Tag: Coal

ATVR Reviews Herron Rail

Reflections of the C&O Volume 1

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date May 1, 2024
No Comments on Reflections of the C&O Volume 1

Producer: James Herron

Locations: Kentucky, West Virginia

Timeframe: 1940- 1971

Length: 76 minutes

Sources: multiple

Old and rare Chesapeake and Ohio films from various sources. Contains black and white, to color films.

Lexington subdivision covers Louisville to Ashland line. The Logan sub and more.

A regular DVD on this one. Main Chapter Menu. Maps and diagrams are included. Narration by Danny Harmon. On/ Off narration choice.

Film quality varies by years. The early black and white footage is fair to good. Color is better. Audio is dubbed with train sounds and music. Script is excellent with many details and history. Still photographs and plentiful maps augment the program.

To the Trains…

Louisville in 1951

C&O 2737 arrives at Central Station in Louisville. Kanawha 2734 2-8-4 is the power. The year is 1951 for this rare scene. IC plus B&O are also shown, along with more C&O locomotives.

C&O Mikado 1166 was one of the 2-8-2 class usually assigned to freight duty. Arrival of Train 295 from Louisville passing MN Tower. Nice mix of freight and passenger moves.

Color is a major step up. The steam in color is hard to find.

In 1959 a rare BL2. This #1841 is a substitution for the regular C&O E8 power. The George Washington train.It arrives at Frankfort, Kentucky.

Electromotive only sold 59 units. This model was a modified F3 design. Several of these Chesapeake and Ohio units were equipped for passenger service. The BL2 was a predecessor to the highly successful GP7 and similar road switchers that followed.

They were traded into EMD for GP30 locomotives in 1962. Probably cut up at neighbor Pielet Brothers.

Lexington Yard

Over to Lexington. Train 23 at Lexington yard office. The area is visited with many trains.

Lexington Station

The last L&N led by 607 pulls into Lexington Station in June, 1956.

1971

Train 21 departing Lexington en route to Louisville in this pre-Amtrak scene from 1971.

C&O EMD GP7 5815 brings freight to the L&N yard. Note the modern livery.

B&O E8 at Louisville

B&O 1465 backs it’s consist into Louisville Station in 1969 on a cold day.

MN Tower

L&N GP7 404 at MN Tower in South Louisville.

The 610 en route to Hinton, WV.

Eastbound #93 freight is behind engine 610 as it leaves the Ashland Yard. Additional 1950s steam engines are in color at Russell, Kentucky and beyond.

2716 moves to a museum

The 2716 is donated to a museum in Louisville May, 1959.

Caboose 3545

Reflections of the C&O Volume 1

First. Vintage C&O film is rare. Not much in the marketplace. Generally, there were few filming trains South of Ohio in the East.

This collection is fairly extensive with ten film sources. Several of the mainline stations have highly detailed visits.

Film quality is source dependent. Much is grainy or soft focus 8mm. Especially the black and white footage. Some brief scenes in color are very good.

Danny Harmon is the smooth announcer on Herron Video. He is their best man.

Vintage Chesapeake and Ohio was seldom filmed. Especially steam era. This railroad was difficult to access in most places. Bad automobile roads in those days. Easier to cover railroads like Baltimore and Ohio or Pennsylvania Railroad were the popular choices.

This show provides an interesting look at assorted C&O as advertised. Well paced and constructed. It moves along quickly. The main caveat is the overall film quality. Historical value is paramount here. Vintage Chesapeake and Ohio is one of those hard to find railroads. Herron has done a good job, considering the old film sources.

Bump this up for the scarcity factor.

Rating: 5 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, C&O, Coal, non-fiction, Railroad, Steam, Steam engine, steam train

ATVR Reviews Pentrex

U-Boat Survivors

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: USA, Mexico

Timeframe: 1993-1994

Length: 2 Hours

This show is exactly what is advertised. Pentrex recorded surviving General Electric Universal series locomotives. They are still serving (mostly) on secondary lines in the United States. Mainline power in Mexico.

