Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific

Producer: Plets Express

Locations: system

Timeframe: 1994

Length: 1 hour 40 minutes

Sources: Bradley A. Plets, Ben Imbertson

A system wide look at the Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific. Coverage of 165 miles between Superior, Wisconsin and Ranier, Minnesota. Contemporary action. Also, vintage film of RS-11 power in the 1970s.

Connecting Railroads include: CN North America, Duluth Missabe & Iron Range, Burlington Northern, Soo Line, Chicago & North Western, Wisconsin Central, and the Minnesota Dakota & Western.

A single DVD. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. The video is a little soft on modern equipment. Although, videography is fine. Audio features train sounds and informative narration. Professional quality for the majority of this release.

Main Chapter Menu. A chapter advance function. Narrated by Bradley Plets.

The included paper pamphlet is full color. System map, locomotive roster and some color pictures. Nice!

To the Trains… 👉

DW&P Steam and RS 11 Diesels are in the second chapter. These are still pics that mostly have video distortions. Also vintage movie film. Fair quality on this 1973 to 1980 footage.

Switching at Pokegama on June 1 1994. This key facility is near to Superior, Minnesota. Pair of SD40 units are drilling cars here. Engines are 5911 and 5908.  This yard is commonly known as Pokey. Check that Grand Trunk Western inspired livery. Delivered with Pride on the bottom of logo.

CN 5907 is a new North America repaint. First DWP to appear in the updated livery.

Saunders is the busiest location in Duluth – Superior vicinity. CN leads a DWP with a destination at Chicago. Hotspot with the BN overpass serves additional railroads via trackage rights.

A Wisconsin Central move consisting of ex: Clinchfield hoppers is hauled by three SOO locomotives. Going for taconite pellets.

Three engines represent a current version of the railroad in 1994. DW&P, CN North American and a CN zebra stripe.

Three components of CN North America. CN 5212 (SD40), DWP 5908 (SD40), Grand Trunk 5937 (SD40-2). This Piggyback move has just departed the former classification yard at Virginia, Minnesota.

Minnesota, Dakota and Western. Engine 20 in the foreground stops, as number 20 passes in the yard area . This scene is at International Falls. The two Alco S2 switchers are owned by Boise Cascade. Number one commodity is paper.

Canadian National 5223/ 5218 (SD40) are in from Canada arrive in USA. Stopped at Ranier, Minnesota depot before proceeding into United States.

DM&IR SB TAC from Thunderbird Mine – Shelton Jct. The DWP has a connection to DM&IR here. Missabe EMD SD18 units 309/ 318 are hitting the diamonds.

DWP units 5910/ 5906 work downgrade on Steelton Hill.

This DWP move is leaving Minnesota. It crosses the St. Louis River. Southbound upon Oliver Bridge towards Oliver, Wisconsin. Lower level is for automobile traffic.

DWP 5906 leads a trio of SD40 engines on a Cab Ride from South Itasca. A meet with new CNW Dash 9 locomotives and couple of trailing Conrail units.

Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific

Extensive coverage of DW&P and a variety of freight trains. Parent road Canadian National has a strong presence.

A quality production. Video is fine for the main feature. The vintage film is fair and best to consider it as a bonus. Only the slide pictures are ruined by some video slop. Excellent and balanced soundtrack. Intelligent script.

Canadian National fans will have a plentiful amount of North American and zebra paint. Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific is a rare one to find this complete. Bump it up for the subject uniqueness.

Rating: 5 Stars