Producer: Machines of Iron
Locations: Tennessee Pass, Royal George, Minturn…
Timeframe: 1996
Length: 1 hour 56 minutes
Source: Dave Gross
A comprehensive pair of shows on Southern Pacific’s Tennessee Pass route. Coverage from Pueblo to Minturn, Colorado. Volume One showcases the newer General Electric AC locomotives. The cab ride action is the highlight . Volume Two has a general overview of the line. More power variety and many exterior scenes. Also includes cab ride scenes.
This is a two disc set. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Live environmental audio. Balanced soundtrack. Professional production.
Main Chapter Menu. Hidden Chapter Advance. Maps are included. Narrated by Rich Melvin. Choice of On/Off narrative.
To the Trains… 👉
Southern Pacific AC’s – Volume One, 48 minutes
Take a westbound cab ride on July 23, 1996. The AC 214/209 power leaders have departed from Pueblo Yard. Freight is Westbound to Minturn. Train is 1CRGCB20. Pulling 87 loads and zero empties. Coke and Coal for Geneva Steel. Power is : AC 209/214, mid-train DPU 171 and 318. Another DPU is 351 at the rear. Clear radio transmissions. Total horsepower is 22,000.
Going through Royal Gorge. A forward looking view from the engine cab. Arkansas River is at the left.
Our train waits in the hole. A faster train (KCOAT) is led by SP 8500 (Tunnel Motor)and hurries past.
East portal of Tennessee Pass Tunnel. Elevation is at 10,221 feet. This is higher than the Moffatt Tunnel. In fact, it is the highest North American pass.
Passing the abandoned New Jersey Zinc Mine while exiting Belden Tunnel.
Different trains are used to represent the cab ride. Locomotive 304 is shown arriving at Minturn. This concludes the tour.
Southern Pacific Volume Two, 120 minutes
Westbound. Conrail 5563/ 6176 and Southern Pacific 8243 haul Conrail hoppers under the Highway 24 bridge.
Zoomed view from the Highway 24 bridge.
This Eastbound Coal Train is pulled by four SD locomotives. In the lash-up, there is an SP Kodachrome tunnel motor as seen from the bridge.
East Tennessee Pass Tunnel. A trio of SP Tunnel Motors are SP 9254/ 8301/ 8247. Train is an Eastbound Manifest.
Union Pacific 8016 departs from Minturn. An interesting talk on the final days of Tennessee Pass operations.
Tennessee Pass Southern Pacific Vol. 1 & 2
Volume One has the cab ride for the foundation. Much more than a typical point to front and shoot video. There are many exterior scenes of locomotives on the route. Views are always changing and very scenic.
Volume Two features exterior scenes. Also has cab ride footage. More variety of locomotives and helpers.
The Videography by David Gross is excellent. Soundtrack is strong and balanced. Smart script with fine narration. A fascinating tour of the territory.
This should be a strong show for Southern Pacific fans and model railroaders. Actually most any railfan can enjoy the dramatic scenery. An awesome program!
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 