Producer: T&W Productions
Locations: Southern West Virginia
Timeframe: 1995
Length: 58 minutes
T&W features Southeast railroading. Common and uncommon featured locations. Here is the Norfolk Southern in and around the well-known but not often seen busy Bluefield Yard. Line coverage is on the Pocahontas subdivision. The famous Pokey, as it’s called by many. This show was filmed on July 1 and 2 in 1995.
A single DVD-R. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Live environmental audio. The eq favors upper frequencies. So, it doesn’t capture the low end rumble of hard working locomotives. Although the audio is clear, it doesn’t sound right.
No Main Chapter Menu. Push play. Hidden chapter advance feature. On-screen graphics. No maps. Narrated by Scott Teague.
To the Trains…👉
The show begins in Coopers, West Virginia. Filmed in heavy rain. Several Coal Trains are shown. Not a fan of multiple raining scenes. Immediately gives the program an amateur feel. Notice the lack of bass on the soundtrack.
Train 185 is routed Norfolk to Bellevue, Ohio with general freight. Leader 8818 exits the twin tunnels. The weather is clearing.
A nighttime visit to Bluefield Diesel servicing is a reminder of the 24/7 hours of the busy Norfolk Southern line. NS 8016 and Grand Trunk 5818 (GP38) on a three lash-up unit slowly depart with an empty Hopper Train.
Three GP60 engines in a foggy morning at Falls Mills. Symbol is NS 233. Destination is Chicago. A single level Intermodal Train.
This 4 unit pusher set is Westbound as it exits the tunnel and crosses on Coopers Trestle. Here is an example of the graphics. The announcer calls out individual locomotive numbers throughout and this represents much of the script, along with locations.
Flat Top Yard is level. East of the yard is a natural point for crew changes. Engine 6084 leads 6124 and 8746. It leaves slowly with a fresh crew. This lash-up has a pair of SD40-2’s and a C40-8. The unit Coal train is going to Roanoke.
Three pushers 3175 (SD40-2), 8043 (C30-7), 8512 (C36-7) assist in getting the heavy Coal Train to Bluefield. Many trains were filmed at this location.
A Westbound Time Freight 195 with mixed freight departs Bluefield Yard. NS 7015 (GP50) on the point. A Detroit destination with high cube boxcars are seen, along with general freight cars. He lets the motors be heard here.
NS 8833 (C40-9) is on a Time Freight to Bellevue, Ohio. The Bluefield Locomotive Shops in the background.
A random caboose 555036 is working at Bluefield Yard. Note the slug which is a converted GP9 connected to the GP40.
A Weekend at Bluefield
This is a good show to see Norfolk Southern using older power. Plenty of SD40-2 engines. He calls out many C30-7, as well.
Videography is good for the most part. Minor shakiness is just often enough to remind viewers this was amateur shot tape. Image quality is very good. Just a little graininess in the background. Colors are fine.
The amateur soundtrack favors the upper range of equalization. The treble frequencies are emphasized. Even the narrator has a somewhat high pitched voice. He has an adequate narrative. Overtalks locomotives way too often. Still, this beats a non-narrated show by a mile.
This quickly paced show provides a look at road freight and yard action in the Pocohontas District. It is interesting mixing in enough freights with the heavy coal emphasis. Model Railroaders should appreciate the closeup nature of the Trains. Railfans can enjoy the solid low speed action.
Rating: 3 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 