Producer: Pentrex
Locations: Los Angeles, Long Beach
Timeframe: 2007-2008
Length: 2 hours 16 minutes
Ride on BNSF via the Almeda Corridor. A railroad trench that connects Los Angeles to Long Beach. Several separate trips. At this time, the route sees about 70 trains daily from BNSF and Union Pacific.
A single DVD. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Live environmental audio. Although the microphone is mostly outside mounted.
Main Chapter Menu. No maps. Limited narrative by Dave Drui.
To the Trains… 👉
Hobart to Delores Yard in October 2007. BNSF stacker waits to move east at Hobart Yard.
The Almeda Corridor was opened in 2002. Both the BNSF and Union Pacific run here. Average daily traffic is 50 trains in 2007. Entrance at 25th Street in Los Angeles.
There are open and enclosed sections on the Almeda Corridor. The cab ride continues in real time. The crew is not heard during the ride. Signal lights break the monotony. There’s nothing to see… Finally exits at the 29-minute mark.
The camera is hard fixed to a single forward view. Between the limited angle and a silent cab, this ride is a drag. Passes a busy Union Pacific Locomotive facility, only to get a sliver instead of a nice pan shot to the left. This train finally stops at 38 minutes. One and done! Zero rewatch value.
Next up is from BNSF Engine House at Watson Yard. A light engine move. Another rigid camera placement. Apparently, on the front of this engine. Goes to Terminal Island. Tedious and long, boring presentation. Finally ends at 1:27.
This chapter was from Fall, 2008. BNSF General Electric C44-9W 5331 leads. Departs Pier 400 with the camera on the second locomotive. Travels back across the Alameda Corridor. Whatever the outside microphone records. Ensuring another dumb ride.
The last bit through the corridor is the lone bright spot of this release. They endeavor to hold it as a surprise for the audience. Hence, no spoiler is shown. Too bad the majority wasn’t as interesting. Not enough, though, to salvage it. Bump it up half a star for the effort.
At the Throttle Volume 4
Expectations were reasonably low for this release. Had a hunch. Comes in even lower.
Chief complaints are the fixed forward camera. Zero commentary from any railroad personnel. Not even radio communications. Everything runs too long!
The only relief is competent limited narration by Dave Drui. Although not substantial to redeem this loser show.
This is about the worst Pentrex show ever. Still, it retains excellent production.
Deserves a low rating. Poor on the first view. Non-existent rerun value. Perhaps, for foamers only.
Rating: 2 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 