Tag: Train DVD

Categories
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

Categories
A&R Productions ATVR Reviews

Action at Ayer, MA

Producer: A&R

Locations: Ayer

Timeframe: 2000- 2001

Length: 1 hour 40 minutes

Source: Chester Kamuda

The hit or miss A&R label with Guilford at Ayer, Massachusetts. This was a major city on the old Boston and Maine. It is still a key center in the Guilford era with a classification yard. Featured are Guilford and MBTA railroads.

A single DVD-R. No Chapter menu.  There is a chapter advance. Map. Narrated by Aaron Gonthier.

Hi 8 video is the source. Live environmental audio. Chester shoots plenty of the consists. This enhances the trainwatching experience. Film quality is similar to his other Hi 8 videos. Well composed, albeit a little soft on imagery. Occasional tape flaws. Sound levels are good. Although the wind kicks up at times.

Additional foreign power, CSX, Conrail paint, Norfolk Southern

To the Trains…

Ayer Tower

B&M 335 leads a lash-up of engines. This freight creeps past the interlocking tower with mixed freight cars.

MEC 312

GP40 MEC 312 with the local waits for clearance as traffic piles up.

Ayer

1009 stops with a Commuter train.

Ayer

High Hood SD45 Springfield Terminal is in this lash-up at Ayer.

Shirley

300 blasts through Shirley. This is West of Ayer.

Ayer

In Dec 2001, a Springfield Terminal fronts a Westbound.

Springfield Terminal SD26 621 is performing some switching. A rebuilt former Santa Fe SD24 locomotive.

Action at Ayer, MA.

Guilford has the majority of time. MBTA an occasional move. This is a slow paced show. Many scenes are at yard speed. Drilling cars quite often.

The action is trackside. Trains often fill the screen. Model Railroaders should appreciate the close-up views. It feels like Railfanning.

Chester with excellent Videography. The relaxed narration allows the train sounds to be well heard. Yet, Aaron doesn’t drop the narration for too long. Balanced.

Now, there is a limited selection of Guilford on the market. This is a fine release. Some others are marginal shows.

Guilford is available in a fine release. Come and get some.

Rating: 4 Stars

Categories
ATVR Reviews C Vision

EMDs Across America Volume One

Producer: C. Vision Productions

Locations: Montana, California, Colorado, Idaho, Washington

Timeframe: 2016- 2020

Length: 2 hours

Sources: Mike Savona, Marshall Beecher, Dan Hadley

A brand new series that stars Electromotive  of LaGrange Diesels. It is commonly known as EMD. This diesel builder has a long history. The famous F and GP engines were keys to replacing Steam engines.

There are 3 volumes from C.Vision. They do contain compilation footage from prior releases on their YouTube channel.

A single DVD-R. Also available in Blu-ray. Main Chapter Menu. There are plenty of on-screen graphics. Some maps. Narrated by Chris Laskowski.

Image quality is excellent. Format is 16×9 widescreen. Videography is great! Live environmental audio. Good levels. Modern standards. The Trona Baldwins are from 1996 video. Obviously, it is a little different. Overall, the usual C.Vision professionalism.

To the Trains…

Montana Rail Link.  If you have seen the CVP Montana Rail Link Volumes 1 and 2. That gives an idea of this interesting railroad. Last of the EMD power. Detailed graphics offer individual train designations. Dates are mostly 2019-2021. Runtime over 30 minutes.

SD45 pair

R LAUBOZ in 2019. The Bozeman Bullet. Laurel to Bozeman turn. The last two SD45 engines were still active. 346 and 355 are East of Muir, Montana. Model Railroaders, notice the simple scenery here.

A Laurel turn is paced in October 2021. Engines 252 and 251.

Helena Switch

GP9 109 leads 261 on the 840 local. It splits the signals at Helena Switch in Winston. 2017

Central Montana. Like GP9 and GP30 types? CM is the ticket. The attractive livery is obviously BN inspired. Maps display the obscure lines. The GP9 and GP30 have always been vintage favorites. This railroad operates in former Milwaukee Road and Great Northern territory.

