Producer: Jim Herron
Locations: Shenandoah Valley, Hagerstown, Antietam
Timeframe: 1950s
Length: 46 minutes
Sources: Harry P. Dodge, Bob Flack
Steam Along the Shenandoah. The third entry in this series. See Norfolk and Western Steam in these all color 16mm movie films. The 1950s were a time of N&W steam locomotives still in service. Scenic Shenandoah Valley line is featured here.
A single DVD-R. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. ALL color 16mm film! Train sounds with some music. Balanced soundtrack. Fine Cinematographey.
No chapter menu. A chapter advance function. Previews of several N&W shows. Narrated by Ralph Morse.
Y6 class 2-8-8-2 engines handle most of the freight. The occasional M class 4-8-0, as well. Passenger and mixed trains can have the K class 2-8-4 power.
To the Trains… 👉
Hagerstown, Maryland, begins the Shenandoah division. February, 1957 was the end for steam on this line. Y class 2142 has the articulated design visible on a curve. Check the headlight angle, if you don’t know.
A Y6 2-8-8-2 locomotive crosses at West Virginia on this high bridge.
Engine 2152 moves ahead slowly at Shenandoah Valley station.
A K2 #128 does local switching of freight on a mixed train at Berrytown.
The 2147 slows for setouts.
A J2 crosses this bridge with a mixed train. It is mainly freight cars. Model Railroaders, take note. Even has a caboose. These are surprising to see.
Shenandoah was the division point. Y-class are concentrated here.
Antietam in Winter.
Oct 14, 1956. An Excursion to Shenendoah is chased. This Special has a doubleheader with 4-8-2 J1 and J2 class locomotives. Number 114 leads. Streamlined 128 is second in the pair.
Instead of closing with a straight caboose image. Check out the consist of a steam-powered mixed train. Once these were in regular service. Now, about as far gone as the locomotive that hauled it.
Pocahontas Glory Volume 3
This is an excellent show. The source films are clean and colorful. Strong soundtrack that puts the viewer trackside in the majority of well-filmed scenes. A relaxed narrative allows the train sounds to be clearly heard. Pictures of many stations mark the program. The old school method of location a awareness.
The period freight cars are interesting. Mixed trains seem fairly common on this line, although the end of these shorter freights are not always seen. Still, a surprise when pulled by K class engines.
A very satisfying look into the classic Norfolk and Western in the classic steam era. Should be great for any Railfan and Model Railroaders who appreciate the 1950s N&W or the vintage steam in 16mm color film.
This is a top-tier release from Herron Rail Video. One of their best shows.
Rating: 5 Stars
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