Tag: CSX

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ATVR Reviews John Pechulis Media

Railfanning with the Bednars Volume 18

Producer: John Pechulis

Locations: Allentown

Timeframe: 1988- 89

Length: 59 minutes

Source: Joe Bednar (videotape)

Been slow to pickup an early videotape from the Bednar series. Perceived a significant drop in picture quality versus the film sourced shows. Yes, noticeable difference.

The positive is that good Conrail, plus D&H trains are out in force. On the other hand, Mike Bednar’s narration continues on a rather negative/ downward trend. Long past the time to stop grinding on Ardmore. Hates CSX paint, too! Relax, dude…

October, 1988 to June, 1989 for this release. Delaware and Hudson is seen in Allentown. Some Guilford painted power. Plenty of Norfolk Southern locomotives. CSX on Delaware and Hudson moves. A little bit of Susquehanna.

A single DVD-R. Main Chapter Menu. No maps or any extras. Mike Bednar narrative. Audio levels favor the voiceover. Narration is loud. Trains are lower and sound muted – even on the big stereo.

To the Trains…

Train ALSR approaches Burn in October, 1988. AL designation for Allentown. SR is not disclosed. Conrail 3219 leads.

Conrail train Mail 9. Led by a General Electric locomotive number 5035. These 5000 series were targeted for Mail Train service.

At the familiar curve called Allen. CSX 7051 still wearing Family Lines livery.

Access seems focused to Burn, Allen, and the yard leads at the Western end. Note the fuzzy picture. The vertical lines on both sides appear intermittently but frequently throughout this show.

Videography is a step down from the earlier sharp film based shows. Many grab shots appear handheld. Continuing focus problems. While the assorted power lash-ups are interesting. The lower video quality is a drag.

D&H PYRP goes through Allentown Yard with CSX locomotives. 6521 GP40 leads. November,  1988.

The Allentown Conrail tracks are very  busy! Plenty of foreign power in the lash-ups. CSX and Norfolk Southern are commen.  There are still some cabooses in service.

Former Reading 7412 is a D&H patch job. Note the Susquehanna F45 in the lashup at Burn. In this show, CP Burn is a regular hangout for Joe Bednar.

Couple of freights at the West End.

He shoots at the West End of Allenton Yard. These SD40-2 engines head both moves in 1989. Action is viewed on the ground. The panoramic yard views are very limited in Volume 18.

ALCA adds to the street blockage. Even Pops complains about more SD40s. Those were the standard and seemingly everywhere. The progression of railroad standardization. Good for railroads. Less interesting for those who went trackside.

D&H

Guilford painted Delaware & Hudson on the West End.

Conrail N5C

Conrail caboose at Allentown in 1989.

Railfanning with the Bednars Volume 18.

I passed on some earlier Bednar videotape based shows. Pretty much what I expected here. The timeframes are close. Not a whole bunch changes for Conrail in a short window. Yes, the D&H plus Susquehanna offer the most noticeable changes in this latter part of the long running series. A fine variety on the D&H trains.

There are videotape flaws throughout the show. Good colors. Focus is a problem throughout. It is annoying. Closeups fare somewhat better. Live audio at a lower level to the narrative. Earlier shows are better balanced.

All in all. It is one of the weakest volumes in the series. To value rate this show. It is not a good value for the price. Conrail is a common railroad. Easy to obtain in much higher quality.  There is no need to be forking out good money for the other videotape volumes with the significant  decline in quality.

Bump it up for the Delaware and Hudson locomotive variety. Barely rates a good show.

Rating: 3 Stars

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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

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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

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ATVR Reviews Broken Knuckle

A Railfan’s Adventure in The Cornbelt

Producer: Kenneth Buckman

Locations: LaGrange, Galesburg, Terre Haute, more

Timeframe: 2003

Length: 3 1/2 hours

Source: Kenneth Buckman

An eight day tour of some Illinois and Western Indiana action. A cornucopia of trains.

No main Chapter Menu. Hidden chapter advance. Detailed on screen graphics. No maps. Narrated by Kenneth Buckman.

A 2 DVD-R set. Video looks very good. Live environmental audio. Excellent sound. Typical hazy skies. One of those horizontal distorted bars along the bottom edge.

There are many trains over the double disc release. We shall view a small sample. He films a good amount of the freight consists. Hence, the long run time.

To the Trains…

Kenneth took an Amtrak to Chicago in May, 2003. Underdressed for the chilly temperatures. Guess he I didn’t know that it can snow there until summer! Buys a cheap sweatshirt. Good job! Why Chicagoans move South…

LaGrange

He begins at the BNSF overpass of Indiana Harbor Belt. This is in LaGrange, Illinois. Checkout all the train data on-screen.

LaGrange Road

LaGrange Road Station is next up. SD40-2 and 2 SD9 on a junk train. Plenty of action on the BN Racetrack.

Pimento, IN.

Effingham, IL is a well-known hotspot. He vestibules on the rear of The Illini. Driven to Terre Haute, Indiana. A CSX Intermodal passes this waiting Wisconsin Central Coal Train led by 7517 at Pimento, IN. June 1, 2003.

