Workin’ on the Railroad

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: NS, BNSF

Timeframe: 1990s

Length: 1 hour 35 minutes

See assorted Maintenence and Dispatch functions on railroads.

A single DVD. Fullscreen aspect ratio 4×3. Live environmental audio. The usual top shelf Pentrex high-quality production.

Main Chapter Menu. On-screen graphics. Narration by David Drui. Preview section.

To the Trains… 👉

Begins with comprehensive coverage of the spike and tie replacement process. Specialized  machinery requires a high skill level on certain operations. The wide array of equipment used is surprising. In fact, this entire process is quite involved.

Norfolk Southern, Timber & Surface Gang #1

Everything is clearly labeled and explained. The machinery used to remove/ replace ties and spikes in action. There are plenty of close-ups of the working equipment.

Notice that sometimes identical equipment is run in a series, like a team. Ballast is petformed, as well. An impressive level of detail. Even shows the chow car.

Train #112 eases past the first Tamper, in the busy work zone. Manicuring the ballast is also a highly detailed process. A feature within the feature!

NS Top Gon Car Rebuild Program

Norfolk Southern 8673 leads a Hopper train with Top Gons in West Virginia. This rebuild program reconstructed over 17,000 cars. The Roanoke Shops performed the work on a daily basis. This chapter was filmed in 1995.

The rebuild process is seen in the Roanoke Shops. Even the final stenciling is shown. Oddly enough, the individual pieces resemble a model train kit. On a much larger scale!

BNSF Blitz Undercutter Machines

The Blitz Project was on 40 miles of track. Rebuilding of the BNSF Thayer sub line. Near the  Arkansas and Missiouri state line. This subject is from 1998. Undercutting machine operation is closely looked at while working. Observe the lower ballast level on the undercut trackage. Additional equipment and ballast work, as well.

Norfolk Southern Dispatch

The Norfolk Southern Pocahontas Division Dispatch Center is visited. The location is Bluefield, West Virginia. Their Chief Dispatcher hosts the visit. Of interest, the CTC board is explained. Those computers looked very dated, some 20 years on now. However, the working principles regarding traffic flow and management of trains are consistent.

BNSF Blitz P–811

Return to the BNSF Blitz Project on the Thayer sub. A Concrete Tie Layer, as the dedicated P-811 train is featured.

The complex mechanicals that lift the welded rails, insert the ties, and reinstall the rails reflect the modern era of track maintenance.

Workin’ on the Railroad

Various facets of railroad at work subjects. BNSF and NS happen to be visited. Viewers’ interest may range, depending upon the subject.

All the topics are professionally covered. As one would expect from Pentrex.

Railfans and Model Railroaders should find plenty of information. An insiders look at these specific tasks done by railroads.

Perhaps not as glamorous or containing enough mainstream interest to be considered a top program. The specialized material attracts its audience. Solid show.

Rating: 4 Stars