Tag: Santa Fe

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ATVR Reviews Highball

Tehachapi Cab Ride

Producer: Highball

Locations: Bakersfield, Tehachapi, Mohave

Timeframe: 1998

Length: 2 hrs 15 min

Source: Roy Knighton

Take a cab ride on BNSF. Journey from Bakersfield to Mohave. This tour includes Tehachapi Loop. Recorded on March 16, 1998.

Hotshot Z train. Symbol, Z BYWSP 916A. Translation is North Bay to Willow Springs. 58  loaded cars 0 empties. San Francisco to Chicago area.

The Lash-up. ATSF 861, 681, BNSF 122, 533, ATSF 550, 634, BNSF 4739, 1035. Grand total of 8 locomotives.

A single DVD-R. No Chapter menu. Hidden Chapter advance.  Zero maps or location graphics. Narrated, as far as a talkative bunch in the cab. Random radio traffic, as well.

Aspect ratio is 4×3 full screen. Live environmental audio. Crew is informative and friendly. The camera view is a roving one. Beats any single hard mounted forward only view, which is sometimes used on other shows. Unfortunately, a light rain falls. The rain subsides about halfway through the show.

Appears to have a front mounted view. A second handheld camera with the alternate viewpoints.

To the Trains… 👉

The 8 unit lash-up stops in Bakersfield Yard

Bakersfield, California, is our departure point.   This is in the yard. The Engineer gives trip details for Train 916A. Onboard the lead engine, the Conductor gives operating details of controls for the train. Dash 8- 40CW 861 is the lead engine. Not all the power units are online here.

Engineer checks paperwork

Let’s hope our Engineer is not reading a quick start guide to run the train! Lol. The locomotive cab is noisy with mechanical sounds. Conversation is sometimes difficult to hear clearly. Oddly enough, better voice separation on the big stereo.

Good rearview of the long lash-up

Picture within a picture gives forward and reverse or side facing views!

SP Crewman inspects our passing train

A lone Southern Pacific SD45 and it’s Conductor witness our train pass by. 25 min.

Westbound Z train

The Westbound Intermodal counterpart. 29min

A tunnel wall section just ahead

Site of a former Tunnel gets pointed out. Destroyed by a 1952 earthquake.

Tehachapi Loop.

Our Z train loops over itself here.

Union Pacfic Maintenance of Way train. Sunshine comes out on the desert floor.

Thanks for the lift

Mohave is mentioned by name. This train transitions to Santa Fe trackage. Speed increases here. We detrain at a yard facility.

Tehachapi Cab Ride

This cab ride conveys the experience of traveling on this world-famous route. Nicely filmed and sharp editing.

One area that needs improvement. Location awareness. Some onscreen subtitles could have handled this information. Not even a single map presented. So, even having seen numerous Tehachapi Loop area shows. This plays differently aboard a live train move.

The soundtrack is a bit problematic. It can be difficult to hear the conversation. Depending on engine noise,  squawkbox, and the individual speaking.

Now, besides those two Chief concerns. The strength of the ride is the Videography. Pro shot and the frequent picture within the picture are excellent!

Overall, a fine show of riding across the Tehachapi line.

Rating: 4 Stars

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ATVR Reviews WB Video

Abo Canyon and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway

Producer: WB Video

Locations: Belen, Abo Canyon, Mountainair

Timeframe: 1998

Length: 58 minutes

Source: William Brown.

Abo Canyon is located on the old Santa Fe Chicago to Los Angeles mainline. It has seven bridges. BNSF predecessors and some with original paint.  New BNSF liveries, as well.

The tour begins at the ex: Santa Fe yard in Belen, New Mexico. Circa 1998.

A single DVD-R. Hidden Chapter advance. On screen graphics. Previews. Narration by Tom Jensen.

Videography is solid. Well composed scenes. Natural audio. The narrative is hard panned to one channel or another.

To the Trains…

Belen

Belen Yard is briefly seen. Quickly, moves along to the first bridge. The longest of the seven. Double-stack traffic is dominant in this show. The tour on the first half is Eastbound to Mountainair.

Bridge One

Ten locomotives on the over 500 foot long Bridge One. Likely, a power balance move.

2

Bridge 2 is  on a slight curve. Original Santa Fe scheme on the leader.

