Producer: Pentrex
Locations: Argentine, Barstow, Chicago…
Timeframe: 1950s – 1970s
Length: 90 minutes
A combination of six vintage Santa Fe films. These are old training and promotional shows. Made in the 1950s to 1970s. Diesels are the locomotives seen. They are a small percentage compared to the rest of the material.
A variety of subject matter. Continue to the review for more details on the individual shows.
A single DVD. Full screen 4×3 aspect ratio. Quality is variable by the era produced. Overall, very good for these vintage films. An all color collection with musical backgrounds. Pentrex preview section, as well.
Main Chapter Menu by shows. Short Company films for Santa Fe employees and promo. Narrated shows. The old technology is antique compared to our current era. Nevertheless, the basic principles of moving freight cars is there.
To the Trains… 👉
Team Effort
Track repair basics via manual means. Appropriate tools and proper usage.
Count the Seconds
Safety around and upon moving equipment. Common hazards. Close-up footage of assorted freight cars at yard speeds. Excellent details for Model Railroaders of 1970s.
The Continuing Challenge
Santa Fe had 12 derailments of empty cars in 1974. All at high rates of speed. A specially outfitted Test Train is used for researching causes. Cameras mounted to the underside of empty freight cars revealed the wheel and truck behavior at different speeds. Some speed limits with empties were adjusted.
Barstow: Nerve Center in the Desert
Barstow, California is a key yard in the Santa Fe system. Construction to Operations has comprehensive coverage.
The high tower at Barstow Yard has numerous details of that operation. They had 75 trains in and out daily.
Pay Day
Probably surprising to some people. In this era, palletized freight secured by shrink wrap were in the future. Freight houses and manual handling were the industry standard. LCL loads short for Less than Carload. Trucking took over this type of business. However, the railroads were still involved. Piggybacks and containers haul a percentage of the freight.
A 1950s era film. A guy ordered a 21 inch TV. The set delivers from the Railroad Freight House! Of course, it has obvious damage. Turns out that guy is a Santa Fe Switchman. This is when Less Than Carload freight was floor stacked and unloaded by hand. How damage occurs. Hard couplings and more…Many wonderful 40′ boxcars and ice bunker reefers to see. Outstanding short.
Someone neglected to lube a journal box. Train has to stop and get delayed.
The Argentine Yard – A Design for Tomorrow
Santa Fe handles 3,100 cars daily at Argentine Yard. Operations there are the focus of the 48 track yard with hump sorting.
Remember. Always, always board a caboose at the rear…
Workin’ on the Santa Fe
Six Santa Fe films covering a variety of facets in running the railroad. A fascinating collection from the 1950s into the 1970s. Employee training and Promotional shorts.
There is much to see within these films. Great views of vintage equipment. Inside looks at some operations.
Railfans may learn quite a bit by watching these films. Model Railroaders also should benefit by the photographic access within classified yards.
The presentation is very informative. Hence, one doesn’t need a Santa Fe preference to enjoy this program. Another great show from Pentrex.
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 