Tag: Amtrak

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ATVR Reviews Green Frog Prod.

CN North America Volume 4

Complete Set Cover

Producer: Green Frog

Locations: Niagara Falls, Toronto, Windsor

Timeframe: 2005

Length: 90 minutes

Source: Rich Schied

Green Frog continues this series on Canadian National. This one begins at beautiful Niagara Falls. A tour on Canadian National in Southern Ontario is the main feature.

DVD-R. No Chapter menu. Hidden Chapter advance. On/ Off narrative option. No maps. Narration by Peter Youngblood.

As with the other volumes. Available in single releases or the entire set.

Excellent Videography. Natural environmental audio. Unfortunately, at times it picks up too much passing freeway traffic. This is a distraction. On the plus, limited occurrences.

To the Trains…

Amtrak 63 crosses to Canada

Niagara Falls is the start point. Spectacular views. Here is Amtrak train 63 as it rolls across the CN bridge. This scene is viewed from Canada.

Niagara Falls

CP Rail freight pulled by SD40 locomotives. Stunning shots by Rich Schied of this area!

MacMillan Yard

Toronto at the CN MacMillanYard. The largest on the system.

Abundance of area passenger trains. GO Commuter train is Northbound at Toronto.

Toronto streetcar

Toronto has these modern Streetcars are shown at length.

Hamilton Lake

CN auto racks on a mixed freight are seen at Hamilton Bay. Hamilton, Ontario. Noisy freeway traffic!

Hometown of Wayne Greztky

VIA train stops at Brantford, Ontario. The depots vary in architecture. Well preserved and maintained structures.

Early morning at Woodstock, Ontario

Eastbound freight passes Woodstock.

Cab ride sees a GP9 slug set

A Windsor origin cab ride in a Conrail engine to Detroit. Too bad that it was filmed in rainy weather. The train travels through the Detroit tunnel.

CN North America

This show needs maps. Going from town to town across part of Canada. Maps would provide scale to the distances and define unknown locations. After the larger cities, it is hard to visualize.

A high percentage of various passenger trains. Prefer more freight action. However, Canadians seem to prefer these for intercity travel. Some nice, classic depots are fine scene setters. It is what it is.

The previous three volumes were of higher interest. Of course, fans of everything in Canada likely prefer this over the Michigan focused shows.

Reliable Green Frog quality. Volume four covers the advertised. Niagara Falls is memorable.

Rating: 4 Stars

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ATVR Reviews Pentrex

Donner Combo DVD

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: Roseville, Truckee, Sparks

Timeframe: 1992

Length: 3 hours

A pair of Southern Pacific shows on this DVD. The Battle for Donner Pass, plus Across Donner Summit. Circa 1992.

Southern Pacific fights heavy snowfalls to keep the route operational. Snow Service crews utilize specialized equipment to do the jobs.

A single DVD. Main Chapter Menu. On/ Off narration.

To the Trains…

Battle for Donner Pass 1 hour 16 minutes

Producer: Bill Lambert, Video Rails

Cameras: George Llamas, Bill Lambert

Narration: John Leslie

The Sierra Nevada Mountains are where Donner Pass is located. Truckee is the local base for Snow Service. Snow Service Employees add insider commentary.

Spreader moves alot of snow

The Spreader is a key piece od snow fighting equipment. Crews are experienced in these demanding positions.

A derailment! The Spreader and one truck of an SD40T-2 #8237  are grounded. Get the shovels going, men. The snow continues to fall. A helper set arrives behind SP GP40 7130. Amtrak runs on a slow order and bears witness to the scene.

The Spreader is covered next. It pushes tons of snow away from the tracks. One unit on each end.

Chainsaw versus icicles

Ice must be cleared from inside the tunnels. Much manual labor is necessary. A shotgun is used for icicles. Det cord for stubborn formations. Chainsaws and shovels are also used.

Rotary Snow Train

Hardcore Snowfighting! An SP Rotary Plow is called into the battle.

Rotary can throw snow 200 feet. Awesome piece of equipment. Checkout the signal bridge. Unique show.

Across Donner Summit

Producer: Pentrex

Length: 2 hours

Narration: David Drui

Roseville Yard is the initial location seen. Richard Steinheimer appears in this show. He has additional commentary. Some of Richard’s vintage photos are interspersed.

Mountain railroading

Four units round the curve at Rocky Point.

5 units on an upgrade with 6871 in front. Blue Canon.

Perfect for Model Railroad scene

Model railroaders take note. Train exits a tunnel or snowshed structure. Cut rock retaining wall. Earth and rock on the frontside. Add trees to taste.

6802 with a faster train routed over the sidelined freight.