GP9 and GP30 power

A trio hauling tank cars is East of Moccasin. Former Great Northern GP9 pair with a rebuilt GP30. Leader is 1810. Trailing are 1814 and 3001.

Rock & Rail. Tennessee Pass line in Colorado. A famous location on old Rio Grande. Former Soo Line power. Relettered with black roofs.

Benawah Lake

St. Maries River Railroad and Columbia Basin Railroad. Two shortlines. The Saint Marie’s crosses Benawah Lake in Idaho. GP9 103 was a Milwaukee Road locomotive.  This route on ex: Milwaukee Road in 2017. This scenic line was part of the historic Pacific Extension.

Union Pacific 1206

Union Pacific GP38-2 runs the St. Maries trackage on the old Milwaukee passenger mainline. Interchange with the St.Maries at Plummer, Idaho.

Foggy Winter Day

Columbia Basin Railway on former BN. These trains are in Washington. SD9 action North of Ritell with 608 in front.

SD9 with GP9

The Connell Turn. Note the ex: Northern Pacific GP9 trailing. It is a long chapter with many trains and varied lash-ups.

Trona Railway. This operation once had fame for operated Baldwin diesels. Footage of these engines is included! This chapter filmed from 1990s to 2022.

The 7 locomotives work upgrade

Trona has former Southern Pacific and Union Pacific power. SD40-2 and SD40T-2 types provide the current power with 7 total units. Trona will run them all. Model Railroaders need to see these desert weathered engines. Interchange with UP at Searles, California.

Trona Pinnacles

Trona Pinnacles are a famous location. All 7 Trona locomotives are in this lash-up.

Baldwin power works the plant

Baldwin AS-616 locomotives shot by Dan Hadley in 1996. This is like a bonus to the end.

There is much more to see. Well, this contains a general overview.

EMDs Across America Volume One

Fans of Electromotive should find this series to be fascinating. Last call on some of these vintage models for regular revenue freight service. Uncommon locations.

Exquisite high quality. High definition picture. A relaxed narrative is informative and allows clear listening to the locomotives. Would have preferred some additional maps. However, clear viewing of the trains is very enjoyable.

This film collection is unique. Loaded with many locations that are rarely seen. A program with a high rerun value.

The soundtrack is outstanding! Play on the big stereo. Train sounds pan as the freights pass the camera. Editing mitigates wind noise. Chris Laskowski presents a relaxed narrative. Informative and prioritizes train sounds.

Impressive. A top tier show!

Rating: 5 Stars

Categories
ATVR Reviews Pentrex

The Best of Midwest Volume 1

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: Midwest

Timeframe: 1990s – 2000s

Length: 1 hour 07 minutes

The first of a three Volume set from Pentrex. This show is situated more in the Plains versus the Midwest. Class One, Regional and Shortline roads are all included. A collage of railroads.

These volumes shall be reviewed individually. Fits the ATVR format better.

A single DVD-R. Main Chapter Menu. On-screen graphics. Nice custom maps. Bonus section. Narrated by David Drui.

Being a best of program, viewers may expect the dependable Pentrex high quality in all aspects of production.

The States visited: Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Organized in a geographical chapter method. There is much more to see in this program

To the Trains…

CNW lead unit with a Union Pacific in fog

Action on the UP Marysville sub. Union Pacific is operating Chicago Northwestern units. Territory is Gibbon Jct. to Kansas City. CNW 8612 a GE C44-9W fronts a Union Pacific SD40

BN on the Grand Island Viaduct

Nebraska is still the feature State here. BNSF and UP intersect with a BNSF flyover crossing. The UP Council Bluffs subdivision. This is Grand Island, Nebraska. Dave mentions that show.

Two Operation Lifesaver units

Illinois Central GP 10 leads a freight that is routed Sioux City to Fort Dodge.

