New York Central Steam and Diesel DVD

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NEW YORK CENTRAL: ALONG THE HUDSON presents NYC first-generation diesels in action on the West Shore Line from Weehawken to Bear Mountain and on the Hudson River main line from Manhattan to Albany.

The program opens with scenes of the Central's Manhattan ferry terminal and a ride across the harbor to Weehawken featuring nostalgic views of ferries, harbor craft, and ocean liners. A tour of the West Shore Line follows, with Alco-powered passenger and freight trains depicted at such locations as Little Ferry, Ridgefield Park, Teaneck, Harrington Park, West Nyack, and Bear Mountain.

We then visit the Hudson River main line, beginning with scenes of NYC electric trains on the Park Avenue Viaduct. At Spuyten Duyvil, EMD and Alco diesels are shown pulling freight trains into Manhattan. There is also coverage of activities at Harmon and long-distance trains in action on the main line south of Albany.

NEW YORK CENTRAL STEAM SHOWCASE begins with a brief ride from New York City to Harmon, where the electric locomotives were exchanged for steam power. Views of the engine terminal and the engine change itself are presented, followed by some high-speed main line scenes taken south of Albany, including sequences featuring steam engines scooping water on the fly!

A quick diversion to Kingston on the West Shore Line offers charming vignettes of classic 4-6-0s on the branch to Oneonta. Other highlights include trains on Washington Street in Syracuse, Buffalo Terminal in the snow, steam trains at Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, and extended action sequences at Chicago, Kankakee, and St. Louis.

Locomotives featured range from chunky 0-8-0s to the famous 4-6-4 Hudsons, 4-8-2 Mohawks, and the legendary 4-8-4 Niagaras.

60 MINUTES * COLOR AND B/W ARCHIVE FILM * MAPS AND GRAPHICS * SYNCHRONIZED SOUNDTRACK
PRODUCED BY MARC S. BALKIN