Category: Mark 1

ATVR Reviews Mark 1

Alcos, Iron Ore and More!

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date October 7, 2019
No Comments on Alcos, Iron Ore and More!

Producer: Marc S. Balkin

Timeframe: 1985

Locations: Escanaba, Green Bay, Marquette, more…

Length: 1 hour

Source: Marc Balkin

Join Jim Boyd on a three day tour. Editor of Railfan & Railroad Magazine. He travels with Marc Balkin of Mark 1 Video. They videotape this show in July, 1985.

They set out to record the still operating Chicago and North Western Alco Century 628 locomotives. Lake Superior and Escanaba, Baldwin in Great Northern colors. Lake Superior and Ishpeming operations. A bit more.

Jim Boyd is an enthusiastic narrator! The script is a little on the sparse side. Time left to hear the locomotives operate. Enough information is provided. 6702 gets a great pacing sequence!

Chicago and North Western. Lake Superior and Ishpeming, are the main railroads featured. Along with Escanaba and Lake Superior. No Chapter Menu. A single DVD-R. Sturdy hardshell plastic case.

Escanaba Yard, has CNW C628, in old and new paint schemes.

The Century engines are nearly worth the price of admission. But wait, there’s more…

Image quality is an obvious video source. Minor tape flaws appear all during the show. It is like watching an old video. Has a constant horizontal distortion bar along bottom of the screen. Color balance is fine. Sound levels are good. Narrative and live sound. Assorted maps. On-screen graphics with additional information.

On Escanaba & Lake Superior. A clean Baldwin RS12, in Great Northern colors! All the rage it was in 1985. It is great to hear the odd sounding Baldwin operate, as paced.

The pacing sequences are all shot smoothly. This Baldwin pulls a short cut. There are steady pacing shots throughout the show.

A trio of red LS&I units. Included their only running General Electric U25C.

Lake, Superior & Ishpeming. The various jobs are described concisely. Yet, detailed enough for viewers. Dock Job shown here.

Good views of the loading of an ore boat. Camera work is rock solid.

C&NW trains are interjected, from time to time.

Excellent details on heritage of the various LS&I units shown. RSD12s from C&O, for example.

Former Santa Fe ‘Alligator’ Alco RSD15, wait for a crew. Eagle Mills Yard.

Appleton Yard, former New York Central, Alco RS32 locomotives. Now working for Chicago and North Western.

The Green Bay and Western gets a single train. Street chase at Green Bay, Wisconsin. Yes, this Engineer hollers at careless driver! No, you can’t hear him.

Not a caboose to be found in this show. Let’s begin to close, with this shot of our lively host. Nice work, Jim and Marc!

Alcos, Iron Ore and More! The Diesels of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Delivers on the promised locomotives. Good visual and audio presentation. Video flaws are too much for ignoring. Very good show, with the hard to find power in service, on the Upper Peninsula and Green Bay area.

Rating: 4 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Chicago North Western, Chicago railroad

ATVR Reviews Mark 1

Memories of CNJ, B&O, and Reading Volumes 1 and 2

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date July 28, 2013
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Memories of CNJ, B&O, and Reading Volumes 1 and 2

Mark 1 Video

Length: One Hour

Time Period: 1950’s-1960’s, and beyond

Locations: NY Metro, Jersey City Terminal, Communipaw, Newark Bay Drawbridge, Bound Brook, Elizabeth, Allentown, more….

Sources: Vol 1 Wilson Jones, Phil Imbro, Walt Matuch/ bw Voume 2: Tom Nemeth, Wilson Jones, Phil Imbro, and Marc S.Balkin / video

Producer and Audio: Marc S. Balkin

Jersey Central is the main feature. Two half hour programs are combined on a single disc.

A disclaimer states that some film isn’t top quality, and included for historical value.

That is an accurate assessment of volume 1. A rough selection to watch.The black and white also has some very marginal quality. Excerpts from The Little Big RR by CNJ as well.

A ton of period locomotives are jam packed across this pair! Fairbanks Morse Trainmaster, Baldwin Babyface, Alco RS-3, RSD5, Alco Centuries and many first generation Electromotive diesels.

Steam includes: CNJ Camelbacks, Reading and a Nickel Plate Road .

There isn’t any narration. This style was sometimes found during the 1980’s. At the time, railroaders were happy to be able to obtain the train films on home use VHS tapes. Graphics and some crude maps are used.

