Along the Pocahontas District on DVD by Pentrex

Coal Trains & Time Freights

Travel back in time to southern West Virginia, deep in the heart of Appalachia, to experience the busy doubletracked stretch of Norfolk Southern mainline called the Pocahontas District. It's the mid 1990s and you're touring the "Pokey" from Williamson to Bluefield to watch heavy coal trains labor upgrade and speeding time-freights rush across the system.

The rugged terrain of this mountainous district has always been a challenge to the railroad. Numerous bridges carrying the tracks back and forth across the rivers are interspersed with eighteen tunnels that bore through the ridges along this line. The area's steep grades bring most trains down to a crawl and helper engines are required on almost all eastbound trains. The long climb up to Elkhorn Tunnel is a steady 1.4 percent grade.

Coal is king in these parts. You'll visit a coal mine where strings of hoppers are being topped off with this important commodity. Mine runs with cabooses are seen, as well as fleets of heavy mainline coal drags pulled by NS's newest locomotives. The Pokey is a railroading adventure where the scenery is spectacular and the obstacles are met with brute horsepower and ingenuity!

DVD Special Feature:

Chapter Menus provides instant access to program segments.

1 Hour 32 Minutes
In Color with Stereo Sound and Narration
Full-screen (4x3) Format
No region code; can be played in any NTSC DVD player worldwide
Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case
ISBN: 1-56342-220-4
UPC: 7-48268-00503-9
Produced by Pentrex 1996, 2007

Price:	$ 24.95
List Price:	~~$ 29.95~~
Item:	POKEY-DVD
Live Stock Status:	IN STOCK!
Ships TOMORROW if ordered now.
When will I receive it?

Specs
Length (mins):	92
Producer:	Pentrex
Aspect Ratio:	Full Screen
UPC:	748268005039
Disc Type:	DVD
Region Code:	0 Worldwide NTSC
Ranked #184 of 1265 items.
There are 5 reviews of this item. Click here or scroll down to read them.

Rated 4.29/5 (14 Votes) 1 2 3 4 5

Added 2010-03-23 03:26:08 by Espee SD40 # 7377

A Great DVD photography & narration was excellent and informative,subject and trains were nicely presented and well lit. A must have DVD for any Norfolk Southern or railfan photography. John Schmeling

Additional remarks by Espee SD40 # 7377:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

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Added 2009-08-08 23:43:38 by Brady

My Nanny and I watched the video and we loved it...

Additional remarks by Brady:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Definitely.

Respond to this review

Added 2008-09-30 20:16:26 by rrvideoman

Trains are always interesting, no matter of location, or size, or what they are hauling. But there is something majestic about big, long heavy coal trains in a mountainous type scene. This video, set in West Virginia's Appalachian Mountains is a very fine video of just that. We see some beautiful scenery, long trains, some doing reverse moves on branch lines. Norfolk Southern puts on a fantastic show, with all the big power, and battling grades that really make make the trains work. A great presentation of a region that depends so much on the rails.

Additional remarks by rrvideoman:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Maybe.
Image quality: Good.
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Definitely.

Respond to this review

Added 2008-03-30 17:53:44 by Joe

This video deserves a 10 out of 10 rating for three reasons. Number one, Norfolk Southern put on quite a show. There were plenty of different locomotives pulling a variety of different consists. There is even a scene where slack action causes a coal train to lurch forward several feet after coming to a complete stop! Number two, the scenery is amazing. Between the steep rock walls, tunnels and small towns, there is something for everyone. Lastly, this is a great example of mountain railroading. The sounds of engines at full throttle going uphill their dynamic brakes whining downhill are plentiful. So is flange squeal. If one is interested in mountain railroading or modeling a mountain railroad, this is a good source for prototype info.

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Added 2008-03-14 19:04:51 by Marc Lingenfelter

This DVD is great for any NS Railfan! Shot in 1996 with SD40-2s galore, and C30-7s seen also

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