Commentary (voice)
Commentary (voice)
Meet the crew of the Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985, the largest and most powerful steam engine in the world. This colorful documentary is a behind-the-scenes look at the conductors, engineers and mechanics who keep this fickle train running, an engaging history of steam power, and a scenic tour the Great Plains -- from Cheyenne, Wyo., through Denver and across Nebraska to the Omaha headquarters of the Union Pacific.
The Canadian Rockies by Rail takes viewers on a journey through the Pacific Northwest and the Canadian Rockies. The trip on board the Rocky Mountaineer train passes through some of North-America’s most stunning wilderness scenery. The trip includes stops in Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff and Jasper as well as a drive along the Icefields Parkway, often described as one of the most scenic drives in the world.
The British Railways modernisation programme of the 1960s radically changed the rail network, and the British Transport Films unit and the TV news were there to capture it. Compiled here is never before released colour footage of Southern steam at Waterloo (with Nine Elms depot), all the major London stations, The Blue Pullman and early diesels, The Golden Arrow and Night Ferry service, goods and mail, steam on the Metropolitan Railway and building the Victoria Line.
The Midland Railway route from Derby to Manchester traversed the Peak District of limestone hills. It was this limestone which produced much traffic for the railway, the ICI works around Buxton provided steam haulage up to 1968. First there is an introduction to the route using the last steam hauled train over the entire route in 1968. Beginning at Derby we go north to Wirksworth and its quarry. A detailed look at the Cromford and High Peak line with its steep incline at Sheep Pasture, J94’s storming Hopton incline, even a B1 at Parsley Hay.
Massachusetts' Maine Attraction is the only definitive documentary on Edaville ever produced. Through extremely rare archive film footage, you'll learn the history of the Maine two-footers and observe regular-service trains on the Sandy River and Bridgeton & Harrison Railroads. Passenger and freight activities, and even winter scenes, are included. The program then describes the evolution of Edaville, from its planning and construction as a cranberry-hauling freight line to a full-fledged theme park. You'll ride the train and view the railroad from both onboard and trackside perspectives, and see coverage of special railfan events, including night activities.
Jim Clemens Collection No.4. A nostalgic look back at the railways of South Shropshire in the early 1960′s. After a visit to GOBOWEN and IFTON colliery in the north, the scenes south and west of SHREWSBURY are covered. A journey from WELSHPOOL to SHREWSBURY, most of it in Shropshire, is taken. Very rare 1932 footage of the SHROPSHIRE & MONTGOMERY RAILWAY shows LNWR 0-6-0′s, llfracombe Goods engines and petrol railcars between SHREWSBURY ABBEY, KINNERLEY and the CRIGGION branch. A comprehensive journey the whole length of the Severn Valley now follows via BERRINGTON, CRESSAGE, BUILDWAS and IRONBRIDGE. The line to LONGVILLE and MUCH WENLOCK is recalled as is the eastern side of the River Severn at DAWLEY and COALPORT in 1959.
Beginning where Part 1 left off at Stafford, we leave the West Coast main line to visit Stoke-on-Trent and the Churnet Valley to Caldon and Congleton which was visited with a Black 5. North to Stockport for extensive coverage of the area through Edgeley and the engines that visited the shed there. The end of steam at Manchester Piccadilly, retum to Crewe via Sandbach. The last ten minutes are spent at Crewe with not only LMS power in the form of Duchesses, Scots and Jubilees but the early electrics and diesels as well. An area covered in detail not seen before on a video.
A video for electric traction fans. Not entirely, for steam was seen occasionally on the route especially west of Dinting, But this is the story of ·the 1500v dc system across the Pennines from Sheffield to Manchester. Filmed mainly in the 1960’s, you will see the EM1’s and EM2’s as they were in their green livery as much as they were in blue towards the end. Passenger services are there throughout the route. Class 506 units are seen on the Glossop service and there is coverage of the EM2 class in Holland. All told a pretty comprehensive film of this period of electrification on an ex-LNER line. One day it may reopen again although not at 1500v dc!
