2003
Length: 3 1/2 hours
Source: Kenneth Buckman
An eight day tour of some Illinois and Western Indiana action. A cornucopia of trains.
No main Chapter Menu. Hidden chapter advance. Detailed on screen graphics. No maps. Narrated by Kenneth Buckman.
A 2 DVD-R set. Video looks very good. Live environmental audio. Excellent sound. Typical hazy skies. One of those horizontal distorted bars along the bottom edge.
There are many trains over the double disc release. We shall view a small sample. He films a good amount of the freight consists. Hence, the long run time.
To the Trains…
Kenneth took an Amtrak to Chicago in May, 2003. Underdressed for the chilly temperatures. Guess he I didn’t know that it can snow there until summer! Buys a cheap sweatshirt. Good job! Why Chicagoans move South…
He begins at the BNSF overpass of Indiana Harbor Belt. This is in LaGrange, Illinois. Checkout all the train data on-screen.
LaGrange Road Station is next up. SD40-2 and 2 SD9 on a junk train. Plenty of action on the BN Racetrack.
Effingham, IL is a well-known hotspot. He vestibules on the rear of The Illini. Driven to Terre Haute, Indiana. A CSX Intermodal passes this waiting Wisconsin Central Coal Train led by 7517 at Pimento, IN. June 1, 2003.
Plenty of trains from Union Pacific, CSX, and some Wisconsin Central in the general area includes Terre Haute. UP 6869 on.a Unit Coal at Midland Jct., IN.
A Canadian Pacific powered #889. Empty Coke Train is led by a Soo Line engine. Lafayette to Jasonville, IN. The Spring Hill Interlocking Tower has been moved.
Effingham Railroad. Extended visit. Ride an end cab switcher. Spot cars at Krispy Kreme. 58m.
Effingham Depot yields a Southbound Illinois Central powered freight. Train M338 behind 6141, 6122, 6251- OLS and CN 755 on 4 units. Waterloo, IA to Centralia. IL.
Huge Galesburg Yard. Santa Fe renumbered 6205 is a remote control locomotive.
Disc Two
BNSF Z – WSPNBY – 9. Willow Springs, IL to North Bay Yard, CA. Edelstein Hill. Chillicothe subdivision. A busy place with BNSF and CSX traffic.
CSX with 5 engines on Houlihan’s Curve. One of the heaviest and longest moves on CSX.
On former C&EI Rails. Union Pacific 4790 goes to Proviso Yard.
Norfolk Southern on ex: Wabash line at Philo, IL. . Train 196 is KC, MO. to Bellevue, Ohio. Here on the ‘auto artery’ are the NS freights.
Ends up back in LaGrange! At LaGrange Road. Much BNSF action of Freight and Passenger. A flurry of Amtrak. It does get a bit much on crossing bells.
That’ll do it. Naturally, there is much more. Surprises, too. A fair idea of the type and variety of content has been shown.
A Railfan’s Adventure in the Cornbelt
This 3 1/2 hour set should satisfy those with interest. A ton of BNSF and CSX action! Throw in some Shortlines and run through power.
Videography is well composed. There are times where overcast skies are not helpful. That’s part of Midwestern weather.
The steady display of train information is great. Audio is lively. Good narrative.
Again, some map references would rate this show a little higher. Same with the constant distortion at the bottom of the screen.
For those who want a quick expansion of railroad video. This one has the length.
All in all, a nicely documented 8 day tour.
Rating: 4 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 