Outbound CNJ move with New York City in the background.

The good news is Volume One is packed with rare locomotives. Camelbacks for steam. Diesels such as: Fairbanks Morse Trainmaster, and Baldwin Babyface on CNJ.

Additional coverage of the B&O bus connection service from Rockefeller Center. Ferry boat service on the Hudson River. A unique turntable for bus direction at the terminal.

Watch for a rare B&O EA on The Royal Blue train. Newark Bay Bridge is an impressive sight.

Audio is nicely done. Authentic sounds that match the locos. Synchronized sound that is outstanding for a 1988 production.

This shot says it all. Mark 1 has a plethora of rare locomotives from the steam to diesel transition era. That is a genuine, early EMD F3A chickenwire diesel classic!

Communipaw Terminal on CNJ.

Reading Crusader

Keep an eye on the surrounding structures. Signal bridges, interlocking towers and stations abound. Always something with that vintage railroad flavor.

The later Coast Guard or Red Baron, livery makes a few cameo appearances.

Cabooses are all over these shows. Jersey Central and Reading classic Northeastern style.

Highly interesting show, if not a pretty one.

The subjects in Volume 1 will satisfy railfans who seek historic footage. Soundtrack surpasses the film quality. On screen graphics or actual railroad signage have locations.

This is all 8mm film. Ranges from fair to good. Geared for hardcore railfans.

Volume Two

Tom Nemerth of Railpace magazine is credited as the main cinematographer here.

Time has progressed into the 1960s. Begins at Jersey Terminal, albeit with the less attractive green and gold livery. Reading gets major screentime. Random bits of old steam fantrips. Also, video from 1987 of Reading T1 excursion.

Reading Lines is a hidden gem. Action around Allentown, PA. This 60s era material is hard to find! Baltimore and Ohio plus Lehigh Valley are seen in small roles.

Composition is much better here. Plenty of action in a very satisfying extended segment.

Alco RS3 types are plentiful. This Reading unit is at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

B&O or Reading units can be found in Jersey Central lash-ups. B&O sunburst GP30’s too.

Naturally, this 1987 video has the best quality. Volume 2 does have improved appearance .

The combined shows equate to about a standard one hour show. Viewing clarity improves over the years.

Mark 1 has really packed the shows full of action scenes. Soundtrack is excellent. High rarity factor is another positive.

Reading GP30 helpers on a train that includes some classic boxcar views.

Railfans should find this a satisfactory release. Model railroaders may wish for clearer imagery. Just don’t expect high viewing standards for the majority of both volumes. Northeast fans can have a good time with this collection.

Rating: 3 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, B&O, Reading, steam train

ATVR Reviews Mark 1

Lackawanna Legacy: The DL&W Electrics

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date January 27, 2013
No Comments on Lackawanna Legacy: The DL&W Electrics

Lackawanna Legacy: The DL&W Electrics

Mark 1 Video

Length: One hour

Time Period: July- August 1984

Lcations: Hoboken, Dover, Gladstone, Montclair

Sources: 1984 color footage

MSRP: 30.00

Mark 1 has a comprehensive show about DL&W interurban service in 1984. Three lines in New Jersey are featured. Old electric mu’s, which were original Lackawanna equipment. Delaware, Lackawanna & Western was the original ailroad name. Merged with Erie Railroad in 1960. Erie Lackawanna was the result.

The last 2 months of Edison Era electrics are on color film. Many, vintage black and white photographs. History is interspersed within the program.

Nicknamed as Wickerliners. Anyone who has ridden in one of these ancient coaches will identify with the name.

Jim Boyd of Railfan Magazine, is our narrator. Good narrative. The service to Dover and Gladstone will originate from Hoboken. There is historical background which sets up our 1984 visit to the lines. Maps are often referenced along the way. On screen graphics are frequently used to show exact locations.

Audio is a mixture of: train sounds, musical backgrounds, and narration. The soundtrack is balanced among those elements. You may hear the train over the music, as well. Interurban programs can be difficult to have accurate sounds. Attention to detail has brought the nice results.

Lackawanna’s right of way is a study in contrasts. Stations are sometimes, squeezed into the surrounding landscape. Further away from the metropolis, there is space and more greenery.

Diesels share the rails with the venerable electrics.

Newark.

Gladstone.

