Category: John Szwajkart

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ATVR Reviews John Szwajkart

Alcos in Wisconsin and Michigan

Alcos in Wisconsin and Michigan

John Szwajkart

Format: 2 DVD-R set

Length: 2 hours

Time period: circa 1988

Locations: Green Bay, Escanaba, Marquette, Marinette, and more..

Source: John Szwajkart

MSRP: 40.00

Here is a vintage Alco feature filmed in the late 1980’s. Northern Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, became some of the last stands for the Alcos in the later 1980’s.

Your standard ‘no extras’ JS release. No narrative, maps etc.. Title screens offer small bits, as general location and timeline. No tripod is used. So expect a shaky camera.

It is an amateur level production. Raw video, and whatever the microphone happened to record. This results in an unedited soundtrack of: trains sounds, crossing bells, autos, and background chatter. There is too much wind noise. The lack of a windscreen, is not a good thing. Wind beats on the microphone, the characteristics are not a gentle whoosh as the human ear filters the wind. It is more of a bunch of banging from your speakers, and plays with a harshness.

Despite the shortcomings, at times he does have some rarities. Operations and equipment, that the professionals somehow missed over the years. This is an area where his shows can become more desirable. It can become a choice between having something, or perhaps nothing .

Part 1 GB&W, E&LS

The show begins at Norwood Yard on GBW. An Alco RS3 makes up a boat train.

Boat train leaves Green Bay , enroute to the boat. Train is chased and paced. Pickup made and continues.

At the boat, unloading and loading commence. It is a lengthy process.

Train is chased back to Green Bay. This entire out and back runs about 40 minutes. Interesting the first time around. Not something that I would rewatch anytime soon.

A look at E&LS reveal an old Baldwin diesel.The engine switches and pulls out, headed north.

                                       A long chase and pace sequence ensues.

Much of the view is obscured by trees, undulating terrain and some structures.

Part 2  C&NW, LS&I, E&LS

This begins with a lashup of Alco C-628HH diesels. For those unfamiliar, the Northwestern purchased these locos as used from Norfolk & Western. They were well suited to lugging heavy ore trains. The concentration of one operational area, was more efficient for the mechanical department.

The train is paced. A lightly wooded area much of the time, between road and rails.

Lake Superior & Ishpeming made news when it was operating some ex: Santa Fe Alligators. These RSD-15 models were a sight to see in person. Very long noses and the lengthy trucks gave them a fitting nickname. They are shown in a bright red paint scheme.  Some GE power, and other Alcos, appear in this chapter.

LS&I Alco RSD15

                                             The LS&I is out on the mainline.

                          The C628 as CNW 7210, leads an ore train uphill, and out of Empire Mine.

                 Too many trees to see the train, much of the time on this sequence.

                 Eventually, the loco is in the clear. This pace rates as fair.

A CNW freight heads for Green Bay. Alco C425 #4255 and C628 are on the point. Paced and trackside views. Nice view of the freight cars and caboose, from trackside.

Marinette to see the Escanaba & Lake Superior. Baldwin 202 idles at the old depot. Those old switchers were long lived in shortline service. The horn sure is aloud one. We see the engine navigate the narrow right of way around town.

                                  At Green Bay, an RS3 trundles by the camera.

The camerawork is better from this time period. Steadier hands I suppose. There isn’t as much jarring of the picture. The overall effect is pretty good. Audio isn’t the greatest. Wind noise, crossing gate bells and more, that detract from the show.

Part 1 is a long look at a single GBW train. The Baldwin gets plenty of screentime too. It depends on someone’s interest level of the coverage. Doesn’t seem to be a ‘go to’ disc.

Part 2 is the better half of the set. The CNW C628’s are the heart of the program. The rest of the locomotives do add interest to this disc. Pacing sequences are so-so.

A hardcore train video. Overall, a mixed bag. Good for Alco and Baldwin fans.