Trio of tunnel motors

A trio of tunnel motors on the lash-up. Haul a consist of mixed freight through stunning scenery.

A freight exits at Norden. Plenty of action around the snowsheds. The summit is at 7032 feet in elevation.

Truckee based Flangers and Snow Service GP38 units

Snowfighting is the last chapter. Remember,  these are two seperate shows combined on this release. Different coverage compared to the mass snow in the other show.

Donner Combo DVD

Donner Pass is toured in good weather and during a heavy snowstorm. The contrast is striking.

A bargain 2 for 1 release! Both shows are excellent.

Great for Southern Pacific fans. Much here for Model Railroaders, as well.

World famous Donnar Pass can be a highlight in anyone’s collection. Family friendly viewing. The snowfoghting can amaze most people.

Rating: 5 Stars

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ATVR Reviews Pentrex

The Best of the Midwest Volume 2

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: NE, MN, IL, IA, SD, WI

Timeframe: 1990s

Length: One hour 30 minutes

A second compilation in The Best of the Midwest series. BNSF, Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific  are the featured class ones. Shortlines: Nebkota, Dakota Southern plus Minnesota Central. Covers six States. Available in a 3 Volume set or individually.

A single DVD-R. Main Chapter Menu. On-screen graphics. Maps. Previews. On/ Off narrative. Narrated by Dave Drui.

Usual Pentrex high-quality show.

To the Trains…

F units in revenue service

Nebkota operates on the former CNW Cowboy Line in Nebraska.

SD9 leads a train to Missouri River bridge

Dakota Southern is on ex: Milwaukee Road rails. Kadota, SD. to Mitchell, South Dakota. This begins at Chamberlain Yard and is headquarters. An Alco C-420 and EMD SD-9 are the power for today. The 4427 leads an empty Hopper move past their Union Pacific Centennial.

Morton, Minnesota

The third shortline is Minnesota Central. Trackage is ex: Minneapolis and St. Louis. A trio of first generation Electromotive geeps with a Clay Train at Morton.

Illinois Zephyr

BNSF Mendota sub. This former Burlington Route line goes from Chicago to Galesburg, Illinois. Amtrak Illinois Zephyr blows by Sandwich.

Galesburg

BN 2770 is a GP39e at Galesburg with mixed freight.

Z train

BNSF St. Croix sub is next. More former CB&Q trackage. St.Paul to LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Z-CHCSTP9 at Bay City, WI. This being a Chicago to St. Paul Intermodal.

H-NTWBRC. A high priority Manifest from Northtown to Belt Railway of Chicago. BN painted 8079 leads.

Rum River

More BNSF on the Staple sub in Minnesota. Here is ex: Northern Pacific from Minneapolis to St. Cloud. Action at Anoka. S-CHCSEA1 over Rum River. A stack train routed Chicago to Seattle.

Medina, Minnesota

Canadian Pacific on the Paynesville route. This was Soo Line. Westbound from Minneapolis area. CP 5731 in front at Medina. This 565 move is St. Paul to Winnipeg. A long chapter.

Iowa has Union Pacific on the Boone sub. Chapter. Mainline to Chicago. Ames, Iowa.

Ames

Speaking of CNW. A pair of GP38 locos at Ames and going to Boone. The 4706 leads 4711. Plenty of CNW paint on this sub.

Work caboose

This former MoPac caboose had it’s attractive red paint traded for a Maintenance of Way dip job. Union Pacific.

The Best of the Midwest Volume 2

A diverse entry with 1990s entries. The timeframe offers unrepainted power from mega mergers. Also, some Shortlines.

Interesting show. Good for Railfans and Model Railroaders. The frequent maps are excellent. Simple but effective.

A fine show with variety.

Rating: 5 Stars

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ATVR Reviews Green Frog Prod.

CN North America Volume 3

Producer: Green Frog

Locations: Pontiac, Detroit, Royal Oak…

Timeframe: 2001

Length: 1 hour 35 minutes

Source: Rich Schied

Travel on former Grand Trunk Western in Michigan. New is the CN North American livery. Start in downtown Pontiac on Holly subdivision. Goes to Detroit. South to Lang Yard in Ohio. End of CN North America division is there.

This is available as part of a Green Frog CN North America set in 4 Volumes.

DVD-R. Hidden Chapter advance. No map. Live audio. Narrated by Peter Youngblood.

High-quality Green Frog production. Image and audio are fine.

To the Trains…

Four Grand Trunk locomotives with 4921 on the point. Leads a freight, on the Holly subdivision.

CN 6401

Notice the Operation Lifesaver on this single GP40. The location is Toll Bridge Road.

Royal Oak is next. Grand Trunk  GP38 trio in snow with auto racks.