August 24, 1984 was the final run to Gladstone. Train 629 to Dover was the last train of the old electric service multiple units. NJ Transit reopened with a 25,000 volt modern system.

A brief segment with the new trains follows to close the show.

Lackawanna Legacy: The DL&W Electrics is an engaging look at that service. A well done program that pays tribute to the old Multiple unit electrics. Great for the railfan.

Rating: 4 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, electric, Erie Lackawanna, trolley

ATVR Reviews Mark 1

Erie Lackawanna Volume 3 + Memories of Erie Diesels

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date December 8, 2011
No Comments on Erie Lackawanna Volume 3 + Memories of Erie Diesels

Erie Lackawanna Volume 3 + Memories of Erie Diesels

Mark 1 Video

Format: DVD-R

Length: 60 minutes

Time Period: 1950’s- 1970’s

Locations: Scranton Division (EL), New York City to Starrucca Viaduct (Erie), New York- New Jersey Branch (Erie)

Sources: John Briggs, Phil Imbro, Tom Nemeth, Joseph Zook

Producer: Marc S. Balkin

MSRP: 34.95

Here is another EL combination DVD, from Mark 1 Video. Erie Lackawanna with a third volume of coverage. Erie Diesels contains mostly the old pre-merger railroad, with some Erie Lackawanna. The basic main menu lists Erie Diesels first, that is our starting point.

Memories of Erie Diesels. The first half is the line from New York City ferryboats to Starrucca Viaduct. There are shots of a busy, 1950’s era New York Harbor. The Erie terminal is serviced by Alco switchers. Passenger service is handled by Alco and EMD locomotives. Erie had a large variety of passenger cars. The equipment dates back to at least the 1920’s.

A paper route map outlines the lines to be traveled. On-screen graphics will convey other location information. Many Erie station signs are viewed, to mark the locations, as we traverse the railway, in order. The bonus here, are numerous shots of the train stations. Some of those areas are panned by the cameraman. Puts the station in context.

See an iron swing bridge operate.

The next part of the program features travel on an Erie branch. Commuter trains are the action, with a few freight trains. More Erie Lackawanna is present on this branchline.

This show is mostly passenger trains. Diesels included are: Alco PA, RS2/3, EMD E8, EMD GP7/9 and passenger geeps with torpedo tanks on the roof.

Paint schemes run from black/ yellow, two tone grayish green and later EL.

Limited freight train action in this show. It does have a rare LNE boxcar in one train. A caboose on every freight. The black and yellow GP7 types and RS3’s are sharp looking.

Although much of the show looks good, there are a portion of these ‘fair quality’ scenes.

Film quality is generally in the good range. Some rather grainy and fair looking 8mm. Some scenes need color balance. Considering that a majority was done in the 1950’s, at least this is watchable material. It is all color footage.

The soundtrack is highly detailed. At Passaic, the downtown has auto traffic and city sounds. Birds chirp in another scene. The main audio contains the environmental natural train sounds. Very well done, and adds to the presentation. No narration.

Memories of Erie Lackawanna Volume 3

A Scranton Division Scrapbook

This is the meat and potatoes of this combo. Begins with a Mainline Tour. Orange to Tunkhannok Viaduct. The familiar paper route map outlines the tour. This show will have many locations. On screen graphics do a fine job of listing the locations.

Film quality is better on this show. It is mostly very good and cleaner looking overall. Some scenes are in the good range, though grainy.

The audio has increased volume. It is clearer. Bigger diesels equal louder engines. These locomotives do roar in Run 8, pulling heavy coal or long freight trains, in the mountains. The 1960’s to 1970’s time period did have newer recording media. Locations are listed with on-screen graphics. No narration. Maps are improved on this volume.

Erie Lackawanna puts on a fantastic show of first and second generation diesel power. EMD has many models in service. Big SD45, and SDP45 ae frequent. Older GP7/ 9 types are all over the place. F7 A/B units are seen on locals, coal trains and helper service. Looks like EL was using whatever was available for pushers.

Switchers as NW2 and SW7 in use. Alco S2 units as well.

Alco has the strong C424 and C425 Centuries leading freights and coal drags. An S2 in switching moves.

General Electric has U36C class on the point of many freights, along with U25B types.

