Producer: John Pechulis
Locations: Pennsylvania, Virginia
Timeframe: 1950s
Length: 66 minutes
Source: Bruce and Arch Kantner
The first of four volumes which were filmed by the Kantner brothers. These are divided by timeframes. This initial show contains the earliest films. Short snippets, but an interesting era. The early 8mm movie cameras had limited capacity. Hence, many old trains were briefly shot.
Variety is abundant. Steam and diesel. Well-composed cinematography. Fallen flags are the features compared to current railroads.
A single DVD-R. Full screen 4×3 aspect ratio. Dubbed sound. Beautiful film restoration. Solid Cinematography by the Kantner brothers. Several blurry scenes, but small in proportion.
Main Chapter Menu. No maps. No extras. Narrative by Mike Bednar. Many trains in this program. Let’s sample some of the wide variety.
To the Trains… 👉
Begins with a bunch of Reading trains. A pair of fresh Alco RS-3 locomotives cross the Schuylkill River on a passenger run.
A trio of F7 units working coal service. This one is entering Buck Mountain Tunnel. Number 274 leads.
Jersey Central 56 is the leader, with a trailing Alco RSD-4 at Rockport.
A Lehigh Valley FT set pulls a Riff-Raff train.
Lackawanna Fairbanks-Morse motors on another detour move. Here, over Jersey Central trackage.
Pennsylvania Railroad double-header steam at Shamokin. Loaded coal hoppers are parked. Mountain trains can have double-headers front and rear. Sometimes, steam and Diesels on the same move.
Norfolk and Western on this short mixed train at Christenberg, Virginia. Yes, the larger steam is included.
C&O rolls through Buchanan, Virginia. Checkout the cars. Covered wagon fans get plenty of assorted E and F units in this program.
Bruce frequented this curve on the Pennsylvania Middle Division near Newport. Both steam and diesel are seen here.
Jersey Central in early paint is Eastbound at Rockport. The two F units have a pair of Alco RSD-4 Diesels in the lash-up.
Reading T-1 pushing on a move that has left from Gordon. This spot is called Barry.
The Kantner Collection Volume One
This show contains some rare locomotives. Most are more common models. Transition era was fascinating. Perhaps, the best in variety with steam and diesel both operating. Tons of freight and passenger trains.
Modern viewers may lament this collection as being snippets. The 8mm cameras of the time had very limited capacity. Usually, the amateur cinematographers shot brief scenes. Call it effiency or film conservation. We are fortunate they were there.
This show has all color film. Excellent restoration from JPM. Soundtrack is train sounds and narrative. All elements blend nicely. Mike’s voice is much clearer on these older releases.
Anyone with interest in this era and these railroads should be satisfied. A smart mixture of close and distant scenes that convey the areas well. Reading Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley are the stars. Additional railroads: CNJ, B&O, C&O, Lackawanna, plus N&W. As good as most of the scenes are, it is historical value when compared to more modern films.
Overall, an intriguing and balanced vintage films show.
Rating: 4 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 