Each individual U-Boat type is featured. Statistics include years built and amount purchased by railroads. Naturally, horsepower ratings and spotting features, as well. Contains some footage from previous Pentrex releases.

A single DVD-R. Main Chapter Menu by model class. Narrated by Dave Drui.

Models with various statistics

The program is chronologically organized. Vintage photos accompany the video. Informative narrative and screens. Some highlights in this review. There is much more in the program.

To the Trains…

U25B. Southern Pacific 3100. Museum owned for this ex: SP diesel.

LS&I in Michigan

U25C. Lake Superior & Ishpeming 2501. Longer chapter with some smoky action.

U28B. TTI. Transkentucky Transportation Inc. fostered 18 units. Ohio River Barge Loader to Paris, Kentucky for reload. A load of empties is chased. A loaded coal move from Paris with 6 units is also highlighted.

Georgia Central

U30B. Georgia Central. A U33B fronts a trio of U30B engines near Lyons, Georgia. Passing over Highway 29 to Dublin.

U30C. Guilford. Boston and Maine 663 in 1992 at Portland, Maine.

South Hamburg

U33B. Blue Mountain & Reading 3303 is an ex: Conrail. South Hamburg, Pennsylvania to suburban Reading territory. Excursion Train.

U23C. LS&I 2304 in 1994. Conrail 6902 is working at Selkirk Yard in New York.

P&W at New Haven, Connecticut

U23B. Late production to 1977. Second best seller. P&W 2208 (Conrail 2798) leads at New Haven, CT They haul a Stone Train in 1994. MoPac paint on 4502 on Central Michigan. Norfolk Southern with 2 at Kings Mountain, KY. Ex: L&N 3281 on CSX in Kentucky.

U34CH.New Jersey Transit. Double ended Excursion in 1994.

Train 27

U36C. The U36CG for Mexico. Seen in Mexico. The 415 on a Mixed Train #27. This footage is from Mexico’s Pacifico Railroad show.

U18B aka Baby Boat

U18B. Baby Boat as Seaboard System 1907 runs through Beaver Creek, Kentucky. U18B travels through Beaver Creek, Kentucky. This CSX engine is still wearing Seaboard System paint as 1907.
The U18B, also known as Baby Boats. This was the GE answer in their U-Boat line to manufacture a smaller model for railroads.

U-Boat Survivors

A well organized catalog of the General Electric Universal series from the 1960s to 1970s. This show does not focus on vintage films. The is is a masterclass using contemporary examples. All models do not include movie footage. Some no longer survive.

GE Super 7 began with parts from the earlier incarnations. These get a look to close the show.

An obvious must-have for fans of older General Electric locomotives.

Rating: 5 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Coal, CSX, GE, General Electric, Guilford, Michigan, Pennsylvania, railroads, Reading, Southern Pacific, Train DVD

ATVR Reviews Pentrex

The Best of Midwest Volume 3

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date April 1, 2024
No Comments on The Best of Midwest Volume 3

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: KS, MO, IA, WI, MS.

Timeframe: circa 1999

Length: 1 hour 21 minutes

The third installment of this Pentrex series. Midwestern area. Class Ones and smaller railroads are the subject material. Coverage is across 5 States.

Union Pacific is the big boy of this show on the Coffeyville sub. Also the Spine Line on the Albert Lea subdivision. Illinois Central is on the mainline in Iowa. BNSF’s St. Croix sub in Prescott, Wisconsin. Canadian Pacific’s River sub at Hastings, Minnesota. Regionals include; I&M Rail Link in Iowa plus Wisconsin Central’s Superior sub. There is enough Southern Pacific paint within for a guest star role.

A single DVD-R. Live environmental audio. Choice of On/ Off narration. On-screen graphics with symbols and further train info. Plenty of MAPS! Previews.

Dependable Pentrex quality. David Drui with a sharp narrative. Excellent Videography. Professional in every aspect.

To the Trains…

North Antelope Mine to Newark, AK

Show leads off with Union Pacific on the Coffeyville sub. Eastern Kansas to KC. At Bucyrus, train C-NANW travels to Newark, Arkansas, with a coal move. Led by SD9043MAC 8032. Early version SD90MAC with 4300hp.

