Producer: Plets Express
Locations: Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Timeframe: 2002
Length: 1 hour 44 minutes
Source: Bradley Plets
I&M Rail Link headlines this program. The Railroad name is derived from the States it serves. Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri. Also, in Wisconsin over 1,000 miles of track, making it a large Regional Railroad. Coverage is in; Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. The paint. scheme resembles Montana Rail Link. Washington Corporation began operations in 1997. MRL is also owned by WC.
Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Live environmental audio. Solid videography.
Main Chapter Menu with locations. Chapter advance function. On-screen graphics. A paper locomotive roster for I&M Rail Link. IRL System Map is inside the flyer. Narrator is Bradley Plets.
To the Trains…
Engine 263 crosses the lift bridge over the Mississippi River. Hastings, Minnesota.
A pair of chopnose SD9 engines haul Train 960. A local freight from Marquette along the Mississippi River in Minnesota.
At Dayton’s Bluff in St. Paul. Two I&M SD40 units with a Piggyback from Pig’s Eye Yard. Destination is CP Rail Shoreham Yard in Minneapolis.
Good action on both banks of the scenic Mississippi River. Amtrak Empire Builder is seen here. Destination is Chicago.
A pair of Montana Rail Link SD40 units (307/304) lead BNSF power. Train 233 is at River Jct.
Engine 274 is schemed in Operation Lifesaver. Action at Prairie Du Chein, Wisconsin.
Illinois Central local freight train is powered by a pair of SD40-2 (6117 and 6034 OLS) engines. Dubuque Jct., Iowa. Assorted connecting railroads are interspersed through the program.
Street running through Bellevue, Iowa. Train 233 eases past at 10 mph.
Viewed from atop a bluff at Bellevue Iowa. The scenic essence of the Mississippi River Valley is captured in this scene. A former Susquehanna diesel fronts the train.
Clinton, Iowa is a hotspot. Former Soo Line GP9 (102) leads 125 and a switcher (1209). Train 914 is a westbound Bettendorf local.
Davenport, Iowa. GP9 (139) still wears ex: Soo candy apple red paint . The Quad Cities area includes Rock Island, Illinois.
Trains of the I&M Rail Link
A fulfilling show about I&M Rail Link. Many locations. Assorted power in full livery and others in original used paint schemes. Various freight traffic. Foreign engines appear to add spice to the program.
Picture quality is in the very good range. On a large screen HDTV the appearance is on the soft side. Videography is well composed. Balanced soundtrack with a dominant and informative narrative.
This tour bounces around the Midwestern area. Narrative is very informative. Briskly paced action. Sharp editing on a better than expected Regional Railroad. Good one!
Rating: 4 Stars
