Tag: Canada

ATVR Reviews Green Frog Prod.

CN North America Volume 4

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date March 28, 2024
No Comments on 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

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Amtrak, Canada, Canadian National, Railroad, transportation, trolley

ATVR Reviews Pentrex

Those Incredible Alcos Volume 3

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date March 24, 2024
No Comments on Those Incredible Alcos Volume 3

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: USA, Canada, Mexico

Timeframe: 1986-1997

Length: 1 hour 58 minutee

The final installment of this series. Each features Alco diesel locomotives. Later models appropriate to the time progression. Big Century road power is featured. Schenectady built to Montreal Locomotive Works.

These engines are seen on a variety of railroads. Mainline, Shortlines and Industrial service. Contains some previously released film.

A single DVD. Main Chapter Menu by locomotive types. Billboards with locomotive specifications. No maps. Narration by Dave Drui.

Schenectady built designations. C-425 example. C for Century type. 4 is the four axles. 25 shows 2500 horsepower.

By the way. The old rule of thumb on Alco versus Electromotive of LaGrange engines. The Alcos blow black smoke. The EMDs blow blue.

To the Trains..

MLW RS-27

Montreal built RS-27/C424 types with CP Rail 4217/ 4250. Brownsville Jct, Maine, a freight from Canada to the Banger and Aroostook.

Former Delaware and Hudson

Two Centuries to New Brighton, Minnesota. C-424M is Delaware and Hudson. Old number was 462. Cheap paint over marks it as 62 now. The D&H was rebuilt. GBW 313 trails.

Hamburg, New York

Susquehanna 2010 with a high hood. Hamburg, New York. A C-420. 251 powered and was originally on Long Island.

Holbrook, Arizona

C-420M operate at Holbrook, Arizona, on the Apache Railway. The 5 units pull into the yard. This being located off the Santa Fe mainline.

Alco C-628 in Mexico

C-628. The last Survivors were working for FCP in Mexico. Number 606 was built in 1966. Pentrex Mexico’s Pacifico Railroad the source for this footage.

C-425

C-425. Erie Lackawanna had the first order. Former BCOL 603 is on Mohawk, Adirondack and Northern at Rome, New York.

The gray was originally Monon.

A trio of Alco diesels at Browns, Illinois. Lead is ex: L&N. The former BN was previously on KYLE.

Reading and Northern puffing smoke

C-630 5308 is restored in Reading Lines- Beeline Service scheme. This is on Reading and Northern. A 3000 horsepower diesel. Owned by Reading Technical and Historical Society. Working on a Special Excursion Train with an ex: GBW engine, nee Reading Lines.

Cape Breton

C-630M trio on Cape Breton. Trains operating in Nova Scotia. Impressive to see these hauling freight at track speed. Additional units in BC Rail paint are viewed in Mexico, working for FNM.

Alco in center is former demo.

Cartier still operating C-636 and M-636 models. They haul ore predominantly.

HR-616

Continues with a variety of Bombardier built units. HR-616 was a modernized Century.

Those Incredible Alcos Volume 3

An intriguing show packed with hard to find Alco and Montreal Locomotive Works power. Visits multiple countries to document the assorted examples. No vintage footage. Seems to have been shot in the 1990s.

There is much more to see. Obviously, the review format just has highlights.

The usual high quality Pentrex production.

Alcophiles need this program. Plenty of surprises and perhaps unknown diesels. Any Model Railroader od Railfan should find this wide-ranging show interesting.

Rating: 5 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Canada, Canadian Pacific, Chicago railroad, railroads, railway, trains, transportation

ATVR Reviews Pentrex

BC Rail Cab Ride from Sea to Sky

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date February 15, 2024
No Comments on BC Rail Cab Ride from Sea to Sky

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: North Vancouver, Squamish, Darcy, Seton Lake, Lilooet…

Timeframe: 1990s

Length: One Hour 45 minutes

Explore BC Rail. Beautiful Canadian scenery. Exterior views combined with some cab ride experience. The action is late 1990’s.

A single DVD. Main Chapter Menu by locations. On-screen graphics. Maps. Narrated by David Drui.

Picture quality is excellent. Videography is exceptional. Aspect is 4×3 in standard definition. Live environmental audio. Balanced sound. Lively colors. Pentrex high-quality production.

To the Trains…

The route centered around Squamish. A key location on BC Rail. Freight and Passenger service are shown. Map references are frequent and clear. Ride aboard a C40-8.

A GE C40-M is 4602. Red, White, and Blue is dominant. Has replaced the older two-tone green livery. Most of the Alcos have been scrapped. A river crossing as this move has departed the yard.

Squamish

Aging Budd RDC cars cover local passenger traffic. Cariboo Express and Cariboo Prospector, for example.

MLW RS-18 #630 does yard work at Squamish. The last Alco powered locomotive on this railroad. Check the green paint!

Ride in the cab. Exiting the first tunnel. Note the twisting trackage.

Milepost 56.5

Rugged scenery at Cheakamus River Canyon.

Mp 57

Exterior at milepost 57. An SD40-2 trails.

Who wants to fish?

Cariboo is train #1. That is how they spell it! There is plenty of RDC coverage.

In the cab

BCR 4619 is standing on the mainline. Our train goes into the hole. Check the signals.

Darcy Depot

At Darcy Depot. Southbound C40-8M leads an SD40-2. A DPU is 60 cars behind. It is slowing to attach a 3 unit helper set, which is waiting in the siding here. The green and white flag indicates a passenger waiting on the RDC train. Great sequence!

