Producer: Bill Warrick, Pentrex
Locations: USA and Canada
Timeframe: 19th to 20th Century
Length: 30 minutes
Sources: many
Historical show of steam power. Style is similar to a standard television program. A good introduction to railroading in the steam years. Small early locomotives to Union Pacific Big Boy!
A single DVD. Remastered film and color corrected in 2022 by Tim Walter. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Mostly color plus bits of black and white movie films. Soundtrack combines, train sounds, music and a full narrative.
No chapter menu. Sounds like Bill Warrick is the main announcer. Secondary narration by Neal Barth as noted during the show. A wide variety of steam trains and short inclusions of Interurban and early diesels. Some steam highlights here.
To the Trains… 👉
Earliest steam examples from miscellaneous and several from Pentrex’s own 1986 SteamExpo Vancouver are an addition. Also includes some of the Golden Spike re-enactment. Best looking footage in the show. Additional early history.
The largely chronological progression then moves into the 20th Century with plenty of more modern locomotives shown. A Pennsylvania K-4 Pacific.
Norfolk and Western articulateds like Y6B locomotives are seen pulling and a helper shoving.
New York Central 5413 is one of the J3a Hudson locomotives. There are more different classes of NYC steam shown in operation.
Narrow gauge on Rio Grande in Colorado.
The famous Circus Train out of Baraboo, Wisconsin to Milwaukee. This one led by a Burlington Route engine. FYI, an older move that was apparently sponsored by Joseph Schlitz Brewing.
Grand Trunk Western 6037 at Durand, Michigan. The station was a hub point for the Grand Trunk. Number 6037 is a 4-8-2 Mountain type. Originally , this was built by Baldwin for Canadian National in 1925. This engine had an early all-weather cab and Vanderbilt tender. It was used on the GTW in both freight and passenger service. Scrapped in 1961.
A Union Pacific Big Boy doubleheader works Sherman Hill. End of show.
The Great Age of Steam
Here is a quick half hour show providing a general overview of early to modern steam locomotives and their history. This appears to be a vintage production. Based on the almost corny music and style. Likely originated in the 1950s to early 1960s.
The show is mostly in color. Appears to be 8mm. So, not modern imagery. Film restoration in 2022. Solid colors and clean footage. Everything is in the best possible quality. Historical value covering many years.
Nevertheless, a fine show for family viewing. In that respect, an excellent presentation for what it does. A fine choice for children, newbies and perhaps the wife.
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 