If you liked our Riding the RGS show released in 2020, then you will enjoy this first segment. Ted Collins shot both the RGS segment and this 1947 visit to the ET&WNC Narrow Gauge. The day begins with a few chase scenes of #12 heading from Elizabethton to Cranberry. Then we see that they have boarded the cab for the remainder of the run to Cranberry. Here the engine takes water, and switching is done, before they head back west tender-first. There are some nice scenes in the Doe River Gorge. After the gorge the visitors get off and follow the train into Elizabethton, where the trip ended. A final shot of the same crew taking engine 204 back to Johnson City on the standard gauge ends this rare segment. There is very, very little coverage of this line since it went out of business in 1950 (The Narrow Gauge portion that is).
Next we head south of the border with California enthusiast Jim Vail. He hired a local guide and spent the better part of a day at the San Lazaro yard in Mexico City. This was nearly 100% steam in 1966 when he was there. We see all sorts of neat stuff with a variety of F.C.I. and N de M 2-8-0's working the yard or being serviced. There were generally 1 or 2 engines constantly switching, and moving narrow gauge as well as standard gauge cars in the dual service portions of the yard. We see engines on the turntable (armstrong which took several men to move it-a rare sight indeed), and shop work being performed next to the roundhouse. Engines were constantly being serviced, taking oil, or water. We would see a train now and then as well. There is also a cab ride in 2-8-0 number 273 while switching in the yard. This is the longest segment in the show, but it typifies the daily routine of a steam railroad in it's prime, which is enjoyable to say the least.
The third segment features Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge 4-6-0 number 9 on the Keeler Branch. This was supposedly the last excursion the engine made in 1954, but it ran in freight service after this. We see some trackside views, learn some history and enjoy a rare piece of SP steam power.
Lastly we enjoy some Rio Grande (Denver & Rio Grande Western) narrow gauge, starting with some freight action with engine 480 from Durango to Farmington, and the Durango to Chama line with some nice footage of this now extinct section to Chama. There are scenes in Gato, as well as others with good action scenes along the way. Then we see two “Hill turns” with engines 498 and 488 as they battle the 4% grade from Chama to Cumbres, Colorado at an elevation of 10.015 feet. This section is always good material.
As you can see there is a lot of great content crammed into 71 minutes. There is something for everyone and subjects that are rare indeed. Get your copy today!
71 Minutes
Next we head south of the border with California enthusiast Jim Vail. He hired a local guide and spent the better part of a day at the San Lazaro yard in Mexico City. This was nearly 100% steam in 1966 when he was there. We see all sorts of neat stuff with a variety of F.C.I. and N de M 2-8-0's working the yard or being serviced. There were generally 1 or 2 engines constantly switching, and moving narrow gauge as well as standard gauge cars in the dual service portions of the yard. We see engines on the turntable (armstrong which took several men to move it-a rare sight indeed), and shop work being performed next to the roundhouse. Engines were constantly being serviced, taking oil, or water. We would see a train now and then as well. There is also a cab ride in 2-8-0 number 273 while switching in the yard. This is the longest segment in the show, but it typifies the daily routine of a steam railroad in it's prime, which is enjoyable to say the least.
The third segment features Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge 4-6-0 number 9 on the Keeler Branch. This was supposedly the last excursion the engine made in 1954, but it ran in freight service after this. We see some trackside views, learn some history and enjoy a rare piece of SP steam power.
Lastly we enjoy some Rio Grande (Denver & Rio Grande Western) narrow gauge, starting with some freight action with engine 480 from Durango to Farmington, and the Durango to Chama line with some nice footage of this now extinct section to Chama. There are scenes in Gato, as well as others with good action scenes along the way. Then we see two “Hill turns” with engines 498 and 488 as they battle the 4% grade from Chama to Cumbres, Colorado at an elevation of 10.015 feet. This section is always good material.
As you can see there is a lot of great content crammed into 71 minutes. There is something for everyone and subjects that are rare indeed. Get your copy today!
71 Minutes
Customer Reviews
- 4 of 5
This 2021 GSVP title covers a nearly 20 year span from the late 40s to the 60s. The Eastern Tennessee & Western North Carolina 12 which is thankfully preserved at the Tweetsie Railroad was filmed by Ted Collins. The theme song to the 2020 title: Riding the Rio Grande Southern was used for this segment. To close the segment, a look at number 204 was shown as well as Southern 630 & 722 Doubleheading in 1970 from one of Greg's other 2021 titles: Southern Steam in the 70s. In 1966, Jim Vail traveled to Mexico as he captured 2-8-0 number 60 as well as numbers 273, 272, 262, 270, 254, a Class GA8 diesel number 5404 on the turntable, & others while visiting the yards, roundhouse, service area, & even riding in 272's cab. The Steam in Mexico 1966 segment is the longest in this program. Back in America, the Southern Pacific used to have its own narrow gauge system. Primarily on the Keeler Branch as 4-6-0 number 9 does the honors in October of 1954. It was photographed by an unknown camera operator. Thankfully both number 9 & sister engines 8 & 18 have been preserved. Some Present day era stills of number 18 on the Durango & Silverton in the winter was used. Speaking of Durango, you can't have a GSVP narrow gauge show without the Rio Grande in Colorado & New Mexico. Especially on the since abandoned Durango to Chama line, & on the abandoned Farmington Branch. Plus the since preserved Chama to Cumbres line which is part of Today's Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Like the SP Narrow gauge, this segment was also filmed by the same unknown cinematographer. On another trip 484 is helping 493 which a mention of the 2005 title: Rio Grande Steam in the 60s was heard.
Additional comments:
Narration: Could have used more.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Good value.
Recommend? Yes.
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