Category: A&R Productions

A&R Productions ATVR Reviews

Action at Ayer, MA

Producer: A&R

Locations: Ayer

Timeframe: 2000- 2001

Length: 1 hour 40 minutes

Source: Chester Kamuda

The hit or miss A&R label with Guilford at Ayer, Massachusetts. This was a major city on the old Boston and Maine. It is still a key center in the Guilford era with a classification yard. Featured are Guilford and MBTA railroads.

A single DVD-R. No Chapter menu. There is a chapter advance. Map. Narrated by Aaron Gonthier.

Hi 8 video is the source. Live environmental audio. Chester shoots plenty of the consists. This enhances the trainwatching experience. Film quality is similar to his other Hi 8 videos. Well composed, albeit a little soft on imagery. Occasional tape flaws. Sound levels are good. Although the wind kicks up at times.

Additional foreign power, CSX, Conrail paint, Norfolk Southern

To the Trains…

Ayer Tower

B&M 335 leads a lash-up of engines. This freight creeps past the interlocking tower with mixed freight cars.

MEC 312

GP40 MEC 312 with the local waits for clearance as traffic piles up.

Ayer

1009 stops with a Commuter train.

Ayer

High Hood SD45 Springfield Terminal is in this lash-up at Ayer.

Shirley

300 blasts through Shirley. This is West of Ayer.

Ayer

In Dec 2001, a Springfield Terminal fronts a Westbound.

Springfield Terminal SD26 621 is performing some switching. A rebuilt former Santa Fe SD24 locomotive.

Action at Ayer, MA.

Guilford has the majority of time. MBTA an occasional move. This is a slow paced show. Many scenes are at yard speed. Drilling cars quite often.

The action is trackside. Trains often fill the screen. Model Railroaders should appreciate the close-up views. It feels like Railfanning.

Chester with excellent Videography. The relaxed narration allows the train sounds to be well heard. Yet, Aaron doesn’t drop the narration for too long. Balanced.

Now, there is a limited selection of Guilford on the market. This is a fine release. Some others are marginal shows.

Guilford is available in a fine release. Come and get some.

Rating: 4 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Guilford, MBTA, Train DVD

A&R Productions ATVR Reviews

CSX- Point of Rocks to Harper’s Ferry

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date January 15, 2024
No Comments on CSX- Point of Rocks to Harper’s Ferry

Producer: A&R

Locations: Point of Rocks, Brunswick, Harper’s Ferry

Timeframe: 1995- 2007

Length: 1 hour 58 minutes

Source: Chester Kamuda

This features former B&O trackage on CSX. Point of Rocks, Brunswick to Harper’s Ferry, Maryland. Trains by CSX, Amtrak, and Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC). Shot in different years and seasons. A constant parade of trains.

A single DVD-R. No Chapter menu. Maps. Hidden chapter advance function. Narrated by Aaron Gonthier.

Filmed in Hi 8 video. Live environmental audio. Appearance is fine, if slightly soft. Good audio levels, if a bit loud at times. Occasional tape flaws, but nothing serious. Chester Kamuda is a good videographer.

To the trains…

Point of Rocks has a distinctive station. The two diverging routes result in a busy hotspot here. A route to Washington, DC. and the other to Baltimore. Assorted freights and passenger traffic have this an excellent hotspot.

Harper’s Ferry splits off to Winchester, Virginia. The other goes Martinsburg, West Virginia. This line is the path to Sand Patch Grade.

Point of Rocks

MARC running F units and E8/ 9 Electromotive power. Watch for ex: Burlington Northern E9A units. MARC 84 with an ex: BN at the track split.

Capitol Limited

Amtrak Capitol Limited is Eastbound. Not a stop here.

Shadow is railfanning, as Chester films

Chester’s dog Shadow surveys CSX 614. He includes many freight cars. These consists were of mostly railroad owned equipment at this time. Graffiti is not yet dominant.

Rock Train

6406 on a Westbound Rock Train eases past the camera. Hear those turbochargers wind up!

Brunswick

At Brunswick 8479 leads gray paint 8388 on a Unit Coal. This scene is from 1995.

8572 helper at the rear

A pair of helpers shove on the Coal move.

Tower at Brunswick

Freights and Passenger trains pass the Tower.

Former Baltimore and Ohio bridge

An old B&O stone bridge hosts assorted trains.

Harper’s Ferry local

Classic scenes at Harper’s Ferry. Wearing heavily weathered Family Lines paint. GE CSX 7032 with a local freight.

Harper’s Ferry 1997

CSX 2226 is a Road Slug, from a GP 30 conversion. Freight train to Winchester. 1997 action at Harper’s Ferry.

CSX caboose

A rare caboose is needed for reverse moves.

CSX- Point of Rocks to Harper’s Ferry

A Railfans delight! Basically, it is a trackside visit to the highlight areas. The time passes quickly. A high percentage of the consists are seen. Clear views of power lash-ups.

A nice variety of freights and passenger trains. The speeds vary. Some quick while others at yard limit. Excellent for Model Railroaders. It’s not too bad on idiot applied graffiti. Many cars are clean.

Footage and audio are satisfactory. Narrative is limited and pretty basic. Still, it is good enough to avoid a non narrated snoozefest.

Give it consideration for showing the train consists.

CSX and railfans should find this enjoyable. Model Railroaders will find the consists informative to see.

Rating: 4 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Amtrak, CSX, non-fiction

A&R Productions ATVR Reviews

CSX on the Tracks of the C&O

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date May 31, 2019
No Comments on CSX on the Tracks of the C&O

Producer: A&R

Timeframe: 1995-2000

Locations: Lynchburg to Kenova

Length: 1 hour 40 minutes

Source: Chester Kumada

Self guided tour of the given route. Third generation CSX locomotives. Unit coal trains. Not much in the way of variety. The most interesting aspect is the history. Yet, nothing is learned.

A major flaw. This show is advertised as ‘Narrated’. The terminology of narration. Commonly refers to a voiceover that is present throughout the program.

Here, a limited bit of talk, at the beginning. After that brief portion. The remaining 90 minutes are NOT narrated!

A single route map. One look is all that is given.

The edits are rough, in too many spots. Contributed uncomfortable viewing session. Hard on the eyesight.

A small horizontal distortion bar is present at the bottom of the screen. Always there.

Audio is whatever the High 8 Videocam recorded. Unedited. Including, the cameraman getting hassled to give some identification info!

The dark paint is seen at Lynchburg, Virginia.

Wind noise gets too loud at times. This should have been edited, in the Post production.

The show plays like a raw video. The show contains some normal video flaws. Nothing to be a big concern. Just like watching a tape.

Chester uses his camera as handheld. A fairly, steady hand. Although, there are shaky scenes. A little trimming could have smoothed some of this out of the show.

A wasted opportunity to explore some history of the locations. Sometimes, a bit of signage designated a location. Otherwise, your guess is good as mine.

Unit coal trains are as thrilling as watching paint dry. They could have discussed, the various moves and the companies involved. At the very least.

Clifton Forge has a large yard. Now, there is a subject! Speaking of narration. This ex:B&O GP40 is cutout of the lash-up on a coal train. Dropped at the yard. No details.

Chester gets a great view at this empty move!

Here is an: almost but no cigar, GP30. A road slug. CSX 2211.

A couple of Amtrak scenes. One at the platform is The Cardinal. The Public Address via the video microphone.

Ohio River, is a shortline involving coal hoppers. An NW2 and an old Centercab diesel, are performing the mindless switching. No description= mindless.

We are at the end of the show. A bit of logic. Must be Kenova, West Virginia. I have seen that Norfolk and Western trestle, in old films.

The final tally is a weak result. Lack of narration is a huge downfall. As are the other production flaws. This becomes a drag.

A regular narrative could have made a big difference. Therefore, the lower rating.

Rating: 2 1/2 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Amtrak, C&O, Coal, CSX

A&R Productions ATVR Reviews

Ohio Steam in the ’50’s

Producer: A&R

Timeframe: 1950s

Locations: Ohio

Length: 1 hour 40 minutes

Source: Ed Birch, Sr.

A fabulous collection of classic steam. Filmed during the 1950s. Ed Birch shot all of this, in full color. He was on a high level. This covers several railroads.

Baltimore and Ohio, Nickel Plate, New York Central plus Pennsylvania Railroad. Special guest stars, are big Santa Fe 5000 class power!

There is even a little Grand Trunk Western. Cameos of Detroit interurbans.

A sprinkling of early diesels appear.

There is no Chapter Menu. No maps either. Dubbed sound for the trains. Good sound levels. Some scenes work better than others.

Carrothers Tower, with Pennsylvania Railroad signage

Narration by Aaron Gonthier. Basic script. Locomotives and locations. Additional information.

Excellent looking films! Some occasional flaring. Very clean. Fine Cinematography.

Too much to get it all here. Hit some highlights. Not in running order.

Baltimore and Ohio had moved steam into this area. Their behemoth, EM-1 can be found operating with a Pacific. Going to Wheeling.

EM-1, in a flurry of scenes around the yard.

Ride into Deschler. On a B&O passenger train. Quick trip. Much happens at busy Deschler station. The inclusion of railroad structures are valuable.

4618 leaves Deschler, with a friendly wave from the Engineer.

5301 Cincinnatian. Streamlined Pacific stops at Deschler. Ride this train to Toledo.

New York Central. Niagara 6014 departs with a passenger train. Toledo.

Central Union Terminal. A modern passenger station. Built in 1950.

Grafton, West Virginia. An important B&O facility. A good visit there.

B&O 4453 getting water. Fascinating scene, 50 ton hoppers elevated.

Cincinnatian to Detroit. PCC cars on Woodward Ave.

Grand Trunk Western Station. Milwaukee Junction. See the locomotive service area. A bit dark. Time of day perhaps. Notice, how they do not promote this segment.

Sandusky in 1956. ATSF 2-10-4 engines on lease. Model Railroaders will find plenty of freight cars in the trains.

Berkshire 776 has picked up orders at Bellvue. Nice sequence.

A Santa Fe 5000 class, on the: Mansfield to Carrothers, Pennsylvania Railroad line.

Attica Jct. This tower gives a sense of size to the large 2-10-4 Santa Fe steam engines. Note the man at the bottom of the stairs.

Tiffen, on the Pennsylvania. A PRR J1

B&O Q4 Mikado paced sequence.

A Nickel Plate Road Berkshire, meets newer diesels. This was the near the end for steam on NKP.

Baltimore and Ohio caboose,with an older paint scheme. Look at those colors!

Nickel Plate Road, with High Speed Service.

Excellent program that exceeded expectations. Non- stop action of classic transition era trains. Variety of locomotives and the railroads are intriguing.

Ed Birch’s work, will stand with any of the well known Cinematographers. Outstanding composition. This man knew how to film a train!

This show is a must see for any steam fan.

Great for family viewing. You might find yourself wishing for more…

Rating: 5 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, B&O, Coal, New York Central, Norfolk & Western, Pennsylvania, Santa Fe, Steam, trolley

A&R Productions ATVR Reviews

Whistler’s Western – The Boston & Albany RR

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date March 6, 2019
No Comments on Whistler’s Western – The Boston & Albany RR

Producer: A&R

Timeframe: 1934-1989

Locations: B&A

Length:1 hour

Sources: Blackhawk collection

This comprehensive, historical overview is complete. History from the 1830s. Films dating back to the 1930’s, document the constant activity.

The Conrail era brings the B&A current, as of the production year. Conrail footage bookends the story.

The writers dove deep on this program. Lecturing on the early incarnations, that were later rolled into the larger company.

Frequent map usage illustrates the territories. Multiple maps are posted of various areas. Extremely helpful for those who are unfamiliar, with this region.

This program is approximately: one half, black and white, film. High quality footage, for the most part. All of this, is shot very well. Also, Hudson class steam galore!

The diesel era is in quality, color film and video. This includes some cab rides.

Majority of the film sourced audio, would be dubbed. Video of Conrail should be live. A fine sounding show.

Ted Daluku performs his usual pro level narrative. The script is very well written. Chronological progress makes it easy, for even non railfan viewers to follow. Steam to diesel. Good for family viewing.

Steam powered 20th Century Limited trains are shown.

A 1932 Chevy gives chase to this train!!

Away he goes…

Checkout the heat running in that old, snow covered caboose. Baby, it’s cold outside!

RDC car provides some interurban service.

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New York Central, with rare Alco RS 32 models.

The Penn Central is a part of the Boston & Albany story. Much more coverage in Vol.2.

Amtrak SDP40F proved unsatisfactory.

Very early Conrail merger. No blue paint.

The only misstep in my opinion. The title of the two volumes. I was expecting the likes of Starucca Viaduct. After some research. Whistler’s Arches were flood damaged. Abandoned. That’s it?

Whistler’s Western – The Boston & Albany.

A traditional approach has been used to present, The Boston and Albany Railroad. Say what you will about traditional. One truth is. Traditional becomes tradition, because it works!

A&R has covered all the bases. Done their homework. Organized it all in a clear and concise presentation. Kept it nicely paced. Interesting history and brought current.

That is easier said, than done.

Excellent work!

Rating: 5 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Amtrak, Coal, Conrail, New York Central, Penn Central, Steam, steam train

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