The Twilight of Postwar Steam Part 1
THE PENNSY'S WEST END AND ITS NEIGHBORS
Gene Miller took superb 16mm movies of railroad steam action right after World War II. (75% in COLOR!.) Join us as we step back over a half century to view and enjoy Part 1 of the memorable rail movies he shot mostly during the era between 1945 and 1950 with, perhaps, some scenes earlier than that of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Metro Chicago, St. Louis, Terre Haute, and the surrounding areas and its neighboring railroads.
An incredible array of steamers from the Pennsy appear in the major first part of this program, such as J-1's. T-1's, K-4's M-1A's, H Class 0-8-0's, H-6's, H-10's. Early diesels also show their stuff, such as F-3's, F-7's, as well as Baldwin Centipedes. Many other railroad's steam and early diesels are found in Chicago, and the West End including Frisco, Alton & Southern, Terminal R.R. of St. Louis, Grand Trunk, GM&O, C&O, C&WI, DM&IR, Erie, Monon, Belt Ry, Chicago Great Western, C&NW, NYC, Wabash, and L&N.
Approx: 54 Minutes--Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
The Twilight of Postwar Steam Part 2
RAILS IN THE HEARTLAND THE L&N. C&EI AND IT
It was an era of war and heartbreak, and then of peace and hope and prosperity. The nation's railroads were stressed nearly to the limit during World War II and then emerged from the conflict to confront nearly worn-out and aging steam locomotives and a dwindling passenger business. Despite this, it was still a heady period on the high iron.
Gene Miller was in the Heartland during this era shooting 16mm movies of this tough transition initially, in and around Evansville, Indiana. Many of our rail action scenes were shot in Evansville where the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railway made an end-to-end connection with the Louisville and Nashville at the L&N passenger depot alongside the Ohio River.
The C & E I entered Evansville from the northeast, ran down the middle of Division Street, and jogged over one block to end at the depot which had run-through tracks and a stub-end terminal for Louisville & Nashville trains. The L&N headed west, across Pigeon Creek, where its line to St. Louis split off at a wye at North Howell.
The L&N’s Howell Yard and bustling engine terminal were alongside the line heading south to Louisville and Nashville.
Approx: 47 Minutes--Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
The Twilight of Postwar Steam Part 3
CAJON TO HORSESHOE: TRAINS ACROSS MID-AMERICA AND THE WEST
Gene Miller got around during the 1940s and 1950s...shooting classic and irreplaceable 16mm movies near his home in the St. Louis area and farther to the north, west and east... as steam power was fading from the American rail scene with the arrival of First Generation diesel motive power.
Journey with Gene as he photographs train action in Metro Chicago and the St. Louis area and then heads west to see the Union Pacific, Santa Fe and Southern Pacific in all their steam glory. He returns to the Baltimore & Ohio in Kentucky before wrapping up on the Pennsylvania Railroad’s legendary Horseshoe Curve.
Approx: 50 Minutes--Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Steam in the 50’s Volume 1
In the mid to late fifties, G.V. 'Jerry' Carson recorded on crisp, sharp 16mm film, the end of steam in the U.S. and Canada. This excellent photographer was able to capture operations on many roads still holding on to the steam engine.
In fact, there are 14 different railroads covered in this exceptional collection of steam. They include: Chicago & Northwestern, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific,Missouri Pacific, Erie, Chicago & Illinois Midland, Pennsylvania Railroad, Northern Pacific, Grand Trunk, Illinois Central, Baltimore & Ohio, Norfolk & Western, New York Central, Rock Island.
Approx: 58 Minutes--Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Steam in the 50’s Volume 2
Incredible video from original 16mm film from the collection of Tom A. Strid.
On volume 2 you will see Union Pacific Big Boys, Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range articulated, Duluth, & Northeastern as well as more steam in other parts of the country... From 4-8-8-4's to 2-8-0's. Beautifully photographed and 99% in FULL COLOR!
Approx: 29 Minutes--Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Steam in the 50’s Volume 3
The age of steam came to its finale' in the early 50's. Photographers Ted Carlson and Rolf Nordquist captured this end of steam at its finest. From 16mm color films you'll witness the splendid action captured as steam bid it's farewell.
We'll see Northern Pacific steam, Klickitat Lumber, Rayonier Lumber, Hillcrest Lumber (Shays, and Climaxes in these three sections!) Canadian Steam in Western Canada, Mallets of the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range, and Norfolk & Western Class A's and J's plus more.
Approx: 55 Minutes--Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
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BONUS DVD
Steam Giants Across America
There is probably no greater thrill than to witness one of the massive articulated or Mallet type steam locomotives flying by at speed with 100 or more cars, or blasting a column of smoke skyward along with one or two helpers on a long freight drag up a steep grade.
Witness this exciting action across America in the 1940's and early 50's in full color from photographers such as Robert Flack, Emery Gulash, Tom Strid, and Jerry Carson. With exciting STEREO sound and some music, you will be thrilled as you view action on Union Pacific, Duluth Missabe and Iron Range, and N&W.
As an added bonus we have included a few scenes of the last few runs of Norfolk & Western's 1218, and double headed action with Union Pacific's 8444...culminating in the most spectacular steam giants DVD ever released!
Approx. Running Time 57 Minutes
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
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Steam in the 40s 50s & 60s--(SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION)
Total Run Time-352 Minutes
Dolby Digital-2.0 Stereo & 5.1 Surround
4 Disc Set
