Producer: Pentrex
Locations: NE, MN, IL, IA, SD, WI
Timeframe: 1990s
Length: One hour 30 minutes
A second compilation in The Best of the Midwest series. BNSF, Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific are the featured class ones. Shortlines: Nebkota, Dakota Southern plus Minnesota Central. Covers six States. Available in a 3 Volume set or individually.
A single DVD-R. Main Chapter Menu. On-screen graphics. Maps. Previews. On/ Off narrative. Narrated by Dave Drui.
Usual Pentrex high-quality show.
To the Trains…
Nebkota operates on the former CNW Cowboy Line in Nebraska.
Dakota Southern is on ex: Milwaukee Road rails. Kadota, SD. to Mitchell, South Dakota. This begins at Chamberlain Yard and is headquarters. An Alco C-420 and EMD SD-9 are the power for today. The 4427 leads an empty Hopper move past their Union Pacific Centennial.
The third shortline is Minnesota Central. Trackage is ex: Minneapolis and St. Louis. A trio of first generation Electromotive geeps with a Clay Train at Morton.
BNSF Mendota sub. This former Burlington Route line goes from Chicago to Galesburg, Illinois. Amtrak Illinois Zephyr blows by Sandwich.
BN 2770 is a GP39e at Galesburg with mixed freight.
BNSF St. Croix sub is next. More former CB&Q trackage. St.Paul to LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Z-CHCSTP9 at Bay City, WI. This being a Chicago to St. Paul Intermodal.
H-NTWBRC. A high priority Manifest from Northtown to Belt Railway of Chicago. BN painted 8079 leads.
More BNSF on the Staple sub in Minnesota. Here is ex: Northern Pacific from Minneapolis to St. Cloud. Action at Anoka. S-CHCSEA1 over Rum River. A stack train routed Chicago to Seattle.
Canadian Pacific on the Paynesville route. This was Soo Line. Westbound from Minneapolis area. CP 5731 in front at Medina. This 565 move is St. Paul to Winnipeg. A long chapter.
Iowa has Union Pacific on the Boone sub. Chapter. Mainline to Chicago. Ames, Iowa.
Speaking of CNW. A pair of GP38 locos at Ames and going to Boone. The 4706 leads 4711. Plenty of CNW paint on this sub.
This former MoPac caboose had it’s attractive red paint traded for a Maintenance of Way dip job. Union Pacific.
The Best of the Midwest Volume 2
A diverse entry with 1990s entries. The timeframe offers unrepainted power from mega mergers. Also, some Shortlines.
Interesting show. Good for Railfans and Model Railroaders. The frequent maps are excellent. Simple but effective.
A fine show with variety.
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 