Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 8

Producer: John Pechulis

Locations: Penn Division, DL&W

Timeframe: 1980- 1985

Length: 70 minutes

Source: David Deyo

D&H Volume 8 covers the Penn Division on D&H in this third part of the three volume series. Olyhant to Waynesboro in 1980. Also, the former Lackawanna line. Binghamton to Scranton from 1980- 1985. A cab ride to Hudson Yard,  as well.

Single DVD-R. Main Chapter Menu. Not enough map references. Narrated by Mike Bednar.

Fullscreen aspect ratio. Good audio. Balanced narrative.

Decreasing traffic volumes and deferred maintenance were issues for D&H. The Penn Division was in trouble. Part of it was abandoned by 1985. The ex: Lackawanna line was a solution, and the railroad acquired it in 1980..

To the Trains… 👉

June 80. NE-84 struggles pulling with 7417. The 2316/ 7320 are the 2 engines trailing. It creeps by the camera, leaving Carbondale.

Forest City. GP38-2. Ex: LV 7322 on upgrade with freight.

Bay window caboose and a pair of Alco C-420 pushers.

Alco c-425 451. August, 1980 and last scene on the Penn Division.

Southbound GE 758 (not 759) leads a 3 unit lash-up with a freight consist.

Here is Factoryville Tower and Nicholson Tunnel. Lightning Stripe GP39-2 7618 with a 5 unit lash-up.

Engineer Bernie Gill provides a cab ride on 7616. Conklin to Hudson Yard. Interesting trip. North Nicholson Tunnel.

Long lash-up at Cayuga is Northbound. A lightning stripe in front.

The same train on Tunkhannock Viaduct.

Alco RS-11 5005 has the 401 trailing it on a slow order at Hallstead.

A D&H wide vision caboose brings up the rear.

Railfanning the Delaware & Hudson Volume 8

The majority of the film is on the former Lackawanna main. Predominately 1980 and 1981. Good years with assorted; EMD, Alco and GE power in lightning stripe and dark blue liveries.

More maps would have helped with the many small towns. Cayuga (near Ithaca?). Hallstead (looked it up for the spelling). These shows need  more maps.

All the other production areas are excellent! Restoration has fine image quality. Soundtrack has good levels. Mike Bednar’s narrative is interesting and informative.

The cinematography is well done. Everything is properly framed with good lighting.

It’s an enjoyable show. Should satisfy Railfans and Model Railroads. If someone only cares to sample one JPM D&H. This one is a fine choice.

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars