Category: Charles Smiley Presents

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ATVR Reviews Charles Smiley Presents

Northeast Rails Remembered

Producer: Charles Smiley

Locations: Allentown, Emmaus, Binghamton

Timeframe: 1988-1989

Length: 1 hour 40 minutes

Source: Tom Luckey

Charles on the Northeast in the late 1980s. Conrail is the star of this show, with assorted power. There is much variety on Delaware and Hudson trains. Susquehanna is here.

A single silver DVD. Numbered Chapter Menu. Onscreen graphics. Custom-made maps.Preview.

Soundtrack is live audio. Good levels and balanced with informative narration.

Modern style Videography is excellent. Tight framing and clear images. All good on adjusted widescreen.

Tom Luckey has Pro Shot results. Trackside, close to the action. CSP always improves original footage. Excellent colors.

Conrail coverage. Briefly, it looks back at some of the predecessor railroads. Erie Lackawanna and Penn Central are seen.

A bonanza of trains are packed into this release! Many at low speeds. Perfect for detailed viewing.

Charles has viewers covered with attention to locations. Frequent map references and subtitles are visual elements that help with the task.

Historical aspects via narration educate on the railroads, towns, and related subjects.

To some highlights…

At Emmaus, Conrail 3362 on the point

Emmaus, with its familiar structures. Conrail 3362 is on the point. Numerous trains are shot around this town.

CR 8092 with Norfolk Southern power

8092 at Wyomissing Jct. Norfolk Southern are foreign road units at this time.

Starts on Reading trackage. Bethlehem and surrounding area. Some good train consists are included throughout the show.

6496 on a Westbound freight train

SD40-2 6496 is Westbound with the Perkimon branch track at right.

Conrail 5018 out front at Easton

Easton is near Bethlehem.  Ex. Lehigh Valley rails. Easton Tower still stands in the background. Conrail 5018 fronts a Piggyback move.

2342 gp35 meets a CSX on DH move.

Weathered Chessie System units

Three in Chessie System paint. Approaching Allentown Yard. Check the weathering.

D&H 7412 is still in the factory Reading scheme.

This GP39-2 7412 is a DH patched engine on the former Reading line. Susquehanna with a Bangor & Aroostook as trailing locomotives.

Bethlehem is a well-known town of steel industry. Many trains are seen here.

Allentown to Reading line. Heavily trafficked with trains.

CR 3376 led Coal Train

Coal behind Corail 3376 on the high line.

Rebuilt GP10 pair

At Wyomissing on the Reading line. This GP10 set passes the camera.

CR 6332 with mixed power

Mixed lash-up is Westbound at Sinking Spring.

Conrail Special is chased in New York

Conrail 4021 and 4020 on a picnic special excursion. Upstate New York. August 1989.

Delaware and Hudson at Binghamton

At Binghamton DH 7408 has 2 Alco Century. Northbound. Guilford D&H Number 75 ex rdg c- 424 dh 452 a C- 424 is ex Reading 5206

Susquehanna 4006 with a double-stack on the move.

Northeast Rails Remembered

This is a parade of trains. Predominately filmed trackside. Here is an excellent close-up look at Conrail. Additionally, Delaware and Hudson with Susquehanna.

The bulk of the action is mainly Bethlehem, Allentown, and Reading areas. Additionally, some upstate New York.

By the way, no graffiti!! Factory painted equipment.

Railfans and Model Railroaders should find this an enjoyable visit in 1988-1989.

A definite top-tier Charles Smiley Presents .

Rating: 5 Stars

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ATVR Reviews Charles Smiley Presents

Freight West

Producer: Charles Smiley

Locations: California and more

Timeframe: 1970s – 1980s

Length: 2 hours 46 minutes

Sources: Tom Butterworth, J. Davis, R. Jansen, J. Kuiphoff, T. Luckey, P. Luckens, R. Nock, T. Wegman

The focus is on Freight Cars. Western locations by Chapter. It is a hard to find subject on all movie films. Three main railroads are highlights: Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, and Western Pacific.

Some Union Pacific as well. Other bits of run-through power.

Single silver DVD. Factory pressed. Detailed Chapter Menu. CSP custom-made maps. On-screen graphics with a variety of information. Preview section.

Charles Smiley with a Masterclass type narrative. Many types of freight cars are explained. Excellent historical information on various railroad subjects.

The movie films receive a frame by frame restoration. Very good to excellent visuals. Multiple film sources and different years.

Soundtrack is a combination of train sounds and music. Good levels.

A variety of locomotives and cabooses are included! Unlike your average video, the camera keeps rolling past the locomotives.

A long program. Let’s see some highlights.

This show begins ‘back East’. After a few moments, we are out West.

Donner Pass. Southern Pacific and Cotton Belt. There is plenty of beautiful scenery.

At Truckee Station. Note, Southern Pacific and Cotton Belt units

Truckee Station with both Southern Pacific and Cotton Belt units.Truckee was a crew change point.

Shasta Line. Southern Pacific. Northern California and Oregon are shown. Mount Shasta is a scenic highlight. Lumber region.

SP SD45 leads 3 tunnel motors.

Southern Pacific SD45 on the point of 4 units. Train is crossing at Whitney Creek Bridge.

BN, CB&Q, GN boxcars on an SP train.

Burlington Northern, Burlington Route, and Great Northern boxcars on a Southern Pacific move by Clackamas, Oregon.

Stockton Tower. Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, and Western Pacific

Santa Fe GP30 at Stockton Tower

Santa Fe GP30 crossing at Stockton Tower.

Western Pacific has the dark green paint scheme. Union Pacific also runs on this WP trackage.

WP becomes the UP. 1982.

Western Pacific GE U30B 3056 leads F7 units and more around Altamont Pass

3056 with 2 F7A and additional power around Altamont Pass.

Western Pacific on Keddie Wye

Keddie Wye with all Western Pacific power.

Cajon Pass 1973- 1983. Santa Fe and Union Pacific. Cajon Summit to Cajon Jct.

Union Pacific DD40AX Centennial leads at Sullivan’s Curve

Couple DD40AX on a Union Pacific train at Sullivan’s Curve.

Santa Fe SD26 pair out front on Cajon Pass

A rare find! Two Santa Fe SD26 locomotives lead a lash-up on Cajon Pass.

Tehachapi SP and Santa Fe. Over an hour! An extensive tour with trainwatching the main focus.

Southern Pacific exits Tunnel 2.

Southern Pacific with a long train at Tunnel 2. Many freight cars to see here.

Santa Fe helper set at Tehachapi

Santa Fe trio of helpers and a caboose at Tehachapi.

Santa Fe boxcars on Tehachapi line

Santa Fe boxcars with the large Holy Cross logo. NO GRAFFITI! Enjoy these officially painted trains throughout.

Santa Fe caboose Tehachapi

A traditional Santa Fe caboose at Tehachapi.

Freight West

A fantastic opportunity for viewers who were not around to witness the evolution of freight cars.

Model Railroaders shall find this a goldmine of images and information.

Railfans get to see entire or large chunks of freight trains. RARE!

The extended chapter on Tehachapi makes this Charles Smiley Presents show a special, high value release. It plays like a double feature film.

Freight West is an outstanding show. A top tier Charles Smiley Presents.

Rating: 5 Stars

Categories
ATVR Reviews Charles Smiley Presents

Tehachapi Remembered

Producer: Charles Smiley

Locations: Tehachapi area

Timeframe: 1988 – 1996

Length: 90 minutes

Source: Harvey S. Laner

Charles Smiley has produced a show featuring the films of Harvey Laner. Tehachapi Loop is the subject matter. Unusual for a CSP release. Harvey also performs the narrative.

A single glass mastered DVD. This is aka, a silver pressed disc. Higher quality and more robust than DVD-R, which is common. Same facilities that manufacture for official Hollywood shows.

A numbered Chapter Menu. On-screen subtitles with assorted information. Custom made map with a high level of detail. Preview section.

Charles always does film restoration. Best viewed as recommended. Adjusted to 4×3 screen. Really tightens up the images.

The viewing quality is excellent overall. The newer videos appear better. Solid colors. Outstanding for the era.

Harvey Laner delivers an informative narrative. Plenty of historical and locomotive details. He speaks clearly.

Audio sounds good. Balanced levels. Trains sound great on the soundbar.

Laner’s Videography skills are excellent. He has some uncommon viewpoints. Creative as well.

Locomotives are from: Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, and Cotton Belt. Kodachrome units, as well. Some foreign power, though limited.

The Electromotive 12 axle diesels are dominant. GE and GP units do appear.

Harvey recalls early efforts to film. He had filmed Santa Fe F units and missed the sounds. He became serious in 1988 with his new RCA camcorder .

Santa Fe 5263 at Bealville

He seeks out cowl unit Santa Fe engines on this visit. SDF40-2 5263 creeps onto the mainline.

Shell Oil Tank Train. Seen as it loops across the tunnel. Harvey’s main interest were these tankers. Although he records plenty of additional trains.

Harvey returns later to catch the new Santa Fe Superfleet power.

Santa Fe Superfleet on a Harvey visit to film

1990 had Santa Fe Superfleet scheme SDP40f with new GP60s.

Notice the earlier scheme on the nose

December At Woodford. Very busy location. SP 9209 SD45t-2 Tunnel Motor with the locomotive number on the nose.

Cotton Belt SD45-t2 in mid-train helper set

Cotton Belt SD45-T2 in a mid-train helper set. There are Cotton Belt units. Tunnel motors are present. Look deep in the lash-ups.

SF 5192 SD40-2 in Kodachrome scheme

The Santa Fe 5192. An EMD SD40-2 in Kodachrome paint scheme.

November 1993 and an improved camcorder. SVHS is an upgraded tape format. Noticeable upgrade on visual quality.

Santa Fe 539 leads at Caliente

Santa Fe 539 with improved reds. He is correct.  This color is problematic on old videotapes.

SP 7469 leads 4 units out of tunnel 17

Southern Pacific 7469 SD45 leads a 4 unit mixed bag lash-up out of tunnel 17. Santa Fe 7484 GE B36-7 trails. Intermodal move. November 1993.

In 1996, a new camera. Harvey’s final visit on this program.

Southern Pacific GP60s with Speed Lettering

Telephoto capabilities are better. SP 9749 GP60 with newer, speed lettering.

Chasing this Intermodal train

Harvey gives chase to this Santa Fe Intermodal train.

Santa Fe caboose is about to enter a tunnel

This Santa Fe caboose is going into a tunnel. It recalls an earlier era.

Tehachapi Remembered

Harvey Laner has a great collection of Tehachapi area videos. Excellent soundtrack. Good narrative. 

Charles Smiley production is top shelf. Additions of extras and post-production. Hence, it is like viewing a CSP show.

An enjoyable and focused visit to Tehachapi Loop and vicinity.

Harvey stated that his goal was to capture the sights and sounds of Tehachapi. He felt that he had accomplished that since filming the old F units.

Yes, Harvey. You certainly have done that!

Another awesome release from Charles Smiley. Obviously, it is a must-have for Railfans and Model Railroaders. Santa Fe,  Southern Pacific, and Tehachapi fans shall appreciate this fine release.

Rating: 5 Stars

Categories
ATVR Reviews Charles Smiley Presents

BN Quarter Century

Producer: Charles Smiley

Locations: CO, ID, NY, IL, MT, WY, CA, AZ

Timeframe: 1983-1996

Length: 1 hour 40 minutes

Sources: Tom Butterworth, Bill Whitfield, Dave Defendorf, Gino Pagliaro

Charles Smiley has this release on Burlington Northern. Covers about the last 13 years of the Railroad. Eight States for locations.

Wide variety of BN power. Some pre-merger Santa Fe. Foreign and leased locomotives. A little early BNSF to conclude the show.

Single silver DVD. Same plants, that manufacture for Hollywood.

Extras. Subtitles with information. Preview section at the end.

Film sources vary. Super 8mm movie film. Different video. All restored. Mostly excellent viewing quality.

Original live audio. The 1990s sound best.

Charles narration.  Although, he states a limited narrative.  To keep the attention on trainwatching.

Predecessor historical backgrounds. System maps.

By the way. White Face BN units began in late 1989. More common, during the 1990s. *I always preferred the original, standard paint 🙂

Just some Highlights…

The 1980s film includes notable places. Mullan Pass, Bozeman Pass and Crawford Hill. Entire or near whole consists. Fantastic for modelers.

BN freight on former C&S.

A 1983 train. The former Colorado and Southern line. Watch this train pass.

Sandpoint, Idaho 1995. The Funnel. Pend Oreille River. Other towns and such. Very long Chapter. A local area map, would have been helpful here.

A GP30 with an Eastbound near Sandpoint.

The GP30 is singular, amongst a horde of SD40 locomotives on the area trains. Sandpoint Chapter is jam packed. A large assortment freight traffic. Plethora of freight cars to view. Major trainwatching.

Pend Oreille Lake.

Lake Pend Oreille. A scenic highlight.

Some long SD lash-ups in Idaho.

Idaho has SD40s that are plentiful. Run through and leased engines appear. This is a parade of BN freight trains circa 1995!

Powder River Coal Powder River Basin  GE C30-7.

BN C30-7 pair with EMD power.

Powder River Coal train. The GE C30-7 locos, lead a pair of Electromotive SD units.

CNW leads a UP Coal train.

CNW/ UP Coal train with fuel tank car. Yes, Burlington Northern has it too! There are some more surprises…

Various Locations: New York, Illinois, Iowa.

Compare 2 White Face liveries.

These 2 SD40 units are slightly different White Face. The trailing locomotive has the pinstripe on the long hood. Syracuse area, New York.

Compare the original vs. later front ends.

Although a little shaded. Good view to compare the original Chevron to the 1990s White Face.

Four axle power Savanna, Illinois.

First and second generation EMD locomotives. These are seen at Savannah, Illinois.

BNSF The closing Chapter. An interesting assortment of transitional BNSF. Mullan Tunnel, Fort Collins, Tehachapi area. Superb Videography.

BNSF with 4 paint schemes.

This lash-up displays 4 schemes on BNSF. Diverse lash-ups of early BNSF. The Tehachapi Pass area leaves viewers wanting more.

BNSF at Fort Collins.

These Santa Fe Warbonnets have the BNSF relettering. Fort Collins, Colorado.

A caboose in Idaho.

Difficult to find a caboose in the 1990 era. Idaho gave one up! No graffiti. That goes for the freight cars, as well.

BN Quarter Century

A fine look at some of the Burlington Northern. The inclusion of many freight cars is great. Huge Railroad. This is a taste.

Cinematography is excellent. All four sources have fine footage. The more recent ones, with improved appearance.

Narrative voice mixed loud, versus trains. Less noticeable, on smaller stock TV speakers or a laptop.

High concentration of 1990s era. Anyone interested in this time, benefits by viewing many freight consists.

This is a must have for Burlington Northern fans and modelers.

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars

Categories
ATVR Reviews Charles Smiley Presents

Building Better Model Railroads Volume 1

Producer: Charles Smiley

Era: 1950s

Length: 90 minutes

We shall take a sidetrack here. Journey to the Model Railroaders world. A Special Holiday Excursion. Why you ask?

This Train is scheduled to take us there!

I have tickets for everyone. Time to leave the Station…

ALL Aboard…

Like Splinters? Ride a Flatcar!

Vintage film examples are used throughout. These range from; black and white, to full color. All are targeted to specific items. Flatcar decking, Roofwalks, the Interlocking Tower, for example.

The Transition Era is the basis for these subjects. Realize that most items survived into the 1970s.

Usual fare.. Silver Factory pressed DVD. Chapter Menu. Preview section. Printable.jpg files.

Charles has some freight car projects. Upgrading older kits. Box cars, flat cars and tank cars.

It’s about freight cars. Nice SW-1.

The kits cover a range. Early metal ones, from the  1950s. Plastic kits from the 1960s- 80s. Even old Tyco ready to run cars. Tycos are very involved to get results.

Detailing a boxcar end.

He gives very detailed, step by step instructions. Closeups, on the appropriate sections. Everything in it’s place. There is work involved in these upgrades. Parts must be purchased. Repaint and decal. Own an airbrush? Compressor? How are your painting skills?

Tank Car coupler mounting choice here.

Tank Cars become involved with quite a bit of work. Depends on your level of interest.

One of the specific tools.

A key to this level of Craftsman. Besides, the obvious skill. A very well equipped workbench. Note the specialized tools that are used. A Variac with a foot pedal, to control electric drill speed. Some are machines. Others are not. See the custom made jig for the handrails?

Structures

Structures. A Fruit transload Facility. Actually, a California Reefer Loading Site. Open air and enclosed.  Basswood board by board shed. Photoshop fruit crates. Interesting.

Martinez Box factory for wooden crates. Signage and history. Illuminated.

Historical background is incorporated.

Abandoned Grocery. Distressed wooden building. Using basswood and Strathmore.

Section House is briefly shown.

Repurposing and Weathering

For those who may have built structures ahead of layout. Maybe, more common, changed layouts. Repurposing your own existing buildings. This material, might be more needed by most people.

A small Section House, is briefly shown. A few quick points about it.

Build a Culvert. Add guard rails.

Tunnel Portal and Culverts. Use your Drill Press, is recommended! I never owned one. Adding water to a scene. Adding guard rails. Good advice.

County Road bridge. Adapting a common plastic kit. Tools and materials. Installation of the bridge.

Detailed road building.

Country Roads. Simple materials. Coloring and installation. Weathering. I use a completely different method of construction. DVDs did not exist, in my era! This is a good one.

Better Boxcars

Vintage film shows prototypes. Upgraded models on the layout. Various kits shown.

Better Athearn kits.

Assortment of vintage kits. Upgrading various improvements. Many options. Adding: new ends, ladders, grab irons and roofwalks.

Interlocking Tower

Vintage film shows the prototype. Charles had to scratch build it. Oakland Tower.

The model by Charles.

Window group assembly. Proper cement and sanding. Use the right tools and materials. Add lighting. Flooring and roof.

There is a .jpg file with templates for this Interlocking Tower on this disc. All you need is a printer. Like so many people now, I haven’t owned a home printer in many years. The work around, have a local shop print it out.

Projects like these, were once monthly features, in the various modeller magazines. I was not one, to replace ladders and such. Left scratch building, to those so inclined.

I did some custom painting and decaling of unavailable schemes. Decades, before the market expansion. I engaged in that aspect. Out of necessity. That airbrush was a pain. Champ decals were great!

My local area is extremely weak, as far as train shows. It is very convenient to mail order. The higher end cars, make sense to me. Your situation may vary.

The techniques shown are rock solid. Note some of the tools used. These are not on your average tool bench. Charles does provide how to obtain information on those. As far as making jigs, your on your own.

There are great tips for most anyone. Repurposing structures. Development of a scene. Weathering is always good.

This is Craftsman level work.

I would never touch a perfectly good Kadee wheel. Some blackness wears off, when used. Consider, they are in perfect round, from the factory. Make your choice. I always check the gauge of all wheel sets and that’s it.

Charles has an excellent Model Railroad!

Building Better Model Railroads Volume 1

Charles Smiley Presents. Consistent first rate shows. This matched that high quality standard. If you haven’t grasped. He is a Craftsman level, Model Railroader. ALL his models are beautiful.

This show does offer, step by step methods to achieve his level of models. There is patience and an amount of work involved. You probably need to invest in some tools.

The hobby seems to have shifted into more of a ready to run market. I really do not know, if many people, are upgrading cars in 2022. Yet, there are still plenty, who could benefit from viewing the myriad of Model Railroad information this program.

No Rating. One Time. Model Railroad Special.

Well, there you have it. A Model Railroad DVD. If it speaks to you, a worthwhile purchase.

Happy Holidays!