Tag: Reading

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 Diverging Clear Productions

Then & Now – The Rio Grande Narrow Gauge

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date November 26, 2023
No Comments on Then & Now – The Rio Grande Narrow Gauge

Producer: Mary McPherson

Timeframe: 1940s to 2023

Locations: Durango, Chama, Antonito, Windy Point, Hermosa, Cumbres Pass, Silverton…

Length: 3 hours 56 minutes

Sources: Jim Adams, Don Morice, Kurt Jensen, Tom Dunn, Mary R. McPherson

An interesting entry in Diverging Clear Productions, Then and Now series. Begins with vintage 1940s era black and white film. Continues onward. Color film becomes common in the 1960s. This release was a year in the making. Comprehensive coverage. True dat!

A two volume DVD-R set. Chapter Menu. On-screen graphics. No maps. Narration by Mary McPherson. She presents a detailed history.

Film quality from good to excellent. Naturally, newer is finer. Live audio sections are fantastic. Sharp editing.

Travel back to the 1940s to start and progress to 2023. Limited screenshots of this long set. Just a taste of the comprehensive coverage within this set.

Tanglefoot Curve 1940s

A long freight is hauled around Tanglefoot Curve in the 1940s. Chama to Antonito line.

K-36 488 leads in the 1950s

Freight in the 1950s. Uptick in traffic until 1956. K36 488 with 499 helper near Highway 388.

The Silverton Mix. Trains 461 and 462.

Popular mixed freight / passenger trains which ran along the Animas River.

Rocky Mountain Club Trains 1961.

Now, we get into color films. These Club Specials were well attended. Trips exceeded 100 miles. Jim Adam’s film.

Elk Park

A 1962 trip included a mounted ex: Illinois Central steam whistle. Train plus onboard scenes. What a deal for $20! A freight is seen at Pagosa Jct. Photo runby at Elk Park. Another at Windy Point. Of course, footage from aboard the trains!

1963 with Jim Adam’s film.

Windy Point

Rio Grande was now into the Tourist business. A double header 498 488 at Windy Point. Jim Adam’s again in 1964. RMC specials ceased by 1967.

Illini Club Charter

Illini Railroad Club sponsored train in 1962. Don Morice film.

Sixties Freight

1960s at Wolf Creek

Weather issues, expenses and declining freight traffic result in some abandonment.

Preservation…

About halfway through the first disc. The focus is on what was preserved.

Durango and Silverton

High Line action

Startup and upgrade background. Coverage from 1990s into the 2000s. Durango is first. Some Mixed Trains add interest. High Line and onward to Silverton. Additional action on the return.

Cumbres and Toltec Scenic

Triple header!

Cumbres and Toltec is featured next, in the modern era. Outstanding footage! Live audio is great with a soundbar.

Doubleheader beyond the bridge at the big tree

Chama is first up with a departing double-header tourist train. Location based route from a decade timespan of film.

Disc Two

Cumbres and Toltec Specials

Goose #5 operating

Galloping Goose #5. Lettered Rio Grande Southetn. Almost sounds like a lawnmower.

Photo freight in 2005

A 2005 shot photo freight gets chased. Rio Grande 488. Check those Livestock cars. The freight assortment is cool. Perfect for the Model Railroaders!

Along The Animas River

The program continues with tourist train action. Cumbres and Toltec. Durango and Silverton. Minimal narration. Excellent scenes are abundant!

The 488 departs Silverton

At Siverton. This scene is for the Model Railroaders. The station, road crossing and siding. A tight curve is behind the train. Checkout the structure placements. Your Welcome.

Chama Yard

Bonus! Chama Yard yields extra details for Model Railroaders! Caboose, extended pipe load that requires 3 cars. Water Tower and Coaling Tower. How cool is this shot?

Then and Now Rio Grande

At nearly 4 hours in total length, there is something for all Narrow Gauge railfans. Mary McPherson includes a knowledgeable and professional narrative. From the 1940s to 2023, give a complete overview of the featured lines.

Outstanding film on the second half. A live soundtrack that sounds great!

First disc contains the historical portion. Very well done.

Diverging Clear has the bases covered in this family-friendly extravaganza.

Is this the definitive show for Colorado Narrow Gauge?

You decide! 😀

As far as this review goes. The rating offers added insight. Sum total = A Must Have!

Rating: 5 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Reading, Rio Grande, Steam, steam train

ATVR Reviews John Pechulis Media

Conrail Kaleidoscope Years Volume 1

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date September 4, 2023
No Comments on Conrail Kaleidoscope Years Volume 1

Producer: John Pechulis

Locations: Allentown, Pittston, Reading, Princeton, Horseshoe Curve,

Timeframe: June 1976- April 1977

Length: 61 minutes

Sources: Dave Latshaw, Jon Reck

The 1st in a new Conrail series by JPM. Volume 1 is in the early era.

The main areas. Allentown to Pittston. Easton and Reading areas. Princeton to Horseshoe Curve.

A single DVD-R. Numbered Chapter Menu. No extras. Narrated by Mike Bednar.

This show contains excellent restored films. Soundtrack is train sounds.

Much to see. Some highlights…

Alco Jersey Central RS-3 units trail the PC.

JH1 with Red Baron CNJ RS-3 units behind a Penn Central GP40.

D&H 7612 leads a Piggyback move

Delaware and Hudson 7612 leads a trio on a Piggyback move at Alburtis.

Alco RS-11 in Lehigh Valley paint

Here is an ex: LV RS-11 unit 7648. The East Penn local with empty tabletops.

