Orange Empire Railway Museum

Producer: Pentrex

Location: Perris, California

Timeframe: Contemporary

Length: 30 minutes

A visit to the Orange Empire Railway Museum. Location is a 70 acre site in Perris, California. Created in 1975. Although the predecessor was in 1958. Established before this, as a trolley museum. The mission is preservation of Southern California railroad history. Black and white photographs cover the earlier history.

A single DVD. Full screen 4×3 aspect ratio. Live environmental audio. Train video quality, as expected from an older Pentrex release. Soundtrack is balanced. Accurate colors. Not today’s sharpness. Very good overall.

Push play or previews. On-screen graphics. Maps are included. David Druid narrates the show.

To the Trains… 👉

Trolley and streetcars were the core of the original collection. A variety of this equipment is seen operating here. PCC and Red Cars probably the most recognized to the public.

Pacific Electric 717 at a road crossing. Check the wigwag signal. Pacific Electric Red Cars. These are the best known in Southern California. Several different models are shown. Even has a vintage look and a restoration scene.

A Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority. This PCC streetcar #3165 was built in 1948. Note the 2 color stoplight.

Compare the 3002 in a bit of vintage film. This service was discontinued in 1963. A number of flashback scenes of varied power appears throughout.

A St Louis streetcar, 1201 is part of additional geographical areas equipment. The volunteers restored this over a 5 year period. The first half of the show covers the Electric cars, restoration and maintenance.

Grizzly Flats steam engine was moved to the museum. Ward Kimball donated to the museum in 1992. This was the beginning of the Narrow Gauge collection. Ward Kimball offers some history

Ventura County #2 operates on the museum line. This was a logging locomotive. A vintage film piece on this engine, as well.

Southern Pacific Alco hauls passengers over the main.

Santa Fe Railway Post Office. Interior views rarely appear in train videos. Many sacks where mail was sorted. Pickups and deliveries also occurred via moving trains. The cubby hole letter sorting at the far end of the car.

Railfest events include trips to Perris Station. Various activities at the museum, as well. See a backlot segment of static display equipment with plenty of variety.

Orange Empire Railway Museum

This documents an indeterminate portion of the collection at Orange Empire. Based on the advertised, was expecting a larger variety of vintage railroad equipment. Little is shown of standard gauge.

Geared to the fans of trolley and streetcars. There is limited steam coverage. Several brief old film scenes including some assortment of train types.

The highest satisfaction should favor electric fans. Steam fans will find much less. Standard gauge Railfans may feel shortchanged. Overall, a surprising amount of railroad equipment is packed into the half hour show.

Must comment on the electric service railroading. Should this get your interest. There are some fascinating full-on train videos worth seeking out. Old movie films that often include period street scenes. These are like time machines into past worlds. Cities and rural areas in the USA and Canada. Electric Trolleys, Streetcars and Interurbans are the tickets!

At a length of only 30 minutes. It is what it is. An excellent mixture of contemporary and vintage rail transportation. Short and sweet.

Rating: 4 Stars