Producer: John Pechulis
Locations: Allentown, Catasauqua, Hokendauqua, Horseshoe Curve…
Timeframe: 1973-1975
Length: 1 hour
Source: Bednar collection.
Volume four features Lehigh Valley from April, 1973 to June, 1975. A highlight are the brand new General Electric U23B locomotives. Penn Central fans should relish the many trains on a visit there in 1974.
Many locations. Usual Allentown, Bethlehem and Sayre spots. A Western Pennsylvania trip includes Horseshoe Curve and more.
A single DVD-R. Original Super 8mm. Exceptional film restoration. Full screen 4×3 aspect ratio. Synchronized sound. Soundtrack contains train sounds, music and narrative. Levels are balanced.
Push play on this single chapter show. No graphics or maps. Narrator is Mike Bednar. Left some surprises for viewers.
To the Trains… 👉
Allentown Yard. Appears to be the power for train JS-1 as it moves across the light side. GP9 and GP18 engines. Plenty of scenes filmed from Pops Bednar’s bench!
LV 305 (GP18) is leading a few Alco C-420 engines as they storm past the Bednar’s backyard hauling the Mercury train.
Alco C-420 units viewed from the Sayre footbridge.
Alco 637 (C-628) leads 2 more Centuries in 1974.
At J Tower. Reading train AH-9 moves through Burn in Allentown. Engine 5205 (C424) leads 3653 (GP35) and 5206 (C424).
Horseshoe Curve and vicinity. A variety of trains with mostly helpers on many moves. Musical background with narration on this feature. Penn Central in the summer of 1974. Jam packed with freights and a focus on the locomotives. Penn Central 6012 is one of the pushers working at Horseshoe Curve.
Three Lehigh Valley SW8 switchers haul a heavy coal train at North Catasauqua. LV 262 on the point with 259 and 255 trailing.
Train JB3 here. Brand new General Electric U23B units are chased on their first trip West in December 1974. Engine 507 leads this quartet with 505/ 509/ 508 trailing.
A trio of 300 series Electro-motive GP38 units with a few U- boats cruise through Lehighton. Train is on NE-1. A power balancing move.
LV caboose 95047 at Bethlehem.
Railfanning with the Bednars Volume 4
The decade of the 1970s was interesting. The various locomotive builders had new and older power in service. The Bednars had great footage of the railroads they followed. In these older volumes, Mike knew many Lehigh Valley employees by name. Gives a personal touch to the narration.
This pre-Conrail era offered much variety. Part of the fun back then was the assortment of equipment. Additional roadnames include Reading, Penn Central plus Delaware and Hudson.
JPM has excellent films here and a good presentation. A map would be helpful and they usually are beneficial.
A top shelf show in the lengthy Railfanning with the Bednars series. Volume 4 is a solid entry to have in a collection.
Rating: 5 Stars
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American Train Video Reviews 