Producer Herron Rail Video
Locations: Cincinnati
Timeframe: 1955- 1956
Length: 64 minutes
Source: David J Kreines
Multiple visits by David Kreines to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1955-1956 to film Steam. Railroads included: B&O, New York Central, plus Norfolk and Western. Several more roads in cameo roles. Action packed in Transition Era color films.
A single DVD. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. All color films, but extremely grainy on HDTV. Authentic audio for: B&O, NYC and N&W. * Low film quality warning for HDTV. Keep reading for a complete overview.
Main Chapter Menu. Choices of narrated or non-narrated. Maps that provide a general overview of CUT trackage. Narrated by Danny Harmon. There are previews after the feature.
To the Trains…
In May 1956, a New York Central Hudson J3a #5405 departs with The Queen City. A Detroit bound move. The L&N on The Flamingo. Also C&O ‘George Washington’.
A New York Central Freight Transfer eases past.
Norfolk and Western 613 on ‘The Cavalier’ leaves CUT. This runs local service en route to Norfolk. The trip takes over 21 hours. Notice the heavy grain in the original film. Easily visible on the tender. A small screenshot. This is present for the entire show. Poor imagery quality ruins the film collection in this program. A serious failing on large screen viewing, as the grain issue is magnified.
New York Central Mohawk 3126 (L3 class) departs on CUT Southside. May 5, 1956. It hauls The Chicago Special.
A random B&O Pacific enters with a train.
Louisville and Nashville running extra Passenger Trains on Kentucky Derby Day. A ‘Big Emma’ 2-8-4. Number 1960 is moving out with The Derby Special.
B&O Pacific 5317. Formerly, President Garfield. It backs to the roundhouse turntable after a wash. Checkout the blue paint scheme!
Baltimore and Ohio 5303 (4-6-2) is ready to depart with The Cincinnatian in 1956. Baldwin Locomotive Works from 1927.
The show shifts to New York Central Freight in the Cincinnati area from 1955-1956. A New York Central freight approaches Stores Yard. Mohawk 3131 trundles past the camera.
This NYC Mikado 1960 at Mill Creek. Riverside Yard has a good variety of steam locomotives, as well.
Cincinnati Steam Classics
Let’s begin with the good. Danny Harmon delivers a smooth, informative narrative. The Cinematographer has well composed scenes. Excellent authentic live sound. Sharp editing and a quick pace.
The concerns. Very grainy film. On a large HDTV this becomes unwatchable. Not the usual Herron Video quality. This quickly causes eye strain! Extremely disappointed. Alternative is a small, laptop screen has a passable picture.
Sum total on picture. Unfortunately, this release is a poor one for HDTV viewing. Unwatchable! However, on an 11 inch laptop screen a different result. Appears to still be a grainy or dirty picture. Yet, liveable. Keep expectations realistic.
An odd set of results. Depends on the screen size of your equipment. Unacceptable for HDTV. Recommended are the Donald Kroft films on Herron Rail Video. Similar material in high quality.
Rating: 1 Star
