New York Central Big Four Route Volume 2

Producer: Herron Rail Video

Locations: Bellefontaine, Greensburg, Crestline, Lafayette…

Timeframe: 1955

Length: 56 minutes

Source: Donald J. Krofta

New York Central Big Four action in 1955. Ohio division. Also, Illinois Central 4-8-2’s. Chicago and Illinois Midland 2-10-2’s. Shot in: Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Filmed in 16mm. This fine cinematographer captured the end era of NYC steam. Jim Hawk recorded authentic sound.

A single DVD-R. No Chapter menu. A chapter advance function. Maps are included. Preview section. Narrated by the familiar Ralph Morse.

To the Trains… 👉

A Mikado H-5 trundles through Bellefontaine with a transfer.

The 2882 pulls through Terra Haute, Indiana.

Illinois Central 2614 creeps past a tower at Matoon, Illinois.

Chicago & Illinois Midland 752 is paced on it’s way to Savannah, IL. The big 2-10-2 is hauling coal.

Hudson 5413 with The James Whitcomb Riley at Lafayette, IN. September 11, 1955.

Mohawk 3064 crosses the diamonds with an Eastbound freight at Crestline, Ohio.

J3a 5422 Hudson at Bellefontaine. Light engine is going to fetch The Queen City. That  is a Toledo bound train.

H-7 class Mikado 1974 is under a head of Steam. Having left BN yard it is now West of Bellefontaine and going to Indianapolis.

Hudson 5452 fronts a Baldwin Baby Faced diesel at Bellefontaine.

Mohawk 3046  in color!

NYC Train 303 with a fresh locomotive. Hudson 5312 replaces 5375 here. This passenger train served Detroit to Cincinnati. The action is at High Tower in Bellefontaine, Ohio. An interesting sequence in December 1955.

New York Central Big Four Route Volume 2

A whirlwind trip of some active steam power in 1955! Bellefontaine, Ohio, is the centerpiece. A bustling railroad facility. It has trains operating at yard limit speeds.

Beyond that location. Mostly mainline scenes. Additional Ohio towns. Some Indiana and Illinois. A brief look in St. Louis.

A mecca show for NYC Hudson engines in particular. Mohawks and Mikados are also seen. Even more, including several early diesels. The ICRR plus C&IM round out the program to 46 minutes. The remainder time has previews.

Mostly a black and white program. Some color spices it up. The 16mm film is clean and clear. The soundtrack is excellent. Some cool audio on slow-moving locomotives. Levels are balanced. Some brief music, here and there. High quality production, overall.

Steam fans and New York Central enthusiasts should find much enjoyment. Model Railroaders also get some period structures and vehicles. Again, that 16mm clarity is great!

Rating: 5 Stars