Passenger trains are the realm of the venerable E8. EL matched passenger consists are the main ones here. Nickle Plate Road Berkshire # 759 is briefly featured on a 1970 passenger excursion.Reading 4-8-4 # 2102 masquerades as Delaware and Hudson #302 on a 1973 fantrip. The graphics also list the chase from Scranton to Delaware Water Gap. Short sequence.

Diesels return with a few train chases to closeout the show.

A mixed bag of : F7, C425 And SDP45 locomotives are the helper set here’

Erie Lackawanna Volume 3, is a fast paced, action packed program. A wealth of freight trains are the main focus. This is a fun and satisfying show. Sourced from 8mm, with great sound. It is a worthy addition for Erie Lackawanna fans.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Erie Lackawanna

ATVR Reviews Mark 1

Northeast Steam 3 + Delaware & Hudson

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date December 3, 2011
No Comments on Northeast Steam 3 + Delaware & Hudson

Northeast Steam 3 + Delaware & Hudson

Mark 1 Video

Format: DVD

Length: 60 minutes

Time Period: 1939-1970’s

Locations: Binghamton, Oneonta, Carbondale, Starrucca, Baltimore, York, Ararat, Mechanicville, Lanesboro,

Sources: Many

Producer: Marc S. Balkin

MSRP: 34.95

Mark 1 Video has combined 2 shows that contain 75% Delaware and Hudson Railroad.

The Delaware and Hudson show is mainly 1960’s to early 1970’s film assortment package. Northeast Steam 3 contains a variety of rare steam era films. Both are on a single DVD-R . A bit of a mixed bag of amateur shot films. Definitely worth a look…..

The NE3 steam show has a fantastic array of, hard to find D&H steam trains in color!

Mark 1 Video brings its usual production for archive films. No narration. A few paper route map screens. Locations and a rare date are displayed via on-screen graphics. Minimal and partially effective method. The basic chapter menu is its usual outdated appearing screen. This was a common format on older train videos.

The audio is the production area where Mark 1 fairs well. They pay much attention to the synced soundtrack. The environmental train sounds enhance the viewing experience.

Delaware & Hudson

Delaware and Hudson showcases the Lightning Stripe era D&H. There is a brief segment that highlights some old D&H steam action, in fair black and white, plus good color film. This gets the show going, but it is not the main focus here. Overall, a varied collection of amateur shot films. Some camera shake and such are here. Quality varies as well.

Into the diesel era with some classic D&H Alcos. This show is an Alco lovers dream. RS3, RS11 and behemoth C-628’s run in trios. The original cameraman really captured the huge Centuries at work. You will notice that a few specific C628 led trains are chased. These engines, in service, are worth the price of admission.

Many RS3 types are viewed in yards and on road trains. There was obvious access to a tower and yard property. Handheld 8mm film, with all the usual flaws.

Stunning, bicentennial D&H power on a passenger train chase. There is much to see in this program. It is a big grab bag of vintage D&H. There are a few old black RS3’s that seem to be from earlier years.

Northeast Steam 3

So, Northeast Steam begins with some spectacular 16mm all color film! D&H articulated Challenger type 4-6-6-4, steam engines are viewed in a series of vignettes.

The Carbondale- Starrucca line. Pushers are seen, doubleheaders and sometimes in threes, as they shove hard on coal and freight trains. This big steam feature is the highlight of this show. No years are provided, there are some location graphics. Starrucca Viaduct is included in this high quality film. Runs for a brief ten minutes. Amazing footage!

Maryland and Pennsylvania. 2-8-0 locomotives are the main power. A 1940 fantrip is around the Baltimore area. Another travels to York, PA. Film quality and camerawork, is just fair at best. A severely jarring camera, which makes the majority of this entry as a questionable one to have included. Runs for about ten minutes.

Huntingdon & Broad Top Mountain Railroad is the third and final chapter. This one is very obscure. Location reads as, Huntingdon, PA. A 1940 fantrip is quite a journey. The Consolidation #37, is hand-turned, on an armstrong turntable. Fair quality.

NE3 film quality ranges from fair to excellent. The color 16mm is the excellent portion.

The 2 volumes really compliment one another. It plays like a D&H show, with the steam of the other lines as bonus footage. The rarity of those films may add to the show.

Northeast Steam 3 + Delaware & Hudson. Tighter editing would have made a stronger presentation. The collection is original condition films. Not perfect, has some gems.

Delaware and Hudson fans will love this program.

Rating: 3 Stars