Union Pacific 6869

Plenty of trains from Union Pacific, CSX, and some Wisconsin Central in the general area includes Terre Haute. UP 6869 on.a Unit Coal at Midland Jct., IN.

Soo Line on the lead

A Canadian Pacific powered #889. Empty Coke Train is led by a Soo Line engine. Lafayette to Jasonville, IN. The Spring Hill Interlocking Tower has been moved.

Effingham 2716 switcher

Effingham Railroad. Extended visit. Ride an end cab switcher. Spot cars at Krispy Kreme. 58m.

Train M338

Effingham Depot yields a Southbound Illinois Central powered freight. Train M338 behind 6141, 6122, 6251- OLS and CN 755 on 4 units. Waterloo, IA to Centralia. IL.

Huge Galesburg Yard. Santa Fe renumbered 6205 is a remote control locomotive.

Disc Two

Edelstein Hill

BNSF Z – WSPNBY – 9. Willow Springs, IL to North Bay Yard, CA. Edelstein Hill. Chillicothe subdivision. A busy place with BNSF and CSX traffic.

Chillicothe sub

CSX with 5 engines on Houlihan’s Curve. One of the heaviest and longest moves on CSX.

Auto racks

On former C&EI Rails. Union Pacific 4790 goes to Proviso Yard.

NS

Norfolk Southern on ex: Wabash line at Philo, IL. . Train 196 is KC, MO. to Bellevue, Ohio. Here on the ‘auto artery’ are the NS freights.

Ends up back in LaGrange! At LaGrange Road. Much BNSF action of Freight and Passenger. A flurry of Amtrak. It does get a bit much on crossing bells.

That’ll do it. Naturally, there is much more. Surprises, too. A fair idea of the type and variety of content has been shown.

A Railfan’s Adventure in the Cornbelt

This 3 1/2 hour set should satisfy those with interest. A ton of BNSF and CSX action! Throw in some Shortlines and run through power.

Videography is well composed. There are times where overcast skies are not helpful. That’s part of Midwestern weather.

The steady display of train information is great. Audio is lively. Good narrative.

Again, some map references would rate this show a little higher. Same with the constant distortion at the bottom of the screen.

For those who want a quick expansion of railroad video. This one has the length.

All in all, a nicely documented 8 day tour.

Rating: 4 Stars

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ATVR Reviews Pentrex

Sunrise/ Sunset 3 Cincinnati

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: Winton Place

Timeframe: 2000

Length: 90 minutes

Pentrex cameras filmed for 15 hours on June 28, 2000. Recorded 58 trains that day. A wide variety of moves and equipment. This is the third Volume in this series. Indeed, A Day Along the Triple Track Mainline.

Previously reviewed. Sunrise/ Sunset 2 Rochelle is similar in presentation.

A dozen routes are compressed at Winton Place. Hot spot sees about 100 trains every 24 hours. There are some nice surprises in this release.

A single DVD. Main Chapter Menu is hourly. A detailed graphic for every train seen. Map. Narrated by Dave Drui.

Usual Pentrex high production quality. Signal aspects are illustrated and explaine

Trains are identified by symbols. Plenty of leased and run-through power. Narration is limited.

To the Trains…

The day begins early. NS #443 has 8590 in front. Fort Wayne to Chattanooga. Time is 6:29 am. Both CSX and NS have yards nearby.

Amtrak #50 is Chicago to Washington and running 2 hours tardy on the advertised time. Note the lead locomotive is 10.

CSX Q-368 is Northbound with FURX 3033 leading. Louisville to Philadelphia. The railroad had hundreds of locomotives leased.

A CSX Steel Train passes.

Norfolk Southern #236 is crossing over to track 3. Engine 8815 traveling Southbound. Chicago- Norfolk. This third track leads to the NS Gest Street Yard.

Two CSX moves are Southbound. The Peddler is CSX Y-121.

Northbound CSX Y-771 with an ex: Seaboard System SD40 is hauling ballast. Alongside is Norfolk Southern Train 891. Engine 8973 in front. The NS is routed Emory Gap, TN. to Martiki Mine, KY. Time 12:04 PM.

Note the 8 locomotive lash-up! The gray engine is brand new and needs to go through the NS Chattanooga paint shop. 8825 on the point of NS 375 is Southbound.

Camera relocation to a rooftop later in the afternoon. They catch a Northbound Norfolk Southern Triple Crown RoadRailer. 8584 is the leader. Jacksonville to Chicago. Mill Creek Bridge.

Leased or run through power? That Grand Trunk 6412 unit adds a different color.

Sunrise/ Sunset 3 Cincinnati

A well executed program. Talk about a railroad hot spot! Action packed and nicely paced.

CSX and Norfolk Southern fans shall find regular and some specialized movements. The lower speeds provide studied railfanning.

Interesting, are the detailed graphics of each train. Narrative with additional information.

An excellent continuation of the Sunrise/ Sunset concept series.

Rating: 5 Stars