Detroit. Milwaukee Jct. Tower. Grand Trunk 4919, 6410, 4918 on a freight.

Amtrak Genesis locomotive is on the rear end. General Motors and a White Castle in the background.

CP out of Detroit River Tunnel with a pair of SD40 motors. Steep uphill grade.

Soo Line passes the old Michigan Central building. Canadian Pacific trains pass this same location.

Del Ray Tower is a hotspot. DWP 5911 is second.

CN at Del Ray. Note the North American logo paint.

Cab ride in a BNSF SD70MAC into Detroit Edison power plant.

CN 5931 is sublettered GTW on a Northbound coal train.

Train departs Lange Yard in Ohio. 5266 leads outbound.

CN North America Volume 3

The large percentage of GT blue shall please Grand Trunk fans. At Detroit the CN paint is in greater numbers. Amtrak shows up throughout the show.

An interesting narrative contains history as well as descriptive on the action. Videography is professional. Soundtrack is the train audio.

Another fine Volume in this CN North America series.

Rating: 5 Stars

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ATVR Reviews TGS

ACE Altamont Commuter Express

Producer: TSG Multimedia

Locations: Stockton, Altamont, Niles Canyon, San Jose

Timeframe: 2005- 2006

Length: 1 hour 36 minutes

Sources: John Abatecola, Dan Cortopassi

ACE Altamont Commuter Express. Stockton to San Jose. Never viewed a TSG show. Let’s try it out.

FYI. Railfan Depot had this show as a free bonus choice on a sale. Never would have bought this. Modern commuter service is not the focus here. It is a perfect way to sample an unknown producer. Appreciate their offer!

ACE is the abbreviated name. The show begins in Stockton, California. Union Pacific owns the trackage.

A single DVD. Main Chapter Menu with a map! On-screen graphics. Bonus section. Previews. Gallery. Narrated by John Abatecola, he is also a co-producer.

Picture quality is excellent. Videography is pro level. Live environmental audio. The train sounds are exceptional on a stereo!

Rebuilt F40PH-3C locomotives are the power. This is a Commuter line. Three trainsets cover trains, 1,3 and 5. Former Southern Pacific and Western Pacific tracks. Now, all Union Pacific.

Every ACE station is included! There are plenty of freight trains that balance this program. Brief historical references with pictures.

To the Trains…

Stockton

ACE uses Bombardier built passenger cars. The day starts early and is seen at Stockton, California.

Stockton

BNSF freight with a 3 unit lash-up. The 5408, 5159 and a Santa Fe Warbonnet is the third motor. This Manifest rolls on Union Pacific rails. Stockton is a busy place with more freights.

Train 5

ACE 3101 on Train 5 begins in the morning hours at Lathrop- Manteca. Modern stations are simple in design.

Attractive paint

GP15 #112 on a California Northern move with an Eastbound freight is paced near Tracy.

Greenville Bridge

The ex: Western Pacific Greenville Bridge. Altamont Pass is a scenic highlight.

Livermore

Livermore siding the ACE meets an Eastbound Union Pacific Manifest.

Hillside Cut

Hillside Cut along Hearst siding.

Niles Tower

Niles Tower former site is a busy intersection. Union Pacific 4357 winds its way through pulling a container move.

Amtrak California Capitol 521 behind F59 power is tardy while crossing Alameda Creek.

Centerville

Centerville in Fremont. An historic old Southern Pacific station. ACE and Amtrak serve here. Train 5 arrives.

Drawbridge is a ghost town. ACE 3 travels past.

ACE

This ACE travels along a causeway at Alviso.

Cal Train 208

Santa Clara Tower. Share with Cal Train here. Cal Train #208 passes it. Santa Clara has a vintage station.

San Jose/ Diradan

San Jose / Diradan is busy with various trains. ACE, Amtrak, and Cal Train.

Bonus Chapters include 2 1/2 minutes of the Niles Canyon Railway with an old Western Pacific GP7 #713 pulling passengers in 2005.

Gallery section is a collection of still photographs. All subtitled with details.

ACE Altamont Commuter Express

An excellent documentary of this Stockton to San Jose commuter line. Great camerawork. Audio is well balanced. Narrative and intelligent script are fine.

Enjoyable historical aspects. Would have preferred some more of the freight consists. However, fortunate to see any as it is a passenger show. So, it is still a positive.

Bonus Chapters are, ACE to the A’s. Special to an Oakland Athletics game. Niles Canyon Railway with a little bit of a WP GP7 tourist train.

Nice bonus material. Thoughtful to include this for those with interest another good reason to purchase.

Overall, an excellent release from TGP Multimedia!

Rating : 5 Stars