American Freedom Train

American Freedom Train at old Bethlehem St

Erie Lackawanna GP35 units

EL 2579 with more GP35s and a PC GP30. This on AH9 at Emmaus Water Works.

Amtrak with GG-1 power

GG1 with PC and Amtrak paint at Princeton.

Penn Central

Penn Central GP30 and a GP9. Mike dislikes these. I like this pair in HO scale!

Reading 3671 on a local freight

Reading 3671 at Cole Run.

A long lash-up to run on Horseshoe Curve line.

An extended lashup on a Coal train. Rates some rear end helpers, as well.

Early Conrail lash-up

West of Rockport. A lash-up that is representative of early Conrail. Penn Central, Reading, Erie Lackawanna and a Lehigh Valley.

Alco Centuries as Helpers

There are not many caboose shots. This Penn Central Bay window on the Horseshoe Curve line will suffice. Those big, Alco Centuries are shoving a Coal Train.

Conrail Kaleidoscope Years Volume 1

This Kaleidoscope is an interesting show. A myriad of yet to be repainted power is the focal point. Some CR, cockroach renumbered units appear, as the timeliness progresses.

A fine visit to the early Conrail era. This was a relatively brief period. Uncommon in this quality. Bump it up!

Rating: 5 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Amtrak, Conrail, Delaware & Hudson, Erie Lackawanna, Lehigh Valley, new releases, Penn Central, Pennsylvania, Reading

ATVR Reviews John Pechulis Media

Railfanning the Reading Volume 3

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date June 24, 2023
No Comments on Railfanning the Reading Volume 3

Producer: John Pechulis

Locations: Pennsylvania

Timeframe: 1940s to 1960s

Length: 58 minutes

Volume 3 of this Reading series picks up in Allentown. Proceeds on East Penn to West towards Carlisle Jct. Branchline action from Bethlehem to Lansdale. Also, Catasaqua and Fogelsville. Ride and see the Perkiomen Branch. Schuykill and Lehigh branch, as well.

A single DVD-R. Main Chapter Menu. Maps are included and helpful. Narration by Mike Bednar.

JPM excels at vintage film restoration. Mainly all color films.

Allentown

Reading 282 on a 3 unit lash-up at Allentown

F units with a geep at 12th Street in Allentown.

Pair of new GP35 engines run light

New Electromotive GP35 locomotives at 12th Street.

Crossline

Reading 5506 with Alco units

At Hershey, a GP30 #5506 on a caboose hop is passing the famous chocolate plant. Alco RS-3 numbers 502 and 501 follow.

Carlisle Jct.

Pair of Geeps at Carlisle Jct.

A variety of scenes at Carlisle Jct. The 1950s. This scene includes the tower.

Baldwin switchers at Rutherford

Venerable Baldwin switchers are seen at Rutherford yard.

Bethlehem branch

Budd car departing Bethlehem to Philadelphia

Obligatory Budd car scene at Bethlehem.

Alco RS-3 trundle through town

Alco units 506 and 472 drag freight in Bethlehem.

Some Steam action is included

There are assorted color or black and white scenes with Steam.

C&F branch

Jersey Central Alcos on this move

A few foreign road diesels are seen. This Jersey Central pair haul passengers.

Perkiomen Branch

Reading 612 switching at Dillinger

Dillinger has it all. Passenger excursion, train ride views, and local freight.

S&L Branch

These cars wait for potatoes

Sights from a lost world on the black and white footage. These cars await potatoes.

Rear of a train near Downeyflake

Rather than a standard caboose shot to finish. A far more interesting scene. The early 1960s in one swoop! The colorful 40′ boxcars were common. A pair of newer EMD pushers in bright paint. Note the 1961 Ford Falcon. Top it off with a classic red caboose!

Railfanning the Reading Volume 3

A smorgasbord of years, operations, and equipment. The show moves along quickly. Something for everyone. If you enjoy variety. This release has plenty.

JPM offers a fine selection of Reading Railroad shows. Is this one worthy? The answer is Yes!

Rating: 5 Stars

Tags American Train Video Reviews, Pennsylvania, Reading

ATVR Reviews John Pechulis Media

Railfanning the Reading Volume 2

Post author By William J. Hudson
Post date April 26, 2023
No Comments on Railfanning the Reading Volume 2

Producer: John Pechulis

Locations: Reading, Catawissa, and Penn Branches…

Timeframe: 1940s – 1970s

Length: 1 hour

Sources: many

See steam and Diesel from the late 1940s into the early 1970s in Volume 2. Freight and passenger trains. Starts in New Jersey and goes West to Pennsylvania. Also, enters the Coal Regions in PA.

Additional action on Lehigh Valley. Catawissa branch. East Penn branch. Reading Iron Horse Rambles.

A single DVD-R. Detailed Chapter Menu. Maps are included. One preview.

Mike Bednar has the narrative. Good details on locations, trains, and years.

JPM excels at vintage film restoration. This show is a stellar example. Audio is train sounds. Good levels. Great colors on the film. Sharp black and white footage.

To some highlights…

Reading 611 at Port Reading, NJ

Begins with action at Port Reading, NJ. This GP7 runs light. The 611 was a Mike favorite.

A tour of the Reading facilities at Reading.

RS-3 led train enters Birdsboro

This Alco RS-3 lash-up is at Birdsboro. Check the newer paint scheme on the 2nd engine. FYI: W&N is a predecessor line, Wilmington and Northern. Yes, I looked it up.