Illinois Central 8732

Illinois Central has a nice extended chapter. Having left Webster City, ICRR GP11 8732 with a local freight. Travels yonder to Fort Dodge Yard.

IMRL Train 377

I&M Rail Link. Marquette to Mason City, Iowa line. Train 377 is followed to Mason City. Number 384, ex: BCOL SD-38 is the lead unit. Trailing is a former Southern in Susquehanna livery. Manifest, Marquette to Mason City.

CNW 8613 with O-MIGV

Leaving Mason City. Action directs Northbound via Union Pacific. The Spine Line is ex: Rock Island to St. Paul. CNW leased the line after Rock Island closed. A CNW C44-9W 8613 is in charge at Manly, Iowa. Minneapolis to Geneva, Utah. O-MIGV is the symbol for this Taconite move. It’s a long chapter.

Albert Lea Tower

Albert Lea Tower is a rare survivor. Another Taconite move with Southern Pacific units leading.

C-NAPU

UP EMDs on a Coal Train to Green Bay. Albert Lea Yard. Gets transferred to WC for final delivery.

Hastings Patrol

Twin Cities leads to Hasings, MN. Canadian Pacific 4599 is resplendent in a fresh Golden Beaver scheme. The ex: Soo Line GP38 is operating in Hastings at the old Milwaukee depot.

Burns on BNSF

4384 in BNSF Heritage premium paint. This Manifest symbol is M- NSINTW1-01. This is Burns on the BNSF trackage. Chicago to Northtown Yard. Norfolk Southern origin. The lift bridge spans the St. Croix River.

Junction City

WC is the final chapter. Junction City, Wisconsin is a hotspot. This Canadian National freight with 5690 leads number 177. The 6 unit lash-up rolls past the camera. Intermodal to Winnipeg.

Wisconsin Central F45 6655 and SD45 6598 on WC Train 18. Wausau to Stevens Point. Led by an Electromotive cowl diesel, these are highlight lineups for Railfans.

The Best of the Midwest Volume 3

An interesting assortment of railroads and locomotives. The high level of detailed information is great! In fact, the subtitles are fascinating. One wonders when trackside. What is the origin and destination of many trains? The foreign power too. Trackage rights, or leased motors?

The combined: narrative, train info, and maps are more intriguing than the ugly graffiti disfigurements on the freight cars.

Notice the contemporary era is best when featuring scenery or a ton of good information.

One would think that map references would be a standard on the majority of shows in the marketplace. They add a sense of geographical awareness and scale to a show. Sadly, this important facet is often neglected so often. Fine work here.

This is a fast paced show. The variety and detail create an enjoyable presentation. Well done Pentrex!

Rating: 5 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, Chicago North Western, Chicago railroad, Coal, Illinois Central, railroads, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific

ATVR Reviews Pentrex

CSX Mountain Sub

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: Grafton, Cranberry Grade, 17 Mile Grade, Altamont, Keyser

Timeframe: 2000

Length: 1 hour 36 minutes

CSX’s former B&O line from Grafton, West Virginia, to Keyser, WV. This is the CSX Mountain subdivision. It actually extends to Cumberland.

This is a contemporary visit to the route. All the trains are identified by symbols and locations.

A single DVD-R. Main Chapter Menu. On-screen graphics. Map. Previews. Narrated by Dave Drui.

Image is in 4×3. Live environmental audio. High quality in all areas.

To the Trains…

Begins at a key location. Grafton, WV. in January. Locomotive servicing and yard. CSX 442 (AC44CW) heads through coal move. Train V-840 is going to a power plant in Pennsylvania. The AC44CW units are common power. This D-Tower was closed in 1999. Many of the old towers are included.

The 2667 works the yard

Seaboard System 2667 is ex: L&N. A rare find. One of the last on CSX still wearing this livery. At East Grafton Yard.

Three Fork Creek

There are many Winter scenes. At Thornton, a Q-316 rolls past. Three Fork Creek.