Retaskit Siding

Along Seton Lake. A pilot hy-rail truck waits on the siding with a Southbound freight. Milepost 149. Memorable scenery.

Fraser River Bridge. This view gives a sense of scale to the scene. A steep 2.2% uphill grade to Kelly Lake. Continues in similar fashion.

BC Cab Ride from Sea to Sky

An interesting visit to BC Rail. This program is well-balanced. Rotating viewpoints make an intriguing show. Reference maps are useful on these remote routes.

Railfans and Model Railroaders should find this very satisfying. The spectacular scenery and a scarcely filmed railroad combine to have this one as a must-see.

Rating 5 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Canada, non-fiction, Railroad, trains, transportation

ATVR Reviews Green Frog Prod.

CN North America Volume 1

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date October 1, 2023
No Comments on CN North America Volume 1

Producer: Green Frog

Locations: Niagara Falls, London, Mt. Clemens sub, Detroit

Timeframe: 2001

Length: 70 minutes

Source: Rich Schied

Canadian National series of four volumes by Green Frog. This being Volume 1. *Offer of a complete set is this source.

DVD-R. No Chapter menu. Chapter Advance. No graphics or maps. On / Off narration by Peter Youngblood.

Bonus footage of St. Clair Tunnel. Ten minutes of film with interviews.

Image is excellent for the time. Digitally processed for best quality. Videography is excellent.

Niagara Falls

We begin at scenic Niagara Falls. Two bridge spans here. A CP Rail train with Soo Line locomotives on the 2nd bridge.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

VIA at Niagara Falls, Ontario Station.

Thames River at London, Ontario

CN westbound to Port Huron crosses Thames Rive. London, Ontario. Electromotive of Canada, is located in this city.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park with an SD40 out front.

CP Rail

CP Rail is Westbound. Train on its own track and parallel to the CN rails.

CN exits the new bore.

Exiting the new tunnel under the river. Eventually, the show moves to the American side of St. Clair River.

Richmond, Michigan

Richmond, Michigan. It’s a good Railfan spot with several freights seen here.

Mount Clemens. Michigan

Mt. Clemens Depot sees a Northbound. Note the SD40 pair with a Grand Trunk painted engine.

Tower at Milwaukee Jct. in Detroit

Milwaukee Jct. in Detroit area. Mt.Clemens sub and Holly subdivision converge here.

Detroit

Canadian National, Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific, Grand Trunk lash-up next to General Motors headquarters.

Local freight

A caboose is still used on a local move in Michigan.

CN North America Volume 1

A well filmed tour of some Southern Ontario and plenty of Michigan. High standard of Green Frog throughout.

At the time of filming, a good amount of Grand Trunk painted power is still in service.

A satisfying release of Canadian National. The variety includes: Grand Trunk, CP Rail, DW&P. Amtrak, with even more. Additional CN North America volumes to be reviewed.

Another winner from Green Frog!

Rating: 5 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Amtrak, Canada, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, Grand Trunk

ATVR Reviews Pentrex

Best of 1988

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: USA, Canada, Mexico

Timeframe: 1988

Length: 2 hours

A 2 hour show of Pentrex highlights from 1988. If you like variety. Here is an answer. A top producer, they have plenty of quality to draw from to fill the time.

As a matter of fact, there is Steam and Diesel. Narrow Gauge and an Electric line. Lifts from the USA, Canada, and Mexico shows.

A single DVD. Chapter menu. Preview Section. Narrated by David Drui.

Picture is 4×3 aspect ratio. Fine picture. Excellent live sound. Pentrex high quality.

Cotton Belt 819.

Cotton Belt 819

See the Cotton Belt 819 operate and ride on an Excursion. Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Tyler, Texas on a 3 day roundtrip. Gets paced too.

CSX RoadRailer

CSX RoadRailer with two GP40 units

These operated twice a week, between Detroit and Atlanta. Two GP40 units haul it here. An ex: Chessie C&O 6073 with a renumbered B&O 6586 at Jacksburg, Tennessee.

CSX F7A/B with a RoadRailer

CSX F7 A/B units 118/ 119 lead a GP40 from Knoxville, TN. Hauling 62 trailers.

Union Pacific 3985

Union Pacific 3985

The mighty Union Pacific Challenger 3985. Coal burning in 1988! Operating out of Cheyenne on a trip to Laramie, Wyoming.

Eastern Canada

GO Commuter at Toronto

Begins in Toronto during August. GO commuter trains.VIA passenger moves. A Northlander. VIA 75 The Erie is going to Windsor, Ontario. T 74 from Windsor behind Alco design FA. Ontario Northland. Very busy location!

Soo Line/ CP Rail lash-up

Port Claire with CP Rail freight train. The Soo Line leader 6610.

Canadian National Electric service

Canadian National runs an Electric line with commuter service.

VIA moves along the Peninsula

Plenty of VIA trains. Note the Alco designed FPA locomotive.

Canadian National at Halifax

Canadian National switchers move from the Halifax roundhouse onto the turntable.

Mexico

FCP crossing a creaky old trestle

Ride FCP Ferocarril del Pacifico from Nogales to Cananea. Another ride on FCP behind an M424-W for Day 2. Nogales to Nacozari is a trip. The trestle is creaking, as this train creeps across!

Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad – Narrow Gauge