Rating: 3  Stars

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ATVR Reviews John Szwajkart

Steam on the Santa Fe in Illinois

Steam on the Santa Fe in Illinois

John Szwajkart

Format: DVD-R

Length: 75 minutes

Time Period: 1992 + 1998 (261)

Locations: Topeka to Chicago, and more.

Sources: John Steenwyk, John Szwajkart

MSRP: 25.00

Steam on the Santa Fe has the concept of viewing a couple of employee specials. Santa Fe 3751 is one of the steamers featured. Milwaukee Road 261 is the half of the equation. Each locomotive has it’s own part within the show.

A no frills train video from John Szwajkart. No narration, maps or extras. John doesn’t use a tripod, expect shaky camerawork. The 2nd cameraman will have to be seen..

The initial steam excursion will run from Topeka to Chicago. There is an overnight stay. Heavy rains are going to be present. A sunny day is supposed to follow.

The first portion has a steady camera. Shot on a consumer grade, VHS camera.

A busy night sequence at Fort Madison. Not pretty footage. After the overnight stay, there is the shaky camerawork. Unshielded microphone picks up wind noise, and everything else!

A couple of pace attempts that don’t work. Why is this being shown?

Another bad chase sequence. The wind just beats on the microphone.

At Chillicothe to Streator, there is rain. Sloppy conditions = sloppy results. The rain continues as the special travels towards Chicago. Not his fault for the rain, but there are other clear weather 3751 shows, available in the marketplace. Why spend time watching it rain, and view a beaten down smoke plume?

                         Another jarring camera pace attempt?     How does this add to the story?

At Chicago, the following day, clear weather follows. There are some Warbonnets on a freight. 3751 is seen, and the windy breeze hits the microphone pretty hard.

Hey, this excursion is a mess, overall. Bad weather, bad wind noise, and when the 3751 appears, a shaky camera. Unedited audio includes more unneeded noise. Lack of good video editing, adds to the uncomfortable atmosphere of this special. Next……….

Part 2 has Milwaukee Road 261 operating on the Santa Fe.

This screen is the same as found in the third part of Santa Fe in Illinois. Can’t justify spending time posting screenshots, for what plays like, a set of home movies.

Ding. ding, ding by the crossing. We hear the ringing bells. 261 in reverse, on the rear!

At Steator, ding, ding, ding. here comes the train. At least 261 is leading. Freights are interspersed within the show. The scene above, also appears in Santa Fe in Illinois Part 3.

As both locomotives are readily available in higher quality, I don’t see the point of this show.

It’s not rare, or a joy to watch. The trackage may be the only reason for the show.

Rating: 1 Star

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ATVR Reviews John Szwajkart

The Santa Fe in Illinois Part 3

The Santa Fe in Illinois Part 3

John Szwajkart

Format: DVD-R

Length: 1 hour

Time Period: circa 1995

Locations: Chillcothe, Edelstein, Galesburg and more grade crossings

Source: John Szwajkart

MSRP: 25.00

This is the continuation of a post merger look at BNSF in Illinois. Here, the trip to Iowa begins in the countryside, west of Tolucca.

You should read the review of the first two parts of this series. No extras on this amateur level release. It is difficult to even rate this as commercial product. It is not, in the sense that it is edited for a comfortable and smooth show to watch. Shaky camerawork, and unedited soundtrack. This is not hardcore or amateur, this is in a home movie class.

There was an extremely high level of dissatisfaction with the endless crossing bells ringing throughout most of the previous volume. Does that continue in Part 3?

This is more of the same… ding, ding,ding, ding, ding…………

It is a pain to sit through this again…ding, ding, ding………………….

Way too many grade crossing ‘easy shots’, and irritating bells throughout.

                             The scenes do include other views besides the crossing gate.

             However, as the bells dominate the show, the gates can dominate the review.

Even the bonus section! The bell syndrome settles down near the end. Camerawork bounces around, and brings this show downward. Aren’t these gates annoying? Exactly!