A return in the Spring season. The 640 is a 6000 horsepower GE CW60-9AC with an EMD SD70MAC. This departs Newburg after having 2 helpers added at the rear. Train T-862. Newburg Grade is one of four on this sub.

381 on Train U-823

Tunnelton’s approaching tracks have many curves. Hiorra Road sees engines 381 and 167 on the Cheat Grade. Train U-823 is a coal to Maryland move.

In the Fall. CSX leader with an intriguing lashup of older power. Mixed freight consist. A Union Pacific is the far flung locomotive.

Coal is King

Check out the coal train further up the line. Piled high. Memorable view.

Tray Run Viaduct with a Helper set #496 leading from Newburg. This huge 3 arch structure is located on The Cheat River Grade.

Cheat River Bridge in the Fall. Train W-510. Grafton to Cumberland. Notice the contrast of the forest between Fall and Winter. East of here is Cranberry Grade.

Cranberry Grade

Train Q-316 is on Cranberry Grade. GP38-2 #2665 is on the point of this fascinating lash-up. The old B&O signals are still functional.

Q-317

Train Q-317 is at the Summit of Allegenies. CSX 7624 is a General Electric C40-8.

Downhill on 17 Mile Grade

A coal train V-628 travels slowly downhill on 17 Mile Grade. Bloomington, Maryland. CSX 762 out front.

CSX Mountain Sub

This show offers a look at a route that is uncommonly seen. The majority of Railfans focus on the Sand Patch line. Here is an interesting trip on a similar type of line, with some key highlights in the show.

Many old towers were still standing. They are included. Twisting trackage results in great scenes. Coal Train aficionados get a full belly.

A variety of seasonal visits add interest. Some locations are quite rare on videos. Excellent map references. Intelligent script.

To hear the train horns reverberate in the mountains is straight-up fun. Listen to the motors run hard.

An enjoyable presentation.

Rating: 5 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Coal, CSX, non-fiction, Railroad, trains

ATVR Reviews Pentrex

Best of 1989

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: USA

Timeframe: 1989

Length: 2 hours

We progress into the year of 1989. Steam and early Diesels are most of the subjects. East and West locations.

A single factory pressed DVD. Main Chapter Menu by subject. Preview section.

Full screen in 4×3. Live environmental audio. Narration by David Drui.

The narrative is increased vs. previous Best of Pentrex shows.

Santa Fe Warbonnets

Santa Fe near Sullivan’s Curve

The return of a famous paint scheme for Modern Superfleet power. ATSF 101 and 102 are the first out, in this new image paint. Train crosses Cajon Pass with a Piggyback move. It continues to Barstow.

Norfolk and Western 611

611 at Kings Mountain

Bluegrass Railroad Museum Fall Trip. Goes from Lexington, KY. to Chattanooga, TN. Uses the old Southern Rat Hole Division.

Napa Valley Wine Train

Alco FP4A 70/71 power the new Wine Train from Napa, CA. To St. Helena on ex: Southern Pacific rails. These are former Canadian National engines.

Norfolk and Western 1218

N&W 1218

The Norfolk and Western 1218. Richmond to Roanoke.

CSX F Units

CSX departs Huntington

Locomotives 118/ 119 leave Huntington. These run the scenic New River Gorge with a Passenger Special. It’s named, The New River Train.

CSX at Thurmond

Bonus! The CSX passing Thurmond is too cool, not to include. Talking vintage!!

Cuyahoga Valley Line

Cuyahoga Valley 4070

Engine 4070 departs from Independence, Ohio. Destination is Akron is 26 miles away. This is a non profit. Former GTW Mikado 4070 is the power.

Trailer Train

Trailer Train Special

Santa Fe 5167 an SD40-2, hauls a Trailer Train Special through Cajon Pass in 1989. This Special Charter by Trailer Train was for a photo shoot.

The assorted TT freight cars featured their equipment. Pentrex was hired to film. This segment includes a brief viewing of container operations at Long Beach.

Nickel Plate 765