Santa Fe Across Arizona

Producer: Highball

Locations: Northern Arizona

Timeframe: 1994

Length: 1 hour 45 minutes

Source: Peter Crook

Santa Fe is seen before the merger into BNSF. This earlier video from 1994 showcases the revitalized red and silver Warbonnets. They were truly stunning when first put into modern service. Predecessor blue/ yellow Warbonnets are present. The show title has the obvious focus is Arizona. It is the Transcon line.

A single DVD-R. Full screen 4×3 aspect ratio. Old video quality. Live environmental audio has wind noise. He films in the rain and snow.

There is no main menu. It is a push play. Hidden Chapter advance. Narration by Peter Falconi. No maps or extras.

To the Trains… 👉

Begins at Toprock. Moves eastward across Arizona. A mix of recent and older power. A B-40, SD40-2, and C-40 lead this Q train at Toprock. Man, that wind noise is LOUD!

This Maersk container move is symbol SRIDA. GP40X is third in the lash-up at Kingman Canyon.

This guy films in bad weather. Rain and hail in this show. Doesn’t often translate well into a video. Check this scene at Nelson.

At Seligman Yard. Engine 3407, a GP38-2 leads the freight train.

Visual evidence of the constant wind at Holbrook. Super aggravating as it beats on the speakers!

I’m not wasting time on this miserable show. Already wasted money on this loser release…

Santa Fe Across Arizona

The dominant sound is wind noise. It should have been corrected in post-production. A constant annoyance. Drags down the show as it bangs from the sound system. Ear fatigue becomes the central issue. Careful with your speakers. Yuck!

Videography is not up to the standard of later  Highball shows. Long distance views of these older videotapes are historical value only. The trackside scenes are generally too tight for good side views. Being there is a plentiful supply of Northern Arizona shows available in the marketplace. This doesn’t rate when compared to some other choices.

The rather dry and sparse narrative has some individual train information. It’s mainly the symbols. Basic locations and sometimes a locomotive call-out. There is more wind noise than narrative. Wind should have been minimized in post-production. Other companies usually edit the wind sounds.

Overall, it is far below average and an unnecessary release. Soundtrack is a huge disappointment. Highball is a major hit or miss label. This one… swing and a miss.

Rating: Not Recommended