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Big Boy Combo Part 1 - PentrexMeasuring 132 feet long and weighing one and a quarter million pounds, the Union Pacific Big Boys were the largest, heaviest, most powerful steam locomotives of their type. These giants could pull a five and a half mile long train on level track. Although only 25 Big Boys were ever built, over 18 years those few engines ran up nearly 26 million miles hauling billions of tons of freight. In Pentrex"s Big Boy Combo Part 1, you"ll see two fantastic shows presenting the Big Boys in all their glory!
In Color with Appropriate 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: 1-56342-152-6 UPC: 7-48268-00435-3 |
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Added 2010-08-08 17:48:05 by Bruce McLean
I really enjoyed the feeling of servicing these huge steam engines. It really made me feel I was there. Very very interesting.
It also made me see why the railroads were so anxious to rid themselves of these engines in favor of the Diesel engine. Added 2009-02-18 10:40:30 by rrvideoman
The biggest of the big; the strongest of the strong. Words to describe the giant Big Boys. These 4-8-8-4's were once the King of the rails. With the advancement of diesels, the life of these manmoths was short lived. Part # 1 of this video shows us why the the articulated engines were made, and gives us a very interesting look at the history of them. Part # 2 takes us to Cheyenne Wyoming, and a look at the giant service facilities located there. We hear historian's as they show us many pictures of the location, and explains the uses of the many buildings. It is a fascinating experience to see. We are able to see these majestic beauties in action as they work hard. This combo video is an excellent presentation of something so long gone and so beautiful. Union Pacific did a fine job preserving some history of the Big Boys, and Pentrex has been so good at putting together a great documentary on it. I believe that all railfans will truely be pleased.
Added 2008-10-08 00:52:57 by Jeffrey Ornstein
This two-part DVD includes a vintage UP film on the Big Boys as well as a Pentrex-produced documentary style film on the Big Boys at the Cheyenne shops complex.
The vintage film "Last of the Giants" is interesting, has some good footage of the Big Boys in operation as well as being serviced. One drawback of this film (in my opinion) is a crude 1950's "cutsie" style animation on the development of the Big Boy. Other than that, it's definitely something to see.
The second part, the documentary, uses footage shot by the UP that was cut from the original film of the 1950's, as well as enhanced scenes used in "Last of the Giants." Watching the turntable at Cheyenne with the Big Boy is a real treat, as well as crews testing all the equipment. There's scenes throughout the show depicting daily life at the shops and how the locomotives were taken apart and put back together. Make no mistake about it - this was dirty, dangerous work.
One criticism I have about this video is the over emphasis on interviews with former crews. While it's nice to hear their stories, I felt there was a little too much of them, and maybe not enough of the locomotives.
I also wish Pentrex didn't roll credits at the last scene of the show - an incredible view of the Big Boys with unbelievable smoke billowing from the stacks. Truly an awesome shot.
However, if you are looking to learn more of the Big Boys, this is definitely a nice video to watch. |
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if ordered now.
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