4

Bridge 4 hosts a quadruple set of BN green plus one Blue Santa Fe.

Newest BNSF scheme in front

Two different BNSF paint schemes on the point of this double-stack.

BNSF lettered Warbonnets

BNSF reletters on Santa Fe warbonnets are seen on bridges four and five.

5

A blue and yellow warbonnet SD45 is on the point of an Intermodal at Bridge Five.

Abo

Abo, New Mexico is at milepost 862. BNSF 4924, 4311 in orange and green. Relettered SF Warbonnet 742. Dash 9- 44CW engines with a mixed freight.

BNSF 8205 at Mountanair

Mountainair Depot. A grimy 8205 on a trio with a double-stack train. Turnaround and back towards Belen is next.

Bridge 7

Westbounders are next. Similar to first half of this show. Note the black cow, seems oblivious to the passing train above. An untouched Burlington Northern SD40-2 leads.

Bridge 6

General Electric C44-9W on the point. All of the pre and post merger paint schemes are present in this lash-up. Bridge six.

Abo Canyon and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway

Extensive coverage of Abo Canyon. This is from both directions. Videography is excellent. The soundtrack is very good. Although the narration is oddly placed, either left or right.

In summary.  This is an out and back tour covering around 15 miles through Abo Canyon. Early enough in the merger years to see a variety of locomotives. Paint ranges from original to the then current BNSF liveries.

A satisfactory program. Script is on the lightweight side. Little in historical background. Mainly, it is power focused, and locations are well documented.

Fine visual coverage of the route.

Rating: 4 Stars

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ATVR Reviews Pentrex

The Super Chief El Capitan Transition

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: LA, Cajon Pass, Albuquerque, Chicago

Timeframe: 1969- 1974

Length: 45 minutes

Source: Nick Muff, MD.

Santa Fe had a rich heritage for it’s passenger trains. The Super Chief and El Capitan were two famous name trains on Santa Fe.

Here are those 2 trains operating in combined service. Railroads did combine some trains, as passenger traffic declined. The loss of mail contracts also changed the overall usage of passenger moves.

A single DVD. Play video or previews. Dave Drui narration.

Pentrex has assembled a vintage collection of the headliner Santa Fe train. Soutgern California in mainly early 1970s Amtrak. Film sums to be 8mm. Quality in the very good- good range. Original Live sound, as well.

To the Trains…

Summit

A 1971 scene at the original Summit at Cajon Pass. Check the announcements here. Amtrak was leasing the Santa Fe F-units its. Six motors are seen here.

1974

At Wish in 1974. FP45 pair with an F7B. Bicentennial baggage car. Note the different liveries on each FP45.

Blue Cut

At Blue Cut in 1972.

Yellow bonnet

Rialto Ave 1973 with a yellow bonnet.

1969

Having left San Bernardino, a 1969 runby.

1974

Crossing the LA River in 1974.

November 1972 at LAUPT. That’s Los Angeles. Ride a combined trip under Amtrak. F45, FP45 and F7B are the power set.

A 2 day journey to destination at Chicago. Film from two trips make up this segment. Interior shots of the train include dining.

New Mexico

Rearward view in New Mexico. Taos Mission on the left.

Glorieta Pass

Exterior from a Dome car. Glorieta Pass in New Mexico.

Chicago

Arrival in cold temperatures at Dearborn Station.

The Super Chief El Capitan Transition

A unique look at this train. Pre-Amtak and early Amtrak versions of Santa Fe. Plays in two halves. First are exteriors of these trains in Southern California. The second half is an onboard trip from Los Angeles to Chicago.

Interesting view of this piece of railroad history.

Santa Fe fans and general passenger train enthusiasts should find this an enjoyable show. Length is somewhat short at 45 minutes. Still, a worthwhile purchase.

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars

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ATVR Reviews C Vision

Denver and Rio Grande Western Volume 2 : 1989

Producer: C. Vision

Locations: Palmer Lake, Minturn, Tennessee Pass, Glenwood Canyon…

Timeframe: 1989

Length: 102 minutes

Source: Bob Rivard

Rio Grande circa 1989. Front Range through Rocky Mountains. Joint Line with Burlington Northern and Santa Fe trains.

