Producer: John Pechulis
Locations: Pennsylvania, Ohio
Timeframe: 1977
Length: 1 hour
Source: Jonathan Reck
This third volume of early Conrail. Covers April 1977 to October 1977. Territories are: Altoona to Cresson, Eastern Ohio includes Alco hot spot Mingo Jct. Finally, it ends up in Allentown for a minute.
A single DVD-R. Fullscreen aspect ratio. Excellent film restoration.
Main Chapter Menu. On-screen graphics. Has a map of some Ohio lines. Narrated by Mike Bednar.
Conrail’s predecessor paint schemes are still common. Graffiti free railroad owned freight cars!
To the Trains… 👉
Begins in April 1977. Busy traffic at the famous Horseshoe Curve in Pennsylvania. The CR relettered equipment was known as the cockroach scheme.
Conrail 2939 leads three General Electrics near Horseshoe Curve.
May, 1977. Former Penn Central 6309 smokes it on the upgrade start on Horseshoe Curve. Check the Pennsylvania K-4 steam engine on display. The mostly grouchy narrative continues… Jeez!
Chapter 4. Mingo Jct. A map is provided of Ohio lines.! Seen along the Ohio River at Stuebenville. Alco power 6751 with leased CN 2310 / 2332 and an ex: Erie Lackawanna 6663 in this lash-up.
A look around the yard at Alco hotspot, Mingo Jct, Ohio. Former Penn Central 6859 RSD sits next to an old Electromotive F unit. There is no shortage of EMD locomotives, either.
Check the former Jersey Central power. It is last on the all EMD SD45 and SD40 lash-up at Weirton Jct.
A former Erie Lackawanna is on the lead at Empire, Ohio. The EL unit has updated cab signal equipment to lead a train.
Conrail GP30 2177 is ex: Reading. Also, GP35 3685 with black relettered Penn Central 6346. General freight traffic.
CR 6786 has an ex: Lehigh Valley Alco C-628, #6731 second here. Alliance, Ohio.
The wide vision caboose is likely ex: Reading. Shot at Mingo Jct. Note the still operational Steel Mill.
Conrail’s Kaleidoscope Years
It was an interesting visit to see early Conrail in 1977. A fine variety of diesels and liveries. Cinematography is solid overall. The soundtrack is well done. The narrator starts off sounding grumpy. His complaing settles down around Ohio. That Ardmore gag never was funny. It is completely worn out now.
Left some surprises for viewers to find. Horseshoe Curve has the best and worst of the films. Heavy traffic there is great! Not so fine is the inclement weather on the last segment there. The very brief Allentown bit is hardly worth advertising.
While not the best entry in this Kalideoscope series. It has enough worthwhile film to make an intriguing show. A rarity, as it is one that I would prefer much of it with a narrative off option. Spare me the ranting. Bump it down for the narrative.
Rating: 3 1/2 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 