Blue Mountain Odyssey 4-6-2 425 in Action DVD![]() ![]() Click to enlargeNote: Cover image may differ from actual product This exciting program features Blue Mountain & Reading 4-6-2 No. 425, built by Baldwin in 1928. The "four-and-a-quarter" is the BM&R's star performer, delighting railfans everywhere with her loud exhaust and high-stepping drivers. In the mid-1980's the famed Pacific pulled a number of main line excursions out of Hoboken Terminal. Join us for a full hour of steam action, in full color and super stereo sound. You'll see all these exciting activities: |
![]() Award Value: 89 Points ![]()
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Blue Mountain Odyssey 4-6-2 425 in Action DVD Steamboy (Revere MA US) on 2020-07-13 07:48:31.
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In this 1986/1987 videotape/2004 DVD that was originally released as volume 7 of the railfan video classics line, the program starts with a look at the original blue mountain & reading logo while 425 whistles at mainline speed carrying 5 coaches which were originally built for commuter service on the Erie Lackawanna. Afterwards, 425 goes into reverse mode while running around the coaches. Later on the first day of August 1986, 425 heads for port jervis ny from Hoboken. The action begins with 425 heading for the crossings at Fleetwood Pennsylvania on the former reading mainline which is later owned by conrail & later Norfolk southern. Note the covered hoppers as 425 whistles through while there is a gondola between the locomotive's water tender & the coaches. Moments later, 425 whistles through topton. Meanwhile, a look at the map of the Tri-state area for the day long route is shown. In Allentown, a pair of Morristown & Erie Alco C424 units 18 & 17 (originally 424 & 430) coupled to the front of the former gulf mobile & northern Pacific while heading to Netcom NJ on the Delaware Lackawanna & western Washington branch. Between Easton & the new jersey state line of Phillipsburg, the special crosses the Jersey central bridge. An overnight stop would be made at Morristown. The bridge in the foreground is the conrail line to Allentown. Prior to the 425 trip, the special was originally planned to send 765 from fort Wayne Indiana. Unfortunately it was cancelled due to the insurance crisis. However about 2 years later in 1988, 765 did pay a visit to New Jersey for that year's NRHS convention. Some kids are shown as they want to see a train for the first time as the alcos create a smoke & horn show on the Washington branch, as well as 425 whistling at the same time. As night falls, the rain is downpouring as the special arrives at Netcom. Once stopped safety poles are used to measure the clearance of 425 under the electric wires. Once the signal is yellow, both the diesels & 425 whistled off for the really wet night. For the Saturday August 2, & Sunday August 3 trips in 1986, 425 will handle passenger specials from Hoboken near the New York city skyline as evidenced by the long gone but not forgotten twin towers in the background, to port jervis & return. The new jersey transit station at Hoboken was originally built for the Lackawanna. Due to the huge amount of coaches for the weekend long special, the same Morristown & Erie alco diesels will be used to help 425 on steep grades. The twin diesels are between the tool car for 425's maintenance parts & the coaches. With the signal set to yellow or green, it's all aboard time as 425 leaves Hoboken. In the 1980s & 1990s, some railfans thought that 425 looks almost similar to great western 90 from the Strasburg railroad due to the front headlamp on top of the boiler from far away. Not only were there scenes from the ground during the weekend long chase, there is some onboard footage from the coaches as well. A man coughs off screen as 425 makes a lot of noise while scaring the birds away at Ramsey. In the going away shot at the same location, the narrator of this program: the late railfan magazine editor Jim Boyd took some still images while using a tripod. Moments later, 425 whistles through tuxedo. Afterwards, 425 whistles through Harriman. In Campbell hall, a conrail diesel with a bay window caboose & a maintenance crane sits on a siding as 425 arrives at the depot. From here to port jervis, the Alcos handle the rest of the special while 425 is being cut off for service, & also due for turning on the wye. Once the January 1928 Baldwin built Pacific is turned, the air whistle on the tool car is activated as 425 backs into port jervis. During the Saturday special, the rain is still In a heavy downpour mode as 425 is being prepared for the return trip to Hoboken. With everyone back onboard, the excursion is shown at godeffroy where the Alcos could handle most of the work. Listen to the sounds of the evil skies as 425 whistles through the storm. Near washingtonville new York, 425 whistles over the moodna viaduct. Afterwards, the special is being paced alongside as throughout the segment, look carefully for the car mirror on the southwest corner of the screen. You can see the camera operator in the mirror while pacing 425. Almost halfway into the program near the 30 minute mark, 425 whistles at tuxedo, then it whistles under the overpass, & also at Ramsey. |