Producer: Green Frog
Locations: Chicago, Detroit, Wayne Jct.
Timeframe: 1971 – 72
Length: 74 minutes
Source: Emery Gulash
Third in the Penn Central series. Filmed in color 16mm by Emery Gulash. This release has been transferred in 1080 HD.
A DVD-R. Beautiful 16mm color film shot by Emery Gulash. Transfer in 1080 HD.
Master Main Chapter Menu. No maps. Narrative by Peter Youngblood.
To the Trains…
Early Amtrak in 1971. Here was a colorful conglomerate from American railroads. At Chicago Union Station. A Santa Fe GP7 moves cars from a Super Chief. Meanwhile, a Penn Central GP7 5959 switches Union Pacific passenger cars used on the Broadway Limited. Both heavyweight and streamliner era cars are parked in the background. The downtown vicinity has intriguing coverage
November, 1971. Here is a Wolverine. Emery witnessed his first lash-up in all Amtrak paint now. The long consist is repainted for Amtrak. This is on a foggy day at Whiting, Indiana.
A solid Penn Central set of E8 units contrast the newer platinum schemed Amtrak engines. Led by #4289. The Broadway Limited is on former Pennsylvania RR tracks. Approaching the South Branch Bridge towards Chicago Union Station.
Former New York Central E7A pulls a short Flexi-Van Mail Train in Detroit. The Penn Central passenger coach is utilized by the Conductor and Brakeman. Towering in the background are the ex: Michigan Central headquarters.
One of a kind. Amtrak 4316 is an Electro-motive E8A. At the ex: Penn Central Detroit station. This is the first Amtrak repaint. The experimental livery was not repeated. Note the former Michigan Central headquarters in the background.
A freight train finally appears. PC SD45 with a Cotton Belt. This is passing through Chelsea, Michigan.
Wolverine along the Huron River in 1972. The remainder of this myopic show features endless passenger trains. Nearly all are behind a black Penn Central E8A. Sounds boring and is boring…
One of the most interesting Amtrak trains is a General Motors Special. Seen at Detroit. Chessie System GP40-2 power ran two sections transporting GM execs from Chicago to Detroit in 1972. The Great Northern unit provides steam heat. Union Pacific E8B pair heated the second train. Emery has great shots. Next stop is Toledo.
Penn Central caboose 33027 is an N5C. It is on trackage rights and brings up the rear at Carleton. Some of these porthole window type made it into Conrail blue late in their careers.
Penn Central 3
This show heavily concentrates on Passenger service. Although a locomotive painted for Amtrak is a rarity. These are Amtrak trains. Predominantly using ex: Penn Central E8A Diesels. Some call outs for FP7 are erroneous, being E8 power.
The narrative is highly informative for the most part. Only a handful of freight trains are shown. Therefore, the program is largely unbalanced.
Picture is remastered 16mm movie film. Excellent appearance. Dubbed train audio sounds good.
This release is definitely not my cup of tea. However, there could be a few foamers who cannot get enough looks at the repetitive Wolverine. Penn Central Volumes 1 and 2 have the balance.
Major deduction for this emphasis on unending Wolverine trains. Too bad, as it looks great.
Rating: 3 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 