There are some nice scenes, the old Santa Fe signals are a welcome sight.

                  Some good viewing at this bridge, though poorly edited. See Below.

Believe it or not! There is a BNSF freght behind these trees. What is this forest doing? Edit, edit, edit. Why do the big guys and some are not big, do editing so well? Others don’t.

Speaking of editing. A fine view of this train will appear, after this messy view. Amateur.

Milwaukee Road 261 makes a couple of cameos. You can find this engine anywhere.

It gives me no pleasure to slam shows, such as this series. Even the artwork shows a gate. Like the first release, we need an alternate title…..BNSF in Illinois: The Gate Show.

Another substandard release. Not much better then the previous volume of this series.

Consider what $25 will buy. Yes, you can purchase a high quality train video, for around this amount. So what good is this? How does it enhance someone’s collection?

Again, lazy film-making is sold in this series. Stay away!

Rating: 1 Star

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ATVR Reviews John Szwajkart

The Santa Fe In Illinois: Parts 1 & 2

The Santa Fe In Illinois: Parts 1 & 2

John Szwajkart

Format: 2 DVD-R set

Length: Over 2 hours

Time Period: 1995

Locations: By the crossing bells.

Source: John Szwajkart

MSRP: 40.00

This show has post merger BNSF trains in Illinois. The double track mainline retains a Santa Fe appearance. A timeframe beginning around 1995 promises some truly uniform trains. In fact, the only saving grace, are various locomotives. Now, the cameraman can’t control what equipment is used by the railroad. Esthetics and railfan interest are not the purpose of a modern conveyor belt on rails. Moving commodities is the real deal.

As with the other John Szwajkart shows, no extras. A few location graphics. It is raw video with the live audio. No narration and unedited soundtrack.

This reviewer has almost zero interest, in watching this modern era . What is more unremarkable than seeing a unit coal train? The answer: double stacks and trailer on flatcar moves. If you are the type who enjoys modern, monolithic operations, you may be in business.

After an opening of some drab modern Amtrak boarding at Joliet. The best of the disc! A single pass of 3751 at speed. Classic steam whistle. Milwaukee Road 261 gets a scene too, on the second part of this double disc.

Returning to the main subject; modern, post-merger BNSF…

The following 3 screenshots are very telling of Part One…

   Bells ring like crazy, at the nearby crossing gate… Oh no! Not one of those videos!

                      Double stacks pass at a fast speed. Bells continue to ring.

Same train, the camera pans around to reveal the rest, trailers on flat cars. Bells are still ringing. Wait for next train repeat, drive to next set of gates, repeat. In fairness, not 100% all the time, but most of the time.

A note to anyone editing train footage, with sound. Hearing crossing bells one time is fine. Beyond that freebie, they get old fast. While some may think ‘cute’, it gets annoying. Like an unanswered telephone. This Part 1 is loaded with: ding, ding, ding, ding, and on and on. Easily could have posted many shots, that include the gate. Not only do the bells ring on approach, the entire train rolls by, the bells ringing endlessly.

OK, so now you have the story on Part 1. Don’t forget the non- tripod, handheld camera. Shaky camera shots throughout, even on a still object. Can’t really term this anything other than amateur level. A big bunch of grab shots by the public road crossings.

Part 2 is Kernan to Tolucca

So, how are things in Part Two? Still at the grade crossings, with those annoying bells?

                   An unbelievable nearly 30 minutes of dinging crossing gate bells…. Spare Me!

                         This is totally amateur, and in fact, a lazy piece of film-making.

This type of production is a good example, of a poorly done train video. The bell syndrome settles down near the end, but it’s too late to make any difference.

Those many grade crossing bells ringing, make this one of the most irritating shows ever! Shaky camerawork, and the annoying audio. A two hour collection of grab shots.

An alternate title that is descriptive of this show…… BNSF in Illinois: Bells to Oblivion.

This is what gives train videos a bad reputation. Save your $40.  Avoid this one.

