The Stormy 25 Years Later

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: Tucson, Cochise, Willcox, Steins, Lordsburg

Timeframe: 2020

Length: 1 hour 43 minutes

Pentrex revisits the former Southern Pacific Stormy district. A part of the old SP Sunset Route. Currently, Union Pacific’s Lordsburg sub. This update was filmed in 2020. A generous annual 2025 Christmas gift for customers at Railfan Depot. The original Pentrex Stormy show was issued in 1995.

A single DVD-R. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Live environmental audio. High quality Pentrex production.

Main Chapter Menu is a detailed, modern screen. Hidden chapter advance function. On/ off narration. It even lists a map and history chapter. The narrator is the familiar David Drui.

The complete Lordsburg sub is from Tucson, Arizona to El Paso, Texas. This program covers West of Lordsburg. About half the total subdivision. Right off the bat. Frequent maps and detailed information outline this route. A track profile illustration displays the varying nature of the trackage. Historical background is covered throughout. Watch for the brief looks at the tiny Old West towns.

To the Trains…

Tucson Yard is two miles long and has 24 tracks. 5

UP 8560 (SD70ACE) and 6416 (AC44-CW) slows for a red signal at the Tucson Electric main generating station with a Westbound double-stack. Milepost 990.

Cienega Bridge built over the creek in 1921. A Westbound crosses Davidson Canyon on Track One. This in the normal direction of travel on this track. 13

The number 2 track passes underneath the bridge. This track routes into Tucson. The Big Boy 4014 provides a great example! Pentrex’s Southwest Big Boy covers this 4014 tour in depth.

This scene displays some of the beauty which is the vast Sonoran Desert. The trio of Union Pacific locomotives are hauling a very long Intermodal. Freights can range in the 2 to 3 miles in length!

Union Pacific 844 on The Arizona Statehood Centennial Special. Combined with a colorful Southern Pacific heritage diesel. This is at Sybil, AZ. Milepost 1042.

Dragoon at Milepost 1053.9 is the highest point on this line. UP 2549/5347 haul an Eastbound Manifest.

Engine 2591 climbs the grade out of Willcox. It travels Westbound towards Dragoon.

Big Boy 4014 makes several appearances throughout this show. It is so iconic. Worthy of another look. This fine scene is at Steins, New Mexico. MP 1129. One can easily imagine Southern Pacific steam here in an earlier era.

Amtrak engines 72 /816 speed through the Alkaline Flats.

A nice sideview of 2607/9074 creeping with two Arizona Eastern GP8 units in Lordsburg Yard. Check the size difference between the early and modern diesels.

The Stormy 25 Years Later

Arizona is an interesting State to see. Many elevations and a variety of ecosystems. The desert crossing and mountain terrain are hallmarks of the Southern part of this state. The abundant plant life may be surprising to some viewers.

There are hordes of large General Electric diesels in lead and DPU positions. For review purposes variety is demonstrated. Besides various scenery. UP Steam really spices the show nicely.

Excellent videography is a Pentrex standard. They control any wind noise at an expert audio level. A point where so many others get sloppy. David Drui delivers a great narrative that is packed with interesting information.

The Stormy 25 Years Later delivers on a top tier level. Enjoyable for anyone interested in trains. The wealth of historical information may even satisfy some who are on the fringe of railroading. Outstanding release. Thanks to Railfan Depot for this fantastic Christmas gift to the people!

Rating: 5 Stars