Producer: Green Frog
Locations: Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana
Timeframe: 1970s
Length: 73 minutes
Source: Emery Gulash
Here in Penn Central Vol 5. Taken from the Green Frog Penn Central boxset. So, buyers have a choice between singles or the boxset.
A DVD-R with two titles on it. Count on original, up converted 16mm all color film from Emery Gulash. Done in full 1080i with a frame by frame process. The soundtrack experiments with the sounds of Grandpa’s old film projector.
A Main Chapter Menu. No graphics or maps. Chapter advance. Switchable on/ off narration. The show is narrated by Peter Youngblood.
To the Trains… 👉
Wintertime in Ypsilanti, Michigan. U23B 2736 leads a U25B past the depot in a mild snowfall.
PC 7972 is a GP38-2. Running next to the frozen Huron River. Ypsilanti.
PC mixed freight behind an SD45 at Huntingdon, PA.
Amtrak 4315 makes a stop at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Emery is stilll filming on the Middle Division. This move continues to Harrisburg. The train shall be handed off to an Electric GG-1 (not shown).
Horseshoe Curve. Three units haul a Piggyback.
The Pennsylvania Railroad K4 Pacific is still displayed. An Eastbound rolls through.
An Automobile Train is at Carleton Tower. PC 2738 (U23B) and 7966 ( GP40) bathed in sunshine. Note the open auto racks.
Penn Central U boats pass the Ann Arbor Station.
This move is out from the Detroit River Tunnels. It passes the former Michigan Central headquarters. A GE U25B (2648) leads.
At 40 minutes there are normal train sounds. Westbound at Dearborn behind a GP38-2. PC 7978 leader.
Amtrak makes a stop at Kalamazoo. The 314 has it’s Penn Central lettering removed. This E8A is a beater!
Over at Town Line, PC 8005 (GP38-2) leads a pair of F7 units.
PC 6525 (U30C) puffing smoke in this chilly Winter scene at Erie.
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton freight led by a pair of GP38 engines exits the Detroit Tunnel. Amtrak E8A looks on as it waits to back into the station.
Amtrak Turboliner is seen multiple times. Here in Detroit.
A new Amtrak F40PH departs with the large ex: Michigan Central headquarters in the background.
The Amtrak action at Niles has several passenger moves. Engine 226.
Penn Central Volume 5
This one includes a high percentage of Amtrak. There is a good amount of newer equipment. Some older power still lingers in Penn Central paint outs. Updated cars and mostly repainted heritage.
The show jumps around quite a bit. Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana. Plenty of familiar Emery spots. All with first rate cinematography. Not a fan of the old home movie soundtrack. Only a few trains have dubbed sound. Well narrated and a good script.
Freight trains are plentiful. Assorted locations and various commodities. This was the caboose on every train era. A handful of foreign trains. Norfolk and Western, DT& I and even a Detroit Edison to name some.
The up converted film makes the program. This is some top shelf 1970s train watching. Older road names appear on freight trains.
A good scrapbook of mid 70s Penn Central. Railfans, Amtrak enthusiasts and Model Railroaders should appreciate this volume. Just keep realistic expectations on the soundtrack.
Rating: 4 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 