Producer: John Pechulis
Locations: South Plainfield, Allentown, Lima
Timeframe: 1959 – 1975
Length: 81 minutes
Sources: collections
Another entry in the expanding line of Eastern Railroads from JPM. Lehigh Valley Railroad. Territories from South Plainfield, New Jersey to Lima, New York. Pennsylvania has Allentown and Easton. Special railfan filmed segment from 1959, as well.
A single DVD-R. Various films were used: 8mm, Super 8 and 16mm. All color. Synchronized sounds. Beautifully restored original footage. Balanced soundtrack.
Main Chapter Menu by locations. Map of Bowman’s Creek Branch. Narrated by Mike Bednar.
Here is a fine episode for the white Alco C-628 locomotives. Plentiful supply of Alco power. There is no shortage of old F units. Of course, the General Electric U23B engines were heavily recorded when they were newer diesels.
To the Trains… 👉
LV Train with 574 leading is detoured over Jersey Central rails. Maybe 1966.
CNJ Trainmasters on Jersey Central tracks. CNJ 2401 fronts 4 of the Fairbanks-Morse units on this train.
R Tower. 12/74. Brand new LV GE U23B power.
F units haul coal Treichlers. A familiar spot.
Train NE-1 passes abandoned Lehighton Tower. Alco Century 628 627 in front. 1976.
GE 504 is on a Westbound is East of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.
Alco snowbirds with 629 on the head at Red Rocks.
Header picture. Pair of Alco C-628 get JB-3 moving at Solomons Gap. LV 633/ 636. March, 1970.
A couple of 400 series. Alco C-420 diesels shove a freight upgrade.
A 1959 visiting to the Bowmans Creek Branch. Narrated by the original Cinematographer. Shot from the 140 Baldwin switcher. Spotting this boxcar at Noxen.
Lima, New York. Local switching with freight car views. Clear views of engine 217 working on the Rochester Branch.
Lehigh Valley Volume 3
Here is a fascinating collection of vintage Lehigh Valley Railroad films. An intriguing mix of old and newer power. Plenty of freight cars are included. A nice resource for Model Railroaders. Of course, a caboose for every train and no graffiti!
Mike Bednar does an informative narration. Lehigh Valley is one that he was employed by for years. He is very knowledgeable here, with minimal complaining. The original cinematographer on the 1959 footage also knows his material. Both voices can be difficult to understand at times. They are older age men. The way it is.
Credit the producer, John Pechulis for issuing so many Eastern Coal Carriers. These railroads used to be rare and scarce on quality train videos. JPM has a large catalog available. His film restoration is top shelf.
This particular release is a must have, for Railfans of the Lehigh Valley and even simply this era. So much to see. A natural for a high rerun value.
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 