Producer: Herron
Locations: Indiana, Ohio, Illinois
Timeframe: 1956
Length: 1 hour
Source: Donald J. Krofta.
New York Central Big Four steam. Here is notable Cinematographer Don Krofta documenting some of the New York Central steam in it’s ending era. Specifically, shot in 1956. He found action within Indiana. The best part, it is filmed in 16mm! His friend Jim Hawk was along to make live recordings, as well.
What is the ‘Big Four’? New York Central: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis RR. Featured in this show is The Indiana Division.
The diesels had taken over on Passenger Trains in 1956. Cinematographer Don Krofta traveled to find NYC still operating Steam here. Freight Trains galore!
A single DVD-R. All 16mm films. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Natural live audio.
No chapter menu. Push play. Hidden chapter advance function. Multiple maps are at the start of the program. Location subtitles are frequent. Previews of two more NYC shows at the end. Narrated by Danny Harmon.
To the Trains… 👉
This begins around Lafayette. Engine 2826 is paced out of Lafayette. Excellent pacing sequences. The 2800 series are operating in abundance. The 2826 passing the Tower. Nice close-ups of the running gear in action!
Extra 2945 West is a Coal Train. It gets chased out of Lafayette. Checkout the mixed 2 bay L&N hoppers.
An interesting scene as locomotive 1524 shoves hard as the Helper. It is pushing in reverse!
Pacing this Extra 2943. March 11, 1956. Steam engines paced at road speeds. The closeups of running gear are fascinating to watch. There are plenty of various sequences included within this show.
A little bit of color film with 2826. The NYC 2-8-4 locomotives were called Mohawks. Numbered in the 2800 series, they were all transferred to the Big Four lines
April 8, 1956. Mohawk type engine 3106 (L4) backs up to a train as a lead Helper at Riverside Yard in Cincinnati.
Engine 6784 (0-6-0) switching cars at Sharon Yard in Ohio.
At Riverside, #3000 is passing King Tower. Cincinnati, Ohio.
Double header with Helper 3001 leading 1995 (Mikado) are Westbound. Near the summit on an upgrade at Weisburg, Indiana.
Engine 2936 will pickup a Helper at Valley Junction.
Valley Junction begins the Helper area. Mohawk class 3001 is the lead Helper. The NYC 3001 is preserved at Elkhart, Indiana. Engine 2936 is second now. The wooden Interlocking Tower and 1950s automobile complete the scene. Model Railroaders take note.
Mikado 1958 at Ivorydale.
Locomotive 2876 is performing local switching at Sheldon, Illinois.The majority of the steam locomotives do show the running gear. Don knew how to film Steam!
New York Central Indiana Division Volume 1
Mainly has clean black and white 16mm film. Excellent Cinematography. Authentic to the scene live audio on many scenes. Good narrative which allows the action to be heard.
Donald Krofta is like an earlier version of Emery Gulash in the 1950s. Filming in 16mm and expert at capturing trains. The soundtrack sets this apart from many programs from the Transition Era.
A must have for New York Central fans and Model Railroaders. All Steam Railfans should find this a worthwhile addition to collections.
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 