A single DVD-R. On-screen graphics. No maps. Narrated by Don Grant.

Bob Rivard recorded the action. Full screen aspect. Stereo sound. On/ Off narration.

To the trains…

Work train

Rio Grande 3104, a GP40 leads a Work Train distributing railroad ties along the right of way.

Minturn helpers

A helper set is going to be added mid-train at Minturn.

Action near Belden Siding

An Eastbound goes into the hole at Belden Siding.

Tennessee Pass

Tennessee Pass with a tunnel motor on an S curve.

Glenwood Canyon

An SD9 trails in Glenwood Canyon.

Joint Line

Joint Line traffic is shot South of Denver. BN 7000 on a Coal train. A healthy supply of BN trains round out this program.

The trestle near Larksburg sees a couple of Union Pacific engines and a Southern Pacific .

Palmer Lake

Four Santa Fe units at Palmer Lake.

Palmer Lake

Palmer Lake is busy! GE U30C on the point of this BN freight.

Rio Grande caboose

Assorted cabooses are throughout.

Denver and Rio Grande Western Volume 2

Minimal narration and a focus on train runbys. This show is about Railfanning. Model Railroaders benefit by long looks at the passing consists. Assorted cabooses from various roads are the icing on the cake!

Some authentic radio chat adds more interest.

Burlington Northern and Santa Fe moves keep up the interest level on the Joint Line. Balanced with the Rocky Mountain footage. A good assortment of various trains.

A fine show to add in a collection.

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars

Categories
ATVR Reviews WB Video

BNSF A Time of Change 2

Producer: William Brown

Locations: Crozier Canyon, Peach Springs, Nelson Tunnel, Pico

Timeframe: 2000

Length: 1 hour

Source: William Brown

A look at the BNSF Transcon. Coverage is in Western Arizona. Volume 2 of a short series. The vintage WB titles are hit or miss. Let’s see one of these contemporary shows now.

A single DVD-R. No Chapter menu. On-screen graphics with subtitles. Hidden Chapter advance. Brief Previews.

Narration by Tom Jensen. Lively and energetic narrator.

Picture is excellent, although not wide-screen. Live audio soundtrack. The audio is loud. Well composed scenes.

New. Running soundtrack on a full-on stereo, as well. Outstanding separation! Trains come and go. One channel to the other. WOW!

Script is the rather basic style. Eastbound,  Westbound and generic descriptions. The train sounds and consist views are centerpieces.

Pica steam era tanks

Begins at old abandoned facilities in Pica. Arizona. Where’s this place?

A 10 engine lash-up

Cool catch as 10 engines roar by…light!

Nelson Tunnel East

Nelson Tunnel. Milepost 457. East of Peach Springs. Never heard of either one. Good action on the East portal.

Manifest to Yemple, Texas

A Barstow to Temple, Texas with mixed power.

BN 6811 leads at the West Portal

West Portal is next with afternoon trains.  6811 leads an Electromotive and a B unit.

Peach Springs

Peach Springs the next morning.  A sunny day. Three Warbonnets and a BNSF Heritage unit lead an Intermodal. Milepost 462. He mentions this is the month of April.

Crozier Canyon

Crozier Canyon is West of Peach Springs. 6348 leads 3 Santa Fe units.

Quartet of Warbonnets

Four Warbonnets upgrade in opposite direction.

Perfect scene for Model Railroaders

Overhead and trackside views. Many trains at various spots in Crozier Canyon.  One awesome scene after another! A show within the show.

A high view

Even more great scenery near Valentine, Arizona. The action continues onward in Western Arizona on former Santa Fe trackage.

Listen to the train pass by the camera

The stereo experience adds to enjoyment. As the camera pans the trains, stereo imaging accompanies the scene. What fun!

BNSF A Time of Change 2

An excellent production. Stunning videography in Crozier Canyon. Audio features the natural train sounds. Stereo listening adds to the feeling of being trackside. Narration is simple but enthusiastic. Beats a non-narrated by a country mile.

Yes, a map would be handy. On the other hand. The program only highlights several locations on the mainline. Mile markers are noted.

The sum total. A fine film featuring Crozier Canyon and Nelson Tunnel (rare). An enjoyable hour of BNSF by WB Video. Great for any Railfan or Model Railroader.

Rating: 5 Stars