Chicago Central

Two raunchy former Milwaukee Road rebuilt geeps wear Chicago Central logos and have a Chicago Central caboose. Action is at Le Mars, iowa

Union Pacific 6156 leads a freight with a Chicago Northwestern and another UP trailing.

South of Worthington, Minnesota. A train to Bigelow. CNW GP38-2 4602 in Operation Lifesaver scheme.

D&I

Dakota & Iowa Railroad. Seven geeps on a Hopper move.

DM&E

Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad. Rapid City, SD. to Winona, MN. Former CNW. Trio of SD40-3 en route to Belle Fourche. The 6054 is named City of Belle Fource. They run assorted Electromotive models. A 1996 10th Anniversary train is shown. Good Chapter.

Beaver Creek

Nobles Rock RR. A GP30 on grain service at Beaver Creek, Minnesota. Speed is 10 mph.

BNSF

Coon Creek Junction, Minnesota. The Hinckley sub is traversed by a variety of roads. Northtown Yard is one destination.

CN 5750

Canadian National 5750 has been waiting for mainline clearance at Coon Creek. This train slowly creeps onto the high iron.

BN caboose at Coon Creek

While leased locomotives don’t identify to a specific railroad. Used to be a caboose could. In this instance, a BN caboose on a freight going to Northtown Yard.

The Best of the Midwest Volume One

Here is an intriguing mix of the railroad classes. Heavy mainline action. The smaller regional roads with older locomotives. Shortlines operating are covered.

Many Railfans or Model Railroaders can find somethings of interest. The sheer variety keeps the viewing enjoyable.

A couple more volumes to review. This show is highly recommended!

Rating: 5 Stars

Categories
ATVR Reviews Pentrex

Mexico’s Pacifico Railroad

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: Nogales, Empale, Guadalajara

Timeframe: 1992

Length: 2 hours

An 1100 mile tour of Mexico’s Pacifico Railroad. Guadalajara to Nogales. Many former US Railroad locomotives operate here. Vintage Alco diesels. Newer BC Rail power, as well. Of note, there are zero Electromotive diesels.

A single DVD. Chapter menu. Graphics. Plenty of maps. Preview section. Narrated by David Drui.

FCP-1

The show begins in Guadalajara. FCP Train 1, The Train of the Pacific.  It pulls out with a Passenger train. A GE C30-7 #440 is in charge. Mexico’s 2nd largest city. The map shows the line toured from South to North. The West Coast without ocean views.

N de M 7452 at Guadalajara

N de M RSD12 7452 with El Tapatio passenger cars.

Guadalajara Yard

N de M 603 is an Alco Century. Passing FCP 578. This is a BX 620. Built from Alco designed parts in Mexico. BX 620 and similar API units are built in Mexico with Alco/ MLW parts.

Orders given at Tequila

At Tequila,  train orders are hooped up to this Star Service train.

Check the old PFE ice bunker reefers

Watch for some steam era freight cars. Old ice bunker reefers on a siding, for example.

Note the 40′ stock car in the background

FNM, ex:BC Rail 728 This M630 was stuck on the manual turntable. Ciudad Obregod.

Train 3 is paced

FCP 456 gets Train 3 paced from the roadway.

DH-17 arrives at Hermosillo

DH 17 looks splendid in clean paint. Wearing  a Southern Pacific daylight style livery. At Hermosillo Station.

An FT also operates in restored condition.

SBC departs

The Nogales district contains the remaining mileage to the United States.  712 is an ex: BC Rail in the Green scheme.

Caboose

A caboose is common on the freight trains. Check the 40′ boxcar.

Mexico’s Pacifico Railroad

Having many elements from older era US Railroads. This gives a partial look into a past era.

From the numerous vintage locomotives and equipment. To the tower operator using a Telegraph. Also, the old structures that include an old water tank and Semaphores from steam days.

Quite an interesting show.

Rating: 5 Stars