Producer: Big E
Locations: Wellsboro
Timeframe: 1994
Length: 1 hour 55 minutes
Wellsboro, Indiana is in the middle of nowhere for automobile traffic. However, it is a key crossing for Grand Trunk Western and CSX. The latter being ex: Baltimore and Ohio mainline to Chicago. In fact, this GTW main also serves Chicago.
Big E had set-up to video on August 5-6, 1994. They bagged 45 trains in just over 24 hours. Big E is notable for showing complete trains. The posted speed here is 40 mph. Hence, many pass quickly.
A single DVD-R. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Videotape transfer does show it’s age. Live environmental audio. Good sound levels.
Main Chapter Menu is multiple chapters grouped. A sub-menu lists the individual trains. Hidden advance function. Maps are included. A very detailed narrative by Dick Eisfeller.
To the Trains…
A three unit Grand Trunk lash-up hauling mixed freight. Two GP38-2 units and a GP9r. Train 438-2 is a second section. It is traveling Eastbound. GTW 5824 in the lead. Trailing units are, 5844 and 4625. Origin was Belt Railway’s Clearing Yard. Next stop is at Flat Rock Yard.
Soo Line SD60 pair which is a Canadian Pacific move. These are hauling empty hoppers to Detroit. Train S204 and is a second section.
Gray painted CSX 2136 leads the two GP engines on a Westbound Coke Train. Symbol is K301 to Inland Steel, Chicago. This one runs at 25 mph as it runs over a crossover. The K preview designates a Coke Train.
Daylight photography ended at 38 minutes. Here is GTW train 438. Decent lighting returned at 74 minutes. Nighttime is poorly lit and not worthwhile to spend the time. The night action is nearly 40 minutes long. Ugh!
CN engine leads a mixed bag of power. Train 392 is a hot train from Chicago Clearing Yard to Montreal.
GT train 201 hauls mostly APL double stacks with auto parts going to Mexico for auto plants. There are some lighting problems within the daytime scenes.
A CSX local backs out of a short stretch with loaded grain cars. The only place where there is some distance from tracks.
CSX Q500 is Westbound and going to Belt Railway Clearing Yard. This freight is from Cincinnati.
Grand Trunk and CSX at Wellsboro
The strength of this release is the information via the narrative. It is focused on train consists and includes origin and destination. Zero attention to the lash-ups. He probably should have narrated a bit less. The near constant talking does become tedious.
Overall picture quality is from fair to good. Old videotape shows some issues and it’s age. Just like watching a well worn VHS tape. The night videography is not well lit and unnecessary.
This hotspot was a good idea. Busy intersection. Lacking modern visual standards. The experience is like watching an old used train video from years past. If one is a hardcore fan it might workout fine.
Rating: 2 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 