Rating: 1 Star

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ATVR Reviews John Szwajkart

Clinchfield 676 and the Santa Claus Train

Clinchfield 676 and the Santa Claus Train    

John Szwajkart

Format:  2 DVD-R set

Length: Over 2 hours.

Time Period: 1992

Locations: Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia

Sources: John Szwajkart, John Steenwyck, and Don Patrick

MSRP: 40.00

The Clinchfield Railroad was celebrating it’s 50th annual Santa Claus Train. Union Pacific #3985 was transformed into a Clinchfield engine for the special excursion. The 4-6-6-4 Challenger type looked similar to the same type, as ran on Clinchfield. Some basic relettering and assignment of #676 was performed at CSX, Hinton, WV.

There are 5 days of steam train chasing, and railfanning CSX. C&O trackage hosts the two bookends of arrival and departure. The Clinchfield has the Santa train. Additional CSX diesel power is on assorted trains. Too bad, much of it in bad weather.

Like other John Szwajkart produced videos, there are no extras. Title screens denote a little information. What day and who’s tracks, some bits of general location.

A couple of newspaper paragraphs update the excursions progress, or lack thereof. A few newspaper map shots are seen. Judge the map for yourself. No narration either. No modern onscreen graphics or chapter menu. Shot on video. Not a pretty presentation.

                     These boys don’t get Santa, but they enjoy the passing train!

The story begins with the 3985 and it’s all Union Pacific consist. Relettered to Clinchfield, and with additional cars, the train heads towards the event.

                                                      We have arrived!

Veteran modelers will recall the landmark series, Build The Clinchfield in N Scale. Later, the complete series was issued as a book. The point being: this line was very scenic, and with the curving trackage, was a good railroad to model. Check that old mine structure.

Buyers will receive 2 DVD-R discs in a sturdy, plastic case. There is an outline of the contents on the back of the case.

Three cameramen are credited to this show. The special is chased in both directions, with the Santa Claus train in the middle of the show. There is the usual shaky camera that qualifies as amateur filmed video. Some scenes have a steady view and perhaps a tripod.

               There are some good views of the train.

  A variety of views are presented. The locomotive really can smoke it up!

The soundtrack is the ambient live sound. That is generally the locomotive. It can be: people talking, but not to this show. Otherwise, cars whooshing past or a few ding-ding crossings. None of the environmental sounds will ruin the viewing. Overall, the audio is fine.

How too much footage becomes junk…

In search of a nice shot of 676. Extraneous shot from a sequence, that just doesn’t work.

Part of the same scene, shows vehicle traffic. These are the types of things that should be deleted. Weakens the pace, and doesn’t add to the story, about the train. Viewers are not interested in, the trip in a car or traffic jams. Much of Part 1 needs edits.

As with many other amateur shot productions, they tend to run too long. Tighter editing would raise the overall viewing experience. A tendency to include everything has some viewpoints being overdone. These are often made from, less successful footage.

How many scenes like this: looking through the trees, from the car are necessary? The many views thru the trees, appear to be: a lesson in, forest fire fighting, or botany.

After the dizzy car ride through the woods, a good scene of the train as it emerges…

Are the clear views more satisfying? This makes a strong statement and adds to the story. There are classic scenes, but it drags in between.

Santa Claus and his helpers will toss gifts to the kids, from the moving train.

                  Of course, the children are having fun!

The 2nd disc is of the return trip. There is much less obscured footage on the C&O.

    This shot gives an idea of the size of this massive steam engine.

Clinchfield 676 slows to a halt here. The maintenance men will grease the running gear. This 2nd disc wouldn’t play right, soon after this point.

It would be interesting to see a single disc version of these films. A brisk pace of the good shots, would result in a higher level program. A narrative would enhance the show too.

The 2nd disc is defective. This one doesn’t play thru to the conclusion. DVD-R issues, again.

You are aware of the shortcomings. Not rare or smooth…a $40 amateur show..

Rating: 1 star