Producer: John Pechulis
Locations: Binghamton, Oneonta, Belden Hill Tunnel, Harpursville Trestle
Timeframe: 1979 – 1985
Length: 75 minutes
Source: Dave Deyo
Here is D&H on the Susquehanna Division. Filmed from May 1979 to August 1985. Notable landmarks, Belden Hill Tunnel, Harpursville Trestle, and SW Cabin. Binghamton Yard and Oneonta, as well.
A single DVD-R. Dave Deyo has been a good source for D&H. Fine audio. Excellent film restoration.
Main Chapter Menu. A basic map of the route. However, it needs more maps to define the roads quoted. Narrated by Mike Bednar. As usual for JPM, no extras.
To the Trains…
D&H Alco RS-3 4126 switches in Oneonta Yard. Circa 1980.
DH 7609 exits Belden Hill Tunnel at a restricted speed in August 1980.
This freight behind four EMD engines is crossing Route 7. What town is this near? Where is Route 7? There are many road locations that are anonymous like this one.
GE 754 fronts a Coal train. Seems to be ex: Rock Island hoppers. Approaching Belden Tunnel.
There are a surprising number of Boston and Maine units to be seen. Here, B&M 206 with a Susquehanna local. It creeps past with a long lash-up of mixed units at Ninevah. A bunch of locomotives are on the rear!
DH 408 is a former Lehigh Valley. Alco C-420 in 1983. Symbol WR7 is at another obscure road in the middle of nowhere.
MEC 252 at Hillcrest. Grain Train. 1983.
Scarce are the larger Alco Century motors on the head end. Train RPPY. Rouse’s Point to unintelligible destination. Alas, it doesn’t move.
Guilford paint appears later in the show. 369 leads in this winter scene from 1985.
A fairly clean Electromotive GP38-2. D&H 7318 with smokey Alco diesels just out of Belden Hill Tunnel.
Railfanning the Delaware and Hudson Volume 9
A well filmed example of Delaware and Hudson. Stellar film restoration for a great looking show. Interesting assortment of locomotives in various liveries. Alco diesels are still in service. Cabooses are on the earlier trains.
These shows seriously would benefit from solid maps. What good is it, to be diligent about quoting roads that many people likely never heard of before?
It is better to generalize by calling out the towns or adding towns to descriptions. Ineffective reference points for the average viewer.
Besides this ongoing location annoyance, Mike delivers a good narrative. Minimal complaining. Sound levels are balanced.
The visuals are the strength of this release. Fans and modelers of Delaware and Hudson should be satisfied with Volume 9.
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 